The warehouse smelled like sweat and cigarette smoke. Yuki Sakaguchi sat on the bench in the pre-fight room, getting ready. She rolled her sleeves up to her elbows and started wrapping her hands with white tape, stopping right before the tattoo on her wrist. The kanji character wasn't big, but it was clear as day. Everyone in the warehouse knew what it meant.

The announcer peeked his head through the door.

"You're up."

Yuki took a deep breath before entering the arena. As she walked through the door, the roar from the spectators hit her like a wave. People filled the entire floor. She stood at the edge of the crowd with her hood pulled up. The hoodie had slowly become part of her, of the role she played.

"Next fight! Sledgehammer VS The Kid."

The crowd exploded, eager to get a glimpse of the fighters. When they saw a small figure in a hoodie approaching, they moved aside to open a path. She walked past them with a slight swagger, keeping her gaze on the ring. People whispered.

"That's the kid?"

"He looks tiny."

"Sledgehammer will break him in two."

Yuki reached into her pocket and pulled out her black face mask, putting it on in one swift motion. When she stepped into the light, half the crowd laughed.

"This fight is over before it's even started."

The other half chanted.

"Kid! Kid! Kid! Kid!"

Inside the ring, Sledgehammer watched her approach and burst out laughing. A loud, booming laugh.

"Is this the famous Kid?! You've got to be kidding me!"

He expected the fight to be over in seconds. Yuki pushed the hood back. Her short black hair was tied up, revealing the undercut along the sides. She tilted her head and locked onto him.

Inside, she was freaking out.

No way! No way! No way! How did he get so big?! Did he eat someone?

Her thoughts spiraled, then her father's voice echoed in her mind.

No matter how big your opponent is, use their strength against them.

She exhaled slowly, looking Sledgehammer straight in the eye.

The announcer grabbed the microphone.

"In this corner, 2 meters tall!"

"Pure muscle!"

"Raw strength!"

"SLEDGEHAMMER!"

"And his opponent, the legend!"

"The myth!"

"The undefeated!"

"THE KID!"

The crowd erupted. Yuki pulled her hands out of her pockets and settled into a fighting stance. Sledgehammer laughed, rolling his enormous shoulders. With a roar, he charged.

Yuki stepped forward, turning sharply. She used his momentum against him. He lost his balance. In one seamless move, his massive body lifted.

BOOM!

The ropes shook.

The impact sent dust flying through the air. Sledgehammer was on the ground. For a second, the entire arena was dead silent.

"What the hell just happened?"

The crowd went wild.

"Kid! Kid! Kid! Kid!"

People chanted and money changed hands. Yuki still stood in her fighting stance. She glanced down at Sledgehammer, he wasn't moving. Quietly, she slipped her hands back into her hoodie pockets. The chanting got louder, but she ignored them and waited for the referee to declare the fight. Scanning the crowd, she spotted Kentaro Isa. He was grinning and gave her the thumbs up.

The referee knelt beside Sledgehammer and immediately confirmed that he was unconscious. He blew the whistle. The announcer's voice rang out.

"Knockout! The Kid is the winner!"

"He's still UNDEFEATED!"

Yuki turned and walked out of the ring. Everyone stepped back to let her pass. They whispered again.

"Sledgehammer didn't stand a chance."

"How is it even possible?"

"He's a monster."

She was about to approach Kentaro when she saw Shuji Otani. He stood among the spectators, watching her. He made a small signal, just two fingers. That was enough for her to understand.

Follow me.

Yuki trailed behind Otani down a hallway. The noise from the crowd faded in the background, and only the sound of their footsteps echoed through the concrete walls. She kept her gaze on his towering build, glancing over his tattoos. Otani turned sharply. His forearm pressed against her throat, and her back hit the wall. He lowered his head to her face.

"You ended the fight too fast."

Yuki locked eyes with him, but there was nothing behind her gaze. Otani studied her for a second.

Interesting.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Next time, make it last longer."

He released the pressure on her throat and strode down the hallway. Yuki stayed still until he was gone. She adjusted her clothes and entered the arena. Turning a corner, she saw Kentaro leaning against a wall. He straightened immediately.

"Did he hurt you?"

"No."

He brushed his messy hair back, and his gaze lingered over her. A wide smile spread across his face. 

 "You destroyed tha--"

Kentaro's voice trailed off when Yuki's face was inches from his. She stood on her toes and inspected him.

"You are hurt, Taro."

She furrowed her eyebrows and poked his cheek where a bruise was forming, making him wince. 

"I'm okay, Yu."

The crowd was still roaring behind them. Fighters moved around. The announcer's voice boomed in the background. Yuki paid no attention to the noise. She tilted his face with her finger, checking for more bruises. Kentaro stood quietly, letting it happen. He gave her a gentle head pat.

"You're like a little sister to me, you know that?"

Yuki didn't answer. She was too busy checking him. Without warning, she grabbed his hand and pulled him down the hallway. Kentaro laughed.

"Yu, I said I'm fine."

She shook her head and kept hauling him until they reached a door. A voice echoed from the other side after her knock.

"What?!"

Yuki opened the door and yanked Kentaro into the lounge. The smoke swirled in the dim light from the TV. Kosuke Chiba sprawled on the worn-out sofa. He snapped his head toward them with a 'don't bother me' look. Noticing the bruise on Kentaro's face, he reached into his pocket. Yuki let go of his hand and stepped forward. Kosuke held her gaze for a second and handed her a small packet. He looked back at the TV.

"Use that."

She nodded and tugged Kentaro's sleeve, walking out of the room. Kosuke watched them leave with a side glance, letting out a huff. 

...damn it.

Yuki continued to tug him until they reached a private area with benches. 

"Sit down."

She opened the ointment packet and gently applied it to his bruise. He leaned slightly in, clearly enjoying the moment. She glanced at him and he was grinning from ear to ear.

How is he older than me?

She finished applying the ointment and took a step back, quietly looking him over before giving a small nod.

"All done, Doctor?"

She raised an eyebrow, and he threw up his hands.

"Okay, okay! Let's go."

Kentaro walked first, relaxed with his hands in his pockets. Yuki followed a step behind. They entered the arena as the spectators were leaving the warehouse. Kentaro glanced back.

"Looks like we're done for today."

Yuki saw Ippei Sakai pace towards them with his usual serious expression. He stopped right in front of her, his slim figure looming over her.

"Kid, Otani wants you to fight tomorrow."

He adjusted his glasses with a slight smirk.

"I've scheduled the fight for 10 PM."

She looked at him for a second and nodded. Kentaro stepped into their space.

"And my fight?"

Ippei's eyes didn't leave Yuki.

"The Kid is the only fighter tomorrow."