Chapter 42: Chapter 42
'' I hate that face.''
Was Mr. Touma way of greeting her, thing that just made her laugh loudly, stopping her jump roping.
After arriving at the gym before him, Danuja put her things to the side, let Dad settle in his spot and begin her warm up without the man. Said man that was looking disturbed by the sight of her and Danuja couldn't be happier.
'' I really hope you are like this because school it's over and not because whatever illegal shit you did last night.'' he said making her roll her eyes
'' How do you know it was illegal? Maybe I repaired something at home.'' she said trying to sound indignated but that just made her grin
'' Because I've been training your ass for some months already and the only time you would grin like that it would mean trouble. '' he said grumbling '' Like when you had that bright idea to humiliate karate in front of a crowd full with fighting fanatics.'' he pointed out, Danuja humming to tone him down
'' It was actually quite brilliant.'' she said putting the rope down, rolling her shoulders '' What did you had in mind today?'' Danuja asked instead of bickering with him
Sure it was one of her favorite pastimes but she has a fight in two days. It wasn't her fault that she begin to feel the excitement already.
'' Eager aren't you brat?'' he asked snorting before looking over her arms '' How does your body feel? Any soreness? No pulled muscles right?'' he said arching an eyebrow
'' I'm a little sore but my body it's already used to it.'' Danuja said flexing her hand in fists before relaxing them '' Feeling kind of restless though.'' she said making him snort, noting once again the softness in his eyes for a brief moment
'' Good. We don't want you to pull a muscle at the last moment.'' he said nodding to himself before frowning at her '' I really hope there will be no more stunts like that shit you pulled.'' he said frowning though it was quite clear he was amused '' Not sure how the boxers will think if you tried something like that with them.''
'' First of all-'' Danuja begin wrapping her hands skillfully ''- it wasn't a stunt, it was a statement.''
'' Same thing.'' Mr. Touma said huffing at her
'' Second of all-'' she said taking a seat on the bench ''- how many boxers are in those fights?'' she asked noting how the man froze '' Like how many boxers actually show up in underground rings like those. Don't think it's like the movies.'' she commented trying to loosen him up but no luck
'' Mr. Touma?'' Danuja asked startling him before he sighed, looking disgusted at the ring in front of them.
'' Do you know what you will see in those fancy boxing clubs in Japan? Hell, around the world?'' he asked instead making Danuja frown at the change of subject
'' Boxing?'' she asked the obvious
'' Not really.'' he said '' What is learned there it's more of a mix of karate and pieces of martial arts. Boxing is a dead sport now. It's flooded with too many belts and nearly everyone who sets foot in the ring is a champion like they come at a parade and not to fight in a ring. Then come along the bribes, the staged bets and all those things that make me throw up.'' he said throwing his hand around disgusted
'' So no. There aren't a lot of boxers in underground rings. Most of them like to stay in their chair up there while looking down at any fair fights and throwing money around.'' he said becoming frustrated
'' There are a lot of hellish karateka or takedown practitioners. Hell, I'm pretty sure there a dozen or so Kung Fu masters in the upper Rings.'' he said absently
Should have shut up while I had the change Danuja thought listening to the raving man Who would have thought anyway that he will react like that
'' Forget about that though. '' he said before taking the training pads, nodding towards the ring '' Get up there and let's take it easy those two days.''
In response Danuja hummed before jumping back in the ring, sparring with Mr. Touma. She wasn't sure how deep the man wound run or how long did he stay in this empty gym just waiting for someone to show up and stay, but now Danuja was there.
And all things aside, Danuja was quite proud to be trained by this man. He was a cranky, old man who didn't look like much at his age but Danuja was pretty sure that she never meet someone with stronger morals than him and enough shit to give about her.
----
The days before her match passed faster than she thought and when Monday night come, Danuja showed up at Mr. Touma gym with a shabby bag over her shoulder and no dog in sight.
'' Feeling lonely?'' Danuja commented when she found him standing beside the car. She couldn't help but laugh when he twitched before flipping her off, getting in the car.
The Mad Dog Pit, per his popular nickname, was looking the same as the first time she stepped inside of it. It wasn't really a surprise, after all not even two months passed since she appeared for the first time there.
'' I feel watched.'' she said sticking just a little closer to Mr. Touma despite herself
'' You are.'' he said bluntly, amused before putting his hand roughly around her shoulders, tugging her forward or down more likely '' Don't be so surprised. Those guys must be some karateka with so much staring. Told you they didn't like your stunt. Sure the crowd loved it enough to give you a bonus back then but you don't fight with the crowd kid.'' he said before pointing to a nearby screen
'' You fight with them.''
On the screen was show numerous fighters, all of them males and all of them having the style they did written beside them. It did not take long for Danuja to realize that there was no boxer in that ranking.
'' Who are those guys?'' she asked trying to remember all their faces. Better recognize a face than remember a name.
'' That's the ranking for top twenty of the First Ring. Guess what?'' Mr. Touma said gleefully '' You are fighting No. 17.''
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Michiko_B
Michiko_B I was watching Stray Kids live while writting this.
Today I eat pasta and I can sincerily say that it was a happy day.
Also, do you guys remember that cat that let me pet him? Yeah, he is mine now.
Have a great meal today and fight any colds you have!
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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