Exercise helps to keep our head clear.

I told Erii and Ryo about Aiko's invitation. Erii also mentioned it and showed the messages to us. Ryo says,

"Of course I will come! It's Hime-chan we are talking about."

Erii replies,

"Are you really fine with that? You were scared when you know the truth about the Hasegawa family back then."

Ryo stopped and says,

"Well, I am, but there's no point getting agitated about it anymore."

I say,

"I think I'm going to work out again."

Erii and Ryo looked at me and he asks,

"Uhh... why so sudden?"

I reply,

"You know why. I just want to be ready, that's all."

Erii says,

"Okay... just don't overdo it."

I looked at Ryo and says,

"Ryo, can you take care of the restaurant for me in the meantime?"

Ryo nodded and replies,

"It's not a problem. Just leave it to me."

I looked at Erii and says,

"Can you accompany aunt Lisa for me?"

Erii nodded and replies,

"Mm... don't worry."

I smirk and say,

"Thanks, guys..."

They both nodded.

On our way to our school, Ryo is pointing at something. He says,

"Hey, isn't that..."

The two of us looked at Ryo and looked at what is he pointed at. A guy fought six of the students from our school. He deliberately knocked them out. Then he left. A dark red-haired guy with piercings on both of his ears... I'll remember that face. Then we immediately approached them and helped them up. Ryo asks,

"Hey, what happened there?"

One of the students' replies,

"We were minding our own business... then he approached us and told us to move, but we ignored him. Then he punched our friend and this happens..."

Ryo says,

"Sick bastard... he just wanted to pick a fight."

We helped them walk and we went to school. Everyone looked at us and whispered to each other. After we put them in the infirmary, the three of us got called by the principal. We went to his office and sat in front of him. He asked what happened to those students and we explained to him that a guy deliberately fought them and injured them. The principal understood and told us to go to our class.

Once we entered the class, the tone on the speaker rang. The broadcaster said that we all have to go to the school hall now, the principal will have a speech related to what happened to the students who got beaten. Everyone talked about what happened to those students and it amazed me how fast the words got out.

We all went to the school hall and listened to his speech. He suggested that all of us shouldn't go home on our own and to be careful with our surroundings to avoid the same incident as those guys. He said that he already reported it to the police. He also informed us that the police had the same complaint from other schools and parents. It seemed that there are already so many victims from his doing. The police will patrol near the schools this evening and until next week to prevent the same incident to happen again. Then we are dismissed and went back to our classes.

Not many students are worried about it and some of them even want to meet this guy and see him in action. For me, I really don't care much about it and something like this happens every time. It always has the same case. A guy wanted some attention. Erii also didn't care about it unless that guy hit a girl then she will be furious about it. Erii and Ryo stood in front of my desk. I say,

"You guys need to be careful. Ryo, you should accompany her back home."

Ryo asks,

"Eh? Why me? Ohh right... you're going to go to the gym after school huh?"

I looked at Erii and ask,

"It's okay, right?"

Erii nodded and replies,

"Yeah, I mean, I really don't need anyone to protect me but it's better to have Ryo than being alone. We both are going to your house anyway."

I say,

"I'm sorry that I can't be with you."

Erii shook her head and replies,

"Don't worry about it. You do what you need to do. I never told you to be with me all the time."

I nodded and then the bell rang. Everyone went back to their seats.

The last class ended and I immediately left school and went to the gym that I used to go to. It's the place where my father used to visit and spar with me from time to time. It's also a boxing camp, it's a famous place where boxers came to train. The owner of the gym was my father's closest friend. He has known my father since my father is still a professional boxer. I often saw him in the Dog's Cage as well.

I arrived at the gym and opened the door. A fat Ojisan with black hair looked at me and immediately approached me. He's the owner of this place, his name is Togawa Norishige. He hugged me so tightly and looked at me. He says,

"Aze-Kun! It's been a long time since your last visit! How are you doing?"

I'm walking beside him and reply,

"I'm feeling better."

His expression saddened me and stopped in front of me. He says,

"I..."

Before the ability to finish his sentence, I say,

"Let's not talk about it. I came here to train like I used to be and to lose some fat."

He smiled and replies,

"Alright! You're free to use all the equipment. You don't have to pay for today. Welcome back, Aze-Kun!"

I nodded and he left and went upstairs where the boxing camp is at.

I changed my clothes and started to workout.

After I'm done with today's workout. I sat on the bench to rest my muscles. I closed my eyes for a minute and then I heard a noisy voice coming from upstairs. I opened my eyes to see who was talking so loud and smirked when I saw him. It was the guy who beaten the students this morning. I glanced at him and then our eyes met. He locked his eyes on me for a few seconds and then avoided my eyes. Then Togawa came down and sighed. He approached me and sat beside me. I ask,

"What's wrong, Togawa-San?"

He looked at me and replies,

"You saw the kid who just came down earlier? His name is Sando Eikichi. He has an issue with his attitude. I couldn't handle him anymore."

I raised my eyebrow and he continues,

"Well, I know what you're thinking. Even though he's like that, he's the best boxer in here. Of course, after you stopped coming over. Compared to you, he's nothing, but... if he just can listen to me, then maybe he could be close to your skills. Sadly I know that wouldn't happen."

I say,

"I see... then I should train after he left."

Togawa asks,

"Eh? Why is that?"

I reply,

"I know your scheme. I can tell by just listening to your story. You want me to beat him down to reality, don't you?"

He laughed and slapped my thigh. He says,

"I'm busted. Anyway, you can go ahead and use the training camp. It's empty now since nobody wants to go to the training camp when he's here."

I ask,

"Want to train me?"

He replies,

"Of course! Let's go!"

We both went upstairs and I wear the hand wraps. I immediately used the punching bag while Togawa held the bag from behind.

In just a few minutes, he sat down and took a deep breath. He says,

"Aze-Kun, your strength always took me by surprise. It still amazed me how good your punches are. Talent and hard work, nothing can beat that."

I tilted my head to see him behind the punching bag. I'm jokingly asking,

"Old man. Can you stop talking and just focus on my training?"

He chuckles and replies,

"I'm on it..."

He's whining while getting up.

We continued the training, from punching bags to shadow boxing. I'm a bit stiff since it has been a while since my last training. As soon as I get used to it again, my body felt lighter, my punches went faster, my eyes were sharper, my surroundings went slower. That was the feeling that I missed the most. The thrills, the excitements.

Without realizing the time, the sun is already down and the moon illuminates the room. Togawa is lying on the floor and catching his breath. I laugh and he's regretting it. I sit beside him and say,

"I miss this."

He turned his face and looked at me. He replies,

"Of course. This is your passion, your life, your happiness. Anyone would feel the same way when they're back to do what they love."

He sighs and continues,

"I'm happy that you're back because exercise helps to keep our head clear and heals our wounds. You know what I mean."

I reply,

"Yeah. That's one of the reasons why I'm here."

Togawa asks,

"Are you going to be here tomorrow as well?"

I reply,

"Yeah, I'll come here at least five times a week from now on."

Togawa gets up and says,

"Alright then. It's past my working hours so get up and leave. I want to go home and eat my dinner!"

I smirk and reply,

"I get it I get it... Thank you for today, old man."

Togawa nodded and I went downstairs and left the gym.

I went home and immediately took a nice and warm bath. I played with Himawari for a while then went to bed. My whole body hurts from the training and exhausted. I closed my eyes and fell asleep immediately.