Standing Tall

Shinnosuke ran across the rooftop, recalling the school anime from his previous life. This place was a sacred spot for romance. He tore open the yakisoba bread he had just bought at the convenience store, took a bite, and spoke with a strange look on his face.

"This stuff is actually a bestseller? It's not even as good as a rice ball... Ah... I really miss Chinese food..."

Suddenly, bang! The rooftop door was kicked open, and "Ryu" and his group walked in. They looked angrily at Shinnosuke as they spoke.

"We finally found you..."

Shinnosuke swallowed the last bite of his yakisoba bread and scratched his head as he looked at them.

"Excuse me... who are you?"

"Ryu" spoke to Shinnosuke through gritted teeth.

"I'm the guy you ambushed under the bridge by the river last time. My name is Inoue Ryushi!! You'd better remember it!! Asshole!!"

"Don't get too cocky!!"

"I'll teach you a lesson!!"

Oh crap... We go to the same school? Fuck, how could it be such a coincidence?

The corner of Shinnosuke's mouth twitched, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead...

Inoue Ryushi clasped his hands and cracked his knuckles. "Crack, crack..."

"You can't escape. Prepare to die, asshole."

Inoue Ryushi let out a roar and charged at Shinnosuke. The group behind him charged over too, letting out strange cries!

Shinnosuke jerked his head to the side, dodging Inoue Ryushi's punch. The fist stirred the air as it grazed the side of his face, and he even felt a slight sting.

Shinnosuke quickly backed away, but the rooftop wasn't very large, and he soon had nowhere left to retreat... Watching the people charging at him with fists raised, Shinnosuke was frantic... If he didn't think of something soon, there was no way he'd walk out of the school on his own two feet today...

"Damn it... I have no choice but to fight!"

Shinnosuke rushed forward and kicked one person in the stomach, knocking him back, then ducked to avoid a punch... Relying on his own reaction speed, he dodged one attack after another, but two fists were no match for four hands!

The instant Shinnosuke landed an uppercut on someone's chin, a heavy kick struck him in the chest! It was Inoue Ryushi!

The kick sent Shinnosuke falling backward and nearly stopped his heart... At that moment, everything went black before his eyes! He couldn't breathe!!!

No... I absolutely can't fall! If I do, there's no way I'll be able to get back up...

Suddenly, Shinnosuke remembered the Daruma Roly-Poly the system had rewarded him! Using it would give him the effect of standing tall without falling! But how was he supposed to use it... Suddenly, white light flashed in his hand, and an image of the Daruma Roly-Poly appeared on his palm!

[System notification: unfalling Daruma Doll effect countdown (9:59)]

It's working!! Shinnosuke suddenly felt as though his legs had taken root in the ground! Though he had been about to fall, he sprang straight back up from a backbend!!

Inoue Ryushi frowned and stopped the others from pressing forward.

"Wait, let me handle this myself..."

Ignoring his companions' attempts to stop him, Inoue Ryushi walked slowly toward Shinnosuke and spoke.

"You're strong, aren't you? But I won't lose to you! Come on, let's fight one-on-one!"

"There's no need for that, Ryu. We can take him down soon."

"Yeah, Ryu-chan, a one-on-one fight..."

"Enough, shut up! Even if I lose, none of you are allowed to fight him anymore! This is a duel between men!"

Inoue Ryushi spoke firmly to the companions behind him. Then he turned and walked toward Shinnosuke.

"That was payback for your ambush last time. Now let's settle this fair and square!"

Inoue Ryushi took off his jacket, revealing the tank top underneath and his two strong, muscular arms.

Shinnosuke narrowed his eyes, his expression turning serious! He could tell at a glance that the guy in front of him had plenty of fighting experience! Shinnosuke took a deep breath and assumed a defensive stance.

Inoue Ryushi quickly threw a right punch, his left fist following close behind, aimed at Shinnosuke's abdomen! Shinnosuke crossed his arms in front of him, barely managing to block the right fist. Before the pain in his arms could even reach his brain, Shinnosuke quickly tightened his abdominal muscles and took the next blow head-on!

Shinnosuke felt his stomach churn and nearly threw up the lunch he had just eaten. He forced down the discomfort, clenched his teeth, and punched Inoue Ryushi in the left cheek.

Inoue Ryushi was shocked! He tried to step back and dodge the punch, but his reaction speed was no match for Shinnosuke's. The punch struck him squarely on the left cheek, and his mind instantly went blank.

Shinnosuke seized the opportunity, grabbed his right hand, and yanked him forward before planting a foot in Inoue Ryushi's chest! He kicked him to the ground.

"That's for the kick you gave me!"

"How is that possible?! He took Ryu's attack head-on and still counterattacked?!"

"You've got to be kidding..."

The people behind them turned pale with shock, staring at the scene before them in disbelief.

Inoue Ryushi clutched his chest and slowly got to his feet. He spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and spoke through gritted teeth.

"I underestimated you after all... Come on! We're just getting started!"

Shinnosuke raised his hand and punched Inoue Ryushi in the face, surprised to find that he hadn't dodged. It wasn't that he couldn't dodge; he had no intention of dodging at all!! What is this guy planning...

Inoue Ryushi grinned and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Your punches are soft..."

He punched back, making Shinnosuke stagger. Shinnosuke slowly turned his head back, his eyes bloodshot, and punched Inoue Ryushi in the face again.

"Who the fuck are you calling soft?!"