The sky outside was painted in a fading amber, shadows stretching long across the pavement. Inside the apartment, the hum of the fridge was the only sound until the front door creaked open.
Click.
Riku Kazehaya stepped in, tossing his gym bag to the side, towel around his neck and shirt clinging to his chest with sweat. His expression, as always, was unreadable—deadpan, focused, quiet.
"I'm home," he muttered, not expecting a reply.
But Aika Hoshino was waiting on the couch.
Wearing an oversized, off-shoulder tee and shorts, her long black hair slightly tousled from a shower, she sat with one leg tucked beneath her, a juice box lazily held between two fingers. Her amber eyes stared into his, a flicker of emotion behind them.
"Riku," she said flatly. "Someone confessed to me today."
Riku blinked.
"…What?"
"I told him I already have a boyfriend. Riku Kazehaya." She took a sip, her voice completely calm. "But he didn't back down. Said if he can knock you out in the first round… I have to dump you and date him."
The room went silent.
Riku's face didn't change. No surprise. No scowl. Just… stillness.
Then, he spoke in that ever-neutral voice of his.
"What's his name?"
"Takuma Renji. Underground fighter from second year. Thinks he's hot stuff."
Riku reached behind his neck and slowly pulled the towel off.
"I accept."
Aika raised an eyebrow. "So sure of yourself?"
"Always."
A pause hung in the air. Then his eyes lifted slightly to meet hers. "But I want a reward."
Aika smirked. She stood, walking toward him with slow steps, hips swaying just enough to make his eyes drop for a moment.
Then, with a finger under his chin, she tilted his face up.
"One lip-to-lip kiss," she said smoothly.
He looked her dead in the eyes.
"Yes, ma'am."
Friday Night – Underground Ring
The crowd buzzed around the ring, electric with excitement. Phones flashed. Voices shouted. This was the fight they hadn't expected—but were dying to see.
Two figures stepped into the ring.
In red: Takuma Renji, tall, arrogant, built like a brawler.
In blue: Riku Kazehaya, the ghost fighter—silent, unreadable, terrifyingly precise.
> "You sure you're the real deal?" Takuma spat. "Guess I'll take your girl and your pride."
Riku didn't reply. He just adjusted his gloves, calm as still water.
---
Round One – Begin
Riku's feet shifted.
Style One: Long Guard.
Elbows in, hands up. Measuring. Watching. Calculating.
Takuma came in fast—jab, jab, hook.
Riku blocked them all.
Then—counter. Quick, direct. A stiff jab to the nose.
The crowd murmured.
Style Two: Counterpuncher.
Takuma got annoyed. Threw a heavy right.
Too slow.
Riku dipped. CRACK—body shot to the liver. Takuma staggered, gasping.
Riku stepped in close. Cold eyes locked on him.
Style Three: Peek-a-Boo.
Now he bounced. Head moving, hands tight.
Takuma panicked—tried to rush in with brute force.
Riku weaved.
Left weave.
Right weave.
Then—
BOOM!
A clean, devastating overhand right.
Takuma's body twisted mid-air. His feet left the ground.
He hit the canvas. Out cold.
KO. First Round.
The crowd exploded.
Outside the Gym – Later That Night
Aika leaned against a streetlamp, arms crossed, one leg propped against the post. Her expression was unreadable—but her eyes sparkled when she saw him walk out.
No cuts. No bruises. No damage.
"So," she said as he approached, "is that a win?"
Riku nodded, brushing a knuckle beneath his nose.
"Ghost style triple switch. He never saw it coming."
Aika stepped forward.
No teasing this time.
No games.
She grabbed his collar, yanked him forward, and pressed her lips against his—soft, warm, lingering.
It was silent… except for Riku's heart hammering in his ears.
When they pulled apart, Aika looked into his eyes.
"Good boy," she whispered, voice velvet smooth.
He stared, stunned. "You remembered the reward."
"Of course," she said, flicking his forehead with a smirk. "And next time… finish the fight in under thirty seconds. Maybe I'll give you a second kiss."
"Is that a threat?"
>"A challenge," she replied, hooking her arm into his.
They walked into the quiet night, a fighter and his gyaru, their love sealed with one KO… and one kiss.