A bit needed coercion

As the school bell rang, students started bursting out of their classes toward their lunch, and it was a signal for the girl in front of me to act.

“All right, here goes.”

We were in front of class 8D, just right to the restroom, waiting for a certain someone to emerge from the crowds. Our bidding wasn’t prolonged, and we knew what to do.

“Hey, can I talk to you about something.”, in a saccharine voice, she abruptly grabbed our prey’s hand, preventing it to escape.

“Uh, wh-who are you?”

With her tongue peeked out and one eye closed, comically she lured him.

“You’ll find out soon enough if you follow me.”

Having fallen into her trap, his face was flustered, and submissively got dragged by her to the restroom nearby. Knowing this was my cue, I entailed them. Entering the room, I could see baffled eyes, wondering why a girl and a boy had just entered the same stall in the same boy’s bathroom. Though I didn’t mind, for I was about to be the third person.

“Wait who’s this guy!? Wait it’s you- mmm”, it wasn’t a surprise that he was shocked when I entered the stall, so Kiri knew beforehand to stuff his loud mouth in with her hand.

“Shhh, no need to cause a commotion now, we’re just here to give you a little… coercion about something. So would you be quiet for me?”

The boy didn’t nod, rather he just seemed confused and still digesting what was going on. Unsatisfied, I gave an exhale and pushed him to sit down on the toilet. Stomping right in front of his crotch, followed up by a hair grab.

“The lady asked for a request, so are you going to be a gentleman or do I have to do it for you?”

it seemed that my intimidation had worked. Since his head was now going up and down ceaselessly.

“Good, let’s get to the point. To introduce myself, my name is Stan. And now you must be wondering why am I here today. If you’re thinking about revenge for what you guys did to me yesterday, then we’re not exactly on the same wavelength. You see, it’s about that little girl that you and your friends like so much.”

As if anticipating my answer, he smirked in riposte.

“What? Are you her brother or something? Is that why you suddenly attacked us?”

“No, but there’s another boy I know who’s taken a liking to her. And I kind of owe him something, so it would be a great favor for me If you can stop partaking in such harassment.”

Giving off a cocky grin, as suited for a bastard like him, he spoke.

“It’s that boy, John, right? Is he that much of a pussy to ask a random punk for help? Sorry, but you’re going to have to try harder to scare me away from my friends.”

Sigh

Disappointed, I realized that I had failed to frighten him into submission, and had to use the other method.

Pulling his head up, I knee-kicked the bully’s thigh and he fell down with his face pointing toward the toilet. He managed to put a halt to his fall before the water made contact with his face. However, much to his struggle, I pushed him down, and he squirmed while flinging his arms around chaotically. Not minding the horrific sight before her, Kiri made a step toward us and bowed down at the bully’s level.

“21 March Street, apartment 102.”

Finding that he might have a need to inquire, I pulled his head up again.

“Th-That’s where I live, how did-“

“We did a little research this morning, talking to the school consoler, asking around, all those stuff. So, I hope you know we’re not joking around. And I mean if you agree with us right here then isn’t it just worth it, only your pride will be hurt after all.”

The bully was convoluted and didn’t respond right away. So, I gave him another head push, however not all the way into the water this time. With that, I spoke.

“I guess you really want us to come hang around with you at your place, huh? Say, do you clean your toilet often?”

“Why are you doing all of this to me?! I just want to make my friend happy. You talked to the consoler, right? Then you must know that his dad left him, and he was bullied in grade school, he needs someone to heal him and we all just want to-“

Before he could finish the despondent backstory of his friend, I gave him another push.

“Justify here, justify there. Buddy, we don’t care if you or your friend have a tragic life, the girl clearly doesn’t want your friend’s company and still you guys are enforcing it on her. That’s harassment, accept it, or do you want me to give you a personal lecture.”

“Okay, okay, I swear I won’t go with him to mess with the girl anymore. Are you fucking happy you maniacs?”, having taken a toll on my threats, the bully finally gave up, and I smiled at that fact.

Though Kiri was not convinced and bobbed her head with doubt.

“Are you sure you’re genuine?”

“Yes, I am, I swear. Please just let me go.”

Finally content, she gave me a wave, signaling me to do as such. I followed her wishes, after banging his head to the side of the stall, leaving him to writhe pathetically on the floor.

Exiting where I had just been, I promptly turned to the sink and washed my hands, observing myself in the mirror coincidingly. Somewhere in me did realize that what I just did was undeniably immoral. Still, most of such emotions were eclipsed by the excitement about something that I’ve fulfilled, something that was deserved. With lingering mixed thoughts in my mind, I splashed my face with the cold water below me, in an attempt to drain it all away.

***

A sudden brief blow through my hair, and my intuition told me to snap out of my recollection and defend myself. As much as I desperately tried to act in time, a painful sensation was now on my left abdomen.

“What the hell were you closing your eyes for? You’re not trying to pretend to be a kung fu master or something right?”, John taunted.

I gritted my teeth in response to the annoying babbling in front of me, and assimilated myself with the present. After all that shenanigan with that bully in my memory, me and Kiri decided to help John escape and waited for his return. After longer than we had though, John had finally come back from school and now he has to hit me in order to get his inquires answered. Which, he succeeded once.

“I was distracted, okay? On with your question now.”, irritatingly, I spoke

“Okay, since you told me that I have to train with you to fight the leader only, what about the others?”

Having anticipated his question, I took no time to answer.

“That’s the part that we’re helping you with. I and Kiri have and are going to politely ask them to stop. Now you may have your doubts, but you should notice that one of them is already through with harassing you and Abigail.”

“I think I only saw five of them blocking me rather than the usual six. But, what do you mean by politely asking?”

“Hold your horses there, John. That’s a second question already.” Suddenly, Kiri filled in on our conversation.

Still, John decided to keep babbling on with his mouth.

“Wait, so if you’re going to politely ask the other bully members, why not do so with the leader then, he’s the only one with a motive to harass the girl.”

Sliding my head to the side, I wondered if this counts as a question, though eventually, I decided that he should know regardless.

“Our method isn’t exactly blunt enough to coerce him. As you said, he’s the only one in the group with a true motive to harass the girl. So, we can only target his sidemen who have no reason to risk themselves just to continue the bullying.”

With a tiring sigh, John turned back to his attacking stance and moved cautiously toward me.

“You’re rather a patient fighter now.”, I was impressed.

“Yeah, gotta be careful around your long ass limbs.”

As soon as he reached my range, I gave a sweeping round kick, which he managed to evade by lightly falling back. With such a dodge, I had expected his attacking frame to be delayed, however, he used the right foot behind him to bounce right back to me.

With a retracted fist, he gave away his intentions, and so I countered with my longer arm. Giving him a slide smack, it should have been enough damage, yet, with a block he managed to retain his posture. Using his right toe as footing, he struck a round kick toward me, a devastating move that would have been detrimental if I hadn’t evaded.

Imitating his evasive move, I jumped back only to recoil again with my feet behind me. And I gave him a front kick, an attack which left him to dive into the ground.

“You know, you’re not half bad at fighting yourself. Although it would be nice if you didn’t count on attacks that require an advantageous body.”, I advised him.

Getting back on his feet and grunting simultaneously, he retorted.

“What do you mean? I’ve been keeping my distance and being on high alert, right?”

“That’s the problem. What you should focus on is your agility and small hitbox, and utilize them in close combat. Sure, it’s risky but if you keep your distance then you’re only going to make the bully use his advantageous length.”

“You sure do know your stuff.”, Kiri interjected.

“It’s just from a logical viewpoint, and experience, of course.”

We both switched back to our battle posture, and John dashed toward me once more. I gave him a slight jab, which he barely evaded, and another one that he blocked. However, on the third strike, he ducked swiftly and jumped at me with his right fist. Even though I wanted to praise him for such a move, I had to act speedily to prevent his attack. Launching up my knee, I used my front leg to obstruct his attack, simultaneously damaging his knuckles.

The kid retreated, but I didn’t pursue and merely hopped to regain my posture.

“Jesus, if you’re so good at fighting why do I have to beat the bully leader alone.”, John asked, simultaneously grunting from pain.

“I won’t be here forever to protect your ass you know, be glad that you only need to confront one of them.”

For the second round, I was the initiator, starting with a sweeping kick. As expected of John’s evasive abilities, it was no trouble for him to dodge it, though my followed upfront kick said otherwise. John raised up his right arm to diminish the damage, and to my surprise, he turned to an aggressive stance.

Not losing his speed, he threw two punches on each side at me, but neither of them hit their target. Still, it was my mistake for underestimating him, for his real strike was a sweeping kick. It made contact with my left leg, resulting in me losing my footing. As if everything had gone to his plan, John took no time to lunge himself at full speed as a final attack.

Not giving up yet, I turned the heels of my right leg that was still on the ground, and along with my hips gave my airborne leg just enough force I needed. With a round-side kick, I was able to divert his trajectory, and he stumbled upon the ground.

“Goddamn that was cool! The both of you.”, Following the both of us lying on the ground, Kiri praised while she jumped around.

“That did count as an attack, right? I’ve got a new question-“, before John could finish, I interjected.

“Nah It didn’t, plus it’s late anyway, let’s just go eat something. I’m tired.”

Whether it truly counted or not, I didn’t care since the only I wanted right now is for it to be over.

“Yeah, I agree with Stan, let’s put this training behind some other time.”

“C’mon… You know what, fine. I’m tired as hell too.”

With the brat being the final lenient one, we three had intermingled goal and walked together to some random restaurant. Though, I didn’t want it to be total silence on our way, so I spoke.

“By the way, I have to go back to the city central in five days, so that’s your deadline for toning up.”

Sliding his head to the side, John inquired.

“Wait, you don’t live around here?”

“Nah, even though he’s in the same city, his place still takes hours to drive here.”, Kiri took my place to answer him. And if that’s not enough yet, she offered another question.

“But John can still like, train after you leave, right?”

“He can, yes. But there’s a high possibility that his friends will come back to harass John and the girl when my presence is completely gone. So, to be safe, John has to settle the matter before they assembled back together.”

Giving me an awkward smile, she spoke.

“Even though we planned this out, you really do have your own things on your mind huh?”

“Hey, aren’t you forgetting someone here?”, irritatingly, the brat wanted to be in the conversation again.

“Shut up kid, just focus on your training montage.”

“Montage?”, he asked.

“Yes, montage.”

And so, our training montage for the final fight began.