Just One Punch!

Morning light slipped through the thin curtains of the orphanage dormitory.

Aiska slowly opened his eyes.

His body felt sore, but not as painful as he expected.

He lifted a hand and touched his nose.

“…Huh?”

It didn’t hurt.

He sat up and blinked.

It was completely fine.

“No blood… no pain…”

He let out a small sigh.

“So it’s another day again…”

He slid off the bed and stretched.

That’s when he heard it.

Footsteps.

Fast ones.

Dozens of kids were running through the corridors, their voices filled with excitement.

“Move! Hurry up!”

“He’s in the hall!”

“Brad’s there again!”

Aiska froze.

…Why are they so excited?

He stepped into the hallway and watched kids rush past him like a flood.

His chest tightened.

Something about the noise felt wrong.

“…What are they doing?”

Curiosity pulled him forward.

He followed them.

The main hall was packed.

Children filled the sides, standing on benches, even leaning from the upper railings.

Shouting.

Laughing.

Cheering.

Aiska pushed through the crowd.

Then he saw it.

Brad.

Standing in the center of the hall.

And beneath him—

A boy.

Curled up on the floor.

Brad’s fist came down again.

THUD!

The boy cried out.

The crowd roared.

“Again!”

“Hit him again!”

“Brad is crazy!”

Aiska’s eyes widened.

…That boy…

He looked about Aiska’s age.

Thin.

Scared.

Trying to cover his face.

Aiska felt his chest tighten.

That’s not right…

Brad raised his fist again.

Then—

“HEY!”

All eyes turned.

Aiska was already running forward.

Brad paused and looked up.

A slow smile spread across his face.

“Oh? Look who’s here.”

He grinned wider.

“The window boy healed already?”

The crowd murmured.

“Isn’t that the kid from yesterday?”

“He got beaten up bad.”

Aiska clenched his fists.

…That boy…

He’s not going to be like me.

Not while I’m here.

Aiska rushed forward.

His heart was pounding so loud he could hear it in his ears.

Brad cracked his knuckles.

“Come on then,” he said lazily. “Try again.”

Aiska threw a punch.

But—

Brad moved first.

THUD!

A fist slammed into Aiska’s stomach.

The air rushed out of his lungs.

His vision went white.

“…H—”

His legs gave out.

He collapsed to the floor.

The hall went silent for a second.

Then—

“Woah…”

“He went down in one hit.”

“Brad didn’t even try.”

Brad looked down at Aiska and smirked.

“…Tch.”

He turned his back.

And walked away.

His friends laughed.

“Wow Brad, amazing.”

“Just one punch and he can’t even move.”

The boy on the floor stared at Aiska in shock.

“…He tried to help me…”

Around them, whispers spread.

“Huh that boy again?”

“Why does he think he’s a hero?”

“Is he insane to fight Brad?”

One girl whispered dreamily,

“…Brad is purely amazing. I just wish I could marry him.”

Another girl scoffed.

“Look at that weak kid. Who’s going to carry him to the staff now?”

A boy nearby muttered,

“Ew… getting beaten in one punch. I wouldn’t be like that.”

Aiska couldn’t move.

His body felt heavy.

His ears rang.

Then—

“MOVE ASIDE!”

A familiar voice cut through the crowd.

A woman rushed in and dropped to her knees.

“Aiska!”

She lifted him into her arms.

“Sariya Walpher!”

The kids stepped back as she ran toward the infirmary.

White light filled Aiska’s vision.

The smell of medicine.

Cloth brushing against his skin.

He slowly opened his eyes.

“…Where… am I?”

The ceiling looked unfamiliar.

Clean.

Bright.

The infirmary.

He turned his head.

A woman sat beside the bed.

Short brown hair tied back.

Gentle eyes.

But her expression was strict.

“…Mam Sariya.”

She noticed he was awake.

“Don’t move,” she said immediately. “You’re still injured.”

Aiska tried to sit up.

“I’m okay! I’m going to beat that asshole—”

“Bad language, Aiska.”

“…Okay. Okay. I understand.”

He sighed and lay back.

Then his eyes softened.

This mam…

She saved me since I was a child.

She found me on a battlefield.

And she never left me to die.

“…Mam Sariya.”

“Yes?”

“Who told you I was in the hall?”

She smiled gently.

“The boy you saved. He came running to us, crying, and told us everything.”

Aiska blinked.

“…He did?”

He smiled faintly.

…So it was a better choice after all.

Mam Sariya looked at him carefully.

“You always jump in first, don’t you?”

Aiska laughed weakly.

“I don’t like seeing people get hurt.”

“…That will get you killed one day,” she said quietly.

Aiska scratched his cheek.

“Yeah… probably.”

She sighed.

Then suddenly—

Her eyes shifted.

She smiled strangely.

“…By the way. You’re not the only one here.”

“…Huh?”

Mam Sariya stepped aside and pointed to the corner of the room.

Aiska followed her gaze.

There—

Stood Sivra.

Arms crossed.

Golden eyes glowing with a familiar deathstare.

Aiska’s soul nearly left his body.

“WHY ARE YOU HERE?!”

Sivra’s smile twitched.

“…Say that again.”

“I’M SORRY I DIDN’T MEAN TO DO THAT!”

Mam Sariya laughed.

“You should rest, hero.”

Aiska sank into the bed.

…This is my life.

Aiska staring at the ceiling.

His body hurt.

His pride hurt more.

And yet—

Somewhere deep inside him—

That strange heat in his chest was still burning.

(Chapter 3 End)

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