The second match of the Mato Exhibition Games was about to begin. The members of the 6th and 7th Units had gathered around the arena, their eyes focused on the two girls stepping forward.
Ginna Bizen raised her voice with authority, signaling the start.
"Next up—Shushu Suruga of the 7th Unit versus Sahara Wakasa of the 6th Unit!"
At that moment, Yuuki stood quietly on the sidelines. He was trying to behave like a respectful observer, but his eyes were already wandering, carefully admiring the curves of the two girls who were about to fight in tight, form-fitting uniforms. He wasn't a creep—at least, not in his own mind. He simply believed beauty deserved to be appreciated… deeply, respectfully, and from every angle. Especially when it bounced.
Shushu turned around and walked up to him. Her steps were full of energy, and even though she always acted like a tomboy, her eyes sparkled in a very girlish way today.
"I'll do my best, Yuuki," she said, pumping her fist.
Yuuki smiled back. "I'm counting on you."
But then, Shushu leaned closer—so close that he could feel her breath on his cheek.
"In return," she whispered softly, her tone dangerously low, "you better praise me in a way that matches how hard I'm about to fight."
Yuuki blinked. His mind short-circuited a little.
Did she mean… praise? As in, the intimate kind?
He wasn't sure if she was teasing him or if she really meant it. But either way, his gentleman brain went into full pervert mode. He imagined gently lifting her in his arms after the match, brushing the sweat from her cheek, and whispering words that would make her thighs tremble. Then he imagined what kind of 'praise' she might secretly want. And then he imagined it again. But slower. With eye contact.
He clapped his hands together and prayed for her victory with religious passion.
As the match began, the mood shifted instantly. Shushu stepped into the ring with her usual confidence, her fists clenched and her grin wide.
Sahara Wakasa cracked her fingers and stretched one leg forward, Shaking off the sleepiness and it also showed the strength in her smooth thighs. She looked calm. Dangerous. Almost lazy, like a cat just before pouncing.
Shushu raised her voice. "Let's start without using our abilities. Our bodies are weapons anyway, right?"
Sahara smirked cutely. "I don't mind."
The small crowd fell silent as the two girls charged.
Sahara struck first. Her kick came fast and high, aimed at Shushu's head, but Shushu caught her leg in midair. Without hesitation, she twisted her opponent's ankle and slammed her down to the ground.
Yuuki's heart skipped a beat. He had seen that move before on TV in his past life… except that time, there were men involved.
Shushu raised her elbow and dropped it like a hammer, but Sahara rolled away just in time.
"Ouch!" Shushu screamed in pain as her elbow hit the hard rocky ground.
In one smooth move, Sahara now stable slid behind Shushu, locked her arms around her waist, and lifted her up.
Yuuki's jaw dropped.
That was—!
BAM!
A perfect German suplex.
Shushu hit the ground hard, her body folding at the impact. The ground cracked due to the impact.
But she bounced back to her feet like a spring.
"Hah… that was a good one," she said, brushing dust from her shoulder.
Sahara rolled her neck pouting. "I'm tired. I'm using my ability now."
"What? Already?" Shushu raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Then I'll use mine too."
From the spectators' side, Tenka and Yachiho exchanged looks.
"How many do you think Sahara will use?" Tenka asked, her eyes narrowing.
Yachiho answered with a cool shrug. "One."
"I'm guessing three," Tenka said.
Nearby, Kyouka stood with her arms crossed. Her voice was quiet but firm. "This match won't last long. They both rely on strength. It'll be over fast."
In the ring, Shushu exhaled slowly. Her aura flared as she activated her power—Paradigm Shift.
Sahara's eyes glinted as she released her own unique ability—Crazy Sheep.
Shushu raised her fingers. "Three," she said clearly.
Yuuki didn't fully understand what "three" meant, but he had a good idea about it.
°°°
With a burst of light, Shushu activated her Paradigm Shift.
In an instant, her body grew massive—towering over the arena like a living giantess. The ground shook as she stomped forward, her oversized fist pulling back with deadly weight.
"Here I come!" she roared, and her giant punch flew straight at Sahara Wakasa.
But Sahara's expression didn't change.
"Three," she said softly.
She disappeared.
The punch missed, the air exploding in its place. A heartbeat later, Sahara appeared midair—her figure glowing orange light and fierce like a wild animal—and slapped Shushu square across the cheek with a tremendous, bone-shaking force.
THWACK!
Even as Shushu stumbled, blinking in shock, the crowd of the 7th Unit stared with wide eyes.
"That's…!" someone gasped.
An excited voice of Gina the referee explained:
Crazy Sheep.
Sahara's ability let her enhance her strength for anywhere from one to sixty minutes. The shorter the time she chose, the stronger her body became. But after it ended, she couldn't use it again for three minutes. A risky trade, but one Sahara knew how to abuse well.
"Three minutes…" Tenka murmured.
Yachiho clenched her fists. "One minute would make her strongest, but if Shushu stalls her out…"
"She could turn it around," Tenka finished.
But Sahara had no intention of being stalled.
As Shushu tried to sweep Sahara with a giant kick, Sahara dodged effortlessly and slammed a brutal punch into her leg. Then, without pause, she picked up a boulder and hurled it at Shushu's chest. One after another, she tossed rock after rock, each strike slamming into the giant girl's body like cannonballs.
Shushu stumbled back.
Sahara shouted, "You're big, but that just makes you slower!"
Yuuki's face twisted in concern. His fingers curled tightly. But then—Shushu saw him.
Just one glance. But it was enough.
Her eyes regained fire. Her lips curled into a smile.
"This isn't fun anymore," she said. "Holding back is boring."
Her body surged again.
With another glow, she grew even larger. So massive the sky seemed to bend behind her. With her full weight, she lunged—throwing her entire body down like a living meteor.
Sahara crossed her arms and braced herself.
CRAAASH!!
Dust exploded outward. The entire arena quaked. For a moment, it looked like Shushu had ended it.
But when the dust cleared…
Sahara was standing.
Her arms trembled as she held Shushu's titanic body just above the ground. Her feet cracked the earth below. But she was still up.
"That's crazy…" Yuuki whispered, both amazed and terrified.
Then—Shushu grinned.
"Got you."
She grabbed Sahara's body mid-resistance and slammed her to the ground with every ounce of her strength.
BOOOOM!
Sahara's body hit the ground like a bomb. Her eyes fluttered shut.
Silence.
Shushu, panting, shrank slightly and stepped back.
"She's down. Ginna, can you check—"
Before she could finish, Sahara's eyes snapped open.
But there was no focus in them.
Her aura exploded around her like a storm. Her body moved on its own.
Its because When Sahara falls unconscious while Crazy Sheep is active, her body fights by itself. This final stage ignores thought, reason, even loyalty. While allies may be in danger… her strength multiplies.
It was her signature move—Sleeping Beast Mode.
With a roar, Sahara tackled Shushu. The giant girl couldn't move—her power drained from the constant shifting of size and strength.
"Shit—!" she muttered, body trembling in protest, she had reached her limit already but it was too late.
Sahara threw her like she weighed nothing.
Shushu hit the ground hard. Her eyes rolled back.
Her body shrank down to her normal size.
Ginna raised her hand. "Winner: Sahara Wakasa of the 6th Unit!"
Cheers erupted from the 6th Unit, but Yuuki didn't cheer.
He rushed forward with Nei Ookawamura at his side.
"Shushu!" Yuuki shouted.
Ginna was already healing her. Magic light surrounded Shushu's unconscious form, mending her injuries. After a few tense seconds, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Yuuki…?" she said weakly.
But then—rip.
Her already-battered uniform tore open across the chest.
Her breasts bounced into full view.
"Gah—!" Yuuki turned away, face red. "I didn't see anything! I didn't—!"
Nei quickly covered Shushu with her robe.
Shushu blinked, confused. Then she saw Yuuki's face, saw Nei's reaction, and realized what had happened.
Her face paled.
"I lost…" she said softly.
She stood up shakily and made her way to Kyouka Uzen.
"I'm sorry, Captain…"
Kyouka placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to apologize. That was a close match. I'll tell you what to reflect on later."
Shushu nodded.
But as she turned and walked back toward the changing room, her fists clenched.
She bit her lip.
Tears fell.
I lost. In front of Yuuki. I looked stupid. I wasn't cool at all…
She disappeared behind the door.
Yuuki saw her trembling shoulders. His heart twisted.
Without a word, he followed after her.