Linked Paths

Arc II - Many Firsts [Chapter 4: Pandora's Box]

I need to get out of this quickly.

Kacchan: *sinks his head further next to mine*, "Already flagging?", *increases pressure on my body*

A pained sound is squeezed out of my throat. My breathing is labored. Maybe it's a bit brutal - at least I know what Recovery Girl can do, just in case - but I take advantage of the fact that Kacchan retreats his head a little again afterwards to then smash the back of my head against his face at the right moment. His grunt of pain reaches my ear. My attack weakens his grip, and I can free my right arm from under my chest. I strike his side repeatedly with my elbow. Unfortunately, it's not enough for Kacchan to let go of me sufficiently. Meanwhile, I push my butt against him with the aim of getting myself more space. At this point, I can't find another way to help myself. Kacchan probably didn't expect such move, because well, after all, his crotch is right there and I kind of rub him with this, so to speak. He groans out. My brain interprets and makes me hear something like surprised excitement, which is of course nonsense. However, as I have to take advantage of his brief befuddling immediately, I don't have time for any more thoughts on it. My aim borne fruit and with a precise hit from my elbow to his head, I gain even more space for one important second. This second I successfully use to free myself out from under him. I roll away and then jump straight to my feet. Finally free again!

Kacchan, by now, also back on his feet, smirks as he cracks his fingers boastfully.

Already almost expecting his next move, in which he shoots towards me at super speed and tries to land a jump kick, I manage to fend him off with my arm, but stumble to the side. Ouch!

No time to catch my breath. Another fierce exchange of blows between us follows. As I am now caught up in this fight mood, I don't just go into defense mode this time, but also try to hit him and push forward. Our legs join the party, too. I aim for a skillful spinning wheel kick towards his head, but he sees right through it and catches my ankle, holding it firmly and in the next blink bringing me down with a canopy roll. Under no circumstances should I risk Kacchan being on top of me again. With a kick combo I keep him at distance and come back to standing swiftly. Straight away, I go into my next attack, trying to hit him with a punch to the chest. He fends me off almost casually, using the momentum to turn behind me. And all of a sudden, he has me in a bear hug. I don't miss a beat and seize the moment as his bear hug is still over my forearms. I grab his ankle in a flash and pull his legs away with all my strength. I hear his huff as he falls. However, he also reacts in a matter of milliseconds, spins while still falling and performs a kind of leg sweep at full speed. Since I'm not stable enough at that moment, I'm literally felled and land hard on the mat. Once again, I'm lying down.

Now, for me and my silly, horny brain, it's not just the competitive battle frenzy that prevails between us, but also something else. It's almost as if there's a heated tension palpable.

Guess, I'm just having way too much fun with this at the moment...

A grin appears on my face, only to be instantly wiped away as my distracted mind costs me dearly. As a result, I no longer manage to dodge Kacchan's flying elbow drop. He hits. Smashing hard into the pit of my stomach. The pain goes deep, and I literally cry out. Strangely enough, out of pure survival reflexes, I assume, I am able to get up immediately. I hold my stomach, cough and hobble a step. Kacchan is already behind me and puts me in a half headlock. His right arm is around my neck and with his left he holds one of my arms behind my back. His grip is not serious, though.

Kacchan: "Got little carried away.", *huffs violently into my ear*, "You okay?",

As he drives me almost gently even closer to his body, my chest quivers. The pain in my middle subsides a little. "Yes.", I answer a few heavy breaths later.