The warning siren from the system cut through the air, freezing the scene on the rooftop. The sound bounced around inside Riko's head, annoying him like a broken smoke alarm. Kaze's fist was only a few inches from Riko's face. Riko had thrown up his arms in front of his face without thinking. His arms shook as he struggled to block Kaze. The wind from the attempted punch blew Riko's hair back. The railings behind him banged loudly, like someone kicking them hard. Dust jumped off the concrete and swirled in the air in a little cloud.
Riko could feel the punch, not just on the surface. His bones shook, like Kaze's fist was vibrating at a frequency designed to shatter him. Even blocking the punch made his elbows and palms hurt. His muscles twitched. Still, he managed to hold the block.
Kaze's eyes narrowed. His face looked cold. "You reacted," he said. His voice was even, but Riko could hear some interest in it. "Good. You should have."
Riko gritted his teeth. "How about you don't start by trying to punch my head off?"
Kaze didn't reply. He pressed forward, slowly testing Riko's block. Riko's shoes slid on the concrete. The pressure was intense. His lungs felt tight. The screen on his arm flashed, but Riko didn't dare look away from Kaze.
Kaze didn't even look like he was trying hard. He wasn't sweating or breathing heavy. He just looked like he was watching something.
This guy isn't normal, Riko thought.
Riko moved his foot back to try and keep his balance. Kaze's eyes flicked, a tiny movement, but Riko knew Kaze was watching all of his muscles. Like he was studying something.
The pressure went away suddenly. Kaze pulled his fist back. Riko stumbled forward. Before he could steady himself, Kaze's knee shot up towards Riko's ribs fast.
Riko twisted, barely dodging the strike. Kaze's knee missed him, but the air moved around it making a loud whoosh. The railing behind Riko was dented and bent.
Riko stared at the bent metal. "Dude!"
Kaze didn't let him rest. He turned sweeping his leg at Riko's feet. Riko jumped, just enough to not get knocked off his feet. Kaze's eyes watched him.
Riko landed on his feet, breathing hard. "Okay. So we're fighting now? Is that it?"
Kaze didn't reply. He moved forward slowly, then sped up, moving so fast it looked like he left a trail.
Riko barely saw the punch. He raised his arms again to block. The hit shook his whole body and rattled his teeth. He slammed into the wall, knocking dust down.
"You hesitate," Kaze said.
"I'm blocking hits from a crazy person!" Riko snapped.
Kaze didn't change his expression. "If you hesitate at the wrong time, you'll die."
Riko felt angry, scared, and confused. "You almost killed me!"
"No," Kaze said. "If I wanted you dead, you would be."
Riko froze. Kaze wasn't being arrogant. He was stating a fact.
Kaze moved again.
Riko ducked. A fist flew past where his head had been. Riko jabbed. He didn't plan to hit Kaze, just make him not throw another punch.
When Riko moved his fist, Kaze tapped Riko's wrist with two fingers, pushing it aside. It wasn't hard. It was insulting. It showed how little effort he was using.
Riko hissed. "Okay. You know what? That's annoying."
Kaze looked at Riko's stance. "Your balance is off."
"What?"
"Your guard is open."
Riko's eyes widened. "Then stop hitting me!"
Kaze didn't.
He struck with a palm that Riko barely avoided. The force of the blow stirred the dust. Riko tried to punch back, putting his weight into the swing. Kaze moved an inch to the left, making Riko miss completely.
Kaze grabbed Riko's shoulder. He pulled quickly, making Riko lose his balance. A knee shot up. Riko blocked with both arms, which still shook him hard.
"That," Kaze said calmly, "would have broken your chest."
Riko swallowed hard. "Is this still lunch break?"
Kaze didn't answer.
"You fought the Trash Boss," Kaze said. "You were in the Zone Break. You used boosts without collapsing. That makes you worth checking out."
"Checking out?!" Riko yelled. "Get a ruler!"
Kaze's lips almost moved in a smile, but didn't. It was like he was admitting Riko wasn't useless, but it was gone quickly.
Riko's heart pounded as Kaze stepped forward, cracking the concrete. "Why are you doing this?"
"To see what you are," Kaze said.
Kaze moved so fast Riko's vision blurred. The world stretched for a moment. Riko reacted without thinking, raising an arm as Kaze's fist went for his head.
The strike was hard. Riko felt it go down his arm and into his shoulder. He slid back on the rooftop, his shoes scraping the ground. His back almost fell against the railing.
Kaze blinked. "You blocked it."
"Stop sounding shocked!" Riko shouted. "I'm trying not to die!"
"Good," Kaze said. "Remember that."
"What feeling—panic?"
"You improve when you're under pressure."
Riko charged.
He didn't know why, but he ran at Kaze with as much speed as possible. His fist shot through the air.
Kaze didn't move this time.
He stepped into Riko's punch.
Riko's knuckles hit Kaze's palm, sending pain up his arm. Kaze caught his entire punch with one hand and held it like he was holding a string.
Riko stared in shock. "You've gotta be kidding me."
"You rush," Kaze said. He sounded like a teacher. "Your feet don't line up with your shoulders. You're not using your hips. You swing too wide. But you're more focused than before. Good."
"Good?!" Riko yelled, trying to pull his fist free. "Let go!"
Kaze didn't.
He twisted Riko's wrist, making him drop to one knee. Riko gritted his teeth and grabbed Kaze's arm.
Kaze let go. Riko fell forward, catching himself with his hands. Dust scraped his skin. His heart raced.
Kaze took a step back. "Again."
"No!" Riko snapped. "I'm not a workout!"
"Again."
Riko stood up. "Why do they call you a User Hunter?"
"Because that's what I am."
"That's not reassuring."
"Good," Kaze said.
"What's that supposed to—"
Kaze vanished.
No, he moved. So fast. Riko saw a blur, then Kaze was in front of him, fist already moving.
Riko blocked with both arms. He felt the railing behind him shake. His bones vibrated.
Kaze's face changed for a second. He looked approving, respectful—but it disappeared before Riko could tell.
Then Kaze said, "You still can't beat me.