CH 75

I won the first round and was able to advance to the second round.

When I left the venue after the match, I met Ren-sensei.

“Owen-kun. It’s been a while.”

“Oh, Ren-sensei. It’s been a long time!”

When I left the arena, he called out to me.

Thor was behind him.

“Hello, Owen.”

Thor greeted me with a bow.

I returned the greeting.

“How was the first round?”

“Yeah, I won!”

Thor replied cheerfully.

“How about you, Owen?”

“I won, too.”

He made a V-sign at Thor.

“Yes, I did. Let’s give it our all in the next match.”

“Y- Yeah……”

Thor didn’t seem to have lost his nerve.

In fact, I’d be the one who’d be upset.

“You’ve grown so much lately, Thor.”

Thor was embarrassed, “Oh, Ren-sensei that’s…..” And scratched his head shyly.

You’ve always been strong enough.

Last year, in the interchange match, he had a good match against Berg.

Does that mean you’ve become stronger than that?

“That’s the trouble. But I’m growing, too.”

I made a promise to Berg yesterday, and I can’t afford to lose in the second round.

“That’s right. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s match.”

Ren-sensei said at that moment.

“Owen-san, what are you doing here?”

Farren appeared.

“Hey, what’s going on? Farren?”

“No, I’m not here for anything, but I just happened to be passing by.”

Farren turned to Ren-sensei and Thor.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Farlen Antonelli.”

She bowed her head firmly.

“Ni- nice to meet you. I’m Thor.”

Thor started to get nervous.

This sense of timidity was typical of Thor.

This is Thor, after all.

Farren is beautiful, and he must be nervous.

As I was looking at him with a grin, I saw Ren-sensei enter my field of vision.

“What’s going on?”

I asked him fearfully.

“It’s nothing. Then I’ll be on my way..”

With that, Ren-sensei left.

Was that just my imagination?

For a moment, it looked as if Ren-sensei was terrifyingly staring at Farren.

Thor was frightened but remained in the place.

“What did you do, …?”

Farren turned to me and gave me a strange look.

“No, …… I don’t do anything like that, I don’t think.”

I wondered what his reaction was.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you. I’ll take my leave too.”

With that, Farren left as well.

Thor and I looked at each other as we were left behind.

“Well, I’m going to get some food, what about you, Thor?”

“Yes! I’ll go with you!”

We bought some food from a stall and sat down on a bench nearby.

“Monet, I heard that she can’t make it to the Four Great Festivals.”

When I mentioned Monet, Thor’s eyebrows twitched.

“Yes, I know. But I’ve noticed something, too.”

“What do you mean?

“I’ve been protected by my sister for a long time, but now I have to stand up for myself.”

“Thor’s a sis-con, isn’t he?”

“Sis-con?”

“You love your sister.”

“Yeah, I guess so……”

Thor scratches his cheek, “Heh heh heh.”

No, I’m not complimenting you.

In battle, he would say, “You little bastard!”, while beating people up.

Is this what you call a gap?

I heard that gaps are popular.

I think I should make some kind of gap.

“I wasn’t afraid because I had a sister until now. But I don’t want to worry my sister anymore. I want to beat the person who defeated my sister in this tournament and tell her that everything will be alright.”

Thor clenched his fists.

The heat coming from his eyes was not the shadow of the weak Thor.

“I know you are strong, Owen. So I’m going to beat you, Owen.”

It seems to be true that Thor has grown up.

He’s getting stronger mentally.

I could feel it in his eyes.

In every match, there was only one winner.

I declared to Berg that we would make it to the finals, but it’s not that easy.

Well, that’s why it’s fun.

That’s why I want to win.

“I’m not going to lose either.”