BAM! BAM! BAM!

A relentless barrage of strikes and ragged breathing echoes through a well-known 24/7 gym in Ueda, completely deserted at this hour — just shy of midnight.

Miori Yukinaga, Aoshi’s ex-girlfriend, is alone, driving her fists, kicks, and knees into a heavy punching bag with brutal precision.

Her glossy black hair, usually cascading, is now pulled back into a tight ponytail. She’s dressed in simple training gear: a white t-shirt, black gym shorts, and a headband soaked with sweat after nearly three hours of nonstop training.

Her face is breathtaking, with delicate features and striking sapphire eyes. Her beauty is entirely natural — but the same can’t be said for her toned, athletic body, shaped by years of relentless training: sculpted glutes, firm thighs, and a flat, well-defined abdomen.

Since childhood, Miori has always been seen as a troublesome girl — hot-headed and quick to let her fists speak for her. To help her channel that violent streak, her parents pushed her toward martial arts — not just as an outlet, but to instill the discipline that comes with them.

She started karate at five, earning her black belt in remarkably little time for someone her age. She later transitioned to judo, reaching its highest ranks just two years ago. Now, she devotes herself to kickboxing.

Since starting university, late nights have become her personal escape — a way to burn off the stress after long hours of studying. She’s widely regarded as the most beautiful girl on campus, an athlete of exceptional ability — and her academic record is just as flawless.

From the outside, she seems perfect — not a single flaw to be found. It’s no wonder she’s so admired... and seen as untouchable by almost everyone around her.

Her phone — lying on the bench beside her — starts ringing. It’s Renji Kurotani calling, her ex... ex-boyfriend.

"What does that idiot want now?" Miori mutters, driving one last vicious kick into the punching bag. The impact sends it swinging wildly like a pendulum.

"How many times have I told you not to call me when I’m at the gym?!" she snaps, irritation sharp in her voice.

"S-Sorry for bothering you, Miori..." Renji stammers — the embarrassment in his voice is unmistakable. "It’s just... it’s almost midnight, and you still haven’t told me what I should wear to university tomorrow. You know if I stay up too late, I’ll have that sleepy face you hate so much."

It’s already midnight? I didn’t even realize... Good thing that loser called, or who knows how long I would’ve kept going...

"I’m going to take a shower now — I’ll figure out what I’m wearing while I’m at it, so I can match your outfit properly. I’ll text you in about ten minutes with everything you need to wear tomorrow, so you won’t look out of place when people see us walking hand in hand."

"Man... I wish I could be there with you in the shower..." Renji murmurs, his voice dreamy.

"Watch your mouth, you pathetic loser! Do I really have to remind you how disgusting you are to me? Outside campus, I wouldn’t let you touch me even if you were the last man on Earth! Get this through your head: the only reason you’re one of the most popular guys at university is because you’re my boyfriend! You’re nothing but a damn social experiment — taking the complete nobody you were in your first year and turning you into someone barely fit to stand beside me. Try talking to me like that again, and next time you won’t be without me for one month, but three — and I won’t bother covering for you either. No more "she caught me cheating" to make you look cool. In fact... maybe I’ll spread that other rumor — the one that embarrasses you so much. Just imagine the humiliation if everyone found out about that little ’problem’ of yours. And if that’s not enough, I’ll make sure you get replaced again by that loser Aoshi Toya... or maybe this time I’ll go for his lolicon friend instead. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water..."

"N-No, please, Miori, I won’t do it again, I promise..." Renji begs, his voice shaking, close to tears.

"Then don’t you ever say something like that again! This is your last warning — next time, I won’t hold back. Bye."

Miori ends the call before he can respond.

She lets her sweat-soaked clothes slip to the locker room floor as warm water cascades over her bare body. Thin streams of water and foam trace the lines of her figure, flowing over her hips, between her toned thighs, and through her long black hair — now falling freely once more.

Ah... if only the guys at this university weren’t all complete idiots, I wouldn’t have to rely on that loser Renji. But he’s still the least awful option... and a perfect girl like me can’t just stay single. What a hassle...

Even though it’s late spring, the air at this hour is still cool. Miori steps out of the gym bundled up, a heavy hoodie pulled over her head and a backpack slung over one shoulder.

"See you tomorrow, Miss Yukinaga. Good night," the caretaker says politely. She answers with nothing more than a brief wave.

The walk from the gym to the upscale home she lives in is a straight ten-minute stretch, with a single right turn near the Moonlight Club.

And just as she reaches the corner by the bar, something catches her eye.

Aoshi and Eliss step out of the place where they work, her clinging to his arm. Aoshi drags himself forward, completely exhausted, while Eliss is in high spirits, brimming with energy — as if she’d just walked out of a movie rather than a demanding four-hour shift.

Wait... that’s Aoshi Toya, that loser. And who’s that blonde hanging off his arm? I’ve never seen her before. Don’t tell me that pathetic wreck replaced me after just one day — and with a girl like that?! If word got out, it’d be humiliating...

I need to do something.