SATURDAY – SECRET ARENA LOCATION

  The four arrived one by one, each dressed in casual clothes — a strange contrast to the tension humming in the air.

  They stood before a familiar sight: the same arena Kaizo had fought in before, now marked with a bold digital display:

  #10 vs #9 – Private Challenge Match – Authorized Entry Only

  Kaizo stepped forward with a confident look in his eyes.

  But before he could take another step, Kagari reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

  Kagari (quiet, serious): “Kaizo. Wait up.”

  Kaizo turned, raising his brow as Kagari gave him a concerned expression.

  Kaizo (curious): “What’s up?”

  Kagari crossed her arms as she sighed heavily. She had no idea if Kaizo would take what she was about to say seriously or not.

  Kagari (warning tone): “I’m just gonna let you know right now: Don’t underestimate Airi. She was my best friend back at St. Divinity. Her Horizon… Infatuation… It's strong. Strong enough to work on girls.”

  Kaizo blinked.

  Kaizo (surprised, looking at us): [“On girls?”]

  Kaizo (confused): “What does that mean?”

  Kagari looked away while tightening her jaw.

  Kagari (annoyed, embarrassed): “It means she’s a horrible matchup for someone like you. If she gets in your head, you’re done for.”

  Kaizo grinned — that reckless, fearless grin that always made Kagari want to punch him and trust him at the same time. However she was feeling at that moment.

  Kaizo (smirking): “Relax. I’m not gonna lose.”

  Kagari stared at him for a long moment… then sighed.

  Kagari (relaxed): “You better not.”

  Finally, Kagari let go of his sleeve and the two headed back towards the entrance.

  Yumi adjusted her gloves beside them, watching the exchange quietly.

  Miyu hugged her bag tighter, taking mental notes of everything. It felt different being a spectator compared to a combatant in the stadium.

  The gates creaked open, revealing a dimly lit arena — cold steel walls, humming lights, and a vast battlefield.

  Kaizo stepped forward again.

  Kaizo (rolling his shoulders): “Alright… time to kick this off nicely.”

  INT. VIP SPECTATOR LOUNGE – SECRET ARENA – SATURDAY

  Only five people and one bored-looking staff member sit in the sleek, glass-enclosed room overlooking the custom-built battlefield.

  Yumi, seated upright with Infinity resting on her shoulder like a ugly black scarf.

  Kagari, legs crossed, sipping from a custom water bottle perfectly suited for her.

  Miyu, holding her magazine awkwardly, trying to fit in.

  Across the room, there was Riko, who was seated very comfortably, with her arms crossed.

  And then Hanae Takeda, who was usually, cool, calm and composed—despite being the younger sister of Riko, was currently ranks #7, thanks to her Nature Horizon.

  The room buzzed with passive tension, as familiar faces were reuniting once again.

  Riko (smiling): “Hey, Kagari. It’s been a while, huh?”

  Kagari (smirking): “I know right! How have you guys been?”

  Hanae (folding her hands): “It could be better; Mei has been quite “on the edge” lately . Though I am curious about something…”

  (She glanced sideways at Kagari.)

  Hanae (calm, but probing): “Kagari. Why did you transfer to this school, anyway? Doesn’t really seem like it fits your style.”

  Kagari (dodging): “…Had my reasons.”

  Riko (giggling, raising an eyebrow): “She dodged that like a pro.”

  Miyu (timidly): “Honestly, I thought you transferring was surprising as well. I don’t think anyone saw that coming."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Riko (to Miyu, teasing but firm): “Your sudden dropout was kind of wild too. Mei never expected that you would leave.”

  Miyu (embarrassed, looking away): “…I wanted to try… something new...”

  Hanae (changing the subject, eyeing Yumi): “Okay, and who’s she?”

  Riko (sizing her up, slightly jealous): “Yeah, you brought a… model? Her figure is just as good as yours and Airi’s…”

  Kagari (gesturing toward Yumi, slightly sarcastic): “This is Yumi. She’s Kaizo’s secretary and I heard she also helps out with his personal issues… apparently.”

  Hanae (suddenly recognizing): “Wait—that’s her? The girl that was with him during the Miyu match? You were standing behind him the whole time. My sister mentioned that.”

  Yumi (nodding slowly, annoyed, pinching Kagari’s cheek): “…Yeah. That was me. Also, Kagari, shut the hell up…”

  Riko (smirking): “Guess you’re more than just a secretary, huh?”

  Yumi (confused, turning slight red): “W-What does that mean?”

  Riko (grinning): “Nothing. Just saying… ” (slight pause) “I’ll admit your guy is good. But I don’t think he’ll be able to beat Airi. Especially if he’s your typical male.”

  Yumi (confused): “Huh?”

  Kagari (exhaling like she’s heard it all before): “It means… Airi’s Horizon is Infatuation. It enhances her appeal—physically and emotionally. For most guys, it’s a mental struggle.”

  Yumi (blinking): “Wait, seriously?”

  Kagari (nodding): “Every other member of the Top Ten is a girl, right? She’s likely the biggest reason why.”

  Yumi (groaning, leaning back): “Yeah… Kaizo’s so screwed.”

  The match timer flashed on the screen. Down on the stage, Kaizo and Airi were squaring up.

  Hanae (casually): “Alright then, let’s see this guy handles the Queen of Lust.”

  Riko (whispering): “Do people actually call her that?”

  Hanae (turning red): “No, I just made it up on the spot…”

  INT. ARENA FLOOR – KAIZO VS. AIRI

  A personalized battlefield unfolds under the flickering stadium lights—half catwalk, half sleek runway, tailored for today’s challenger.

  Kaizo stands on his side, calm and unreadable.

  On the opposite end enters Airi, her outfit looking a little odd. It looked like a combat type outfit at first glance, but there were some areas that were "visible" from certain angles, if you were in a certain position.

  Yumi (sighs heavily, arms crossed): “He’s finished.”

  Infinity (quietly, to himself): “He’s fucked.”

  INT. KAIZO’S MIND – THE INFINITY REALM

  Kaizo sits calmly, alone in the endless void, watching Airi’s entrance on a giant screen, which reflects what his eyes saw. Despite the blank expression on his face from the outside, in here—

  He’s smiling.

  Kaizo (grinning): “C’mon, I’m not that perverted…”

  Then he taps his chin with an amused grin.

  Kaizo (thinking, closing his eyes): “Still… let’s play along for the drama.”

  BACK TO REALITY

  Airi makes her move—fast, surprisingly so. She closes the gap faster than Kaizo expected.

  Just as her fist is about to connect—Kaizo slides out of the way, effortlessly.

  But not without very obviously peeking at her outfit as he does so.

  Airi (stumbles, glares): “...Rude.”

  Kaizo (smirking) “How so?”

  She regains her composure, throwing out another witty comment while resetting her stance. It’s here Kaizo begins to realize how Airi’s powers truly worked.

  He began hearing words from what he thought to be his inner subcutaneous, but it was really just Airi’s Horizon’s Whisper effect.

  Don’t you like her?

  Why are you avoiding her?

  Just let her win…

  Kaizo (thinking): “Oh, is this her Horizon? Tsk tsk tsk, she’s gonna have to do better than that.”

  And it shows; it becomes clear, minute by minute: she’s getting absolutely outclassed.

  Kaizo never strikes back. He just dodges, again and again—and with every dodge, another “glance.” Airi may have known some martial arts, but compared to Kaizo, especially the fact that she doesn’t use Zenshin, she stood no chance.

  INT. VIP SPECTATOR LOUNGE

  Yumi and Kagari remain dead silent, watching Kaizo “work.”

  They're not jealous… but very irritated. It seemed he was having a very good time.

  Riko is stunned, as her arms were no longer crossed and rested to her side.

  Hanae glances over at her sister, noticing her expression on her face.

  Hanae (sincerely): “Good luck, Riko. You’re up next, right?”

  Riko (flinching) “W-What? The match isn’t even over yet! Can’t you have faith in her—or me?”

  Hanae (staring at her): “Sis, I know you're seeing what I’m seeing right now. Somehow, this guy is affected by Airi’s temptations. You think you stand a chance against him?”

  ……

  Hanae (sighing): “Exactly…”

  Miyu (looking up from her magazine): “...Damn.”

  FINAL MINUTES OF THE BATTLE

  Airi pants, trying to keep up with Kaizo’s unpredictable movements and unshakable composure. Her Horizon flares up frequently, trying to tug at his instincts by having constant whispers in his head, questioning his decisions.

  But Kaizo isn’t affected. He’s been performing well despite the overwhelming desire not to harm her. He made sure that any action he took didn’t harshly affect Airi, as he noticed the closer he got to her, the more annoying those “whispers” of hers became.

  He finally catches her wrist during an overextended strike—and then steps behind her with a smooth pivot, gently but decisively pinning her arm without harm. It seems Airi was ready to surrender, as the voices stopped abruptly.

  Airi (exhausted, smirking): “Alright… I admit it. I couldn’t keep up.”

  Kaizo walks off the field calmly.

  Kaizo (kinda sad): [“...Honestly, I wanted to see some more.”]

  He was quite disappointed.

  Infinity (through the Infinity Realm): “I thought with a Horizon like that, she’d have something more up her sleeve and that you would lose.”

  Kaizo: “Do you take me as some kind of simp?”

  Infinity: “Yes.”