"So you actually beat me. Unbelievable! Aizawl muttered. He heard a low groan from Hobin, who laid on the bed next to him. After their intense fight on the roof, they took the both of them to the med bay in the school. The whole fight on the roof got the school talking. How eager they were to survival, gave birth to more thrills within the students. Many people shared the reels, calling Tattalia, one of the best schools in the country.
Though most people condemned that abusive behavior, the majority still saw it as a solid entertainment and even compared it to America's WWE, but even better. The fight went viral, and the caption used was "Mad scientist vs The loser, official fight". It Generated 846k views in 12 hours and had 117k shares.
"Looks like both of you are blowing up already. The stats on your fight are ranking up tons of subscriptions on the school's page." The doctor in charge of treating them said as he stared at the massive figures.
"Are you awake…Hobin? Aizawl asked, turning his neck to him.
"Argh…! My body still hurts". Hobin groaned and rubbed his chin. "Wait…Where is my glasses? He asked immediately.
"On the desk". The doctor replied and watched Hobin scramble to get it. He put the glasses on his eyes and tapped it anxiously.
[SYSTEM REBOOT COMPLETE: ANALYZING BODY DAMAGE. YOU SEEM TO BE BREATHING FINE. YOU BONES WERE MIDLY WEAKENED ALLOWING YOU TO ACHIEVE FLEXIBILITY. YOU SHOULD REST FOR AT LEAST A WEEK BEFORE INDULGING IN ANY FIGHT ACTIVITY. ELSE YOU COULD WORSEN YOUR CONDITION].
"As always, you sound like shit". Hobin scoffed out a response and let out a dry chuckle.
"So doctor. How bad is my noise? Aizawl asked anxiously.
"Well…you broke it. So we put a cast over it. It should be stable in approximately three weeks' time. Until then, I suggest you abstain from anything that will harm it further."
"Yeah right". Aizawl chuckled.
"As for you…Hobin. Your bones were almost smashed like mashed potatoes. The X-ray facility is having a bit of a malfunction, so I suggest you go see a doctor in the city for the X-ray."
[IMAGINE. HIS TELLING THAT TO GUY WITH NO MONEY] XL said, and let out a giggle.
"Idiot". Hobin mumbled and tried to get up. He struggled a few times, but finally, with the aid of the doctor, got his back resting on the wall.
Aizawl followed his move and rested on the head of the bed. Both heard a loud bang on the door and saw the squealing press of students who threw their body on the door and glass window.
"They are awake! A boy screamed in excitement.
"Hey! Open the door. Let's get their autographs. Hey come…old man. Open up! Another boy screamed as they pressed one another's body on the door.
"Hey…all of you should beat it. Get the hell out of here. These men are trying to recover. They almost killed themselves." The doctor yelled out like a madman and went over to the window to urge them to leave.
"Like hell we care…I want their signature right here on my arm. That was the best fight ever!
"We love you Hobin. You are really strong". The girls squealed as though they found a blue crush celebrity.
"Shame on you…Aizawl. You lost even after all your tricks! A bully shouted.
"Aizawl…The mad scientist. Science over fight. He's our very own Nikola Tesla…". A student screamed.
"Best fight of the century! Another said.
"Hobin…! Argh…! My hero. You won, as always. I knew you could do it, baby." Hobin heard Pa Kong Ex say. He groaned louder and looked away.
[LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE'S GETTING CRUSHED ON] XL said and heard Hobin grumble.
Aizawl buried his face in his hands and let out a soft moan. "I lost. I can't believe it. I actually lost to this guy. Even after everything I did. Perhaps I underestimated him. I always then to do that."
"What are you getting so worked up about? You almost shattered my bones."
"Huh? You're praising me? But why? Aizawl asked desperately.
"Because a true champion always acknowledges a strong opponent, whether he lost. You got me good. Too good, in fact. And besides…it wasn't your fault. You are right…Aizawl. You are not a fighter. But you are the toughest and smartest person I have ever met. Let's be friends, yeah? Hobin said and gave him a mild smile.
"Did he just smile at me? Aizawl thought to himself. "Why would he say something like that…Why am I feeling so…happy. So happy that I could…". Aizawl paused and cried softly.
"Huh…is he crying? Hobin asked himself and heard XL chime.
[OBVIOUSLY. THAT WHAT THE WEAK PEOPLE DO AFTER LOSING A MATCH AND ACCEPTING DEFEAT SO EASILY. SUCH UTTER TRASH]
"Zip it XL. He fought honorably". Hobin snapped, attempting to protect Aizawl.
[YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE RIGHT. PERHAPS I SHOULD BE HIS SYSTEM TOO…SINCE I PICK PEOPLE WHO FIGHT HONORABLE. YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF FLESH]
"I'm no longer fat". Hobin snapped back.
[OH REALLY. SHOULD I PULL UP YOUR RECENT STATS OR SHOULD I GO WITH LITTLE LIE]
"Stop taunting me". Hobin snapped like a little child.
[DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. BUT THE STRONG DESIRE TO GET STRONGER AND NOT CRY OFF TO THEIR BABY MAMA FOR A LITTLE MILK]
"Damn you're cold". Hobin mumbled a reply to XL
"You are right, Hobin. But am not weak…I overthink things, like I did this one. I lost because I gave up. If I hadn't, the fight would have gone my way. I need to stop over thinking and just be me."
"Yeah…Aizawl, the mad scientist." Hobin scoffed. "It fits you."
"Yeah…A pleasure to meet you, too. Hobin the ex-fat loser."
[HAHAHAHA. I LIKE HIM. LETS KEEP HIM]. XL said and Hobin groaned. They both shook hand and let out timid smiles, before requesting for more painkillers.
After the school day, Hobin visited the hospital and went to get a light meal at the cafe. He sat down and ate his meal. For the first time, XL let him eat meat, turkey and chunk down some milk. But by the time he was done, he sat back and stirred his little English tea. Hobin kept thinking about the fight and every outcome that could have happened along the way.
A text came in. It was from Pa Kong's ex-girlfriend, Chanel. He swiped it for the mark as read and places his hand on his chin.
[DO YOU THINK SHE IS CUTE? SHE GOT A BIG PACKAGE]
"What! How can you say something like that?! Hobin squealed like a little girl. "She's only with me for my current title. Once I lose it, she's gone. I can't be with someone like that". Hobin replied.
[TRUE. CHANEL IS EXTREMELY POPULAR. SHE HAS A MASSIVE FANBASE AND LIVES A WEALTHY LIFE. UNLIKE YOU WHO ONLY GETS POPULAR FOR BREAKING HIS BONES AND SLEEPING IN THE DUMPSTER].
"You better take that back."
[WHAT YOU GONNA DO—DESTORY ME? LAST I CHECKED YOU NEED ME TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR THE TOP]. XL smirked back. Hobin let out a loud sigh and wished his life was less complicated than it was now.
He heard the bell at the door rang, issuing the entrance of a new customer. Hobin listened and heard the footstep approaching him. He turned slowly to see two teenagers—male and female.
What made him unique was his incredibly long hair, mixed with black and silver lining. He had one of those drowsy eyes that glared a different color. White on the left and black on the right. It made him stand out and added more beauty to his face. He didn't wear his jacket very well, letting it expose his neatly brooded shoulders and tattoos. He looked like one of those bored, empty and weakly portrayed characters at first glance. The young blonde girl, on the other hand, was shaking and holding into her purse as though someone would take it in the store.
"Okay. You can sit over here". The boy commanded in a soft voice. True, he was a cutie, but Hobin sensed there might be more to it. From the way he acted so authoritative and the way she scrambled to get into the chair, Hobin felt these people were no lovers.
"Past…" Hobin called out to her. She looked up at him. Her face was already greased and partly scared. Hobin feared this cute boy was an abusive boyfriend or, worst, kidnapped her.
He was the same height as Hobin. Looked weak and seemed too lazy to even think for a food order. His jacket was barely strapped well on his body and it exposed the tattoo that ran from his shoulders to his neck. He kept glaring at the menu with no intent of ordering anything yet. As though he was waiting for someone to give him an idea.
"Psst…". Hobin called out again, and she looked up again. "Are you in danger? Do you need help? Hobin asked, and she nodded slowly.
"I knew it. That boy did something to her.".
[HOBIN! DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO AVOID FIGHTING UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK? YOU COULD DAMAGE YOUR BONES FOREVER].
"But…".
[NOT BUTS…WORST OF ALL WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE ON THIS GUY. YOU LOOK WEAK YES. BUT I DOUBT, YOU'D BE ABLE TO GET A FINGER ON HIM].
"Hey…! Have a little faith, will you? Hobin begged like a child.
The door rattled open again. The bell rang and a gang of high school teenagers entered. There were eight of them. Big, muscular and tattooed. Like bandits or cult members, they wore matching bumper jackets and glanced quickly around the store.
"Ah…There are here". The boy said and finally raised up his hand to order. "I'll take an ice cold tea, please. Make it two". He ordered and threw off a mischievous smile.
Hobin saw their leader, a tall, light-skinned boy, walked past him and onto the table where the boy was and mumbled.
"Hand her over…". The gang leader ordered.
"Why should I…". The boy replied.
"I won't you ask…". The gang leader threatened.
"And I won't answer you again either". He smirked and pulled himself up. He gave out one of those dirty, smug, and let his tongue display a little. As though he was mocking them. "Why talk? When we could fight".