Rei stepped forward, her confident aura unwavering. The class buzzed with whispers—some skeptical, others eager to see how this would unfold.


    Coach Tanaka raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Fine. Two-minute bout. Standard rules."


    Ash and Rei squared off.


    The whistle blew.


    Rei moved first, quick and precise, her footwork light as she struck with a flurry of rapid jabs. Ash parried each one, barely shifting his stance.


    Then he struck.


    A single, devastating counter-punch forced Rei back, but she didn''t falter. Her eyes narrowed—she had underestimated him.


    Desperation flickered in her gaze before she activated a technique only her clan knew.


    The air around her seemed to shift, her movements becoming almost unreadable. Ash recognized it instantly—Shifting Mirage, an elite evasion technique that created afterimages with sheer speed.


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    The class gasped as Rei moved like a phantom, closing in from multiple angles.


    But Ash wasn''t fooled.


    He had seen through the trick the moment she executed it.


    The moment she appeared at his side, thinking she had the advantage, Ash pivoted and struck clean—his fist slamming into her midsection with calculated force.


    Rei stumbled back, eyes wide with shock.


    The class held its breath.


    The whistle blew.


    "Winner—Shirogiri."


    Rei collapsed to her knees, panting. But then—


    Tears welled in her eyes. "I—I can''t believe it… after everything I did for you…"


    Gasps rippled through the crowd.


    Rei''s voice trembled, just loud enough for everyone to hear. "I always protected you, Ash… I saved you from the bullies… And this is how you repay me?"


    Murmurs broke out—her fan club stirred into anger and disbelief.


    Kenji clenched his fists. "She''s twisting everything…"


    Ash remained silent. Then—


    He raised his wrist, and a hologram flickered to life.


    A live feed.


    The recording played—


    "Was that satisfactory?" Takeshi''s voice echoed. "I didn''t overdo it, did I?"


    Rei''s smirk was unmistakable. "You did well. They admire me even more now."


    Gasps turned into stunned silence.


    Rei''s expression twisted into horror. "T-That''s fake!" she shrieked.


    But the damage was done.


    Ash let the feed speak for itself.


    And for the first time—


    Tsukihime Rei was the one being watched, judged, and doubted.