𝐁𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 || 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤

18||Recovery Mode

Chapter 18: Barou's World: Where Weakness Doesn't Exist (Unless You're Ryouta)

Song: Shake if off

I stay out too late, got nothing in my brain

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Ryouta's POV:

"Hah, wait, you're telling me the second selection won't start right away?!" I shouted, frustration bubbling up. I was alone in the huge room, staring at the results of the last game. Team Z had outperformed us, leaving us behind in the rankings. Team V and Team Z were the only ones to make it through the first selection, along with the best strikers from the teams that got knocked out.

Great. Just great. Now I was being scolded by Ego and everyone else about needing to undergo more physical training. If it wasn't clear enough, I guess it was time for me to pay a visit to the God of this whole mess... Like how the fuck am I gonna survive this?!

So now, me, Bangs Boy, and the Wannabe King were all stuck training together. "This is going to be a blast," I muttered, sarcasm dripping from every word. Barou, the so-called "King," and Niko with his sharp, quiet vibes. 

9:00 AM – Endurance Training

Well, this wasn't going well. By the middle of the second set, I felt like I was dragging my feet through molasses, while Barou was running like a robot powered by pure arrogance. Niko was running at a steady pace, looking focused but not pushing himself too hard.

"Keep up, Ryouta," Barou grunted, like he was doing me a favor by even acknowledging my existence.

"Yeah, sure, right behind you," I gasped, trying to increase the speed while pretending I wasn't about to collapse. Honestly, at this point, I was just trying not to get launched off the treadmill.

"You good, Ryouta?" Niko asked, his tone surprisingly concerned, even though he was running at a leisurely pace.

"Am I good?" I huffed. "No, I'm dying over here, thanks for asking." I grinned at him with my best "totally fine" face, which probably looked more like a struggle for survival.

Then, my foot slipped, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor with one leg stuck against the wall, the treadmill still going without me.

"Ryouta?!" Barou and Niko shouted, looking back in unison.

I lay there, not even embarrassed, just too exhausted to care. "I'm good... just testing gravity."

2:00 PM – Extreme Trunk Training

"Let's get this over with," Barou said, doing his first set with the intensity of someone who probably spends his free time lifting cars.

I stared at the weights and sighed. "Why did I think this was a good idea?" I muttered, getting into position.

Niko did a couple of crunches next to me, his face the picture of mild concentration. Honestly, if I wasn't dying, I'd probably ask him how he made it look so effortless. But, no. My stomach was already in revolt, begging for mercy.

By the end of the first set, I throw myself and lean on the wall for little break. My abs felt like they were about to file for unemployment. Niko walk towards me and handed my a water bottle and take a sit next to me.

"Is he even a human being?" I mumbled to Niko, nodding toward Barou, who was still going strong like he had superhuman powers.

"I don't think so," Niko replied, his tone deadpan. "Probably a robot designed to make us look weak."