Chapter 225: Arm Wrestling Match, Humans Are So Terrifying
Momobami Kirari was constantly rinsing her mouth along the way, a strange and repetitive action that made Sakura Hibiki and the others look at her with profound puzzlement.
The silver-haired Student Council President held a sleek, mint-green bottle to her lips, taking dainty sips, swishing vigorously, and discreetly spitting into the street-side drains.
Was she really just rinsing her mouth, or was she practically drinking the mouthwash at this point?
The evening air of Tokyo was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the residual heat still clinging to their bodies after a grueling session at Silverman Gym. Neon signs flickered to life above them, casting vibrant hues of pink and electric blue across the busy sidewalks.
Ren walked alongside the group, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he observed Kirari's frantic oral hygiene routine.
He leaned in slightly, a teasing glint dancing in his profound eyes. "Kirari, you seem to really like drinking that specific brand of mouthwash?"
Kirari's pale, flawless face instantly flushed a brilliant, scandalous shade of red when she heard his playful tone.
The sudden heat rising to her cheeks had absolutely nothing to do with the evening chill. Her mind violently betrayed her, forcefully dragging her back to a vivid, steamy memory from barely twenty minutes ago in the gym's private VIP shower room.
The thick, suffocating steam. The slick, wet tiles beneath her bare knees.
The proud, untouchable 105th Student Council President of Hyakkaou Academy had been reduced to a flushed, greedy mess, looking up at Ren through heavily lidded, desire-filled eyes. She remembered the overwhelming heat of his arousal pressing against her lips, and the sheer, dominating thickness that she had eagerly taken into her mouth.
Every bob of her head, every choked gasp that escaped her throat, had only fueled her insatiable pride to conquer him. She recalled the exact moment he had hit his limit, his hands tangling in her silver braids.
Instead of pulling away, she had stubbornly clamped down, swallowing every last drop of his thick, searing, and incredibly salty climax. It had coated the back of her throat, a heavy, musky 'protein' that stubbornly refused to wash away, no matter how much water she drank.
Snapping back to the present, Kirari irritably spat the latest mouthful of minty liquid into a nearby trash can.
She turned to Ren, her icy blue eyes narrowing in a fiery mix of embarrassment and defiant affection. "Why would I drink mouthwash?" she hissed under her breath.
Stepping dangerously close to him, she poked a manicured finger into his chest. "Doesn't my dear White Butler know the exact reason? Don't think that just because you're my future man, I won't dare to pinch you lifeless right here on the street."
Igarashi Sayaka, walking just a few paces behind, watched the interaction with intense anxiety. "President! Are you feeling unwell?"
"Is your throat sore?" she fretted, completely oblivious to the deeply explicit nature of her beloved President's current predicament.
Ren merely looked at Kirari with amusement, a soft, knowing chuckle vibrating in his chest.
Lucifer, walking on Ren's other side, tilted her head slightly. The sharply dressed CEO of Hell blinked her crimson eyes, looking at Kirari with an expression of genuine, demonic puzzlement.
"Kirari, why is your sudden need for mouthwash related to Ren?" Lucifer asked, her tone innocent but piercing. "Did Ren give you something strange to eat back there?"
Kirari choked on her own saliva, a rare, profound blush completely conquering her usually composed features.
"It was nothing," Kirari stammered slightly, desperately trying to regain her regal composure. "I just ate a very... strong-flavored dessert. And I swallowed a large amount of it directly."
She cleared her throat, avoiding eye contact with the confused demon. "Now I still feel full of that heavy taste. That's why I'm using so much mouthwash."
After delivering that incredibly loaded excuse, she didn't forget to shoot Ren a sharp, sidelong glare filled with unspoken promises for later.
Ren just smiled warmly, his silence speaking volumes, choosing to let the flustered President off the hook for now.
Their lively banter carried them down the bustling commercial street until they finally halted in front of an upscale Yakiniku restaurant. The traditional wooden facade was adorned with glowing paper lanterns, and the intoxicating, savory aroma of roasting meat and sizzling fat spilled out into the street.
Inside, the restaurant was a haven of warm, amber lighting and the lively chatter of hungry patrons. They were quickly guided to a spacious private booth near the back, where a sunken binchotan charcoal grill sat in the center of the dark oak table.
Many people mistakenly believe that to lose weight and get fit, one must eat a strictly vegetarian diet and avoid meat like the plague. This, however, is a completely incorrect and outdated philosophy.
When losing weight and building muscle, the key is to eat fewer heavy-oil and heavy-salt foods, while drastically increasing the intake of high-quality proteins and healthy fats.
In other words, not only can you eat meat, but you are actively encouraged to consume generous portions of premium beef, chicken breast, and fish.
As for the preparation method, it is highly recommended to choose smoked or charcoal-grilled meats. This cooking style allows the excess fat to drip away, meaning you only need a tiny pinch of sea salt to bring out the explosive natural flavors, or you can simply eat them plain.
Sakura Hibiki's eyes sparkled like stars as she stared at the glowing white-hot charcoal in the grill.
She practically vibrated with anticipation, her mouth already watering. "So, you're saying we can actually eat massive amounts of barbecue while working out?!"
"You can," Ren nodded, leaning back against the comfortable leather seating. "But it's crucial that you focus primarily on beef and chicken."
He gestured to the menu with a calm, authoritative tone. "For the chicken, absolutely do not eat the skin; that's where all the useless fat is stored. Also, try to avoid meat cooked on a flat iron griddle."
Ren pointed to the glowing embers in the center of their table. "Charcoal-grilled is always the superior choice for a clean diet. Of course, from a purely nutritional standpoint, the absolute best method is simply boiled!"
Sakura Hibiki's enthusiastic smile instantly shattered, replaced by a look of utter, soul-crushing dejection.
"Boiled...?" she whimpered, imagining a sad, gray piece of chicken floating in hot water. "Just boiled with a little salt?"
"No!"
Five distinct voices immediately shot her down in perfect unison. Ayaka, Akemi, Gina, Sayaka, and even Kirari vehemently rejected the idea of ruining a good meal with such a depressing cooking method.
Ren shrugged his broad shoulders, an amused smirk playing on his lips. "Well, I guess I don't need to say anything more on that subject! We'll stick to grilling tonight."
He then turned his gaze toward the blonde high schooler. "But Hibiki, I've always been incredibly curious about something regarding your biology."
Hibiki tilted her head, a confused strand of blonde hair falling over her eyes. "Eh? What about me, Ren-nii?"
"Given the sheer, mountainous volume of calories you consume daily," Ren analyzed smoothly. "A certain portion naturally turns into excess fat. But where exactly does the rest of it go?"
Upon hearing this deeply scientific question, Courage, the WGO Inspector, leaned in with sheer confusion written across her elegant face.
"Eh? Is Hibiki-chan's digestive system just exceptionally efficient?" Courage asked, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"A hyper-metabolism, perhaps?"
Sakura Hibiki waved her hands dismissively, laughing with a hint of embarrassment. "My digestion is definitely good! But I still gain weight super easily if I'm not careful."
She looked down at her own chest and waistline, a puzzled expression crossing her face. "But... could it be that all those extra calories are actually going straight into developing my figure?"
Hearing this absurdly optimistic conclusion, Uehara Ayaka slapped her forehead in utter exasperation.
"Your figure is just... average at best, Hibiki!" Ayaka retorted bluntly. "It definitely isn't going to your chest!"
Suddenly, Ayaka's eyes widened in profound realization, and she slammed her hands on the table. "Oh! I just thought of it!"
"Is it fueling your unnatural, monstrous strange strength?!"
Soryuin Akemi and the others immediately nodded in fervent agreement, as if a great cosmic mystery had just been solved.
Ren raised an eyebrow, his curiosity genuinely piqued. "Strange strength? Exactly how strange are we talking about here?"
Uehara Ayaka immediately launched into a highly animated, detailed description of Hibiki's terrifying physical feats. She recounted how Hibiki had effortlessly completely destroyed heavy punching bags, dented solid steel equipment, and matched professional fighters in raw, unbridled torque without a single day of proper martial arts training.
As the stories piled up, Courage and Kirari both slowly turned their heads. They stared at the seemingly cute, harmless, food-obsessed little blonde girl sitting across from them with expressions of absolute, unadulterated astonishment.
Good heavens. If this girl actually underwent serious, disciplined combat training, could she literally punch a grown man's head clean off his shoulders?
Sakura Hibiki scratched the back of her head shyly, her cheeks dusting with a modest pink hue.
"I really don't know why," Hibiki mumbled, looking at her seemingly normal hands. "But whenever it comes to competing, or hitting the boxing mitts, I just feel this massive surge of extra power welling up inside me..."
Ren fell silent, his profound eyes calculating as he analyzed Hibiki's spiritual and physical aura.
After thinking for a brief moment, he reached across the dark oak table and extended his right hand toward her. "Hibiki. Try to see if you can arm wrestle me right now."
"Let's see if you can beat me."
Sakura Hibiki leaped back against her chair, waving her hands in sheer panic. "Ah?! Definitely not!"
"Ren-nii, your daily training volume is already completely terrifying!"
She recalled the monstrous, reality-bending weights she had seen him lift at Silverman Gym. "I'm absolutely no match for a monster like you!"
Ren's expression softened, and he spoke softly with an encouraging, gentle smile. "You never know until you try."
"Come on, give it a shot. Maybe you really can win."
Gina Boyd pumped her fist in the air, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yeah! Do it, Hibiki!"
"Show us the power of your hidden muscles!"
The other girls quickly chimed in, expressing a chorus of loud, enthusiastic encouragement.
Kirari rested her chin on her intertwined fingers, a sophisticated, highly entertained smile gracing her lips. "That's right, Hibiki-chan."
"Give it a try. Maybe you really are the hidden apex predator of this table."
Lucifer let out a soft, melodious laugh. "If you actually manage to win, it will definitely make things very interesting for Ren."
Caught up in the swelling, infectious atmosphere of the private booth, for a brief, fleeting moment, everyone genuinely thought Sakura Hibiki might just possess the miraculous strength needed to win.
Sakura Hibiki swallowed hard, nervously scratching her cheek. "O-Okay then. I'll try it."
"Although I definitely know I can't win, I guess there's no harm in trying..."
She reached out and firmly grasped Ren's waiting right hand.
The moment their palms connected, Sakura Hibiki was visibly stunned. She froze, her eyes widening as she looked down at their joined hands with a deeply strange, conflicted expression.
"Eh?" Hibiki murmured in disbelief. "If I hadn't personally witnessed your insane training routine, Ren-nii, I genuinely wouldn't believe that a hand like this is used for fighting or lifting."
She squeezed his palm lightly, utterly bewildered. "It's way too soft. There isn't a single callus."
"It feels like high-grade silk."
Ren smiled mysteriously, the secrets of internal martial arts and profound bodily refinement hidden behind his calm demeanor. "Thank you for the wonderful compliment."
"I moisturize. You can start anytime you're ready."
He turned his head slightly toward the silver-haired secretary. "Saya!"
Sayaka immediately stood at attention, her back ramrod straight. "Here!"
"Don't be so nervous, Saya," Ren chuckled. "You just need to act as the referee and call 'start'."
"After you give the signal, Hibiki, you can unleash your strength and make your move anytime."
Sakura Hibiki nodded slowly, her normally cheerful face settling into an incredibly solemn, serious expression.
Ren maintained his warm, relaxed, perfectly serene smiling face. The stark contrast between the two combatants was jarring.
Everyone else, however, was completely captivated by the sight of the two hands clasped firmly together in the center of the table. The tension in the private booth spiked dramatically, making the onlookers appear far more nervous than the actual participants.
Gina grabbed Ayaka's arm, bouncing in her seat anxiously. "Ayaka! Akemi!"
"Who is going to win?! Oh my gosh, I'm so nervous I could faint!"
Ayaka ripped her arm away, looking at the Russian girl with utter exasperation. "You're the literal professional arm wrestling champion here! Why in the world are you asking the two of us?!"
"Because I already know I can't beat Hibiki's raw power!" Gina cried out dramatically.
Sayaka stepped up to the edge of the table, her eyes darting fiercely between Ren and Sakura Hibiki. She raised her hand high into the air, hesitated for a split second to build the tension, and then violently slashed her hand down.
"Start!"
The very moment the word left Sayaka's lips, the atmosphere inside the private booth warped entirely, and everyone's expressions shattered in sheer disbelief.
Because Sakura Hibiki completely transformed.
It wasn't just a shift in posture. It was as if a wild, prehistoric beast had suddenly possessed her body. Her entire demeanor mutated, her cute, bubbly aura evaporating into pure, concentrated killing intent.
Even more terrifyingly, her literal visual reality seemed to warp. Thick, harsh, gritty ink lines spontaneously manifested around her form.
Heavy, dramatic cross-hatching shadows engulfed her face. Her arms, previously soft and slender, now bulged aggressively with highly detailed, vascular muscle fibers, looking like they belonged in a hyper-violent martial arts manga.
Courage slapped both hands over her mouth, her elegant eyes practically bulging out of her skull. "Oh my god! What is happening?!"
"Hibiki-chan's actual art style just changed!"
Lucifer pressed two fingers to her temples, a massive, throbbing headache suddenly assaulting her demonic brain.
"First there was that Kure Raian freak who turns completely purple and unhinges his limits," Lucifer muttered in existential dread. "And now there's Hibiki, whose literal, physical art style can dynamically shift into a gritty combat manga at will."
The CEO of Hell shuddered, a bead of cold sweat rolling down her pale cheek. "Could that bald guy, Saitama, also be able to shift art styles from a comedic egg to a serious god of death...? Humans... humans are so profoundly dangerous..."
At this exact moment, Lucifer seriously and aggressively doubted everything Ren had told her previously about humans being the absolute weakest race in the universe.
Weak? What an absolute joke! Manipulating the visual fabric of reality to increase muscle mass doesn't look like a normal, biological human ability at all!
Despite the terrifying, earth-shattering pressure radiating from Hibiki, the two clasped hands remained perfectly, completely deadlocked in the center of the table.
After a long, suffocating silence, Gina blinked her eyes, her previous hype deflating into profound confusion. "Eh? Wait... why aren't either of them moving...?"
Courage slowly nodded, equally bewildered by the lack of kinetic action. "That's right. With all that terrifying pressure, why aren't they moving an inch...?"
Suddenly, the air pressure in the room shifted once again.
Soryuin Akemi's aura violently erupted. Her own art style instantly changed, adopting a bizarre, highly menacing, and dramatically posed aesthetic straight out of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.
Floating, glowing kanji characters reading 'MENACING' seemingly materialized in the air around her as she struck an impossible, back-bending pose.
"Hmm? No! Look closer!" Akemi declared, her voice echoing with booming, dramatic gravitas.
"Hibiki's biceps brachii are clearly bulging to their absolute maximum limit! Her entire latissimus dorsi is exerting cataclysmic force, and her flexor carpi radialis wrist muscles are firing at 100 percent!"
Akemi pointed dramatically at the micro-tremors shaking the table. "This ultra-high frequency of kinetic trembling clearly means she is using every single ounce of her monstrous, explosive strength! She's entirely redlining her body!"
Everyone leaned in, their eyes widening as they looked closely at the brutal anatomical struggle.
And then, they simply stared blankly at the two competitors.
While Hibiki looked like a roaring demon from the depths of a fighting tournament, Ren was still completely rendered in a soft, gentle, beautifully lit slice-of-life art style.
He didn't have a single drop of sweat on his brow. His posture was entirely relaxed.
Ren smiled gently, his voice smooth and utterly devoid of strain. "It really looks like you're using all your strength."
"Then, let's just end it here. Sorry, Hibiki."
With a movement so casual it looked like he was simply brushing dust off a table, Ren smoothly and effortlessly pressed Hibiki's violently trembling arm down to the table.
Tap.
He won against the beastly Hibiki without a single ounce of visible effort. The gritty, intense ink lines surrounding Hibiki instantly shattered, and she reverted right back to her normal, bubbly, soft-edged self, panting heavily.
Gina's eyes lit up like massive floodlights as she looked at Ren in sheer, unadulterated worship.
She leaped out of her seat, cheering wildly. "Ren-nii is absolutely amazing! You're only the second person in my entire life I've ever seen who can suppress Hibiki's monster strength so easily!"
Gina pumped her fists. "The only other person who could do that was Coach Machio!"
Ren casually rotated his wrist, stretching the joints lightly. He looked at the Russian girl with a hint of confusion.
"Machio? You mean Machio Naruzo?"
A look of realization dawned on Ren's face. "So Naruzo is your personal trainer. That guy is completely obsessed with building muscles to a religious degree."
He turned his appreciative gaze back to the panting blonde. "Hibiki, your latent kinetic strength is genuinely impressive."
Sakura Hibiki scratched her head, laughing brightly despite her total defeat. "I still couldn't even budge you, Ren-nii. That terrifying feeling of utter powerlessness against your hand... it's honestly even scarier than facing Machio-nii..."
She tilted her head curiously. "But Ren-nii, do you actually know Machio-nii?"
"Yes, we're relatively good friends," Ren nodded smoothly, vividly recalling the man whose tracksuits constantly exploded into fabric shrapnel whenever he flexed.
"When Naruzo arm wrestled you, he definitely didn't use his full strength either. But Hibiki, your raw power should easily be enough to force him to get entirely serious."
Sakura Hibiki nodded, feeling a strange sense of pride at the immense compliment.
Lucifer, however, leaned forward across the table, her crimson eyes filled with an insatiable, demonic thirst for knowledge. "So, Ren."
"You just proved she is monstrously strong. Do you finally know the biological or spiritual reason behind her strange power?"
Ren picked up a pair of pristine silver tongs from the table, waving them dismissively in the air.
"I have absolutely no idea," Ren said simply, completely shattering the tense mystery. "But studying the biological anomaly of a high school girl isn't really very useful to me right now."
He flashed a brilliant, highly appetizing smile as the waiter finally arrived with massive, glorious platters of perfectly marbled A5 Wagyu beef and glistening, pink cuts of premium chicken breast.
"Ah, the meat is finally here," Ren announced, his eyes locking onto the feast. "We can finally start grilling now."
"Yay!" The entire table, demons, assassins, and schoolgirls alike, erupted in a joyous, unified cheer, their terrifying displays of power instantly forgotten in the face of premium, sizzling barbecue.
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