Chapter 114

I used Jun as a measuring stick. Switching to a new exercise whenever he did. Since despite all his chrome, my brother was a bit out of shape. Too many burritos.

 

My calves and thighs were burning but it felt good because I had gotten a few Body alerts as I exercised as well!

 

Then considering most of the stuff was already claimed I walked up to the punching speed bag. The small bag wasn’t my usual go to for exercises, but that actually worked to my benefit. I had done punching machines and such before, but never a speed bag.

 

Although with my chrome arms I wasn’t sure if I would actually get much out of it. I wasn’t exactly working muscles with my arms, but I wanted to try it anyway.

 

Plus it was free.

 

I stretched my legs bouncing a bit to work out the tired muscles as I walked up and hit the bag. It flopped fast, too fast.

 

I had vague memories of seeing people use the thing in the past, and I had even seen John use it as I walked in.

 

I held back and struck it again. It bounced and flopped much more controllably.

 

“Better.” A voice startled me and I looked back to see the old TC man himself. “Three count. Like this.” He informed me, walking up and striking the bag once, letting it three times before he struck it again, and instantly there was a balance.

 

He stopped right after. “Try again.”

 

I shrugged, a tap of my fist, and I waited. Then struck again. Then again. I got the pace down nearly instantly.

 

“Good. Now sw-”

 

I had already switched hands, starting to shift which hand struck the back, constantly changing the number of hits, and adjusting.

 

“Huh. You pick things up quick.” He complimented, and I shrugged as I moved.

 

“I know how to fight pretty well, used some punching machines before, just never a speed bag.” I informed him.

 

“Show me.” he demanded as he walked over behind the speed bag for a set of mitts. He slipped them on and waved me over.

 

I sighed. I was kinda just wanting to do my own thing. But I shrugged and walked over.

 

And then we started, I punched out and struck his mitts as he moved, and I moved with him, following him around striking the mitts even dodging his telegraphed swipes as I fell into the rhythm, and I could see him testing me. Starting slow before going faster and faster, telegraphing less and less to see where I stood.

 

Finally I had to block his mitt as I leaped back to keep from getting smacked in the face and he nodded. “You’re not bad kid. Who trained you?”

“No one really. For this anyways. Sensei at the Deravaja Dojo worked with me on some sword stuff.”

 

He scoffed at my words as he looked me over. “Well you either had years of training or you’re a natural.”

 

“The second actually.” Jun said suddenly as he walked over and pulled me in by the shoulder.

 

“Ew! Jun! You sweat beast! Gross!” I cursed at him as he had pulled me right into his stinky armpit.

 

Jun of course realizing what he had done just laughed at my horror as I wiped at my shoulder.

 

“Kusanagi.”

“John.” Jun greeted back, before nodding his head at me. “My sister is a genius. Most of the time anyways.”

 

“Gonk.” I retorted, flushing a little at being complimented. I mean. If you were going by how quickly I could learn something thanks to my system, I would be a super genius. But I also kinda wasn’t. So it was a bit embarrassing to be complimented for something that wasn’t really true, but something I couldn’t really argue.

 

“Huh. Well she gots some good hands.” John offered complimenting my punching skill.

 

But I couldn’t let that setup go. “Bought them myself.” I retorted a little sarcastically earning a blink from the older man before he actually let out a deep chuckle.

 

“Got me there kid. Got me there. You done already Kusanagi?” John asked and Jun shrugged. “I can’t wear myself out. I have work tonight.”

 

Both of us looked to Jun with eyes filled with disappointment.

 

“Don’t get fat Jun-nii.”

“I’m not fat!” He actually shouted and everyone looked at him. Jun had that moment of realization that he had spoken a little too loud. “I’m not fat.” He poked me with a finger, but in the end he did turn around and go work on a treadmill sort of thing for a while.

 

—–

 

“Have fun?” Jun asked as we both headed up on the elevator.

 

“Exercise isn’t really fun to me.” I answered. Sure, I had eventually forgiven John for bothering me when he pulled me into some more exercises that had pulled another Body Alert from my system. I enjoyed the results, but the act itself was mostly just drudgery, if not for Cool keeping me on task, I probably would have stopped long before even Jun.

 

Although… It was kinda nice though to get my muscles burning again.

 

“Heh. You had a happy look on your face though?”

“I did not!”

 

“Ah I see. John is married you know?”

 

“Wha? JUN!”

“What? You like olde-” I punched him instantly for daring to utter such lies!

“I do not like older guys!” I yelled as the elevator door opened and into the face of the woman that was standing there.

 

The woman was wearing a cool leather like jacket neon lights lighting it up in a strobe effect, her hair glowing to a musical beat that she was also nodding her head to. She had a guitar strapped over her back, and as I looked on she blew a bubble of pink bubblegum and popped it.

 

She was, in one word, cool.

 

And probably Rockerboy neighbor.

 

“Nice guitar.” I offered, unable to say anything else. I recognized the model from the music shop, although I couldn’t remember the name. I wasn’t exactly an instrument hound after all.

 

“It does what I need.” She muttered cooly, hip cocked to the side and looking us over. Although I noticed her eyes were mostly on Jun.

 

“Jun, right? You just moved in.” She greeted, her eyes practically flashing.

 

“Yeah. Nice to meet you.” He said, still fighting off chuckles at my previous yell.

 

“Preem. You should come see the show sometime.” She offered and reached into her guitar bag and pulled out a leaflet. “TC get a discount.” She added and Jun took the leaflet. I stood up on my tiptoes to take a look.

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Huh. Apparently the girls band, Violent Hemorrhage was playing at a club not far from here. There was a picture of the girl herself obviously the lead on the leaflet.

 

“Cool.” I muttered, because it was pretty cool. I wonder what kind of music she played? Maybe we could jam together some time? I haven’t had the chance to play with someone else yet.

 

“I might show up.” Jun offered and the girl smirked, and I instantly realized she was flirting.

 

Gross! She was flirting with Jun!

 

Why were all of these girls interested in Jun!? He was a burrito addict! And he throws his socks everywhere!

 

“What kind of music do you play?” I asked, looking towards the girl, and she just scoffed.

 

“Should be fairly obvious, no? The Violent Hemorrhage play NeoRock Electrosmash.”

 

“What the hell is NeoRockSmash?” I asked instantly because suddenly I felt like I was in the mid 2000’s again and everyone was talking about New Rave Hyperpop Synth-Electroclash. Or something similarly gibberish.

 

The girl looked like she was going to say something biting, but Jun was right there, and she smoothed out and instead just spoke with the most syrupy sweet voice. “Maybe just stick with pop.”

 

Okay cool girl. First off? No one tells me to listen to pop music.

 

Secondly, this means war.

 

My narrowed eyes obviously spoke my intent because she just rolled her eyes and looked to Jun. “See you around Kusanagi.” She said, sounding very sultry and she sashayed into the elevator past us. Pointedly almost rubbing against Jun as they nearly jostled at the entrance, and then.

 

The elevator shut.

 

“I don’t like Rockerboy Neighbor.” I said instantly. To make sure Jun wasn’t getting any weird ideas.

 

Like sexual interest.

 

“She’s a bit rude, yeah.” He agreed and I smiled at him for saying what I wanted. Jun could find way better girls than her! Even if she was cool!

 

And she had that don’t fuck with me attitude that was pretty awesome. Stupid Cool Rockerboys.

 

But I would rather Jun get with Akari… Or Rita! Rita was a good choice! Better than Cool rockerboy girl.

 

I was gonna wipe that stupid smug smirk off her face. I decided right then.

 

“I’m gonna go take a shower and practice.” I told Jun and started for the apartment.

 

“Practice what?” He asked, following after as I stomped off.

 

“Music of course!”

 

—–

 

Of course it was only mid shower that I remembered that Malcolm was injured and I took a moment to cool my irritation at Rockerboy girl to put that to the side, so I could get ready and go to hang out with Malcolm. Because my choom was more important.

 

Of course I wasn’t the only visitor as I stomped down the stairs to Vik’s clinic.

 

Ichi had finally been told to go home that morning apparently, but Hiromi was there when I stepped down into Vik’s clinic.

 

“Motoko!”