Chapter Text
No sooner when classes ended for the day Machiko saw the notification on her phone from the Martial Maidens Association. And her blood began to stir with excitement at the sight of it.
“Hm,”
Machiko pulled the app up, noting the golden angel emblem against the black background before the information of the notification flashed on screen. Another call to a challenge. Yet another fighter wanting to test their mettle against Machiko, the fifth one this month. I‘m happy with the opportunity to fight these battles, but I wish I could set limits on the amount of challenges people could send. Still, this was a chance to show off her fighting style and strength to the world, and she’d revel in it.
When Machiko first signed up for the Martial Maidens Association she had expected a more… sophisticated group of fighters and organizers. A semi-clandestine fighting organization that required you sign a number of wavers and agreements to join, as well as the group responsible for the organization having the connections and means to set up cameras and fighting locations throughout the city in some rather reclusive areas implied a certain amount of tact and subtlety. Organizers that were well-connected, affluent, and respectful of their fighters wishes, if a bit enigmatic and dubious. And young fighters of various backgrounds and motives with an earnest desire to test their martial arts prowess outside of traditional, more regulated competitions and push themselves in a fair, but intense contests of skill to the finish. The typical idea of young warriors fighting in strange places for the entertainment of a higher, private class of people you’d sometimes see in novels and video games.
And sadly, this was not the case.
Most of Machiko’s opponents were cocky and loud upstarts and street fighters that wanted to only mock and demean her fighting style and dojo in a street brawl, to try and prove her Aikijujitsu couldn’t stand against a ‘real’ martial art or battle. Hearing the same, tired insults had worn on her patience more and more lately.
Saga-ryu Aikijujitsu was a lot of things, but weak was not one of them. That wasn’t to say it was the strongest or best martial art out there, or even the most effective, but it was far from weak. Yes, it had elements of aikido, but it also took in several grappling techniques from jujitsu, striking techniques from shorinji kempo, and even a little bit of kendo to create an effective fighting style that could handle strikes, throws, counters, and even some armed combat. The idea was to creative a traditional, elegant, and well-rounded style for self-defense and real-life combat, at least according to her mother. And as heir of the Saga dojo, Machiko had always taken challenges and duels with a bit more fervor than most. There was a personal stake in every duel, challenge or free sparring session, a drive to prove her family’s style as something to respect and even fear.
I hope this next challenger isn’t the same. She opened message and read on.
Challenger : Kashiwa
Fighting Style : Karate
Fight Location : Yasui Forest, Lakeside
Time : Sunset
“Oh?” Most of the time the fighting style was just ‘Freestyle’ or ‘Unknown’. And the location was new as well. It was usually alleyways or warehouses, but this time it was at an interesting location. Yasui Forest was just a few blocks from the school building, the lake specifically was a thirty minute hike in total. This challenge seems quite interesting. She smiled to herself, accepting the match and pocketing her phone. There were no picture or further details about her opponent since the MMA made sure to protect the identities of all its fighters, but she was curious now. There were plenty of karate dojos in the city, and it’d be interesting to actually fight against a karate fighter in an honest fight with not limits. She had about three hours until sunset, and she still had to get her fighting attire in order, along with some other things. There was time to prepare and get ready.
“Hey Machi,”
Machiko nearly jumped at the sudden voice, turning to see her friend Naomi next to her. She immediately frowned.
“Please stop jumping out of nowhere, Naomi. My heart can’t take it.” Machiko said, sighing.
Naomi shrugged. “Doesn’t aikido give you super-awareness or something? Can’t you, like, sense my chi and chuck me out the window?”
Machiko pouted, flicking Naomi’s forehead. “Aikido doesn’t do that, and you just have a habit of coming out of nowhere. I swear, I need to tie a bell on you.” Machiko rolled her eyes. “And I practice aikijujitsu. It’s different.”
“You’re in the Aikido Club, though.” Naomi shot back.
“When I have the time, yes. And I don’t today.”
“Dojo stuff back home?”
“No, something else. Something private.”
“Some secret kung fu back alley fight pit thing?”
Machiko nearly staggered from that one. “Naomi, where do you keep coming up with these ideas?”
Naomi just snickered and put a finger to her lips. “Seeecret~!”
Machiko shook her head, rubbing at her temples. “Alright, I have to go.” She grabbed her sneakers from her locker and swapped them out for her school shoes. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have fun with your private kung fu battle~”
Machiko let out a scoff, marching off. “It is not that! And I shall see you later.”
“Yeah, yeah… Have fun with your alone time.”
Honestly, Naomi can be quite the little imp. Machiko shook her head, making her way to through the hiking path of the forest. Still, fighting in a location like this could be quite the challenge. The lake shore of the Yasui Forest wasn’t exactly a beach. It was more a coast of stone and gravel. It was nice to look at, but fighting there? Fighting was a different matter. Having a more picturesque area would be a refreshing change of pace to how desolate some of the other venues were, but Machiko still felt some unease. Maybe the places get more visually pleasing the further you fought. The lake started to come into view as Machiko continued her hike.
And as Machiko arrived onto the shore her opponent was in plain view, dressed in a simple white gi with black belt tied around it, along with a short, brown hair in a bobcut. It was much simpler than Machiko’s style of clothes. She honestly felt overdressed now, and a little intimidated as well upon seeing the black belt.
Her attire in question was a dark red gi with a large, gold plum blossom embroidered on the back, along with black hakama with gold lotuses embroidered along the right leg, and her black hair was in a simple bun. Flashy enough to be different and elegant enough to show she had class, as she preferred. It was something she bought using the money from her fights just for matches like this. It wouldn’t do to fight in her school uniform nor her proper training uniform from the Saga dojo. No, she wanted to be a little unique and showy for these fights, represent herself according to her tastes. And the MMA preferred their fighters be a little flashy for the sake of their viewers.
Her opponent, Kashiwa, narrowed her eyes as Machiko approached. “So you’re Umehana…” Kashiwa noted, more a blunt statement than anything. “What’s with the outfit?”
“I could ask the same.” Machiko replied. “I’m neither foolish nor impulsive enough to wear my dojo’s uniform for a private duel.” And upon closer inspection, Machiko did recognize the specific school. “You’re from the Miura Dojo aren’t you? I remember seeing that uniform during the yearly roundtable of all the dojos in the area.”
Kashiwa’s face went red. Did she honestly not realize? It was even recommended in the wavers to wear something specific for your battles. Not just because those watching preferred flashier attire, but also to hide your fighting style, dojo or training location, and even your identity. Not that Machiko would attack someone out of the blue, but the papers made it clear that people could and would try to learn about the identity of their opponents and other people in the MMA before actually fighting them. “Honestly…” Machiko shook her head. “I hope your fists and training are sharper than your mind…”
“Sh-Shut up!” Kashiwa slammed a fist into her palm. “You damn aikido loser, let’s see how you like tasting blood and vomit for the rest of the night!”
Machiko frowned at her opponent for a moment before scanning the area. This was a beach, but it wasn’t exactly a vacation spot of sand and surf. No, this was a beach of gravel and pebbles. Getting thrown to the ground here would hurt and hurt bad. Keeping your footing would be difficult while fighting barefoot on the rough, rocky surface. And the water… it could soften a throw somewhat, but it’d leave your clothes wet and heavy. And neither girl was wearing any protective gear, as the MMA barred use of it from duels. As picturesque as the idea of two martial artists battling it out on the beach looked, this was meant to be a serious duel, and it’d come with pain and bruises afterwards. Getting knocked out with a good throw or heavy hit would be a likely conclusion.
“You’re welcome to try, Miss Kashiwa,” Machiko took off her socks and shoes, setting them at the edge where the grass met the shore, then she placed her glass and phone on top of her shoes before going back to face Kashiwa, hands raised in a stance. One hand was open and facing forward ready to catch blows, the other hand was curled into a fist and pulled back. “I’ll do everything in my power to best you,”
“Back at you!”
The two meet at the edge of the shore, sizing each other up as Machiko felt the cool water touch at her feet.
And Kashiwa struck first.
She rushed forward with quick movements, plunging her fist into Machiko’s stomach. A hard and ruthless strike that had Machiko double over, clutching her stomach. Her eyes went wide and she coughed out saliva. So… fast… Her thoughts were scattered by another fast punch, right at her jaw. She staggered back, falling into the water with a splash.
“Ugh…”
She saw stars for a moment, the world flashing before the blurry image of Kashiwa standing over her came into view, fist raised.
“Haaaah!”
Before she punched down, Machiko immediately rolled to the side and dodged the blow, a wave a water splash her face from the intensity of the punch, and Kashiwa was wince from hitting the stones.
Now! Machiko didn’t give Kashiwa a moment to react. She grabbed Kashiwa’s free arm, throwing it over her shoulder for a hard hip toss. Water splashed over both girls, soaking their gi. Machiko wasn’t done with Kashiwa though. She kept hold of Kashiwa’s arm and twisted it hard.
“Aaaaaaah!” Kashiwa was wailing, and Machiko made sure Kashiwa really felt the pain before forcing her back up and bending the arm back against Machiko’s shoulder, making Kashiwa cry out further. Brutal as it was, Machiko was going to grind the arm into dust if she could help it. And she finished things by throwing Kashiwa over her shoulder with a big toss, slamming her back into the water, letting go of the arm to let her fly off a distance away. She took a breath after that. That wasn’t much of a battle. Those first few punches were heavy, but Machiko was a bit disappointed how quick the fight ended.
With a sigh, Machiko straight out her uniform, turning back to grab her shoes and phone. Suppose I’ll call the MMA and have them take her to a hosp-
“Raaaah!”
The deafening roar was only match by the power of the sharp kick nailed Machiko in the arm.
“Grah!” She staggered off to the side, clutching at her arm as she turned to see Kashiwa’s red, angry face. Red from both humiliation and the cut on her forehead from hitting the rocks.
“Damn you!” Kashiwa kicked high, not aiming for Machiko, but slinging river water and dirt right into her eyes. Machiko staggered back further, now trying to wipe the dirt and pebbles that were in her eyes before she felt a sharp strike at her core, right below her stomach.
“A-Aah…” Machiko let out an airless gasp, a ruthless knee strike to her stomach, followed by a heavy kick to her skull that dropped her into the water. And Kashiwa took full advantage of Machiko’s dazed state, grinding her foot against the back of Machiko’s skull.
“How’s that feel, Umehana? You like being my footrest?” Kashiwa sneered. “Maybe I should mess up your arm now to pay you back! Or maybe run that stupid outfit of yours in the mud along with your face!”
“Gh…” Machiko pushed herself up, getting Kashiwa off balance from her sudden rise. Took could quick advantage and tackled her right to the ground. She said nothing, simply grabbing Kashiwa’s bad arm, seeing her eyes widened as Machiko draped her legs over Kashiwa’s chest.
“N-No… don’t…” It sounded like a plead, but Machiko cut if off into screams as she arched her back and pulled at Kashiwa’s arm with little hesitation.
“Aaaaaaaaah! Stoooop! You’ll break it!”
That was my intention. She pulled harder, outright hyperextending Kashiwa’s arm out as she wailed and desperately started tapping at Machiko’s leg.
“Don’t break it! I give! I give!”
“… … …” Machiko stopped a moment, looking Kashiwa in the eyes. Her eyes were tearful and pleading. Machiko’s were cold and hard. “No.” Machiko hissed. “We stop when one of us is unconscious.” By MMA rules, Machiko had every right to break Kashiwa’s arm. Submission didn’t end fights in the MMA. Unlike more official fighting circuits and duels, submission, showing an unwillingness to fight, forfeit, or disqualification. Until a fighter was knocked out the fight was still ongoing. Even if bones were broken and limbs were shattered. Such was combat as a Martial Maiden.
And Machiko was going to teach Kashiwa this lesson.
“This arm,” Machiko pulled at Kashiwa’s arm again.
“N-No! I’m sorry I said all those things!”
“This arm will be what you pay for underestimating and demeaning your opponent!”
Machiko pulled and twisted in a smooth motion, hearing a rather sickening pop and a sudden lack of tension in Kashiwa’s arm.
And then, she heard the sobs of her opponent.
“… … …”
Machiko let go of Kashiwa’s arm, transitioning into a triangle choke in a quick motion before her opponent could cry out any long. She barely struggled after that. It was clear she lost her spirit on Machiko dislocated her shoulder. She went down without any more fighting.
Machiko let out a sigh, letting Kashiwa go and rising to her feet. She looked over her opponent, now unconscious and staring absently upward, tears and drool over her face. “… … …” Machiko was ready for a lot of things in this fight, but that… that was disheartening. Taking down a black belt with her aikijujitsu when she herself was still a brown belt should had felt reward, but…
“What a disappointment.” Machiko rolled her shoulder, straightening her gi. “Miss Kashiwa. In the future, please be prepare to kill your opponent before going into a battle. I didn’t walk into this forest with any foolishness about the risks, nor did I come with the goal to make a mockery of my opponent’s resolve. I came here to test my skills against another in combat. Please remember this in the future.” She looked over her mud-stained gi and hakama, frowning. “Not that you can hear me anyway…”
Another fight down. And unfortunately, despite her hopes, a rather disappointing one. I guess that black belt was just for show after all… People were really underestimating her and her school lately, even students from other dojos thought she was easy prey. Maybe… I should go on the offensive. For the last five challenges she had been sent requests, maybe it was time she looked around herself.
Yes. Maybe I should see if there are any opponents worth looking into… She smiled, walking to where she left her shoes and phone, picking up her phone and tapping at the MMA app.
“Yes, this is Umehana. I’m here to report my victory and wanted to request medical attention for my opponent… Yes, please wire the money to my account… Oh, I didn’t even notice the cameras here, that’s quite impressive… Yes, thank you. I’ll await your arrive. I’d also like access to the profiles of fighters near and above my skill level. I wish… for something more challenging.”