Part 2
Touma Kisaragi stood in front of the combat arena's metal door, staring at the core of the EXO suit in his hands. The team's intercom link was still active, glowing with Professor Duval's connection.
"Ellie…"
"Touma-sama, if you're worried about this conversation leaking, don't be. I'll cut the NovaTech conecction when necessary."
"Thanks, Ellie. Always one step ahead."
"Obviously. Now, let's get this massacre over with so I can go back to sleep…"
Touma swallowed hard.
"Is the new EXO really that strong?"
"Touma-sama… you are the victim here."
"…Thanks for the vote of confidence."
He took a deep breath, then placed the EXO core at the center of his chest.
Instantly, a wave of nanobots surged like liquid across his body, syncing with his Astra Core.
The suit assembled in seconds.
His new EXO was… unusual.
Bulkier than standard models, it had an unmistakably defensive design: a compact shield integrated into the left arm, and a heavy, reinforced gauntlet on the right. Everything was covered in an obnoxiously bright yellow—impossible to miss.
"Kisaragi, can you hear me?"
The soft, sultry voice of Eleonor Duval echoed in his earpiece.
"Yes, sensei. Though… this EXO feels slower and heavier than the normal training units."
"That's because you're using a prototype riot-control model. EDIE's sort of an experimental armadillo," she said in her signature lazy, teasing tone.
"Ah… now the yellow makes sense."
"Exactly~. It's a psychological deterrent. Though, in your case, I'm not sure it'll work…"
"…What do you mean 'in my case'?"
"Good luck~!" She cut the call with a musical giggle.
Touma sighed. He opened and closed his right fist. The system felt dense but solid. He was fully protected.
The problem was… how long could he last against Akari?
"Ellie, I need all your reflexes online."
"I've already activated the combat assist protocol. Now entering: 'Survive Your Date Mode.'"
Touma scowled.
"You named it that?"
"Spontaneous inspiration!"
Ahead of him, the arena doors creaked open. And on the other side… she was already waiting.
Akari Tsubasa stood at the center of the field, hands on her hips and a wide grin on her face—
Still wearing her pink bear pajama.
The wind tugged at her hoodie's little ears, making her look more like she belonged in a daycare than a combat zone.
And yet…
Her eyes already gleamed with that faint golden glow.
Touma swallowed hard. Ellie whispered nervously in his ear:
"Touma-sama… that bear looks really dangerous~."
Touma stepped forward, his bright yellow EXO adjusting to his every move.
"Akari… you're not going to change?"
"Why would I? Intimidated by my special combat outfit?" she said with a confident smirk, flicking the ears on her hoodie.
Touma narrowed his eyes.
"No matter how you look at it… that's a pajama."
She shook her head vigorously—like a seasonal anime idol mid-performance.
"Please! I can't believe you don't get it. Don't you understand the bear concept?"
She placed a hand dramatically on her chest.
"This is a high-density suit that blends cuteness and power… just like real bears."
Touma fell silent. At last, he murmured:
"Ellie… professional opinion?"
"You already know the answer. It's a kid's pajama. Costs a thousand yen at UmiClon."
"Thought so… just wanted to be sure."
Suddenly, a panel hovered at the center of the arena and SEI—the Smart Engagement Interface—spoke through the loudspeakers:
"3… 2… 1… LET'S DUEL."
Akari didn't wait a single second. She launched herself forward like a fuzzy missile.
"Paw Paw Punch!" she shouted, slamming her fist into Touma's shield.
Though he managed to block it, the impact sent him sliding several meters backward.
[Shield Integrity: 80%]
"Do you remember when we first met, Touma?" Akari asked, throwing another punch—this one gentler.
Touma smiled, half-crouched behind the shield.
"Yeah. I remember you kicked my ass."
For a moment, she looked down.
"I wanted to thank you… That was the first time I had fun in a fight."
Touma blinked, surprised.
"I told you—any time I can get an EXO, I'll gladly spar with you."
She cracked her knuckles, a golden spark flickering in her eyes.
"Thanks… That's what I admire about you."
"Kisaragi, focus!" Duval's voice cut in through his earpiece. "Next time she attacks, reroute power to the shield."
"Understood."
Touma pushed forward. The EXO's turbines ignited with a sharp hum, boosting his speed.
"That's more like it…" Akari whispered, flashing a wild, toothy grin.
Suddenly, she dropped to all fours, sprinting like a feral beast. Her speed skyrocketed.
"How precious… she's like a gummy bear," Ellie said, thoroughly charmed.
"Ellie, please! Focus!"
"Armadillo Hit!"
They collided in the center of the field—fist to fist.
For a heartbeat, the world froze.
And then…
Akari staggered back.
For the first time in years, a hit had forced her to retreat—a full step.
In the control room, silence fell. Even Zhao—who never reacted to anything—raised an eyebrow and leaned toward the monitor in astonishment.
"YES… YES, YES, YES!" Akari shouted, her golden aura bursting into a solar flare.
She dropped to all fours again, but this time her speed doubled. A pink blur streaked across the arena.
"Oh no…" Touma muttered.
"Houston, we have a problem…" Ellie said, activating every defensive protocol at once.
In a blink, Akari appeared right in front of him.
The EXO—under Ellie's control—barely raised the shield in time.
"Paw Paw Boxing!" Akari yelled, unleashing a flurry of rapid-fire punches—chaotic, brutal… and absurdly adorable.
Touma held on as best he could. Every strike rattled through his arms and spine. On the HUD screen, an alert flashed urgently:
[Shield integrity compromised — CRITICAL STATUS]
Before the shield could collapse, Ellie activated the right arm.
"Armadillo Hammer!" Touma shouted, lifting the reinforced gauntlet like a hydraulic mallet.
The hammer came crashing down with full force.
Akari crossed her arms to block it, and the impact cracked the ground beneath her feet. A cloud of dust rose up like a curtain.
But she didn't budge an inch.
Instead, her aura grew even stronger.
"I wasn't wrong… you make my heart race!!" she cried, shoving the EXO's arm away like it was made of cardboard.
Suddenly, a third appendage emerged from Touma's suit: A metallic tail, whip-like, snapped sideways and slammed into Akari with unexpected force.
She flew into the stadium's stands with a sharp, thunderous crash.
"…What was that?" Gen Kirishima asked from the control room, stunned.
"A whip tail. He is an armadillo, after all," Eleonor replied with a shrug.
"Akari! Are you okay?!" Touma shouted.
The rubble began to shift.
From the wreckage emerged the small figure of Akari—her bear pajama torn, hair wild, and a wild, euphoric grin on her lips.
"More! Show me more!" she shouted through maniacal laughter. "This has to be love, no doubt!!"
All the panels on Touma's suit lit up in a deep, urgent red.
"Ellie… what's happening?!"
"Her energy output's spiking! We can't predict her next move!"
Touma scanned the arena but Akari was no longer there.
"Touma-sama, behind you!"
He turned just in time to see her—blazing golden eyes, inches from his face.
"Paw Paw Boxin!"
Each strike tore chunks from the EXO. Nanobots scattered like sparks in the air. The HUD flickered and distorted.
"Gen, shut her down!" Eleonor yelled, pale at the monitors.
But it was too late.
Akari raised her final fist, ready to deliver the decisive blow—.
"Paw Paw Final Blow!"
And then...
Touma ejected from the EXO.
He jumped straight toward her—no armor, no plan, no fear, and pulled her into a hug.
He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her against his chest, still shaking from the adrenaline.
"You win, Akari… It's okay now," he whispered.
Akari froze, fist still raised in the air. Her eyes blinked wide in confusion. The golden aura around her flickered… wavered… and finally faded like a summer breeze.
The arena speakers fell silent.
Only their ragged breathing filled the space.
And then—
"…Touma…"
"You're safe now, Akari," he said, still holding her tightly. "Professor Kirishima shut your power down. Everything's under control."
Akari blinked slowly.
She looked at her hands. They trembled… But they weren't stained. There was no destruction. Just rubble. A broken suit. And Touma—trembling with her.
For the first time in a long while… She let her forehead rest against his chest.
"Thank you… for not being afraid of me."
Touma said nothing. He just returned the hug—tighter.
Silence reigned in the arena.
Until—
"…Hey, Touma," Akari murmured, still leaning against his chest.
"Yeah?"
"You owe me a new bear suit…"
Touma blinked.
"Huh?"
"The one I had was a limited edition."