Work Text:
With every upcoming milisecs, Oda felt how air from his lungs was fading away. Heartbeat fast as horses on the race, but unlike them, he was still. Pinned to the ground by the strength of his opponent.
It was clear for him he lost yet another fight, but still was too stubborn to give up. Air was hissing between Oda's teeth as he tried to breathe the essence of life as the air is.
Every muscle in his body was tense, trying to escape from his position, but his rival was preying on him, mirroring the same effort or even more than Oda was putting into this encounter.
Like wolves fighting for dominance, they looked themselves into their eyes, close enough to see drops of sweat on each others' faces.
Every move Sandayu did was met with resistance and growling. A warning not to try it again. His enemy pierced him with his brown eyes full of fury, showing his teeth in an almost evil grin as he breathed heavily, stealing away the air Oda wanted so much. The tension was thick to be cut by Mantis Blades.
"Enough!"
The Voice of his master sounded in his ears. Like a magic spell, his rival's face softened just like his guard, replacing his evil grin for a winner's smile. Too goofy in Oda's opinion.
But he didn't care for more as finally, the tasteless air invaded his lungs, as his body was freed.
"You almost got me." His opponent patted him a few times on the cheek and stood up.
It would be a perfect moment to strike back and claim the victory. He had to admit that this idea was convincing. However, Oda knew that it wouldn't only give him so desired victory, but also left a mark on his honor.
He laid on the ground for a few more seconds, adjusting his breaths to reality.
Oda heard someone clapping their hands in the distance. He knew it wasn't for him, and that was the worst part of failing. He turned his head to the source of clapping and saw no one other than Hanako-sama cheerfully smiling at the winner.
As much as he wants to kill that bastard, he knows that the consequences would be much more damaging than just a murder of a foreigner merc.
All these years of training, the best equipment, and devotion are still not enough to win over a gonk from Night City.
The soft voice of his ward sounded in his ears as she spoke to the merc in the disgraceful language used in that country forgotten by gods, where they had encountered for the first time.
That day Sandayu didn't fail only his job. He also failed himself for letting that bastard into Hanako-sama's life.
" You... will not touch her… I… will not let you!"
His own words came back to him like a boomerang. The emotions still so vivid… sound of Kōjō no Tsuki, the colors of lights... like it just happened seconds ago, not weeks.
Yet here they are - Sandayu on the ground while V is kissing Hanako's gold hand.
Never in his life he felt so unfair. Oda was meant to be the best, to be the one who would save Hanako-sama's life. His entire life was arranged around her that it became a whole purpose of it. Sandayu Oda's existence is meant for Hanako Arasaka's well-being.
That's the only job he had, and he failed miserably.
She said something to Takemura, but Oda's mind was too occupied with his own thoughts to catch what it was exactly. Probably a goodbye, as Hanako and her winner walked away towards housing part of the Arasaka Compound.
He gathered his strength and stood up which caused him to give a slight moan at the pain that came with it. How did he allow to be beaten like that on his own ground?
Oda for sure underestimated the power of Gorilla Arms. A weapon for street brawlers rather than honorable warriors in service. Brutal and rough, the opposite to elegant and sleek Mantis Blades.
"I don't recognize you, Oda." Takemura's voice caught his attention. "You're driven by hate and fury, trying too much." His sensei crossed his arms while Oda lazily came closer.
"Maybe your teachings are the problem." He scoffed him.
"You are just bitter. V-san has a clear mind, that's why he beats you so easily. You should stop treating him like an intruder…"
"Clear mind? Looks rather empty to me."
"Oda!" Takemura looked around, making Oda more frustrated that this gonk is getting special treatment from everyone, and they can't even say a bad word about him. "V is Hanako-sama's guest of honor, and you as her bodyguard should respect that. Not fight with him."
Oda only snorted.
"Guest without honor."
Oda was taken aback as his master spanked the back of his head causing him to lose balance for a second.
"V is here on Hanako-sama's request, and you as being at her service have to respect that. You should rethink if you want to fall from her graces just because you are jealous."
"I'M NOT-"
"Maybe you're not jealous about her, but for sure you are about his winning position."