The training hall was bathed in a soft light.The varnished wooden walls reflected the daylight, filtered by woven bamboo blinds. On the sides, weapons were neatly arranged, and Hiraki, arms crossed, was watching from the raised walkway, silent as a statue.
Kiko entered first, wearing a different outfit.A short white cape split at the back, sleeves reinforced with seals, a red and black leather belt adorned with a stylized wing insignia.An outfit made to move. To kill. To purify.
Kouki raised an eyebrow.— You pulled out your chamanic Power Ranger outfit just for me? You shouldn't have.
— It's the Zoopsychopomp uniform, you uncultured idiot. And just so you know, it's reinforced. You're going to regret running your big mouth in here.
— Honestly... I'm kind of afraid I'll hurt you.
She ignored the provocation and stepped into the center of the tatami.— Stand straight. Left foot forward. Spread your legs a little, balance your weight.
Kouki half-followed.— Like this?
— No, like this, dumbass.
She stepped closer, adjusted his arms herself, and tapped his ankle with her foot to correct his stance. He didn't flinch, but he couldn't help noticing how serious and focused she was.
— Don't you want to warm up? he asked.
— I'm already warm.
— …Wait, was that a sexual joke or...?
— Silence.
She raised her arm.— Ready?
— Always.
She struck first. A quick sweep, followed by a shoulder feint. Kouki reacted instantly, ducking and spinning on his rollers, dodging just in time. He countered with a circular kick. She blocked. A sharp clap echoed in the hall.
They fought like that for a few seconds. Fast, agile.To the naked eye, they might've seemed evenly matched.But up above, Hiraki frowned.
— She's keeping her distance... He's reading her movements with unusual ease for a beginner.
The pace picked up. Kiko launched into a series of sliding steps, almost like a dance. Kouki responded with a flurry of feints and acrobatic spins, using the momentum of his rollers to amplify the force of his strikes.
Then suddenly, he saw an opening.He dashed. Pivot, acceleration, and with a precise motion, disarmed Kiko with a clean elbow hit.
She stumbled back, momentarily off balance.— See that? he grinned. Not even sweating.
But Kiko raised her hand.— You still don't get it. It's not about strength.
Her talisman glowed.— Avian-type technique… partial summoning.
A pink energy burst from her shoulder.A translucent wing, shaped like a blade, sprang from her right arm. She lunged at him with surgical precision, spiraling around his blind spot.
Kouki blocked at the last second but lost his balance. He slipped.Kiko took advantage and, with a skillful move, pinned him to the floor, spiritual blade to his throat.
— Want me to keep not hitting you, or are we done here?
A beat.— …Damn, you're fast.
A sandal-clap echoed down the hall.
The patriarch appeared at last.
Karasuma Jirō. Broad shoulders, beard trimmed like a sword stroke, a black coat draped loosely over his arms. His aura demanded silence. Even the air around him seemed to tremble.
— Hmpf, he grunted.
He scanned the scene. Kouki on the floor, still dazed. Kiko in a clear victory stance.Then he turned and left.
— Damn Kane brats… all arrogant.
But in his mind, thoughts were racing.
"He dodged four direct attacks. Reacted to two inverted feints. Even while off balance, he adjusted his stance. Every time, he did the bare minimum. Is it unconscious? Or... deliberate?"
"This kid… he's just getting started. And he's already holding his own against my daughter with no active spiritual foundation. Mère really kept that bastard hidden well."
Back in the room, Kouki sat up slowly.Kiko walked over and offered her hand.
He hesitated… then took it.
— You're strong, he admitted. I've never seen anything like that. It was impressive.
Kiko looked away slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks.
— Thanks… You're not bad either.If you want, I could teach you a few basics. But you've gotta stop charging in like a dumbass.
They stood there for a moment. A pleasant silence settled between them.Then Kouki smiled.
— So… can I say something weird or are you gonna hit me again?
— Say it.
— You looked really hot when you kicked my ass. Like, seriously.
She froze. A flush rose instantly to her cheeks.— You— WHAT?!
He shrugged, grinning.— I dunno, I thought it was sexy. You've got curves, you've got style, you beat me up… I'm gonna love training here.
She panicked, couldn't find a comeback… so she grabbed him, slammed him to the ground, and pinned him in a tight hold.
— STOP TALKING SHIT!
— AaAaaAAARGH—! WHY ARE YOUR TINY HANDS SO STRONG?!
She looked away, her cheeks burning red.
— Don't forget your bet. You lost. You're cleaning everything. Even the falcon cages.
He lay there on the floor, arms spread wide.— I hate both of you.
Up on the stairs, Hiraki allowed herself a faint smile.
Scene break
— Pfffff… I'm gonna die here, muttered Kouki, scrubbing the floor of the ritual mask hall.
On all fours, shirt soaked, sweat running down his forehead, he scrubbed a tile embedded with some chamanic pattern in relief.A spiral made of bone dust and obsidian powder.Except every time he wiped it clean, the dust came back.Magic. Cursed. Probably both.
— What kind of joke is this?! Am I a hostage or a cleaning lady here?!
Behind him, a mocking voice:— Might as well ask to be paid in rations, Kane the mop.
He turned around slowly.Kiko was there, leaning on the doorframe, dressed more casually this time: black shorts, a loose tank top, her hair tied back in a relaxed braid.She looked like she was trying not to laugh.
— Don't… start. Have you seen the state of this room?!
— This is the Relic Workshop. We hardly ever clean it 'cause it's such a pain.
— Now I really feel exploited…
He stood to stretch… and perfectly in the angle, his eyes landed right at…
— …
— …What?
— …
He glitched. Said nothing.
— What? Why are you looking at me like that?!
— …You've got cute panties.
— WHAT?!
Her face turned beet red. She grabbed the first object she could find — a golden heron-shaped chamanic statuette — and threw it without hesitation.
— PERVERT!!
He dodged with a sharp motion, the statue shattered against a wall.
— It was a compliment! You gotta learn to take compliments in life, Miss "let me flash my underwear in everyone's line of sight".
— SHUT UP! ASSHOLE!!
They were about to launch into another fight when a servant in a black uniform rushed in. He bowed low, not daring to raise his head.
— Kiko-sama. Kane-dono. Please forgive the interruption.
— What now? grumbled Kouki.
— "Mother is arriving."
Silence.
Kiko immediately stood straighter, her demeanor shifting to something more serious.
— Are you sure?
— Yes. She's about to land at the eastern sanctuary. The patriarch Karasuma has ordered to prepare the audience hall.
Kiko exchanged a glance with Kouki, suddenly more tense.
— Come, she said. You need to look presentable.
The servant handed Kouki his old clothes, fully restored.
— Your garments, Kane-dono. Repaired by the domain's seamstresses.
Kouki took the bundle.— Get changed and meet me there. Try not to get lost.
Kiko walked away, her back to him.
— And don't ogle this time.
— You're the one doing squats above me! Admit it — it was strategic!
— …Shut up!
— I like you too.