The training was brutal.
Uncle Baren had pushed Rai harder than ever that morning—sprints, strikes, meditation, and a waterfall so cold it nearly froze his ears off.
So Rai wasn't thinking straight.
His legs were on autopilot as he dragged himself up the stairs, wiping sweat from his brow and blinking blearily. "Just want water… a nap… and maybe to wash my face."
The hallway was quiet. The door to the bath was open just a crack. Steam poured out, and inside he heard—
Running water.
> "Must be empty," he mumbled.
He stepped in.
Took two full steps.
And froze.
There was a towel.
There was a shadow.
And then—
"KYAAAA!! RAI!?"
Rai blinked.
Mina.
Standing in the bath.
Hair soaked.
Eyes wide.
Mouth open in pure, legendary horror.
Towel? Hanging on the side.
Barrier? Shattered.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" she screamed, ducking low into the water, her face as red as molten lava.
Rai stood there. His brain finally reconnected to his legs.
> "I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE IN HERE!!"
"GET OUT!"
He bolted—tripping on the wooden frame, slamming the door behind him, his soul leaving his body mid-run.
---
Ten Minutes Later
Rai sat in the kitchen. Silent. Pale. Heart still pounding.
Mina stomped in. Hair dripping. Arms crossed. Still red. Still fuming.
"…I didn't see anything," he said quietly.
"You saw everything!"
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO!"
Mina pointed a spoon at his face. "You're lucky I didn't throw soap in your eyes!"
"I think my spirit left my body halfway up the stairs."
They stared at each other.
Then…
Mina laughed. Just a little.
"…You're still an idiot," she muttered, cheeks still red.
He nodded. "Yeah."
"Still… thanks for not running away screaming."
"Didn't have the strength."
---
Outside the Door…
Behind the wall, a pair of quiet eyes peeked in.
It was the other girl from the village—Leira. Archer trainee. Curious. Mischievous.
> "So Rai walks into girls' baths now, huh…"
She smirked.
> "Interesting."