As we walked toward a quiet slope near the edge of camp, Watari was beside me, breathing heavily.
He looked uneasy—like someone was chasing us from behind.
"Sensei…" he said cautiously. "They seem really mad. Your absence seriously pissed them off."
I couldn't help but frown.
Sure… maybe they were mad.
But this much?
I turned to Watari and shook my head slightly.
"You should stay back, Watari. You might catch some of the blows too."
His eyes narrowed.
"You're really going to face them?"
"I was only gone for a week," I said with a shrug.
"How mad could they possibly be?"
Just then, the wind carried a familiar voice.
Mocking, loud—yet lined with something familiar: anger.
Kana:
"Well, look who finally decided to show up for training! What an honor, sensei!"
I tilted my head.
There it was. The opening volley.
"My apologies," I said dryly.
"I didn't know you were still here. I thought you had left."
Without taking a step, I felt a sharp pain in my right shoulder.
A quick punch—Yui.
"Ah! Easy, Yui," I said, stepping back.
But that wasn't enough.
A slap landed on my left shoulder.
Kana.
"Please… not you too."
The two of them.
Classic pincer attack.
Yui laughed. Kana offered a faint smile—
But her eyes were still serious.
Yui crossed her arms. Her voice held both anger and relief:
"You idiot! We thought something happened to you.
Why would you think we'd just leave?"
I looked away.
Why did I think that?
"I don't know..." I muttered with a sarcastic grin.
"Hmm… maybe because you two have a habit of lying?"
Yui raised an eyebrow, defiant:
"Who're you calling liars? Us?"
Kana narrowed her eyes:
"He's acting like he wants more punches."
I raised my hands in surrender.
"That's enough. Your hands are hard enough already."
Kana rolled her eyes:
"Now he's saying our hands are like a man's."
Yui let out an exaggerated gasp:
"You're breaking my heart, Hayato."
I exhaled sharply.
Same energy as always… but this time, something felt different.
"I know you're ready," I said more seriously.
"But be careful in the strike. This isn't a game."
Suddenly, Kana stepped closer.
She placed a hand on my arm.
Her touch was soft—yet there was pressure behind it.
Her eyes locked onto mine.
"Don't you ever do that again," she said.
"Ever."
In that moment, her eyes said more than words ever could.
Yui glanced at Kana's hand.
Her usual smirk… faded, just for a moment.