Kyoto Academy, rendezvous garage.
The battle between two academies, not yet begun. But the duel between two commanders had. Cautiously facing the opponent, Motoko focuses her eyes into the tip of her Shinai, and it points directly to Kurogane. About Okinawan commander, he's holding Ken's Shinai idly. But deep into his eyes, like what Oda sensed, his killing desire. Seeing his friend didn't even make a stance, Ken annoyingly yells:
-Oi, Kurogane! You wanna play tag? Get ready yourself!
Smirked. Kurogane then steadily replies:
-You didn't know. But I had done myself for long!
Motoko starts underestimating Ryukou. With his recklessly stance, she will make him fall to the ground with only two hits. But, he didn't test his skills to Oda, she must demoralize first:
-If you think about how incompetent of yourself, just leave! I don't want another one of your team getting hurt!
Looking to Kurogane, Ken can't calm himself. As he just worried if his friend couldn't deal with his retribution. But, Ryukou Taichou smiled, calmly. Rotating the Shinai, he then sheathes it back to the invisible Saya in his right hand. Thinking about a possible resign, Motoko releases her stress, and says:
-You'd known your limits, Ryukou!
-No!-Facing that girl, Kurogane glared, his killing aura directly shot into Oda-This just the beginning!
DASH...
And he charged, and reached his opponent in the third second at the distance of 10 meters, which shocked Kyoto commander. But, she's still managed to block the incoming strike.
WHOOSH!
No impact sound, as Kurogane's Shinai surfed in the air like a small wind. "Fake attack!" Motoko surprised. Having predicted the next real blow, she swings her sword to her back.
BASH!
Then the sound appeared. Everyone gathering outside startled since Kurogane slashed into between Oda's ribs and spines, which can easily leading to imminent deaths with enough force. Motoko swung her Shinai forward, pushing Kurogane backward to have a good stance. Nonstop, Okinawan commander stepped his left feet and dashed forward, giving his opponent another strike to her right flank. Once again, Motoko had to cancel her strike for blocking if she doesn't want to suffer a critical hit. Another step forward, Kurogane repeatedly hit that girl into her left neck and lower ribs, forcing her into his own accord. Taking even the smallest chance, Oda twisted her Shinai right after her ribs saved, thus rotated her body and slashed into Kurogane's neck.
BOP!
A strong impact sounded which held any breaths of the spectators. As they'd seen two Shinai struggling for a small moment of silence. "Was it ended?", "Who's the winner?", students of both schools asked themselves. To two swordmen, Kurogane blocked Motoko's strike with both hands to his Shinai, though her tip nearly had touched his neck with only a inch left.
-I'd won!-Oda smiled.
But, Okinawan commander refused that fact. He smiled, arrogantly like before the duel, and replied:
-I'm not Kendoka!
The girl surprised with that answer. Taking any distraction, Kurogane slid his Shinai through Motoko's and a strong strike to her left shin.
BASH!
Oda's agility had still helped her once again from the worst. But, as the sword bounced, Kurogane had changed his direction to the right, in the blink of an eye...
WHOOSH!
Motoko reacted, but Kurogane's blade slid through and stopped before her stomach, only one inch closer to the target. Everyone outside shocked in silence, a few felt dizzy when seeing such hi energy actions in this duel. Kurogane, now bending forward, behind Oda's back, had started:
-Now the result was solved!
At the ring, maybe Soujirou and the experienced Kendoka might know what does this means, and watched this fight patiently. Seeing such silence, Ken asked:
-Who's the winner, Soujirou?
Shrugged, the gunner answered:
-Kuro-kun made it!
Every crews from Okinawa looked into the Tiger's gunner surprisingly, and their Taichou after that, who had sheathed back his Shinai, while Motoko still in shock. A short while later, when her calmness returns, Oda finally realized her defeat. Taking a deep breath, she talked to Kurogane, with a voice of respect which never had before:
-Your swordsmanship is great! Which rank are you now?
Sighed for long, Ryukou replied:
-My Sensei died! So, I can't ascend into Kaiden anymore!
Oda surprised:
-That's means, you're recently Menkyo?
The Kendoka of Kyoto Academy shocked with the things their ears gathered about "Menkyo". As they asked: "Such young to achieve Menkyo?", "Must be 20 years to achieve!". The conversation between two commanders continues, with Motoko restarts:
-So which Ryu are you?
Kurogane shrugged:
-Miyamoto Musashi is my sensei!
Sounds irrelevant, but not with the Kendoka. Instead, their respect towards Kurogane risen into another rank. Ken rubbing his ear with those words didn't make any sense to him, and so the others without Soujirou's presence. Looking to such attitude, the loader asked:
-Why did she change her attitude so quickly?
Soujirou answered:
-Since Kuro-kun had taught her a lesson!
Can't staying for too long, Motoko sheathed her Shinai. Standing before Kurogane respectively, she bowed, another surprise to everyone:
-Thanks for your instruction!
Then she leaves the ring. At the same time, Ruko runs out from the crowd:
-Sempai! Are you ok?
-That's ok!-Motoko shook-Ano, Ruko-chan! You'd got a good brother!
-What does it means, sempai?
Ruko scratched her head as she didn't get it why Oda said those words. As that girl disappeared in the crowd, Ruko looks into the ring, seeing her brother and so does he. In a matter of second, Kurogane frowned, then turning back to his friends. Giving the Shinai back to Ken, he coldly says:
-I'd done what I must! And she will no longer insulting us!
Then, he blends into the crowd, silent and swift. Looking forward, Soujirou sees Ruko, trying to get a clear view with her brother.
...
At the girl's bathroom, Motoko is cleaning her sweat made from the last duel. Ruko steps in, then starts:
-Sempai, you're really ok?
A little silence, but then Oda answers:
-I'm fine! Don't sweat it!
-You'd made me so worried!-Kurogane's sister still concentrating her care towards Motoko-Hearing you're fighting with Nii-san, I'd afraid you might get hurt!
"So you don't worry about your brother, Ruko-chan?" Motoko reversed the side, which confused Ruko. Turning off the faucet, she continued:
-I'd heard you telling much about your brother, and myself had faced the big mistake! I used to think Kurogane is an arrogant and delinquent brat. But, the guy who I'd faced, was totally different with what you'd said before!
-What does it means, sempai?-Ruko wants a clear answer.
Cleaning her face with tissues, then Oda explains:
-He's a genius! I have no idea in the other aspects of him. But, at the age 18 and he had achieved the Kaiden of Kenjutsu, means his ability is unique!
Ruko listens carefully to Motoko's words, since she had been so surprised with a new, yet weird Kurogane in comparison with the one she'd remembered before. Taking a deep breath, the commander from Kyoto continues:
-I'd thought how stupid when he was challenging me! But, if you was there sooner, you will see how stupid as I! Maybe, I'm not enough for you to idolize like this!
-Sempai, what do you means?
The chit-chat still long, Motoko gladly explains all of Ruko's curiosities:
-I used to think about knocking Kurogane out cold with only three hits! But, he had nearly killed me with the second hit! Don't you think, am I stupid or him?
Ruko stays silent with what she's hearing. Since there are still many things to do, Motoko pats Ruko's shoulders, friendly says:
-You're making me so jealous, Ruko-chan!
Then, she leaves this place. At the time Ruko stepping out, Soujirou appeared, like he's waiting for her. The gunner starts first:
-How are you, Ruko-chan?
Not like Kurogane, the girl greeted Soujirou with her bright face and a question:
-How are you? And so my Onii-chan! Did he have any seasicks while on the way here?
The gunner shrugged:
-If we two don't feel good, so how we could be here for the match? Besides, at the time to Kagoshima, to get the Championship of the coffee drinking contest, he'd put himself off the limits! He'd won, but in exchange, he grinned his teeth all the night, and stuck into his bed at the morning!
Ruko giggled with what Soujirou had acted to make the conversation more lively. Then, she continues:
-I'd sent many mails, telling him not to drink too much coffee, especially when going on the ships! But he...-She couldn't bear her laughter anymore-Just like the old time!
"Just like the old time." Soujirou then leads the topic which he want to say:
-All the mails you'd sent, he'd tore, burned, not even reading a single word! For two years since you're going here, he's always be like that!
Ruko's face darkens, as she didn't think this thing might happen. With only Soujirou here, she says:
-I'd just hoped he will regret for what he had done before! Not like this! Not like such being worse!
-Cause you didn't know the reason led him to be like this!-Soujirou replies-Kuro-kun hates trend following, as he always be! Also, he dedicates himself to protect the weak! Think about it, who bad guy will be interested with him instead with feuds!
Ruko stays silent, leaving the words for Date. Now, the gunner tells Kurogane's sister what she didn't know:
-These days are better. But if you are turning the time back, after you'd left Naha. Everything was terrible! He'd drunk and gambled and fought, days and nights. Skipping classes that nearly made him expelled! It was the first time I'd ever seen him lost his path to follow! Ruko-chan, do you know the reason?
...
While the chat between those two continues, Kurogane is now inside the bathroom. The shower rains down the cold-to-zero water, but doesn't affect the Tiger commander. Cause the water is cold, so no vapors, his body reveals. Neither so bulky nor slimy, but strong, just like any martial arts practitioners. On his back, scars...full of them at every inch, like being cut by thousands of bladed objects, really impossible if use accidents as an explanation.
...
Back to the topic between Ruko and Soujirou. The gunner from Okinawa continues his story:
-Ruko-chan! I don't mean pushing yourself back to Okinawa, Kuro-kun himself respects your own path to go! But, at least, you must see him. Giving Kuro-kun an apology, relieve him from his nightmares and leave his past from behind!
Ruko doubted. She doesn't know what to say with Soujirou. Accept or not, it's too hard with you. In a matter of second, she decided:
-Onii-chan must apologize to me, not myself!
Then, she annoyingly leaves the place. Sighed, he feels useless with his blood brother's situation. While crossing the boy's bathroom, Kurogane also steps out. Having seen something on Soujirou's face, he says:
-You'd met her?
-I only want to make peace between you and Ruko!
Kurogane disapproves, but he appreciates his friend willingness. Patting Soujirou's shoulders, he whispers:
-Something you better not to be involved, brother!
Then, Kurogane leaves, quickly and silently. Only his best friend left, he can't keep sighing long.
...
Day was gone, and night was coming, the day before the battle coming closer. Sitting silently in his room, Kurogane tries to focus into the work. But he can't concentrate his mind, instead his flashback.
"2010, Okinawa, stormy day,
It's way too dark inside, while rain and wind insanely roared. On the roof of the small house, one small figure standing still. It's a grey-haired teenage boy, his clothes were all wet, his eyes just focusing to the North, unwavering.
WHAM!
Flash tore through the dark sky, with a strong bass in Thunder Drum. Every cold, weighty raindrops fell into that face, but didn't even wave him off the roof. The rain follows to his cheeks, like tears.
"Ruko-chan!" He uttered."
Kurogane takes a strong inhale after his consciousness was back, his forehead was full of sweats.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The door sounded, which surprised the commander. But, staying calm, he says:
-Who is it?
-It's me!-Hajime's voice-May I inside?
-Sure. Door doesn't lock!-Kurogane answers.
The door handle spins, then the driver steps in. Seeing Kurogane next to the map, Hajime starts:
-I'd never seen you could be such hardworking!
-So, what had you seen about me normally?-The commander asks.
-Nothing more than being idle even under stresses!-Hajime shrugs-Even in the classes!
Kurogane reminds, as he was lying his face snoring on the table during classes without any attention. Sighed, he then says:
-Look! If you are here for the pop tests, I will give you a TDL then scram!
Seeing Kurogane being so annoyed, Hajime changes his topic:
-I mean, do you mind when going for a walk?
Kurogane stays silent.
...
Kyoto street.
On the ancient path, two Tiger crewmen surfs through the wooden houses which being lit by both lanterns and light bulbs. An ancient feeling, paved road, houses, lanterns and kimono, which had ascended Hajime off his sanity. If he has any chance and a brush here, with ink, he will create verses of poets. But, Kurogane unlikely, as he seems walking on the street is an easy method to blow off some steam, which will affect him badly in the position of a Tactical commander. Heading to the nearest ramen store, both of them order some to dig in. While the driver tastes it slowly to enjoy every feelings on his tongue. But as he looks into Kurogane, his commander had just wolfed down one by one like a starved tiger. After the seventh bowl finished, he just came back to his life as a human. Finished eating, the walk continues. To the red wooden bridge, they were stopped for a rest. Looking to the canal, which reflected the lights above it, Hajime could feel his sense of poetic rise once again. With Kurogane, his dead senses just made him to throw into the water with cold, icy stare while his mouth still have a toothpick. With the driver, he want to create chances to talk with his anti-social commander, but Kurogane didn't even care. Picking randomly a thing, Hajime starts chit-chat:
-How do you feel about walking like this?
Spitting the toothpick straight into the canal, Kurogane replies:
-I'm only feel about bathhouses, heists and money!
Hajime coldly sweats before what his friend said. Looking to the stary sky, he continues:
-Excluding all of them, what do you think about?
Kurogane follows Hajime. Only Moon, stars and constellations, he can't get himself above the sky. Simple, only Moon and stars above him and all things, both living or non-living. He then answers:
-I'm just thinking about Kyoto Academy!
-I mean.-Hajime tries to pull his friend back to the relevance-What do you think about Oda's behavior towards you at the first time?
Kurogane follows the flow of water in silence, the driver doesn't push him also. A while later, the commander replies:
-It's the vision of hatred, resulted by my sister's words!
-That's what I want to say!-Hajime stresses-Kurogane! While we are still at the academy, both Kitagawa, Kawachi, your subordinates,...share the same belief with Oda! Without the need of Ruko's appearance, they are still hate you. And, you might had known the reason!
-Hai!-Kurogane coldly stares into the canal.
-So, I only request you for one thing!-Hajime says-Leave your sinister world, and forgive your sister! Get back into the society, the people will welcome you with open hands!
The commander frowned. At that time, he slowly narrates his whole life:
-While I was a kid, I'm a weak brat, with AB blood type! So, before Ruko making her appearance, I was being bullied without the force to stand against myself. When she was born, she was the strength for me to live, also protecting her as my divine duty! For her right to live, I'd put myself into the hands of the Devil. Also in order to protect her, I must be strong, using all what the bullies used as the payback!
-But, Kurogane!-Hajime intervened-That was the history, you must put it back to the shelf! Forgive Ruko, and look into the future. You are the flourishing talent of Senshado, yet the future is broaden to you! If you put them back to where it belongs, you will be an extraordinary person for this age, I'm sure about that!
-But if I say "no"?-Kurogane asks back.
As the killing aura being shot from his eyes which shocked Hajime. But after a while, he solves that question:
-Then you're just shutting your life and crawling in despair!
Kurogane stays silent, as Hajime hopes his commander will do what he'd suggested. Sighing to the canal, then the commander answers:
-I'm so sorry! But not this time!
"But Kuro..." Without waiting for a proper response from his friend, he leaves coldly. Facepalmed, Hajime sighs for this situation.
...
The day after, Zero hour.
