Me: Hello everyone! Here is a bit that runs away from the game! If you look at the details, a certain event isn't mentioned in any of the routes that are currently available in the game, so I'm adding it in now! And as you can tell, I'm skipping the eighteenth.

Torahiko: Finally! Someone actually remembers it!

Hiroyuki: And what is that supposed to mean? I remembered it quite perfectly, because that was the day you confessed liking me!

Torahiko: Oh yeah…

Me: Ha! Anyways, Happy Birthday to Torahiko! If I owned Morenatsu, I would have mentioned his birthday at least once!

August 19

Not the Plan

I sneak out of the Ooshima Inn at the crack of dawn, wearing my gi as I run through town, trying to find a secluded area. My kendo sword is strapped to my back, and the face mask I wear for additional protection, should I ever spar with someone, is in my hand as I move. Yesterday, while making plans for Torahiko's birthday and making copies of some of my drawings with Hioryuki and Tatsuki, I managed to spot an area where I can train without being distracted.

The river runs slowly at this bend, just outside of town, and the clearing is large enough that I can move without bumping into any trees and bushes. I take steady breaths, placing the mask down and off to the side while I unstrap the bamboo weapon from my back, holding the handle with two hands.

I start swinging it down while taking one step forward, pulling it up and swinging down again as a take a step back. This is just a basic warm up, but it also allows for the basics, should someone just be starting. I don't smile, since I always keep a straight face during my practice, but I can gladly remember when I started kendo, when I was only five. Of course, it was with a stick on some bullies who were beating up a small dog. The scolding my mother gave me for using violence still rings in my ears, thirteen years later.

Of course, I often used my kendo skills in self-defense afterwards. We did live in a bad part of the city, after all. But if there was one thing I always wanted to do, besides visit Japan, it would be to hurt my father the way he hurt my mother. It is why I'm actually a kendo champion; I picture all of my opponents as a shadowy man that has some of my physical features, the ones I did not receive from mother, and I let lose all of my rage in controlled, powerful attacks.

Finishing my warm up, I start with the actual practice, swinging in heavy strokes that would knock someone unconscious, if they were not protected. I also mentally picture an opponent, practicing some of my blocks as well.

"You look quite at home, practicing here." The voice catches me completely off guard, and I cry out in shock, spinning on a heel. Of course, I trip on my gi, falling backwards onto the ground, a couple meters away from the edge of the water.

Kouya steps into the clearing, a smile on his face. "Oh, sorry. Did I mess up your practice?"

"As a matter of fact, you did," I state, standing up and inspecting myself. My hands are filthy with slightly damp dirt, which can damage my kendo sword. With a sigh, I move to the surface of the water, rinsing my hands off. As I do so, I turn my head to the husky and ask, "Exactly why are you out here?"

"I was actually coming here. It's one of my favorite parts of the river. To be honest, I wasn't expecting anyone else to be here." He walks over, pulling off his shoes and socks, rolling up his pant legs, and sits down, soaking his feet in the water.

Heat swells up in my face, or more particularly, my nose, as I see him relax, the filtered sunlight illuminating him. He eyes me carefully, and he snickers. "Your nose is bleeding, Lee."

I reach up in embarrassment, and sure enough, there is some blood on my hand when I pull it away. The heat races to my cheeks, and I dunk my face in the river, pulling out of the freezing water almost instantly.

Dragging a hand through my hair to remove most of the water, I can't help but notice that it has grown longer. Curious, I also rub at my chin, and sure enough, I can feel the beginnings of facial hair.

"You okay, Lee?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I just didn't realize how much I've changed since I came to Minasoto."

Kouya sits up a little, giving me a curious expression. I plug my nose, half expecting blood to surge out at the sight of his attractive position. Wait, did I actually just think that?

"Do you mean physically? Or do you mean something like your personality? Because I've seen a change in both since you arrived."

My turn to be curious. "What is that supposed to mean, my personality has changed?"

Kouya blushes under his fur, looking away a little. A small breeze passes through the clearing, ruffling his shirt. I have to keep my nose plugged as I recall how he looked without it on.

"W-Well, you used to be really nervous around us all. Now you act like you've known us your entire life. And you also seem more outgoing than you used to be, wanting to help with everything."

"I guess you're right about that, then." We sit in awkward silence for a good minute before I stand, retrieving my sword. "I guess I should leave you be, then. I'll see you later."

I leave the clearing, but I can't help but feel empty, just as I had a few days ago, after watching the husky practice with his band. Why, though? I can't wrap my head around these feelings. They are so new, I can't even describe them. Perhaps I'll write mother to ask what this feeling is.

Something races across the path, causing me to jump back in shock. With my luck, of course, something rolls from under my foot, and I fall, pain shooting through my leg. I can tell I've twisted my ankle already, because it has happened once before, when I was younger. A snake slithers past my hand, stopping for a second to test me before darting away. With a groan, I use my sword to stand, balancing on one leg. At least I'm used to this. Guess I'll be having the time to write letters after all.

Me: Yeah, sorry. Not really feeling the story today. I'm busy with graduating, after all. See you all next chapter.