It was another day as Kazuki got off from his full-time work shift. Out of his sweaty work outfit and into his street clothes Kazuki went on his way home. He found Rin standing by his work station waiting for Kazuki. This boggled his mind as he approached her.
"Hey Rin, what are you doing here?" Kazuki inquired.
"I thought we can talk for bit." Rin answered.
As they walked through the streets of Tokyo, Japan together watching the everyday people go from one location to the next and the birds doing their usually chirping. Rin started off the conversation, "Where is Kuriko right now?"
"She said she had business at the company as well as her college studies."
"I see. I also heard you two were, going out together. Is that true?"
"Yeah afraid so, we both know how pushy she can be at times. She never takes no for answer." Kazuki scratched his cheek.
Rin nodded her head in agreement, "Yes that is correct. How far is your relationship?"
"As far as going on few dates together, we are just getting started. However, I'd be lying when I say I never thought Kuriko would ever fall for someone like me."
Rin glanced at his carefree face then turn her head. "Well, a women's heart does change over time."
"I guess so, but we are working at our own pace." Kazuki said.
"What about Yuna?"
"We're done, we already said our goodbyes. She went her path and I went mine, simple as that. Nevertheless, my memories of her will always be cherished from the bottom of my heart."
Rin gave a sight chuckle over Kazuki's response. It was hard to believe Kazuki came from being a spineless weakling to a very mature young man. As they continued to walk together, Rin stared at his growth and personality. It was like he was a whole another person and the original was long forgotten.
So much of the young boy had changed; it had even made Rin blush on his appearance. She even started wonder what would happen if she had fallen head over heels for him instead. Even if she had made it clear that, "she does not want to wed a weakling."
Her train of thought was interrupted by cold drink to her cheek. Kazuki had just recently stopped by the vending machine. "I hope you like iced coffee."
Rin accepted, "I actually prefer cold lemon tea, but this works."
"You had an annoying knack of not giving up when the times are tough, Shikmori." Rin said.
"I'll take that as compliment."
Even if Rin didn't always close her words wisely, she always meant well. Like most people, she always believed in tough love. The way Kazuki smiled while admiring the scenery was very reminisce on the old days. It was the kind or hopefulness and optimism. Powerless he is now, but not defenseless.
"Shikmori, what do you say to one last match?" Rin offered grasping her Katana.
"A match, right now?" he inquired.
Rin replied bluntly, "Correct, I want to see how you're really improved through your swings, so face me."
On a deserted field as soon as the barrier was set, Kazuki and Rin took their stances. Both gripped their wooden Katanas preparing for duel. With gasp of fresh air, Rin charged in first against Kazuki. Kazuki countered with stoke of the blade, therefore, making Rin take a step back.
"Impressive stroke Shikmori, but it is not effective enough." Rin shot back. Holding her blade towards Shikmori, she charged again for an attack. This time Kazuki had done the same. Upon impact, the two were at deadlock between the swords. As soon as they broke out of their hold, the begun to exchange strikes with one another. While going on the offensive, they still kept their defense in line.
As soon as Rin back up away, she found herself gasping for air. Never in a million years did she ever think Kazuki Shikmori of all people would have her tired so easily. That's not to say Shikmori was already inhaling his breath through the battle.
She still held her fierce warrior look in her eyes as swung at Kazuki more and more to get a hit on him. From horizontal thrust to backstrokes, Rin attacked Kazuki with full force, not holding anything back. Kazuki may have not had the look of somebody fearless, but he still had determination in his eyes.
"Get ready Shikmori," Rin exclaimed leaping up to strike Kazuki for the final cut.
Kazuki scanned his eyes at Rin's attack. He took breath of air. Then before she had struck him, Kazuki preformed a shift horizontal strike, thus disarming Rin. While she was down, he held his blade towards Rin. Rin could not believe her eyes of what just happen. To be outsmarted by Shikmori, who hasn't had years of sword training like her was pretty damn overwhelming.
"I concede," Rin had admitted defeat.
With a smile, Kazuki helped Rin on her feet. "How was that Rin?"
"It pains me to admit this Shikmori, it really does. You've grown strong physically and mentally." Rin said boldly rubbing the bruise mark on her wrist.
Kazuki noticed the injury, "Guess I overdid it again, sorry about that."
Rin shook her head, "No it's nothing serious Shikmori. You didn't hold anything back and this mark tells it. Your accomplishments through this battle really made me happy. Have you been practicing?"
Kazuki raise his eyebrow, "I have been ever since I got out of the hospital. You really think I have changed."
"Yes really, so hence fourth, I can call you my equal." Rin bowed like a true warrior like at Kazuki.
Kazuki felt both honored and embarrassed, "That means a lot coming from you Rin, thank you."
"Shikmori, wait. Will you still taste my cooking?" Rin inquired.
"Sure Rin, I will always."
As Rin watched Kazuki leave, her heart beeped slightly. She thought with smile, "Perhaps, he could have made suitable partner for me, that little naive fool."
Kazuki was the first to pass out on the couch as he came home. He was both tired and exhausted. He hung his head at the ceiling as if he was watching paint dry. He rested inside his nice quiet apartment for bit. Before he could shut his eyes, smooth arms surrounded his neck. "I've been waiting for you darling. What took you so long to get home? Were you playing with Rin again?"
Kazuki felt her hand on his neck, "Sorry to keep you waiting, but we were training not playing."
Kuriko giggled, "Whatever as long as you are here with me, then it's enough to make me happy. That's if you are happy."
"These skipped two years made me happy Kuriko. I discovered talents I didn't even know I had. And the fact that you and Rin stayed at my side when the times were tough was enough to always make me happy. Things may have not have worked always in the past, but I always remained hopeful with you two around."
"So you don't have any regrets about Yuna leaving you are anything else?"
"Nope not at all I don't regret it; I have already moved passed it, honest." Kazuki gave Kuriko a believable smile.
As their faces touched each other, Kuriko kissed Kazuki on his neck. Then she hopped on the couch and landed on top of Kazuki wearing a white-dress-shirt and underwear. Both long legs were to his torso as Kuriko's hands rubbed Kazuki's chest. Kuriko's soft hands made Kazuki's body tingle a lot inside. He was now calm about girls (let alone women) being close to him.
"How do I know you're not just playing with me?" Kazuki inquired.
Kuriko leaned in for an intense French kiss, "Is that proof enough?" Kuriko unbutton on part of her shirt revealing her cleavage, "Or would you prefer to see more of me?"
"You're really are a tease, you know that?"
"Well, you know me, always the teaser."
And thus he took her by the back and kissed her back. Kuriko strawberry conditioner scent only made the young guy fall for her even further. Whether it was another seduction attempt or his deeper feelings kicking in, at this point Kazuki didn't care anymore. Since the women he loved were right in front of him this whole time, all questions went away. Now tonight was officially their night for romance.
As they continued to make out, Kazuki felt happy and lucky. It was like he hit the jackpot, because most guys in Kuriko's class or school would kill to be with a fine women (even his former classmates) like her. They even go out for blood if they ever did find out about their relationship. Knowing Kazuki now, there was nothing he could not overcome with a lot of hard work and determination. Each passing moment, only made him look forward to the future more.
Regardless of the obstacles the future might hold, Kazuki was willing face new challenges head on, magical powers or not.