CHAPTER SIXTEEN – REASSURING, REFLECTING

Aoi could only stare wordlessly for a few moments after Kirumi finished speaking. "T-The media? With cameras and stuff?"

"Yes, that is correct," said Kirumi as she served her and Sakura their post-workout meals in the cafeteria. "Great Gozu had said as much before he took his leave of me and Ryoma."

Sakura nodded solemnly. "It wouldn't be the first time that I will have to fight for the world to see. I suppose I should've expected as much where Hope's Peak is involved."

"Counting my previous tryouts for the Olympics, this would be the third time I'll be showing my swimming in front of a TV audience," Aoi muttered. "I don't think I'll ever get used to it, knowing that a ton of people are watching."

"It is quite an experience to look forward to, yes." As Kirumi finished serving the two of them, everyone else in the cafeteria carried on, oblivious to their discussion. Things had taken off when Aoi and Sakura had asked about how it was to have the prestigious Great Gozu as Class 80-A's one-time instructor for their recent activity at the open field. Sakura had confided about how Great Gozu was one of her mentors during the time she had competed in the prestigious European tournament that got her scouted in the first place, while Aoi gushed about watching the former Ultimate Wrestler's matches on television as a young girl with her brother. One thing led to another, and soon Kirumi found herself sharing the parting revelation that Great Gozu had given her and Ryoma about what exactly was in store for September.

"Do you think they would announce that to the rest of the student body soon?" Aoi asked as she began eating. "It might catch a lot of us off guard, but it's better than only learning about it on the day of the evaluations."

"I think they will," Kirumi mused. "Great Gozu seemed to think that everyone knew about it already."

"Then let us hope they announce it soon," Sakura remarked. The chopsticks and bowl of rice she held looked like mere toys in her gigantic hands. "The extra pressure might give others the urgency they need to push the envelope on their performances, especially with their loved ones watching."

"I guess that's one way to look at it," Aoi acknowledged with a small smile. "Still a bit nerve-wracking, I'll admit, but a good challenge is always worth it. How about you, Kirumi? Are you feeling nervous about it? Ah, who am I kidding? Someone who's extremely proficient like you is bound to treat this like a walk in the park!"

Kirumi smiled. "Thank you, but I'm just as anxious about it as you are." Though not quite for the same reasons. Ryoma had yet to express any sentiments about the idea of the media covering their September evaluations, and she had not dared to say anything yet, but she was readying herself all the same for any anxiety on his part. She could only imagine how difficult it could be to perform while being covered by the same media who had pilloried him before for his crime, the same ones who would undoubtedly sensationalize his inevitable return to tennis and reopen old wounds. Still, it was all Kirumi could do to reinforce her commitment and give Ryoma the reassurance and encouragement he needed to face September as the Ultimate Tennis Pro, though she could also feel some trepidation for her own performance as well.

"To be honest, I wish we'll be given enough time to watch the other students at their demonstrations on September," said Aoi longingly. "I wanna see what outfits your classmate Tsumugi will have prepared then, Kirumi! She might show off some cosplays of my favorite characters, like Erisa from Action-Packed Gal or Mari from October's Caress. She's pretty enough to pull it off, I'm sure. Ooh, and maybe Teruteru will cook some donuts again for the cafeteria for his demonstration! The ones he made before were so good. If only he doesn't make any dirty references when he serves them. . ."

"Mind those donuts, Hina," said Sakura. "Excessive sweets can affect one's physical prowess."

Aoi blushed at that. "Oh, o-of course, Sakura! And that reminds me, I'll make sure to watch your demonstration too!" she added in an attempt to change the topic. "You'll look really awesome sparring in front of the evaluators in the way you do at the dojo every day. I don't think they'll be able to find anyone who can take on you!"

"Perhaps," said Sakura as she ate. "I can think of one person who can, though the chances I have of facing him in combat right now are slim."

"Wait, you mean there's someone out there that you actually consider capable of fighting you?" Aoi exclaimed. "Who is he?!"

Sakura smiled, though Kirumi noticed a wistful air beneath it. "Perhaps one of these days, I can tell you about him."

"Aww, I see. . ." Aoi looked put out for a moment, though she recovered quickly enough with a grin of her own. "Okay, no worries, I'll gladly wait for that time, Sakura!

"Very well." Sakura turned to Kirumi then. "How about you, Kirumi? Is your preparation for the evaluations going well?"

"To tell you the truth, I have not started yet," said Kirumi, "what with the duties I fulfill around the school on a daily basis. Perhaps in the week before the sports festival, I will be able to start preparing."

"What do you have in mind, Kirumi?" Aoi asked.

Kirumi paused for a moment, thinking. "A simple day of service, I think. Perhaps I would simply be tailed by evaluators as I go about my maid duties, or maybe I will offer my services to a delegate of theirs, and showcase what I can offer."

"Ooh, I see. In that case, I hope you get to do your very best!" said Aoi, beaming. "And who knows, maybe we can drop by to see you then—and Ryoma too!"

"Indeed," Sakura echoed.

"Thank you," said Kirumi with an amiable smile. "Now then, do you two need anything else? If not, I'll be going back to the kitchens now."

"We're all good here. Thank you, Kirumi, and see you around!" Aoi chirped, while Sakura nodded solemnly next to her. At that, Kirumi bowed and took her leave of them. Everywhere else, students were beginning to arrive at the cafeteria, no doubt looking for a small meal to keep their spirits up as the afternoon wore on. She made her way quickly to the kitchens, ready to help the cooks there prepare more meals for the newcomers, but right before she reached the entrance to the kitchens, a voice halted her.

"Kirumi."

Dutifully, Kirumi turned around to see a silver-haired, red-eyed, bespectacled girl standing before her. Twin braids framed her face beautifully, though it did not lessen the sheer intensity and focus emanating from her like a palpable veil.

"Good afternoon, Peko," Kirumi greeted with a modest bow. "Do you need something?"

Peko Pekoyama strode forward, inclining her head in return. "Yes, but I think you're still busy in the kitchens," she said tentatively. "I hope I'm not interrupting you or anything."

"No, you're not, don't worry. I will be done in around twenty minutes, but I can make time for you now if you want."

Peko nodded. "I see. If it's just twenty minutes more, I think I can wait. I just need someone to observe my practice routine at the dojo later, someone who can give me the feedback I need while the place is still unoccupied. Could you assist me with that? That is, unless you have something else to do after you're done here."

"I usually exercise at the gym during late afternoons, but today is a free day for me. I will get around to you after my work here is done."

"Very well. I will begin preparing at the dojo now. I shall wait for you there. Thank you, Kirumi."

Never one to mince words, Peko turned and walked away, her strides long and purposeful. Kirumi watched her go, noticing for a brief moment the white dragon emblazoned on the wrapped sword on her back.

Compared to the modern, almost cacophonous atmosphere within the gymnasium and exercise room of Hope's Peak Academy, the school's dojo felt like it sat in an entirely separate reality altogether. The entire area was designed in the most traditional sense, with tatami floors, wooden walls and even fusumas instead of contemporary doors. On the walls, various signs hung from a number of fixtures, showcasing certain proverbs and words of wisdom for observers in bold kanji. At the far end of the room, wooden racks stood bearing varying numbers of bokken and bo staves for prospective fighters in training. Kirumi always found the place to be the one of most relaxing venues in the school, second only to the library. Though she had seen how fiercely people like Tenko or Sakura Ogami could train within its confines, the dojo itself always inspired an atmosphere of calm focus and silent rumination. No doubt the few visitors the place had also helped maintain its peaceful atmosphere in spite of its martial purpose.

At the center of the room, Peko moved with both the grace and aggression of a true predator, sweeping her shinai around in wide, fluid arcs with such a speed that Kirumi could barely keep track of them. The kendo uniformshe wore served to make her look like a samurai of old instead of a student, blending in with the general appearance of their surroundings and making it feel like they were in the years of feudal Japan. At times, she would stand in place in complete silence, her intimidating red eyes glaring ahead, the bamboo swordpoised before her as she contemplated her next move. And then, another quick sweep, a couple of quick slashes, a downward strike. Peko's feet made barely any sound as she moved around the floor, but her movements were as elegant as they were fierce. As she watched her move and attack and shift around, Kirumi had to wonder just how many hours Peko had practiced the same moves over and over in order to achieve perfection. She felt more and more privileged as she watched from the sidelines, knowing that she was witnessing poetry in motion, observing a master at work.

But that was not the only thoughts Kirumi had as she kept watching. To the untrained eye, it was easy to deduce that Peko was simply a prodigy of competitive swordsmanship, but Kirumi could see glimpses of a battle-hardened warrior beneath the elegant silver-haired façade that the Ultimate Swordswoman had. Indeed, there was a certain kind of deadliness in Peko's grace that could only come from years of combat, the kind that did not come from international contests and tournaments where she would best the greatest swordfighters of the world who had twice her age and nearly just as much experience. Nekomaru Nidai and Akane Owari of Class 77-B gave off the same intensity and talent for combat, as did the obvious likes of Tenko and Sakura, but there were some who gave off the same feel in a more subtle way. Ryoma was one good example, no doubt due to his experiences, but she could also sense the same from Korekiyo and Maki, though she could not quite say why.

When Peko relaxed her stance at last, Kirumi took it as her cue and stepped forward. The Ultimate Swordswoman looked over expectantly, the stern focus on her beautiful face fading. A thin sheen of sweat covered her forehead, the only visible sign of exhaustion on her countenance.

"Thank you for waiting. I hope that did not take too long," she told Kirumi as she lowered her shinai.

"It's no problem to me," said Kirumi in return, inclining her head. "I observed everything, as you have requested, and I don't think anything was in poor form during your routine."

"Truly? I'm glad to hear that, but I do feel a bit skeptical as well. There were instances when I felt like I was taking too much time between the next strikes, or that I was using too many movements."

"It didn't seem that way to me. Everything felt calculated and well-timed, with no wasted movements or protracted sequences whatsoever."

Peko's red eyes looked pensive beneath her glasses. "Forgive me. I'm just worried about becoming too lax with my practice. Complacency is one of the many enemies one can encounter during the brief lulls of daily life. With the evaluations coming ever close, I do not wish to coast on any meager efforts just because I have done a routine like this many times before."

"Don't worry, everything felt like it was in its proper place," Kirumi assured her. "I will admit, I do not know all the nuances that come with swordsmanship as you know them, but I can tell that you have shown nothing but precision and grace in your regimen, Peko. If I have to suggest anything, I would recommend carrying on with your current efforts and keep improving on them in the way you see fit. Your efforts and instincts work just fine where your swordsmanship is concerned. Anything else from me would be superfluous."

"I see." Peko tried another slow cut with her shinai, as if measuring the feel of the movement in front of her. When she was done, she nodded. "Very well, I shall take your word on that, Kirumi. Thank you for assisting me. I was afraid that I would be remiss with my judgment calls, so it felt like a must to have someone else's observations to ground my expectations."

Kirumi bowed. "You're welcome, Peko. I am delighted to be of service, though admittedly, I am rather curious as to why you would choose to hear my opinion. I am a maid, after all, and not a swordswoman."

The glance Peko gave her then had a shrewd air to it. "Be that as it may, I can see that you are someone who is fit and capable enough to be a strong fighter, Kirumi," she said. "In fact, I can sense an aura about you, almost as if you've seen your share of combat. It might be strange to some, to see a maid in such a way, but my instincts never lie."

Kirumi said nothing at first, though she remembered Genocide Jack's remarks during that eventful encounter she and Ryoma had with her. A pretty little rose with thorns, she recalled, though Peko put her own take in a more polite way than the self-proclaimed Ultimate Murderous Fiend had.

"I did undergo physical training during my journey to become a maid," she admitted, "to help prepare my body for the hectic routines and rigors that my duties might bring. It has helped me a number of times, and it has proven quite useful where, ah . . . self-defense is concerned."

"I see. It appears being a maid sounds more nuanced and arduous than most people would think," Peko commented.

"It is normal for people to assume that maid duties are as simple as they are lowly," said Kirumi earnestly. "Now then, if you're finished training, do you need anything else? A towel? Some refreshments?"

"Thank you, but I can manage." Peko walked over to her shinai's wrap, which lay near the white zabuton that served as her seat on the floor. "However, there are other matters that I've been meaning to ask you about, if you don't mind," she added as she placed her shinai back inside the wrap, tying it up with her slender fingers.

"Of course, Peko. What is it?" asked Kirumi.

The Ultimate Swordswoman turned around to face her again. "The first one is about your friend, Ryoma Hoshi."

Kirumi hung back, surprise welling up in her, though she kept her face politely impassive. Part of her had expected something like this, though she could not say why. "What about him?"

"I talked to him once before. Has he told you about that?"

"No, he hasn't. When did you two speak to each other?"

"Over a week ago."

Kirumi's mind wandered back to the timeline Peko had specified, trying to remember if there was a time when Ryoma had mentioned such an instance. Then again, with the incident involving Genocide Jack as well as Ryoma's return to tennis practice, it was not difficult to see why he might have forgotten to tell her anything about his encounter with the Ultimate Swordswoman.

"I just want to know if he has spoken to my friend,Fuyuhiko." Peko knelt down on the floor, scooted over on the zabuton and sat on her heels in traditional seiza fashion. "You see, Fuyuhiko had expressed a desire to speak with him, though he feels reluctant to approach him out of the blue."

"I see." Sitting down in the same manner across Peko, Kirumi recalled Ryoma's minor concerns about Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. Though she still believed that the Ultimate Yakuza wanted anything but trouble, she now grew even more curious about his motives, and why Peko was speaking on his behalf. "Do you wish for me to tell Ryoma about it?" she asked Peko.

"Yes, even a nudge in the right direction would work just fine. If he still has any reservations, please inform him that Fuyuhiko is not the kind of person who would seek out trouble. I can guarantee him as much."

"Understood. I shall inform Ryoma the next time I see him."

"Oh, and if you don't mind, Kirumi, please do not say anything to Fuyuhiko about this," Peko added hastily. "He wouldn't want me making requests on his behalf, but I'm doing this to make sure that his mind can be put at ease. I told Ryoma as much before."

"Don't worry, I will ensure that Fuyuhiko does not know anything," Kirumi assured her.

"Thank you." Peko looked away for a moment, looking contemplative all over again. Kirumi waited patiently for anything else she might want to ask, though she could not stop herself from formulating assumptions on what Fuyuhiko might want to hear from Ryoma, and how much of a concern it was for Peko to maneuver things for him in her own subtle way.

"As for the other matter I wish to discuss," Peko said at last, "let me start by saying that it is . . . quite different in nature from my previous requests."

Immediately, Kirumi sensed vulnerability beneath Peko's tone—another surprise considering how firm the Ultimate Swordswoman was. "I've imagined airing these concerns to someone more familiar—like a classmate, for instance," Peko murmured, "but I have a hunch that if ever I am to speak to someone, it would be a person whom I can trust to listen and give me an honest opinion—and someone who can keep things confidential. You . . . You can do that for me, yes?"

"Of course, Peko," Kirumi promised. "Anything that you choose to say remains with me, and me only."

Peko inclined her head. "Thank you. I appreciate that." At that, she took a deep breath, an air of trepidation seeping through her rigid façade. Kirumi shifted closer to her, ready to listen.

"Let's say that you have this professional relationship with someone for a long time now. You've served this person to the best of your abilities without fail or question, but now they're telling you that you no longer need to do that for them. They want you to stay away, to carry on with your new duties as a student of this school, but you know that that is merely second nature compared to the work you do for them. And along with that comes certain . . . sentiments that form within you. How do you cope with that? Is there any experience in your line of work that came close to something like that? You do not have to share any specifics. I just want to know if you've gone through anything similar to it."

Kirumi went over her recollections of her former employers—middle-aged men, every single one. Some of them were more honorable than the others, though none came close to the degree that Peko referred to. Part of her felt surprised that Peko would be working for someone, given her talent and career as a master swordswoman.

"No, I'm sorry," she told Peko. "I don't think I've experienced anything like that with my previous employers."

Peko's face looked impassive, but the way she flexed her fingers for a moment gave her yearning for an answer away. "How about Ryoma Hoshi?"

The shift in query startled Kirumi once again. "What about him?" she asked.

"You serve him, in a way. Is your relationship with him anything like what I have mentioned?"

"No. I don't think my relationship with Ryoma is comparable to the ones I had with my previous employers."

"Oh, are you two . . . more than friends, then?"

Kirumi straightened up. "I . . . It is not like that," she said, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden. "Forgive me, Peko, but what does this have to do with your earlier question?"

"Ah. . ." Peko looked away for a moment, looking uncomfortable. When she turned back to face her, she took a breath to compose herself. "I apologize if things took an improper turn," she muttered with a contrite bow. "I'm not quite used to speaking about things like this. I had wanted my previous query to bear no particulars of a personal nature, but now I feel that it is necessary in order to shed some proper context on the entirety of what I'm trying to convey."

"Ah, I understand now," said Kirumi. "Yes, some context would be good, but you don't have to get on with it if you're uncomfortable with the idea, Peko."

"No, it's fine," said the Ultimate Swordswoman. "After presenting such a tactless question to you, I think only the heart of the matter will suffice now, so that I do not waste your time any further by dilly-dallying around the issue. I will refrain from mentioning any names, but I will offer as much perspective as I can."

Kirumi nodded. "Very well."

Nodding back, Peko took another deep breath before speaking again. "The start of it is no different from what I have mentioned before. You serve a person professionally, and now they want for you to start going your own way, even though you cannot. You still want to help them, to be with them, even if there is distance forming between the two of you. As for the reason why you want to stay with them in spite of that . . . well, it's because you have been together for so long now that you've seen this side of them that others have not, a side which is far different from what people believe about them. You see kindness in them, honor, compassion, and in the instances that you two are together, they would treat you as an equal instead of a mere tool, and you feel that . . . that it is more than you would deserve. And it is this compassion that draws you back to them, and earns them your loyalty through thick and thin. You develop this sense of devotion to them, and deep admiration as well, even if nothing changes on their end, even if they have no idea how you . . . how you truly feel."

At that, a surprising expression flitted across her serious features: the makings of a smile, brief and wistful, and full of meaning even though it failed to fully materialize. It was gone in an instant, however, as Peko shifted back to her usual rigidity. "Of course, you can only keep doing your part, and respect the boundaries set by your professional bond. The person reinforces their wishes for you to keep your distance, and while they say it brusquely, it does not dissuade you from coming to them. Rather, it encourages you to keep trying to be with them. You see a battle raging inside them, and you know that there will always be a time when they will need you, as presumptuous as that sounds. But all the while, you know that to overstep your boundaries would be disrespectful, problematic even, so you hold back and watch at arm's length, always, even if . . . even if it hurts you in a way. You follow their wishes and go about business as usual, keeping these sentiments to yourself, but even that does not help. You keep coming back, a devoted tool, doing what you can to ensure that their welfare, joy and peace of mind are taken care of, even without their express request. And every time you do, it feels like you are selfishly betraying their trust, their wishes."

Peko glanced over to the nearby window, the light seeping through illuminating her elegant features. "So now, once again, how would you even cope with something like that? It feels unprofessional to even keep thinking about the matter, but it is something that you cannot fight against. It just . . . comes. The battle continues to rage in them, and you know you cannot stand idly by. What can you do?"

By the time she finished speaking, Kirumi's head was rife with various thoughts. For one thing, the professional part of her wanted to answer Peko's concerns with as much openness and respect as she deserved after she had bared such a personal aspect of her own life—for who else could the Ultimate Swordswoman be referring to? But Kirumi also found it remarkable that Peko's predicament had its similarities with her own relationship with Ryoma now, and she now understood why Peko had brought him up as an example in her earlier inquiry.

For now, however, Kirumi decided to clarify things to avoid any confusion. "Are you saying that . . . that you have developed feelings for the person you speak of? And you feel that these feelings are influencing you to act on your own volition for this person, as unprofessional as it seems?"

"Yes, that is exactly it," said Peko, looking both relieved and embarrassed at her summation.

"I see. To be perfectly honest with you, I have never experienced anything exactly like that, not with my former employers, and not with Ryoma. However . . ."

"Yes?"

Kirumi hesitated, trying hard to word her thoughts just right. She knew that her relationship with Ryoma was not as professional as the ones she had with her previous employers, but regardless, she was certain that it did not border on anything similar to what Peko was suggesting . . . or was that truly the case? Peko had spoken of how she had come to admire her superior because of their compassion, kindness and honor in spite of a reputation that gave them a different vibe to others. Was that not the same as what Kirumi had with Ryoma, who showed her support, thoughtfulness and concern in spite of his aloofness, cynicism and emptiness?

". . . If it happened with me, I cannot say that I blame you for reacting the way you are now," she told Peko.

The Ultimate Swordswoman looked at her. "You understand, right? And don't get me wrong, I am not trying to justify the unprofessional aspect of my actions and thoughts. I just want to ensure that they are . . . normal, in a sense. That they are not just disingenuous presumptions on my part."

"They are perfectly normal, Peko, and real enough," said Kirumi. "There's no need to consider them as unnatural. Anyone in your position would definitely be concerned, regardless of how professional one strives to be. And the person you spoke of, I'm certain that if they knew, they would understand too."

Shifting on her seat, Peko looked hesitant to say anything else. Kirumi gave her an encouraging smile. "It is plain to see just how much the person means to you, judging by the way you react and how you expressed your sentiments—with reluctance, but also with genuine affection. Your face softens, and you look as if you want to smile."

Peko looked taken aback. "Y-You can see that?" she asked, her voice wavering for the tiniest of instants. She recovered fairly quickly, though, and bowed her head in amiable fashion. "You are truly perceptive if you are able to catch that. Often times, those I've spoken to see nothing but seriousness on my countenance. I . . . I don't think I can even smile if I wanted."

"Be that as it may, people often change when they speak of the ones they love, and often without their awareness," said Kirumi. "I say, the person you speak of is lucky that you would have such feelings of care and devotion for them, and that you continue to have their best interests in mind in spite of what is happening between you two."

Peko nodded, her features relaxing somewhat. Kirumi could tell that she was feeling reinvigorated, but was trying hard not to let it show. "So . . . what can you suggest that I do?" the Ultimate Swordswoman asked her.

"Carry on with things like nothing has changed. Respect the person's wishes and the boundaries that need to stay, but also, do not lose sight of your feelings. Let them keep driving you to help the person and support them in your own way. Give yourself the option to feel them freely, and do not treat them like inconveniences that you must get rid of. Sometimes, people tell us that they do not need us, but that is often the time when they actually do require our help, our company. That is why we cannot help but act, even if it seems wrong to us. I say, do not think of it as a wholly negative prospect. As long as you find the balance between your service to them and what your emotions dictate, things will be okay, although admittedly, it is easier said than done."

"I know. But at the very least, I think my mind is more at ease knowing that I do not have to stamp out these . . . feelings just to keep things under control." Again, that wistful air crossed Peko's face. "I've been enduring this for a long time now. A few more years should be no problem, right?"

"He wouldn't want me making requests on his behalf . . . You keep coming back, a devoted tool, doing what you can to ensure that their welfare, joy and peace of mind are taken care of, even without their express request." The words Peko had uttered and the earnest tone in her voice made Kirumi hazard a guess as to who she was speaking of. Still, she kept her thoughts to herself, having no intention to put Peko on the spot further.

Unaware of her private musings, the Ultimate Swordswoman kept their conversation going. "Your advice will truly help me in the long run, Kirumi. Even if you claim to not have any experience in dealing with such a matter, your words offer enough clarity and wisdom for me to ground myself."

Kirumi inclined her head. "You are too kind, Peko. I simply give what counsel I have that a person needs, counsel that I would follow if I found myself in such situations. At any rate, I am glad that I was able to help allay your concerns in some way. I hope that you will succeed in whatever course of action you take."

"Thank you. And forgive me for assuming things on your behalf earlier. I . . . I merely thought that your dealings with Ryoma might have put you in a similar position."

"Well, I would be lying if I said there weren't any similarities," Kirumi admitted. "Besides, it is hard not to admire someone like Ryoma." She paused for a moment, smiling to herself. "He is a good person, unselfish and empathetic in spite of his past experiences. It has been difficult for him to get to where he is now, but he is determined to keep going, and pushes himself to limits that very few people in his position would dare to face. And though he does not need to, he offers me a listening ear and the pleasure of his company, and has treated me as an equal without fail. I am grateful for his friendship and trust, and wish for nothing but his growth and healing, and . . . and his joy as well."

When she was done speaking, silence fell upon the dojo for a moment. As Kirumi noticed it, she looked to see Peko observing her with a curious look on her face. "What is it, Peko?" she asked her.

Peko straightened up and gave a small nod. "I see now what you meant earlier when I spoke about my predicament, Kirumi," she replied softly.

Kirumi felt rather puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"When you were talking about Ryoma, your face softens, and your demeanor relaxes," said Peko. "Your words ring with sincerity, and a gentleness that one cannot help but take notice of. It is almost as if talking about him puts you at ease, and it becomes obvious to an observer like me that . . . that you speak of a person that you value and care about."

The observation struck Kirumi somewhat, though there was no way someone as keen-eyed as Peko would make such a straightforward remark without the observation to back it up. Perhaps it was the idea that for so long, she had been the observer to other people that she never truly considered to be observed by anyone in return. Unbidden, she remembered the first time she had breakfast with Ryoma, when he saw the curiosity beneath her formal façade by observing her in silence, and she wondered if there was anything else he saw in her—or if there was anything else she would see in him if she took the time to do so.

"I . . . I see," she managed to mutter, unsure as to what to say. Once again, though Peko had no way of knowing so, she felt her heart beating faster for some reason. It was a strange feeling, yet one that seemed quite familiar at this point.

The Ultimate Swordswoman pressed on, oblivious at how greatly her words had disarmed her. "If it is truly that discernible, if that is indeed what you saw when I spoke of the person I serve . . . then it is true that my feelings are indeed not disingenuous, that they are truly real. That has always been one of my fears—the thought that a mere tool like me can ever feel that way or dare to have such thoughts for the person I serve."

Her musings roused Kirumi from her speechlessness. "Ah, y-yes, that is correct," she said, drawing in a breath to regain her bearings. After a brief pause, she added on a whim, "It is a distant thought that those who devote themselves to helping and serving others would develop such sentiments for those that they serve. But I suppose that is simply how the mind and heart work. Though we like to set certain boundaries for a number of reasons, whether out of a sense of professionalism, a desire to keep things amicable, or a reluctance to go beyond what we think we deserve, sometimes we cannot help but trespass beyond them where our feelings and thoughts are concerned."

Peko nodded. "I suppose you're right about that. . ." she said, the look in her eyes akin to a child who had just discovered something new about the world around her. Kirumi smiled, feeling glad that she had helped in some way. Partly, she knew that she was simply voicing her own thoughts out loud, and even with the grains of truth in them, it still felt queer for her to speak about them knowing that they could very well apply to her own self.

At that moment, the doors of the dojo slid open. Kirumi and Peko turned to see Tenko coming in, chatting happily with Akane Owari. Tenko was wearing a white uniform cinched by a black belt at her waist, while Akane was wearing only her school uniform minus the blazer, her shirt stretched taut over her ample bosom. Sakura followed behind them, her frame almost filling the doorway as she stepped inside.

"Ah, I see you are here too, Kirumi," she said, nodding in greeting at her and Peko. "It's not often the dojo gets many visitors."

"Nice to see you here, Kirumi!" Tenko added jovially, while Akane acknowledged them both with a wave of her hand. "Are you planning on training as well?"

"No, I was just assisting Peko over here," Kirumi replied. She glanced over at Peko and asked, "Is there anything else you need, Peko?"

"No, I think I've asked everything that needed asking," said Peko. "Thank you very much for your help, Kirumi. I appreciate it tremendously."

As Kirumi gave her an amiable nod in return, Akane stepped forward, looking around the dojo. "It's gonna be a bit quiet without Coach Nekomaru around just yet, but I think I can just surprise him with the results when he shows up," she proclaimed. "Are ya ready for this, Sakura? I made sure to train extra hard yesterday, so I'm sure I can beat ya this time!"

Sakura smiled at her determination. "I expect nothing but a good fight from you, Akane. However, I think it is prudent to wait for everyone else to finish first, so that the dojo will be free for our use."

She glanced over at Peko, who said, "I will finish up my training with one more routine, and then I will take my leave."

"That's okay, Peko, take your time! The rest of us can warm up in the meantime," Tenko declared. "Maybe I can even teach you guys the fundamentals of Neo-Aikido if you're interested. Someone as strong and athletic as you can put them to great use, Akane! And Sakura too!"

"That sounds good, Tenko," said Sakura. "I would be honored to learn about the differences that your martial art has over others."

Akane smashed her fists together. "As long as it'll help me hit harder and faster, why not? I'm down with that!"

"Awesome!" Tenko gushed. "How about you, Kirumi? Wanna join us for a quick warmup?"

"Yeah, and maybe we can fight afterwards," Akane added with a brazen grin. "You look like someone who can fight. I can smell it!"

Kirumi smiled modestly at them. "Thank you, but I have other duties to take care of right now." And perhaps some thoughts to mull on.

A/N: Hello, everyone. I hope this new upload finds you at a good time and in good health. I wanted to start writing this sooner than intended, but getting hit by COVID at the start of April threw everything off course. I'm doing better now, and I'm glad I was able to turn this in pretty quickly in spite of the isolation. Here's to hoping that May will turn out a lot better. Please stay safe, and always take care!