It was a clear Wednesday afternoon. Hyde was at the Guardian Shrine, donned in his kendo garb. He held his practice sword in complete focus as he eyes his opponent. Yuzuriha was also in deep focus. Even in her usual attire, the way she held her practice sword was that of a master. Her usual carefree look was replaced with that of a look of total concentration.
"And Begin!" Yuzuriha yelled.
Hyde rushed in with a series of slashes, each hit using a form he recently practiced. He kept going and going, refusing to let his foe get an opening to counter. The shrine maiden didn't back down as she blocked each hit with a proud look on her face.
"Good job. Now try this!" Yuzuriha pushed Hyde back after blocking his last strike and went on the offensive, her slashes going at blitzing speed.
"Nope!" Hyde did not relent and was now on the defensive. Despite her high agility, Hyde was able to keep up with her strikes. The training and experience from the Hollow Night flowed through him as he parried her blows, a look of resolve shining on his face.
Back and forth the two would go. Little by little, Hyde began to get faster, his movements sharper and his composure more resolute. That's what Yuzuriha wanted to see. No more was the boy who still carried bits of hesitance that Night. Now his eyes had pure control and a goal in mind. It's only proper respect to respond in kind.
"Think you can handle it if we pick up the pace?" Yuzuriha offered.
"Yeah! Just watch me!" Hyde gave a determined shout.
The two went at it for the next hour until it was sunset. At the end of their session, the two faced each other, both panting after a long battle. Even though they could both keep going, the trainer knew when to call it for the day and put down her sword.
"Alright, we'll stop here for today," She gave a cheery smile.
Hyde wiped some sweat off his head as he had a content smile.
"Woo! What a rush," he said.
"Man. You're getting better by the day," Yuzuriha sat by the stairs and gave her arms a good stretch.
"Heh. You never let up. Thanks for the practice," Hyde sat next to her and gave her a water bottle.
"Thanks," she accepted the drink and the two gulped down their water after a hard fought sparring session. "This definitely takes me back. Things used to be a lot more… simpler."
"I hear ya. I miss those days… But we're still here. Right, Yuzu?"
Hyde's guilt from that incident never truly went away. He may have learned from it and moved on, but he still felt bad how it soured their relationship for so long. He was just happy to have reconciled with Yuzu after showing his resolve that Night.
"Yeah. It's good to see you happier these days, Hyde," the shrine maiden gave him a head pat. "I bet you're even happier now that you have a special lady friend," she said with a smirk.
Hyde's face immediately flushed red and looked away. This gave Yuzuriha the cue to keep going.
"Speaking of which, I noticed that your neck is covered by sports tape. Did you really need that for sparring or did you two-"
"YUZU! This fic is rated K+!" Hyde blurted out, his face even redder.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing," her smile turned genuine. "I am happy for you. You deserve to feel loved and I think Orie's a good fit for you."
"Thanks, Yuzu… That means a lot." Hyde gave a bashful smile.
"And hey," Yuzu gave a wink. "If you ever need any dating advice, big sis has plenty to give!"
Hyde snickered. "Dating advice from you? That's a scary thought."
"Oh! You wound me!" The shrine maiden fell in exaggeration as she covered her eyes with an arm. "By the way, how is it going with that other Night Blade guy of yours? Seth was his name?"
Hyde sighed. "Good luck trying to get a proper conversation with him. I can't tell if he still wants to kill me or not. I just don't get him."
"Hah!" She laughed. "I swear. That boy is just afraid of change. He's so caught up on 'lineage' and 'duty'. Here's hoping someone will help him get with the times."
"If you're saying that I can do that, don't bother. That guy just leaves if I am even remotely close to him," Hyde looked at the setting sun. "But who knows… I never saw my life going in this direction so maybe there is a chance…"
"That's certainly one way of looking at things. I can only guess that's why my family left the Night Blade when they did. They didn't want to be chained down by things they don't agree with," Yuzu watched the setting sun with a look of unusual contemplation.
"Heh. Still hard to wrap my head around that. All this time, your family were former members of the Night Blade. Definitely caught me off guard when I learned that."
Yuzuriha gave Hyde a head pat. "If the Night has shown you anything Hyde, it's that people can be much more than they let on. Who knows who else you'll meet in the next Hollow Night that you may know."
"Yeah…" Hyde's face looked determined. "All the more reason to be ready when that happens. If it means I get to keep the people I care about safe, I'll keep training."
"Ah, they grow up so fast." the shrine maiden sighed. Just then, her stomach began growling which caused her cheeks to blush a light pink. "Haha…"
"Guess that training worked up an appetite. Luckily, I planned ahead," Hyde got up and gave a quick stretch.
"Oh? Do tell," Yuzu now looked intrigued.
"At around this time, I asked Hiroha to have the kitchen ready for me," Hyde rummaged through his bag and pulled out an apron.
Yuzuriha raised an eyebrow. "Do you just have that everywhere you go?"
"Yes, yes I do." Hyde didn't miss a beat and went ahead.
As the boy went inside her place, the shrine maiden could faintly see a 9 year old Hyde and let out a nostalgic smile.
'It wasn't just his fault that we've been apart for so long… I'm supposed to be the older one here. I really am happy you're here again, Hyde.'
"Thanks for getting things ready Hiroha," Hyde said as he looked at the prepared kitchen.
Hiroha is Yuzuriha's older sister. Apparently she would have been the wielder of Yuzu's sword, Ayame but stopped when her vessel broke one Hollow Night. Despite that, Hiroha doesn't seem too bothered at leaving the role of Ayame's wielder to her little sister instead. He still couldn't believe that Yuzu's whole family were In-Births.
"Of course, your cooking has been all the rage from what I've been hearing these days. Hope you don't disappoint." Hiroha said with a hopeful look.
"Guess I shouldn't embarrass myself," He wrapped his apron and checked his kitchen setup.
'Everything is all set. Time to get to work!'
Today's Dish: Hosomaki Sushi Rolls
'First we make white rice.' In a pot of boiled water, Hyde poured rice and cooked it until the rice formed.
'To make sushi rice, add sushi vinegar mixture around the rice.' He placed the rice in a large bowl. With a small bowl, he poured the vinegar around the rice.
'Mix the vinegar with the rice.' With a spoon, he mixed the rice around so that the sushi vinegar would mix together.
'Cover it with a damp towel.' Hyde placed a damp white towel over the bowl and let it rest.
'Make sure the fish are certified for sushi use. Don't want anyone getting sick here. In this case, I have salmon, tuna, and yellowtail. Have about ¼ inch of the meat for your given roll and then cut them into strips.' With careful precision, Hyde had strips of salmon, tuna, and yellowtail fish, ready to be used.
'Cut a nori sheet in half and place it flat on a sushi mat.' With a clean pair of scissors, he cut through the green seaweed and had two perfect halves of nori. He then placed the half on the sushi mat.
'In a small bowl, pour ¼ cups of water and 2 tsp of rice vinegar to make tezu.'
'Wet your hands with tezu and with a wet half cup measuring cup, pack it with the rice and form a rice ball with your hands.' The tezu in his hands made forming the rice ball much easier as it stuck together to make the shape.
'Then, spread the rice evenly on the nori. Leave about an inch of nori on top.' Hyde looked to make sure the rice was evenly placed. Moments like these require careful placements to make the proper sushi. He gave an approving nod once he deemed it good.
'Add your chosen meat on top, hold it down and roll the sushi mat. Press it down to really form the sushi roll.' He did just that with the salmon roll, tuna roll, and yellowtail roll to have 3 rolls of sushi. 'You can add all kinds of foods to make sushi, but we're going with fish because it's dinner time.'
'With a wet knife, cut the sushi in half, and then in thirds.' He did so until he saw 18 sushi's in front of him.
He wondered if 18 was enough for three people. "Eh, I have a surplus of ingredients. Might as well."
Hyde repeated the following steps and made more sushis, giving him a delectable 36 rolls.
Hyde watched with pride at the 3 sets of hosomaki in front of him. One tuna, one salmon, and one yellowtail. The meal was ready.
"Alright ladies, enjoy!" Hyde presented Yuzu and Hiroha the 3 sets of hosomaki with a cup of hojicha tea on the side. The two looked on with stars in their eyes at what the boy made for them.
"Oh wow! And they're presentable to boot. Thank you for the meal!" Hiroha grabbed one tuna roll with her chopsticks and ate it. She blushed at the soft taste the food gave as she unconsciously picked another one. "Oh wow, guess those people meant it after all, you're a natural!" The older sister ate another one and let the warm tea comfort the after taste.
Hyde scratched that back of his head with a shy smile. "Helps that this dish is on the faster side to make when you have all the ingredients ready. Glad you like it." He was never one to brag about his skills, but seeing people happy never stopped giving him that warm feeling in his chest.
"Man, I'm a little jealous. If everyone living with you gets to enjoy meals like these every day, I might have to consider crashing in at your place too," Yuzuriha said before eating a yellowtail roll.
"Yuzu, you can't be-" Hyde dreaded thinking of another freeloader. He may see Yuzu as a big sis, but could she actually take care of the house? Unlikely.
"Kidding." Yuzuriha gave a cheeky grin. "Guess I should try to start learning some recipes myself. Can't let you show me up like this. Just wait, you'll like what I'd make for you."
"Uh huh, I'll believe it when I see it," Hyde teased with a smirk, eating a tuna roll himself. "But you're always welcome to visit. You too, Hiroha. I wouldn't mind sharing a meal with you two." He would always welcome the chance to make people happy with his cooking.
"Hm. I think I'll take you up on that. Next time you come however, let me make you something. As thanks for this meal." Hiroha replied with a wink.
The three enjoyed a relaxing dinner together. The next Hollow Night may be getting closer, but that didn't stop The Unknown Actor from catching up with people outside his home. He doubts the two will ever forget the incident, but they refused to let that stop them from catching up now.
'I got your back, Hyde. I know you have what it takes to continue the path you've chosen for yourself.' Yuzuriha thought on with a proud smile on her face.