Raiden Estate - 6:30 am Saturday

Houraiji Kyuushou had been minding her own business, contemplating the future, when Akito grabbed her by the wrist and—without a single word—started dragging her through the quiet morning streets of Nagazora.
At first, she thought he had sensed some kind of great disturbance, some unseen enemy lurking in the shadows that only he could detect. But when she actually looked at his face, all she saw was his usual deadpan expression, like this was just another Tuesday for him.

"...So, where are we going, oh harbinger of misfortune?" Houraiji asked, matching his pace with ease. "Has fate deemed it necessary for me to bear witness to yet another cosmic anomaly? Or perhaps—" she dramatically placed a hand on her chest, "—you have decided that my power is required for a most perilous quest?"

Akito gave her a sidelong glance before looking ahead again. "Morning sparring."

"Morning sparring…?"

"You'll get the explanation when we get there."

Houraiji blinked. For once, she wasn't sure if he was being intentionally vague or just socially inept.

Regardless, she let herself be dragged along, intrigued by whatever was about to unfold.

-o-

By the time they arrived, Kiana and Mei were already warming up. Haruto was off to the side, stretching, and looked up when he saw Akito approach with a new face in tow.

Houraiji was quick to introduce herself, striking a pose with one hand over her face, fingers slightly spread to reveal one eye gleaming with self-importance. "Behold! The one who peers beyond the veil of fate! The visionary who shapes the unseen threads of destiny! I am Houraiji Kyuushou, the architect of games, the seeker of truths, and the harbinger of the—"

Haruto raised an eyebrow.

A brief pause.

Then, he just shrugged. "Huh. I guess this was bound to happen eventually."

Akito tilted his head. "You don't seem surprised."

"I mean…" Haruto glanced toward Kiana and Mei and even thought about Bronya for a second. Then he thought about Akito's sheer luck (or lack thereof) when it came to attracting the strangest people. He exhaled. "Yeah, no, this makes sense."

Akito frowned, but before he could say anything, Kiana and Mei turned toward them.

"Oh, you brought someone new?" Mei asked, giving a small nod to Houraiji in greeting.

Kiana grinned. "She another new recruit or something?"

Before anyone could answer, Akito moved.

Mei's instincts flared, and she barely dodged in time, stepping back as Akito's strike cut through the air where she had been standing. Kiana, caught off guard, turned too slow and got clipped on the arm.

"Oi, what the hell?!" Kiana yelped, jumping back and shaking her arm before glaring at him.

Akito said nothing, merely rolling his shoulders as he dropped into a stance, clearly expecting retaliation.

"Oh, so that's how it is?" Kiana cracked her knuckles, eyes lighting up. "You're gonna regret that sneak attack!"

Houraiji, standing off to the side, watched the unfolding battle with a knowing smirk.

"The Dance of Destiny begins," she mused aloud, voice carrying an air of mystery. "One, a warrior of thunder, swift as the storm. The other, a brawler of unmatched resilience, fueled by the flames of battle."

She leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "And their foe… the shadow that walks between calamity and fortune, ever seeking the balance between victory and disaster."

Haruto stared at her for a moment, then slowly turned back to the fight.

"…Yeah. Sure. Let's go with that."

-o-

As Kiana, Mei, and Akito clashed in the background—punctuated by the occasional grunt, yelp, or string of curses from Kiana—Haruto turned his attention back to Houraiji.

She was watching the fight with an intense gleam in her eye, as if trying to dissect every movement, every clash of fists and feet, through some kind of grand, cosmic lens.

"So," Haruto began, crossing his arms, "Since Akito just dragged you here without saying anything, I'm guessing you don't actually know what's going on."

Houraiji didn't look away from the fight but responded with an exaggerated nod. "Indeed. I have been thrust into this battlefield with no prelude nor prophecy, left only to decipher the purpose of this grand trial with my own insight."

Haruto sighed. "Right. Well, to put it simply—this is morning training. It's something Akito and the others do regularly to sharpen their combat skills."

"Hmph." Houraiji smirked, tilting her head slightly as she observed Akito barely dodging one of Mei's precise strikes. "A battlefield where warriors hone their craft against one another… such a ritual holds merit. To test one's mettle against worthy foes is the only true path to ascension."

Haruto just nodded, already adjusting to her manner of speech. "Sure, let's go with that." He gestured toward the fight. "Akito's… well, Akito. He doesn't have the raw power of Mei or the adaptability of Kiana, but he makes up for it with his preparation and instincts. He's a pain in the ass to pin down because of it."

As if on cue, Akito barely sidestepped a wide swing from Kiana, then countered with a sharp kick to her shin.

"AH—DAMN IT!" Kiana yelped, hopping back and holding her leg. "Quit doing that, you little—!"

Houraiji snickered. "Ah, the battle of wits and wills. He fights not with overwhelming might but with the cunning of a tactician, striking where his foes least expect."

"More like he's just annoying to fight," Haruto muttered. "But yeah, he knows how to take advantage of openings."

Houraiji turned to him with a thoughtful expression. "And what of the other two? The Thunder Empress and the Brawling Phoenix?"

Haruto blinked. "You mean Mei and Kiana?"

Houraiji nodded sagely.

"…Right. Well, Mei's the most disciplined fighter here. She's fast, precise, and doesn't waste movement. She's the hardest to hit, and she's got a mean counterattack if you're not careful."

As if to prove his point, Mei dodged another of Akito's strikes with ease, then spun around and delivered a clean palm strike to his shoulder, sending him staggering back a step.

Meanwhile, Kiana—still rubbing her shin—grinned and threw herself back into the fight with reckless enthusiasm.

Haruto sighed. "And Kiana's… Kiana."

Houraiji raised an eyebrow. "Elaborate."

Haruto just gestured toward the fight.

Kiana, instead of approaching with caution, charged straight at Akito with zero hesitation, throwing wild, rapid punches with enough force to make the air ripple around her. Akito managed to dodge the first few, but she was relentless, refusing to let up.

"She's unpredictable, fights on instinct, and throws everything she has at her opponent," Haruto explained. "If you're not ready for it, she'll overwhelm you before you can react."

Akito barely avoided a particularly nasty punch aimed at his ribs, but as he moved to counter, Kiana suddenly twisted, throwing a completely unorthodox spinning backfist.

"GAH—"

Haruto winced as Akito took the hit and stumbled back.

Houraiji smirked. "An untamed flame, wild and relentless… her raw fury is her greatest strength."

Haruto gave her a flat look. "Sure. Let's say that."

The fight continued in the background, with Kiana laughing, Mei keeping her precision, and Akito adapting on the fly, always one step ahead or just barely dodging in time.

Houraiji chuckled to herself, arms crossed. "Truly, this is an intriguing battlefield. To clash with one's comrades and refine one's craft… perhaps there is wisdom in this ritual."

Haruto gave her a side glance. "You ever fight?"

She dramatically flicked her hair. "The battles I wage are those of the mind, the will, and the spirit. Strategy, precision, and wit are my weapons."

"…So, no."

She clicked her tongue. "I prefer the term 'unconventional combatant.'"

Haruto just shook his head.

The fight raged on, and despite the intensity, it was clear that none of them were actually aiming to hurt each other—just push one another to improve.

Houraiji watched, taking it all in.

Perhaps this was an experience worth indulging in after all.

The fight had been going on for several minutes now, and it was clear that Akito wasn't holding back. Ever since Mei had managed to claim her first solid victory over him a few sessions ago, he had been fighting them both with a renewed intensity.

Not out of spite—just out of principle. If they were improving, so was he.

This was the compromise they had all agreed on. If Akito wasn't going to throw them into the deep end against monsters like Misako and Sasha, then he was going to make damn sure they were prepared for anything else.

Which was why, despite the occasional teasing and exasperation, neither Mei nor Kiana were treating this as just another spar.

Houraiji could feel it—the shift in the air, the weight behind every movement. This wasn't just play-fighting. This was war in miniature, a battle of skill and adaptation, and she was absolutely here for it.

"Your relentless pursuit of supremacy is commendable, O Harbinger of Misfortune," she mused, watching as Akito expertly weaved between Kiana's wild strikes while Mei attempted to corner him. "You have forsaken the realm of mere mortals and entered the domain of the ascended."

Haruto, used to her by now, just hummed. "Yeah, well, if you give him an inch, he'll take the whole damn battlefield."

Kiana launched forward again, trying to use her brute force to throw Akito off. He pivoted away just in time, but that left him open for Mei, who struck with clinical precision.

For a moment, it seemed like she had him.

Then Akito moved.

Fast.

One second, he was mid-dodge—the next, he was twisting into a sharp counter, his body shifting just out of Mei's reach as he grabbed her wrist and used her own momentum against her.

A heartbeat later, Mei was on the ground.

Kiana barely had time to react before Akito followed through, his leg sweeping out in a sharp arc, taking her legs out from under her before she could regain balance.

A second thud.

And just like that, he had swiped them both down.

Mei sighed, closing her eyes briefly as she processed how she lost this time. Kiana, on the other hand, groaned dramatically from her spot on the floor.

"Uuuugh, not again—"

Akito exhaled sharply, stepping back and shaking out his hands.

"Better," he admitted. "But still too predictable."

Kiana sat up, rubbing her head. "Man, you've been going at us way harder since Mei beat you that one time."

"Compromise," Akito replied simply, offering Mei a hand, which she took without hesitation.

Mei dusted herself off, rolling her shoulder. "It's fine. He's right—if we're getting better, we should expect him to as well."

Kiana grumbled but accepted his help up anyway. "Yeah, yeah…"

Houraiji, who had been observing the entire thing with the enthusiasm of a scholar watching history unfold, nodded sagely.

"Truly a grand display of martial prowess," she declared. "Your dance of battle weaves a tale of struggle and triumph—an ode to warriors who refine themselves upon the battlefield!"

Akito gave her a blank stare.

Haruto sighed. "She's saying 'good job.'"

Akito shrugged. "Cool."

Houraiji then dramatically placed a hand over her chest. "But merely witnessing such a battle is insufficient! I must partake in this grand rite! My soul yearns for the thrill of combat!"

That got Akito's attention. "You wanna fight?"

She smirked. "Indeed! To sharpen one's blade against another is the only true way to ascend beyond mortal limitations!"

Haruto shot Akito a look. "You know she has no actual training, right?"

Houraiji scoffed. "Hah! Do not underestimate me, for I possess the warrior's spirit! The battlefield welcomes all who dare to claim their place upon it!"

Kiana, still stretching out the soreness from her loss, perked up. "Oh, oh! Lemme fight her first!"

Mei raised an eyebrow. "You're just excited to fight someone you think you can win against."

"Shh," Kiana shushed. "Lemme have this."

Akito just cracked his knuckles. "Alright, then." He turned to Houraiji, his expression unreadable. "Hope you don't regret this."

Houraiji just grinned.

"Fear not, Harbinger of Misfortune. For even should I fall, my soul shall burn brighter than the stars themselves!"

Haruto just shook his head.

This was going to be a mess.

Houraiji stood across from Kiana, her stance loose and unrefined but strangely… solid. Despite her lack of formal training, there was something oddly natural about the way she carried herself. It wasn't technical, nor was it structured—yet her posture didn't scream "easy target" either.

Haruto took note of that almost immediately. Her stance had openings, sure, but not nearly as many as one would expect from someone who had never fought hand-to-hand before. She wasn't just throwing herself into this recklessly—she had instincts.

Akito, ever the silent observer, narrowed his eyes slightly. He wasn't sure how or why, but something about Houraiji's body language reminded him a little of Kiana's own brawler style. The biggest difference? Kiana had been trained. Houraiji was purely running on gut feeling.

Kiana, meanwhile, was stretching, completely unfazed. "Alright, Houraiji, let's see what you got! Just try to keep up, okay?"

Houraiji smirked, eyes glinting with amusement. "Hah! Very well! Let this battle be the forging of my spirit into an indomitable force!"

Kiana blinked. "Huh?"

Akito sighed. "She means 'bring it on.'"

"Right, got it!" Kiana grinned before immediately dashing forward.

She came in fast—not at full speed, but definitely fast enough to put some pressure on. She wanted to test the waters, see how Houraiji reacted.

Houraiji… reacted surprisingly well.

She didn't counter, didn't parry, didn't even move to block properly. Instead, she twisted her body just enough to make Kiana's first jab scrape past her shoulder, avoiding a direct hit but still feeling the force of the impact.

'Sloppy, but not clueless.'

Kiana raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Not bad."

Houraiji grinned, but Kiana wasn't done. Without missing a beat, she followed up with a hook to the ribs.

This time, Houraiji moved differently. Instead of dodging, she instinctively leaned into the attack at the last second, shifting her weight so that Kiana's strike glanced off rather than landing cleanly.

Akito's eyes narrowed further.

'That… wasn't beginner-level movement.'

The actual execution was rough, but the idea behind it? Solid.

Haruto folded his arms. "Her instincts are carrying her hard right now."

Mei nodded. "She's untrained, but she's adapting mid-fight."

Kiana, however, didn't care about analyzing her opponent—she just wanted to win. And that meant picking up the pace.

She threw a feint, making it seem like she was going for another body shot, before suddenly shifting her momentum into a rising knee.

Houraiji flinched—her body half-turned to avoid the fake-out, but that left her wide open for the real attack.

'Knee to the gut…Now.'

Houraiji stumbled back, coughing. "Oof—"

Kiana smirked. "Gotcha!"

Akito exhaled through his nose. "There it is."

For all her instincts, Houraiji had zero defensive fundamentals. She could avoid, she could maneuver, but the moment someone properly baited her into an opening, she had nothing to fall back on.

Houraiji, still clutching her stomach, let out a wheezing chuckle. "Hah… Impressive, White Valkyrie… Truly, your strength is worthy of song…"

Kiana gave a thumbs-up. "Well, yeah! But hey, you're not half-bad! Maybe if you actually trained, you'd be kinda scary."

Houraiji grinned despite the ache in her gut. "Then let us continue! The fire of battle has only begun to burn!"

Haruto sighed. "She's enjoying this way too much."

Mei chuckled. "It's kind of refreshing, in a way."

Akito simply watched, intrigued.

Because something told him that, given the right weapon in her hands, Houraiji wouldn't just be decent.

She'd be a problem.

Akito, after watching the match unfold with mild interest, suddenly made his move. Without warning, he flicked his wrist, sending three wooden kendo swords into the air—one landing at Kiana's feet, while the other two spun toward Houraiji.

Kiana blinked. "Huh?"

Houraiji, however, caught both swords mid-spin without hesitation, gripping them with the ease of someone who had done so countless times before.

And in that instant—everything changed.

Her stance, once messy but instinctually solid, transformed into something perfect.

Gone was the hesitant, reactive fighter who barely dodged and took hits where she could afford to. What stood before them now was a warrior—one whose movements radiated confidence, precision, and overwhelming force.

Akito narrowed his eyes. That stance… that posture… not a single opening.

Kiana picked up her sword, rolling her shoulders. "Alright, now we're talkin'—"

Mei, however, had already realized something.

Kiana was about to lose.

Badly.

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Huh… that's a huge change. She wasn't bad before, but now she looks like a completely different person."

Kiana, unaware of the growing tension among the spectators, spun her own sword in her grip. "Okay! If we're using swords, then let's go—"

She didn't finish her sentence.

Because Houraiji was already moving.

Kiana barely had time to react before Houraiji was on top of her, both wooden swords flashing as they came down like an unstoppable storm.

KLANG!

Kiana barely managed to block the first strike, but the second sword was already swinging—coming in low and fast. She twisted, jumping back—

Too late.

The strike slammed into her thigh, making her yelp.

"Oi—wait, hold on—!"

Houraiji didn't hold on.

She pressed forward, her movements flawless. Every swing, every shift in her stance, every angle of attack—all of it was perfectly optimized for overwhelming, high-speed offense.

Kiana could barely keep up. And she knew it.

"What the hell?! Where was this earlier?!" Kiana yelled, blocking another rapid series of strikes, only for Houraiji to twist mid-combo and land a clean hit on her ribs.

"Oof—okay! Ow! I get it!"

Houraiji, of course, didn't slow down. "Kehahaha! Behold, White Valkyrie! The true form of the Midnight Warbringer!"

Kiana scowled. "What even is that?!"

Akito, arms crossed, simply watched with quiet intrigue.

This wasn't just talent.

This wasn't just a knack for dual-wielding.

This was mastery.

Haruto let out a low whistle. "...This is kind of unfair, isn't it?"

Mei didn't answer. She was still processing just how badly Kiana was getting destroyed.

Because this wasn't a fight.

This was a slaughter.

Kiana tried to counter—tried—but Houraiji read her every move. If she swung high, Houraiji redirected and punished. If she tried to break the rhythm, Houraiji adjusted instantly. There was no wasted movement.

And that was the difference.

Even if Kiana was stronger, even if Kiana was faster—Houraiji was better.

Kiana, still trying to fend off the endless barrage, grit her teeth. "Tch—okay, new plan—"

Akito suddenly stepped in.

One strike.

Just as Houraiji went for the finishing blow, Akito swung his own kendo sword between them, effortlessly blocking both of her attacks in a single motion.

Houraiji blinked.

Kiana gasped for air. "Holy—thank you—"

Akito exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable. "That's enough."

Houraiji tilted her head. "Hoh? Do you wish to challenge me next, Phantom Tactician?"

Akito didn't reply immediately. He simply looked at her stance again. At how perfect it was.

Then, he spoke.

"…Where did you learn how to use swords?"

Houraiji grinned. "Aha! My blades are but an extension of my soul! With them in my grasp, I am invincible!"

Akito stared.

Kiana groaned. "No, seriously, where did you learn? You were just flailing around earlier!"

Houraiji twirled her swords before sheathing them at her sides—despite the fact that kendo swords had no sheaths. "Hmph! Though my mortal flesh is untrained, my spirit has wielded these weapons across a thousand battles! The knowledge flows through me like an unbreakable torrent of destiny!"

Silence.

Haruto slowly turned to Akito. "So… did you just befriend an actual reincarnated sword master, or is this some kind of weird fluke?"

Akito kept his eyes on Houraiji.

Because he had a feeling this was not a fluke.

At all.

-o-

The moment Houraiji showcased her dual-wielding prowess, Akito's expression subtly shifted. His usually detached gaze narrowed, analyzing every movement, every adjustment in her stance.

The air around him grew heavier.

Subtle, but undeniable.

It wasn't killing intent, nor was it bloodlust—it was something more controlled, more focused.

"Do you want to spar with me?" Akito finally asked, his voice unreadable.

Houraiji grinned, twirling her swords dramatically before settling into her perfected stance. "Hoh? Have you finally acknowledged my true strength? Very well, Phantom Tactician! I shall test my blades against you!"

The tension in the air was palpable.

Houraiji stood firm, both wooden swords in hand, her stance perfect—so perfect it was unnerving.

Meanwhile, Akito stood before her, his balance constantly shifting, a faint smile on his lips. No weapon in hand. No solid stance.

Just movement.

To an outsider, it would look like he was leaving himself completely open.

But Haruto narrowed his eyes. He had seen Akito fight before. He knew better.

That stance wasn't reckless. It was chaos. Controlled, weaponized chaos.

"Begin," Akito said simply.

Houraiji wasted no time.

She moved.

Her speed was insane, even faster than Kiana's. She closed the distance between them in an instant, both swords blurring as they slashed in perfect unison—an unstoppable hurricane of strikes.

Akito—

Tilted his head.

The first blade missed by a hair's breadth.

The second blade followed immediately after—

He stepped in.

Houraiji's slash skimmed past his shoulder, millimeters away from contact.

But she was relentless.

Houraiji spun mid-motion, twisting her body, bringing both blades down in a devastating cross strike—

And Akito…

…vanished.

Not literally.

But his movement was so fluid, so perfectly timed, that it might as well have been teleportation.

Houraiji's swords cut nothing but empty air.

A flash of irritation crossed her face, but she recovered instantly.

She lunged again, swords dancing in a flurry of overwhelming strikes. Strong. Fast. Precise.

And Akito—

Still. Kept. Dodging.

A step back. A shift to the side. A subtle twist of his body. Every single attack narrowly missed its mark.

Haruto's eyes flickered with realization.

"...I see."

Houraiji was amazing at dual-wielding. A natural prodigy. Her stance was firm, flawless.

But Akito—

His stance was the same as hers.

And yet, completely different.

Houraiji fought with overwhelming force, abandoning defense in favor of constant, unrelenting offense.

But Akito—

He wasn't just attacking.

He was changing. Adapting. Shifting. His movements weren't fixed—there was no stance to counter, no pattern to exploit.

Houraiji was a perfect warrior. Akito was chaos incarnate.

And worse—

He was already four steps ahead of her.

Houraiji's attacks were fast. Her strength was insane.

But she couldn't pin him down.

She struck again—faster, harder. But each time, Akito was already moving. Not reacting—anticipating. Like he had seen the entire fight play out before it even began.

Houraiji realized it then.

It didn't matter how strong she was. It didn't matter that she was faster than Kiana.

She was losing.

Akito stepped in again. Not an attack. Just a simple shift in motion—

And suddenly, Houraiji's perfect stance was shattered.

Her sword missed.

Her body twisted—

And Akito—

Pushed.

A single, effortless motion.

Her balance broke.

Her stance collapsed.

And before she could even process it—

BAM.

Houraiji hit the ground.

Silence.

Kiana's mouth hung open. "What the hell?!"

Houraiji blinked, staring at the sky. "Eh?"

Akito exhaled, rolling his shoulders. His voice was calm, casual—like he hadn't just completely dismantled someone in seconds.

"You're strong."

Houraiji sat up immediately. "Of course I—"

"But you're predictable."

Her eye twitched. "Excuse me?"

Akito crouched, resting an elbow on his knee. "Your technique is flawless. That's the problem."

She scowled. "That doesn't make sense. A perfect technique shouldn't lose."

Akito tilted his head. "Doesn't it?"

She opened her mouth—then stopped.

Because the way he said it… it did make sense.

Haruto smirked. "You relied too much on your stance."

Houraiji shot him a glare. "That doesn't explain why I lost."

Haruto gestured toward Akito. "His stance is just like yours—but different. He fights the same way—constantly attacking, abandoning traditional defense."

Kiana crossed her arms. "Then why did he win?"

Haruto chuckled. "Because he doesn't follow a set rhythm. Houraiji's style is overwhelming—but predictable. Akito constantly shifts. He's impossible to pin down, because he's never in one stance long enough for you to counter him. And with his awareness—"

Mei finished for him. "—he's already moving four steps ahead of her."

Houraiji gritted her teeth.

She hated to admit it—but they were right.

Kiana, still in shock, threw her hands up. "I hate fighting him."

Haruto snorted. "Join the club."

Mei just shook her head, but there was something else in her gaze—

Amusement.

Because despite everything—despite Akito's bad luck, despite the madness surrounding their daily lives—

This?

This was normal.

And honestly?

She wouldn't have it any other way.

-o-

Akito, as expected, didn't even blink when Houraiji demanded to be included in future spars. He simply shrugged and muttered, "Sure."

That was enough for her.

With that settled, the group took a much-needed break—except for Haruto.

Akito's gaze locked onto him.

Haruto blinked. 'Oh no.'

A moment later, he found himself being dragged into the center of the clearing.

"Wait, wait—Akito, hold on—"

"Nope. You and Airi are lagging behind. We're fixing that."

Haruto groaned. "You couldn't just tell me that instead of dragging me like a damn sack of rice?"

Akito didn't dignify that with an answer. Instead, he cracked his neck and took his usual stance.

"Before we start—" Akito raised a finger. "The Five Rules."

Haruto sighed. "...Oh, boy."

The girls, still recovering from their earlier fight, watched with mild curiosity as Akito started listing them off.

Rule One: Always protect the face.

Haruto nodded. Okay, that was reasonable.

Rule Two: Always be afraid. Fear keeps you alive, and pain tells you you're still alive.

That was… slightly more ominous, but still logical.

Rule Three: Anything can be used as a weapon if you're smart, crazy, or stupid enough.

Haruto squinted. That phrasing was suspicious.

Rule Four: Always finish the fight. Never step away from your enemy unless you're sure they aren't getting up.

Mei and Kiana exchanged glances. That explained a lot about Akito.

And finally—

Rule Five: If you're pinned or stuck, always go for the nuts.

Silence.

Mei blinked.

Kiana stared.

Houraiji raised an eyebrow.

And Haruto?

Haruto sighed. Deeply. "...You're messing with me."

Akito tilted his head. "Am I?"

Haruto pinched the bridge of his nose. "Akito. Why."

Akito ignored the question and, instead, launched into an entirely too-detailed explanation.

"There are three ways to hit someone in that area for each gender," he began, completely straight-faced.

Haruto felt a sense of dread.

"For guys, you can go for the penis, the balls, or the perineum— the space between the dick and the asshole."

Houraiji coughed.

Kiana choked on air.

Mei's face went blank.

Haruto's mouth opened—then closed. He didn't want to be here anymore.

Akito, still unfazed, continued.

"For girls—"

Mei and Kiana suddenly had a very bad feeling.

"—the clitoris, the vagina, and the perineum."

Silence.

Then—

"WHY CAN YOU SAY THIS WITH A STRAIGHT FACE?!" Haruto finally snapped.

Akito blinked. "Sasha taught me."

Haruto stared. "...Of course she did."

Akito nodded. "She showed me firsthand."

...Wait.

"WHAT?" Kiana jerked upright.

Haruto's brain buffered. "What do you mean, firsthand?!"

Akito crossed his arms. "She took me on 'walks' through shady alleys and areas. If we ran into trouble, she demonstrated on the nearest unfortunate soul."

Haruto's soul left his body.

Mei and Kiana paled.

Because they realized something.

If not for Akito's intervention—the compromise he made with Sasha—

That could have been them.

Kiana shuddered. "...I am so glad Akito exists."

Mei nodded. "Agreed."

Houraiji just blinked. "Wait, does this mean we're not taking a field trip to the slums?"

Akito turned to Haruto, expression dead serious.

"Wanna go on a stroll?"

Haruto barked out a firm, absolute, final: "NO."

Mei and Kiana immediately echoed him.

Akito blinked at their synchronized response. "Alright, alright. No need to yell."

Haruto sighed. He had so many regrets in life.

-o-

Haruto stood tense, his eyes flickering between Akito and Houraiji.

It was one thing to be told they needed training—it was another thing entirely to be thrown into a one-sided beatdown disguised as a spar.

Akito, standing across from them, rolled his shoulders. "Alright, here's how this works."

He gestured to Houraiji. "You go first."

Houraiji nodded.

Haruto felt a little bad for her—until Akito turned to him.

"The second she hits the ground, you jump in. No breaks. No hesitation."

Haruto felt his stomach drop. "Wait, what—"

Akito ignored him. "Every time one of you goes down, the other starts. We keep going until I get bored."

Kiana blinked. "So… until they pass out?"

Mei sighed. "Basically."

Haruto really didn't like the sound of this.

Houraiji cracked her knuckles, stepping forward.

She wasn't foolish. She had no illusions about winning.

But Akito's words made one thing clear—this wasn't about winning.

It was about seeing how long she could last.

Akito gave a small nod. "Come at me."

Houraiji rushed in.

Unlike their swordfight, where she was a natural, hand-to-hand combat wasn't her forte.

Her movements were sloppy—but her instincts were sharp.

She threw a jab. Akito dodged.

She pivoted, shifting her weight for a kick—Akito parried it effortlessly.

Then he countered.

A sharp tap to her ribs—pulling his punch, but still enough to make her stumble.

Houraiji gritted her teeth.

She moved again—faster, more aggressive—only for Akito to read every step ahead of time.

A sharp twist, a sudden shift—

And Houraiji hit the ground.

Haruto flinched.

Akito didn't even give her a second to breathe. He turned to Haruto.

"Your turn."

Haruto swallowed.

He had exactly zero expectations of winning this.

But he'd seen Akito train before—he knew the best thing to do wasn't to hesitate.

He charged.

Unlike Houraiji, Haruto's form was far worse.

His punches lacked strength, and his stance was too rigid.

Akito barely moved. He dodged, sidestepped, and adjusted effortlessly.

Haruto threw a punch. Akito grabbed his wrist.

A pull—

A twist—

And Haruto hit the ground.

"Again," Akito said.

Haruto groaned.

The pattern repeated.

Houraiji. Down.

Haruto. Down.

Houraiji. Down.

Haruto. Down.

Kiana winced. "Damn, this looks painful."

Mei sighed. "It's endurance training."

Kiana gave her a look. "You say that like he isn't just bullying them."

Mei thought about it. "...Okay, maybe a little."

Houraiji and Haruto were panting, bruised, and exhausted.

Akito?

Akito looked completely fine.

Haruto groaned as he struggled back to his feet. "Akito, how—"

Akito just shrugged. "Sasha."

Haruto froze.

"...Oh."

Yeah. That explained everything.

And with that—Akito motioned for them to start again.

-o-

A while later…

Mei and Kiana had already finished their showers, feeling refreshed after the intense sparring session. Their bodies still ached, but the warm water had done wonders to soothe the soreness. Now, they sat in the Raiden Estate's dining area, watching with mild fascination as Akito busied himself in the kitchen.

The usually reserved young man was tripling his usual breakfast portions, methodically preparing enough food to account for the two newcomers—Haruto and Houraiji—who were still showering. The sound of running water could still be faintly heard from the separate bathrooms, though given their exhausted states, it was likely they were taking their time recovering.

Mei leaned against the table, her violet eyes watching as Akito cracked more eggs into the pan with practiced efficiency. "I don't think I've ever seen you cook this much at once," she remarked.

Kiana, sitting cross-legged in her chair, arms lazily resting on the backrest, snorted. "Yeah, what's the deal? You didn't suddenly decide to start meal prepping for a whole week, did you?"

Akito shot them both a side glance as he flipped the eggs with precision. "Haruto and Houraiji are going to need the food. They burned a lot of energy."

Kiana raised an eyebrow. "So? I burn a lot of energy every day, and I don't see you tripling my portions."

"Because your stomach's a black hole," Akito deadpanned, stirring a pot of miso soup on the stove. "If I made more for you, I'd be cooking all day."

Kiana gasped in mock offense. "How dare you?! I have a perfectly normal metabolism!"

Mei smirked. "Normal compared to what? A pack of stray dogs?"

Kiana pouted but couldn't refute it. "Tch, whatever."

Akito set some freshly cooked rice onto plates, portioning them generously. "Besides, this is the first time Haruto's really pushed himself like this, and Houraiji's never fought like that before. If they don't eat properly, they won't recover fast enough."

Mei gave a thoughtful nod, while Kiana still grumbled under her breath.

Then Akito added, "And before you ask, yes, I would know." He tapped the counter with the blunt end of a chopstick before continuing. "Considering the sheer number of animals I usually end up surrounded by, I've seen all sorts of eating habits. And your appetite, Kiana, is on par with a pack of hungry wolves. Actually, I take that back. A pack of wolves would have some restraint."

Kiana narrowed her eyes at him. "I feel like you're exaggerating."

Akito didn't even look at her. "Remember the all-you-can-eat yakiniku place?"

Kiana froze, blinking. Mei, on the other hand, let out a quiet chuckle, recalling the absolute carnage Kiana had caused that day. The restaurant staff had been terrified by the time they left, and Kiana had been politely banned from returning.

Kiana huffed, turning away. "That was a one-time thing."

"Sure," Akito replied flatly, finishing up the last of the dishes.

Kiana grumbled but didn't argue further. The smell of grilled fish, miso soup, and freshly steamed rice filled the air, making her earlier complaints disappear as she eagerly waited for the food.

After a few more minutes, the sound of footsteps signaled the return of Haruto and Houraiji.

Haruto walked into the dining area, towel still draped over his shoulders, looking a little stiff from exhaustion but otherwise fine. Houraiji followed soon after, her hair still slightly damp, but her usual energy was returning.

Kiana waved lazily. "Welcome back to the land of the living."

Houraiji stretched her arms with a yawn. "Hah! As if something like that could keep me down. My dark training has only just begun!" She struck a dramatic pose. "Soon, I shall—"

Akito dropped a bowl of rice in front of her. "Eat."

Houraiji blinked. "O-oh. Right." She awkwardly dropped the pose and sat down.

Haruto stared at the food in front of him, then at Akito. "Wait, you made all this?"

Akito sat down across from them. "Eat first, talk later."

Haruto raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. He had barely taken his first bite before his body seemed to register just how hungry he actually was. Then, without another word, he started eating in earnest.

Houraiji, though not as feral as Kiana, also wasted no time digging in.

As the new additions to their sparring group focused on their food, Kiana leaned toward Mei and whispered, "See? This is why we keep Akito around."

Mei gave her an unimpressed look. "We keep Akito around because he's our friend, Kiana."

"Yeah, yeah. That too." Kiana shrugged before stuffing her mouth with rice.

Akito, ignoring them as usual, continued eating in silence, his mind already moving ahead to what the next training session would look like.

-o-

Two Hours Later

Haruto sat on the couch in Akito's apartment, one leg lazily propped over the other as he scrolled through his phone. For once, his schedule was surprisingly clear—no errands, no last-minute calls, no annoying obligations. He could actually relax for a change.

Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Airi, who was probably tearing through the city like an overstressed owl, juggling ten things at once. He'd sent her a quick message earlier, asking if she needed help, but predictably, she'd brushed him off.

Meanwhile, the girls were off somewhere.

Apparently, Houraiji had challenged Kiana's honor over something—whatever that meant—and Mei had gone along to mediate before things inevitably spiraled into chaos. Honestly, Haruto wasn't sure if he was more curious or concerned about what exactly had gone down to lead to that, but considering who was involved, it was best to just accept it and move on.

That left just him and Akito.

Akito was currently in the kitchen, making himself a mug of hot chocolate.

Haruto didn't think much of it—until he glanced up and immediately did a double take.

"...Dude."

Akito stood by the counter, a frankly absurd amount of chocolate powder cascading from the tin into his mug. Like a landslide of sugar and artificial flavoring, absolutely drowning the hot milk beneath it.

"Dude." Haruto leaned forward. "You do realize that's supposed to be hot chocolate, right? Not, like... melted candy in a cup?"

Akito, utterly unfazed, continued stirring, making sure every last bit of powder dissolved into the now ridiculously thick liquid.

Haruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I swear, man, your beverage choices are actually insane. It's either 'black as his soul' coffee, or it's diabetes in a mug. There's no middle ground with you."

Honestly, Akito's entire approach to food baffled him. The guy did eat, sure, but half the time, he scarfed everything down so quickly that Haruto couldn't even begin to figure out what his actual favorite food was. It was a personal challenge at this point. He'd crack the mystery eventually.

One day.

Hearing footsteps, Haruto glanced up again—just in time to see Akito approaching, now wearing the long-sleeved shirt Haruto had given him for Christmas.

Bold, sarcastic text was emblazoned across the front:

"Caution: Silent and Brooding. Do Not Engage."

Haruto snickered. "Nice to see you actually wearing that."

Akito simply shrugged, gulping all of his hyper-concentrated hot chocolate down before setting the mug down.

"Where are you going?" Haruto asked, still idly checking his phone, making sure Airi hadn't worked herself into an early grave.

Akito answered without hesitation.

"I'm going to commit a war crime. See you later."

Haruto, not fully processing, nodded absently. "Mm. Alright, cool."

. . .

Wait.

His brain caught up with what was just said.

Haruto's head snapped toward the main door just in time to hear it click shut.

"...Wait. What?"

There was silence.

Haruto blinked. Stared.

Then—

"AKITO?!" He practically vaulted off the couch, knocking over a throw pillow in the process. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE COMMITTING A WAR CRIME?!"

No response.

The apartment remained eerily still—except for the faint scent of sugar-fueled insanity wafting from the kitchen.

Haruto's eye twitched.

"HEY! DON'T AVOID THE QUESTION!" He bolted for the door, fumbling with the lock for a brief second before throwing it open. "GET BACK HERE!"

Outside, just barely, he caught sight of Akito casually turning a corner like he hadn't just announced something extremely illegal and walked away.

Haruto groaned, exasperated.

"OI!"

With an irritated huff, he slammed the apartment door behind him, double-checking that it was locked before sprinting after his war-crime-committing friend.

-O-

[Secure Line – Encrypted Transmission]

Status update: Transaction successful. Operations remain on schedule.

However, there is an issue.

Einstein and Tesla have picked up traces—anomalies in the data. They haven't pinpointed the source yet, but they're sniffing around. If they keep digging, they might uncover more than we'd like.

If you intend to proceed, the window is closing. Make your move soon.

[End Transmission]

-O-