Dawn
Cold air.
Stillness.
The sun hadn't fully risen yet.
But Goro was already outside.
Waiting.
Slow steps.
Controlled breathing.
He stepped into the clearing.
No hesitation this time.
"…I'm ready."
Goro glanced at him.
"…No, you're not."
A pause.
"…But we start anyway."
The Others Watch
Akari stood near the edge.
Silent.
Observing.
Yui beside her.
Curious but uneasy.
The Enforcer leaned against a tree.
Smirking slightly.
The Watcher Unmoving.
No Blade
Goro stepped forward.
"…Don't draw your weapon."
Hiroto frowned.
"…What?"
"…You heard me."
Confusion
"…I'm a swordsman."
"…Not anymore."
Silence.
Goro's voice was firm.
"…If your blade is taken away…"
"…what are you?"
Hiroto didn't answer.
Because he didn't have one.
First Exercise
"…Stand still."
Hiroto obeyed.
"…Don't move."
"…Don't block."
"…Don't dodge."
A beat.
"…Endure."
Impact
Before Hiroto could react—
THUD.
A strike to his shoulder.
Not full force But solid.
He staggered slightly.
"…What the…"
THUD.
Another hit.
This time to his side.
Hiroto gritted his teeth.
"…Goro…"
No Mercy
THUD.
THUD.
Blows kept coming.
Measured.
Controlled.
But relentless.
His body moved on instinct Trying to guard.
"…Don't move."
Goro's voice cut through instantly.
Hiroto froze.
Another hit landed.
Harder this time.
He dropped to one knee.
Breathing unstable.
Vision shaking slightly.
"…Why…?"
Goro stepped closer.
"…Because you panic."
Another strike.
"…Because you react."
Another.
"…Because you don't control yourself."
Hiroto slammed his hand into the ground.
"…This isn't training…"
THUD.
A direct hit to his back.
He fell forward.
Silence.
No anger.
No emotion.
"…This is the only training that matters."
Hiroto tried to push himself up.
Failed.
His arms trembled.
"…I can't… fight like this…"
Goro's Final Words (Critical)
A pause.
Then—
"…Exactly."
Silence.
"…That's your real self."
The Meaning Hits
No blade.
No speed.
No burst of power.
Just Weakness.
Akari's fists clenched slightly.
Yui looked away.
Even the Enforcer's smirk faded a little.
His breathing slowed.
Not because the pain stopped—
But because something clicked.
"…Then…"
A shaky breath.
"…I'll fix it."
A small nod.
"…Good."
Then—
"…Stand up."
His body screamed.
Every muscle resisted.
But slowly He pushed himself up.
Shaking.
Unstable.
But standing.
End of Session?
No.
Goro's voice came again:
"…Again."
The sun finally rose.
Light breaking through the trees.
And in that quiet clearing Hiroto stood.
Broken.
But refusing to fall again.
To be continued…