Mikan wiped sweat off her face as she caught a towel tossed her way.
"Why do you have a bunch of maneuvering techniques when you're a defensive martial artist?" she muttered, shaking her head.
"Don't compare me to other weak one-trick ponies," Ringo replied, wiping off sweat with her own towel. "Speed is needed even when defending."
They both walked in from the courtyard as attending servants promptly collected their used towels.
As they stepped into the polished main halls of the Kinzoku estate, they spotted Merun walking alongside Master Itahaya Iaiashin.
"Hey, Merun!" Ringo called out, her eyes lighting up as they approached. "How'd the spar go? Did Master beat you to a pulp?"
Merun stammered, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure of how much he could even begin to explain. "Uh... well, it was..."
"He's one of the most powerful martial artists I've ever met," Master Itahaya interrupted smoothly.
Both sisters froze, their eyes widening in shock. Praise like that from the Master Iaiashin was rarer than gold.
A split second later, pride washed over their faces.
"Whoa, great job, little brother!" Ringo cheered, jumping upward to hook her arm tightly around his shoulder in a playful headlock due to the big difference in height.
Merun scratched his cheek and laughed awkwardly. Beside them, Master Itahaya simply closed her eyes and offered a serene, satisfied nod with a faint smile lingering on her lips.
Catching the eye of the head servant standing near the corridor, Master Itahaya gestured over. "Prepare a small feast for tonight. Procure extra meat for Merun."
The head servant bowed deeply without question. "Right away, Matriarch."
"Wait, a feast? Extra?" Mikan asked, her brow furrowing in surprise. "What for, Master?"
"I have an announcement..." Master Itahaya replied lightly, her voice practically carrying a song. "...and I'm in a good mood."
Before either sister could interrogate her further, Master Itahaya pulled both Mikan and Ringo into a brief, uncharacteristically warm embrace.
Releasing them, she offered Merun a subtle nod and walked away down the hall, humming softly to herself.
The three siblings stood frozen in the hallway, watching her back disappear.
"Was... was it just me, or was she in a particularly good mood?" Ringo whispered, staring in disbelief. She turned to her sister. "Mikan, you've known her for much longer. Is she always like that?"
Mikan was just as confused. "Very rarely... but this is completely different." Her eyes slowly shifted toward Merun. "Merun?"
They both pinned him with intense, questioning gazes.
Merun laughed awkwardly again, raising his hands defensively. "Maybe... she's just happy I was as more powerful as she expected?"
"You're that tough now, huh, Martial Senior?" Ringo said with mock annoyance, tapping his shoulder with her knuckles.
"It feels weird now that you're so much more powerful, little Merun," Mikan said softly, a mix of awe and pride softening her expression.
"Ah well, you have to get used to it, big sisters," Merun joked, flashing them a grin. "Because I'll get even more powerful from here on out."
"Look at this cocky kid!" Ringo scoffed, though a smile broke across her face.
"Shall we freshen up before we eat?" Mikan suggested.
————
An hour later, the grand dining hall was alive with light, rich aromas, and loud chatter.
The entire family was gathered around the heavy wooden table: Budo and Nashi sat at the head, watching warmly over their children, while Merun, Mikan, Ringo, Ichigo, and Inyen filled out the sides.
Servants bustled about, laying down silver platters of roasted meats, seasoned vegetables, and carafes of fine wine.
Mikan didn't waste a single second before leaning across the table toward Ichigo and Inyen, waving a wooden skewer in the air.
"I'm telling you, she literally hugged us!" Mikan exaggerated, her hands flying everywhere. "And she was humming! When was the last time anyone here heard Master hum?"
Ichigo stopped mid-bite, blinking in absolute disbelief. "Wait, seriously? Master Iaiashin? Humming? Don't joke like that."
"It's true," Ringo chimed in, taking a sip from her cup with a thoughtful expression. "'Though I've only known her for a short time, She's always kept an air of quiet composure. But earlier, she was practically beaming!"
Inyen lowered her chopsticks, her brow furrowing as curiosity caught her. "Are you sure the both of you weren't just tired from training? Mother rarely shows such emotions unless it's about her Martial Arts... Merun, what exactly happened during your spar?"
All eyes at the table—including Budo and Nashi's—instantly turned to Merun.
Merun choked slightly on his food, coughing into his fist as he tried to play it cool. "I mean... It was an okay spar. I was maybe more than what she expected."
"More?" Mikan scoffed playfully, nudging his side. "She ordered an entire feast just because you were "More" than expected? You must've done something crazy, little brother!"
Budo chuckled deeply, setting down his cup as he looked at his son with quiet pride. "Whatever took place down there, if it put the Matriarch in such high spirits, you've done well, son."
"Just don't go letting it all go to your head," Nashi added with a gentle smile, though her eyes shone with affection.
Before the banter could continue, the double doors of the dining hall swung open as Master Iaiashin stepped into the room.
Her earlier humming persona was gone, replaced once more by her usual serene, dignified posture. She took her seat at the far end of the dining table. The family offered respectful nods, which she returned quietly before partaking in the food. She ate gracefully, enjoying a sufficient amount of the meal alongside the family, allowing the warm atmosphere of the hall to return to a calm, comfortable hum.
Once finished, Master Itahaya dabbed her lips with a cloth and set her cup with a soft, decisive clink.
The room instantly went still.
"Tomorrow morning, I will be departing the estate," Master Iaiashin announced, her clear voice cutting through the silence. "I was just informed that I have been summoned to an official meeting with the other Sekigaharan leaders."
Budo's expression hardened instantly. "Is there another war, Master?"
"Nothing has been made public," Master Itahaya replied, her dark eyes narrowing slightly. "Which is precisely why all of you must remain vigilant. Something about this sudden summons feels fishy. While I am away, be on high alert. Prepare yourselves."
She stood up from her seat, smoothing her pristine white robes in one fluid motion.
Seeing the tense, heavy mood, a subtle amused smile appeared on her lips.
"Ah, look at all your stiff faces," she teased lightly, shaking her head. "Here I was, in such a wonderfully good mood just a short while ago, only to go and ruin my own feast. Don't let my warning spoil your appetites—Merun here is powerful enough to fight in my stead."
She offered a small chuckle. "That is all. Enjoy the rest of the evening."
She turned and began walking toward the exit.
The family watched her go in tense silence, digesting her heavy warning and somewhat confused by her last statement.
Merun was just a Martial Senior, right?
Just as Master Itahaya reached the threshold of the grand doors, her steps came to a halt.
She turned her head slightly, her sharp glance slicing back across the room to land directly on Merun.
"Now is the time to tell them everything, Saiyan."