The Kaze Estate training yard was lively.
Bright winter sunlight spilled across the wide stone courtyard, and the wind drifted lazily through the tall banners that hung from the surrounding walls. White cloth and silver emblems fluttered gently in the breeze.
At the center of the yard—
a very small girl stood with her hands on her hips.
Her white hair bounced lightly as the wind brushed past her.
Her green eyes were narrowed in absolute defiance.
"I refuse."
Standing across from her was Toru.
Arms folded.
Expression flat.
"…You refuse."
"Yes."
"You refuse… training."
"Yes."
Toru slowly looked up at the sky.
Then back at her.
"…You're three."
Hina puffed her cheeks.
"That's not the point!"
Toru stared at her silently for a moment.
Then he rubbed his face.
I haven't even started and I'm already tired.
A few training attendants nearby quietly pretended not to watch.
They absolutely were watching.
Hina crossed her arms dramatically.
"I am a peaceful person."
"You climbed a tree earlier to avoid me."
"That was self-defense."
Toru inhaled slowly.
Then exhaled.
"…Alright."
He pointed toward the open field.
"Run to that post and back."
Hina looked at the post.
Then back at Toru.
Then back at the post.
"…No."
Toru blinked once.
"No?"
"No."
"Why."
"Because."
Toru crouched slightly so their eyes were level.
"…Because?"
"Yes."
They stared at each other.
Two identical green eyes.
Two identical stubborn expressions.
A long silence passed.
Finally Toru sighed.
She's absolutely my child.
"Fine," he said.
"If you won't run…"
He stepped closer.
"…then I'll run."
Hina blinked.
"…Huh?"
Before she could react—
Toru suddenly lunged forward.
Hina gasped.
"AAAH!"
She spun around and bolted across the training yard.
Tiny feet pattering against the stone as she sprinted away.
"YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!"
Toru casually jogged after her.
"Oh I absolutely can."
"NO YOU CAN'T!"
"Watch me."
She zig-zagged wildly across the field.
Under benches.
Behind wooden posts.
Around a training dummy.
Several attendants had to quickly jump aside as the tiny storm of chaos passed them.
Hina ducked behind a pillar and peeked around it dramatically.
Toru slowly walked past.
"…Where did she go…"
Hina covered her mouth to stop herself from giggling.
He'll never find me.
Then Toru calmly turned his head.
Their eyes met instantly.
"…Found you."
Hina screamed.
"RUN!"
She dashed off again.
Toru finally started running properly.
The chase continued across the entire yard.
At one point Hina dove behind a large barrel.
Another time she tried hiding under a cloth tarp.
At one point she attempted to climb a small training rack again.
"Get down from there."
"NEVER!"
"Your mother will hear about this."
She froze.
"…You wouldn't."
Toru smiled slowly.
"…Try me."
Two seconds later—
Hina jumped down and sprinted again.
Eventually—
after what felt like an entire battle—
Toru finally caught her.
He scooped her up under one arm.
Hina kicked the air dramatically.
"THIS IS ILLEGAL!"
"You live here."
"I DEMAND A LAWYER!"
"You're three."
"I DEMAND A SNACK!"
Toru carried her toward the center of the training yard.
"First training."
"Then snack."
"THIS IS TYRANNY!"
He gently placed her down in the center of the field.
Hina collapsed instantly onto the ground.
Face first.
"I have died."
Toru looked down at her.
"You've done nothing."
"I ran for my life."
"You ran for thirty seconds."
"IT WAS TRAUMATIC."
Toru rubbed his temples.
"…Stand up."
"No."
"Hina."
"No."
"Hina."
"…maybe."
After a long dramatic sigh, she pushed herself up.
Her tiny fists clenched with determination.
"Fine."
Toru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"I will train."
He nodded approvingly.
"Good."
"…But only a little."
"We'll see."
He pointed toward the far wooden post again.
"Run to that post."
Hina squinted at it suspiciously.
"…And back?"
"…And back."
She thought about it very seriously.
Then she ran.
Her little feet tapped rapidly across the stone.
Wind brushed through her hair as she ran forward with surprising speed.
She reached the post—
touched it—
then slowly walked back.
Toru crossed his arms.
"…Running back is also part of the exercise."
Hina gasped dramatically.
"YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT!"
"I did."
"You tricked me!"
"Run."
She groaned loudly.
But she ran again.
After several laps—
Hina was dramatically sprawled across the grass beside the training yard.
Her arms and legs spread out like a fallen starfish.
"I have perished."
Toru stood above her.
"You're breathing."
"Barely."
"You're talking."
"That's my final strength."
He crouched beside her.
"…You did well."
Hina lifted one eye.
"…Really?"
"Really."
Her expression brightened slightly.
"…Does that mean snack?"
Toru sighed.
"…Almost."
She groaned again and rolled onto her side.
"Cruel man."
Toru chuckled quietly.
Then he tapped two fingers lightly against her wrist.
"Alright."
Hina blinked.
"…What are you doing?"
"Next part."
Her eyes widened.
"THERE'S MORE?"
"Yes."
"This is definitely child abuse."
"Relax."
He spoke calmly.
"Close your eyes."
She squinted at him suspiciously.
"…Why?"
"Just do it."
She slowly closed her eyes.
"…If something scary happens I'm blaming you."
Toru ignored that.
"Listen carefully."
The wind moved gently through the courtyard.
The banners fluttered softly above them.
"Can you feel your heartbeat?"
Hina stayed quiet.
A few seconds passed.
"…Yes."
"Good."
"Now focus on it."
She scrunched her face in concentration.
Another pause.
"…It's loud."
"That's fine."
"Can I stop now?"
"No."
She groaned quietly.
Toru watched her patiently.
After a few more seconds—
Hina suddenly tilted her head.
"…Something's moving."
Toru's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Oh?"
She opened one eye.
"…I think."
"Keep your eyes closed."
She obeyed reluctantly.
"…It feels weird."
"Good."
"Like ants."
"That's not the description I was hoping for."
Hina opened both eyes now.
"Can I stop?"
Toru nodded.
"For today."
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"SNACK TIME!"
She leaped to her feet—
took two steps—
then immediately collapsed back onto the grass.
"…Actually I need five minutes."
Toru looked down at her.
A small smile tugged at his face.
She learns fast.
The wind moved gently across the courtyard.
And the afternoon training finally came to an end.
The afternoon sun had begun its slow descent.
The light over the Wind Village softened, turning the white rooftops and pale stone paths into shades of warm gold. The breeze had grown calmer now, gliding quietly through the banners that hung from the Kaze Estate walls.
In the training yard—
a small figure lay spread across the grass.
Completely defeated.
Hina did not move.
One arm was stretched dramatically toward the sky as if she had collapsed in the middle of an epic battle.
"…I see the light."
A quiet voice answered from above her.
"You're staring at the sun."
"…I know, dad."
Hina turned her head slightly.
Standing near the edge of the yard was Kaito.
His training clothes was slightly wrinkled, and a few strands of his white hair clung to his forehead from sweat. His blue eyes were calm as always, but there was a hint of amusement in them as he looked down at his little sister.
Hina squinted up at him.
"…Big brother."
"Yes."
"…I have been oppressed."
Kaito glanced toward Toru.
Toru stood nearby with his arms crossed, completely unapologetic.
"…Oppressed?" Kaito asked.
"Cruelly."
"By who?"
Hina weakly lifted one finger and pointed.
"…Him."
Kaito looked back at Toru.
Toru shrugged.
"She ran."
"I ran for survival!"
"You ran because you didn't want to train."
"Exactly."
Kaito walked over and crouched beside Hina.
The grass rustled softly beneath his knees.
"…How was training?"
Hina stared at the sky again.
"…I have fought bravely."
"Did you run laps?"
"…Many."
Toru coughed.
"Three."
Hina gasped.
"BETRAYAL!"
Kaito chuckled quietly.
He reached over and gently brushed a small leaf out of Hina's hair.
"…Three laps is good."
Hina blinked.
"…Really?"
"Really."
She slowly turned her head toward him.
"You're not lying to make me feel better?"
"No."
"…Oh."
She seemed to think about that for a moment.
Then she suddenly sat up.
"…I also did the weird wrist thing."
"The what?"
She grabbed his hand and tapped two fingers on his wrist.
"Father did this."
Kaito nodded slightly.
"…Pulse control."
Hina puffed her cheeks.
"It feels like ants."
Kaito blinked.
"…Ants?"
"That's what I said!"
Toru sighed.
"I'm starting to think my explanation was wasted."
Kaito smiled faintly.
Then he looked at Hina again.
"…Did you feel it though?"
She paused.
Then nodded slowly.
"…A little."
Kaito's smile softened.
"That's good."
Hina stared at him suspiciously.
"…Why are you being nice?"
"Because you trained."
She crossed her arms.
"…I almost died."
"You didn't."
"Emotionally."
Kaito laughed quietly.
Toru watched the two of them for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"…You two can rest for a bit."
Hina immediately collapsed back onto the grass again.
"I shall never move again."
"You said that ten minutes ago."
"This time I mean it."
The breeze moved gently through the yard again.
For a few quiet seconds, none of them spoke.
Then Hina suddenly lifted her head again.
"…Brother."
"Yes?"
"…Did you train today too?"
"Yes."
"Was it worse than mine?"
Kaito thought for a moment.
"…Different."
"That means yes."
"Not really."
"Did you run?"
"No."
She gasped.
"UNFAIR."
Kaito leaned back slightly, resting his hands behind him on the grass.
"…But I stood in the wind for hours."
Hina stared at him.
"…That sounds relaxing."
"It wasn't."
"Still better than running."
Toru smirked slightly.
"You'll both be running tomorrow."
Hina slowly turned her head toward him.
"…I suddenly feel sick."
"You're fine."
"I might faint."
"You already tried that."
Hina groaned loudly and buried her face in the grass again.
Kaito chuckled softly.
Then he reached over and gently patted her head.
"You did really well today."
Hina peeked up at him.
"…Really really?"
"Yes."
Her expression slowly brightened.
"…Okay."
She nodded to herself proudly.
"I am strong."
Toru raised an eyebrow.
"You ran three laps."
"I am developing strength."
Kaito laughed again.
The moment was warm.
Calm.
Peaceful.
A while later.
The sun had lowered further, and the evening air had begun to cool.
Inside the Kaze Estate, warm lantern light filled the wide wooden halls.
Kaito and Hina sat on the floor of the main sitting room.
Hina had a small blanket wrapped around her shoulders like a heroic cape.
"…I survived training."
Kaito glanced at her.
"You ran three laps."
"I RAN THREE LAPS."
Toru sat nearby drinking tea.
"…You'll run five tomorrow."
Hina froze.
"…Mother would never allow such cruelty."
The sliding door suddenly opened.
The soft sound of wood moving across the floor echoed through the room.
All three of them turned.
Hana stepped inside.
Her long white hair moved gently as she entered, and the warm lantern light caught softly on the flowing fabric of her robes. Her presence alone seemed to calm the entire room.
The moment Hina saw her—
her eyes lit up.
"Mommy!"
The tiny girl jumped to her feet and ran across the room as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"Hina dear—"
But before Hana could finish, Hina had already crashed into her and wrapped both arms around her waist in a tight hug.
Hana laughed softly and gently rested a hand on her daughter's head.
"Well hello to you too."
Hina squeezed tighter.
"Mommy!"
"Yes, Hina dear?"
Hina looked up with a very serious face.
"Dad is mean."
Toru nearly choked on his tea.
Hana blinked once.
"Oh?"
Hina nodded very firmly.
"He made me run."
Kaito quietly covered his mouth to hide a smile.
Hana looked over at Toru.
Toru immediately raised a hand defensively.
"She ran three laps."
Hina turned around and pointed at him.
"SEE!"
Hana looked back down at her daughter.
"Hina dear… that's called training."
Hina pouted.
"It was too much."
Toru leaned back slightly.
"It was three laps."
"It was a thousand."
Kaito laughed under his breath.
Hana gently brushed a few strands of hair away from Hina's face.
"Well… I'm sure your father didn't mean to bully you."
Hina leaned closer to Hana and whispered loudly.
"He is scary."
"I can hear you," Toru said flatly.
Hina hid slightly behind Hana's robe.
Hana chuckled softly.
Then she gently placed a hand on Hina's shoulder.
"Well, actually… I brought someone today."
Hina looked up.
"You did?"
Hana turned slightly toward the door.
"You can come in now."
A small pause passed.
Then—
slow footsteps approached.
The door slid open again.
A young girl stepped inside.
She looked nervous.
Her long white hair was tied simply behind her back, and she wore a plain light-colored outfit. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her as she stepped carefully into the room.
She bowed quickly.
"…G-good afternoon."
Hina tilted her head curiously.
Hana smiled gently.
"Hina dear, this is Shinju."
"She'll be helping take care of you from now on."
Shinju bowed again, even deeper this time.
"I—I will do my best."
Hina stared at her for a few seconds.
Then she slowly walked over.
Shinju looked even more nervous as the tiny girl approached her.
Hina stopped right in front of her.
"…You're new?"
Shinju nodded quickly.
"…Y-yes."
Hina looked around the room.
Then she raised her hand and waved Shinju closer.
"Come here."
Shinju blinked.
"…M-me?"
"Yes."
Shinju carefully leaned closer.
Hina placed both hands on her cheeks and whispered loudly.
"Bring your ear."
Shinju leaned down slightly.
Hina leaned in and whispered like she was sharing a secret.
"Everyone here is nice."
Shinju blinked in surprise.
Hina pointed across the room.
"My big brother is very nice."
Kaito smiled softly.
Hina then pointed at her mother.
"Mommy is nice too."
Hana chuckled.
Then Hina slowly turned and pointed at Toru.
"But that one…"
The room grew quiet.
"…is a demon."
Kaito burst out laughing.
Hana covered her mouth.
Toru stared at her.
"…A demon?"
Hina slowly turned around and saw everyone looking at her.
She froze.
Then she pointed again.
"…He made me run."
Toru sighed deeply.
Hana gently shook her head, smiling.
Shinju looked completely unsure how to react.
Hina looked back up at her.
"But don't worry."
She nodded seriously.
"You will be safe."
Kaito laughed again.
Toru leaned back with a tired expression.
"I see my reputation is ruined."
Hana smiled warmly and looked toward the doorway.
Hana chuckled gently.
Then she turned toward the doorway again.
"Misaki."
Another figure appeared at the door almost instantly.
A woman stepped inside with calm, practiced grace.
Her posture was perfect, and her presence carried quiet authority.
She bowed respectfully.
"Lady Hana you called?."
"Head Maid Misaki," Hana said softly.
"Please show Shinju around and help her get settled."
Misaki bowed respectfully.
"As you wish, Lady Hana."
She looked toward Shinju with a gentle but professional smile.
"Come with me."
Shinju bowed quickly again.
"…Y-yes."
She gave Hina one more nervous glance before following Misaki out of the room.
Hina gave her a small nod like a tiny leader approving a new recruit.
Then Shinju followed Misaki out of the room.
The door slid closed again.
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then Toru slowly looked at Hina.
"…A demon?"
Hina crossed her arms.
"You made me run."
"It was three laps."
"It was evil."
Toru leaned forward slightly.
"You'll run five tomorrow."
Hina gasped.
"That's not fair!"
"You said I'm a demon. I might as well act like one."
Hina looked horrified.
Kaito was laughing so hard now he had to lean back.
Hina pointed at Toru.
"Fine!"
Everyone paused.
Hina puffed her cheeks.
"I will train!"
Toru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Hina nodded proudly.
"I will become strong."
Kaito smiled gently.
"…Why?"
Hina pointed at Toru again.
"So I can beat you."
Toru blinked once.
Then he smiled slowly.
"…Good."
Hina blinked.
"Really?"
"Yes."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Then tomorrow we start with five laps."
Hina froze.
"…Wait."
Kaito burst into laughter again.
And the warm evening inside the Kaze Estate continued with the sound of Hina arguing loudly with her father.