We eyed each other.
If this were an anime, the wind would be blowing dramatically right now with leaves falling in the background.
Unfortunately, we were inside a building.
So the only thing moving was a lonely dust particle floating through the air.
'Are you ready?' Kasumi asked nervously.
We both nodded.
'Then…fight!'
Kasumi immediately ran to the side like a referee escaping a battlefield.
I stood still and waited for Saki to make the first move. It was only right for the senior to go easy on the junior.
Saki slowly began inching towards me while keeping her guard up.
Step.
Step.
Her breathing remained steady.
Her eyes were locked onto me.
She was waiting for me to strike first so she could counterattack.
Unfortunately for her.
Counterattacking only works if someone actually attacks.
And I had no intention of attacking.
I was busy picking my nose.
Saki froze.
Kasumi blinked.
'…Is that part of the technique?' She whispered.
Saki narrowed her eyes, carefully observing me. She was probably trying to determine if this was some kind of psychological tactic.
'Ah.'
The booger finally came out.
'I can breathe again.'
Saki remained still as a rock.
Waiting.
Watching.
I rolled the booger between my fingers until it formed a small ball.
Kasumi whispered.
'What is he doing…?'
*Flick*
The booger shot forward.
*Smack*
'OW!'
It landed directly on Saki's forehead.
She clutched her head in pain.
At the same moment.
My sword was already resting against her neck.
'You lose.'
She blinked.
Still processing what had just happened.
I withdrew my sword and started walking toward Kasumi.
'Again!'
I turned back.
'That was cheating!' Saki shouted.
'In a real fight,' I said calmly, 'everything is a weapon.'
I pointed at her head.
'Your head would've been on the floor by now.'
'Y-you!'
Her face turned red.
'I won't accept it until we have another duel!'
Before handing my sword to Kasumi, I asked.
'Really?'
'Really!'
I turned around with the sword still in hand.
'Then don't cry after I beat you.'
—————————-
Round two.
The moment Kasumi gave the signal.
'Fight!'
Saki rushed forward.
I dashed forward as well, limiting my speed so I wouldn't accidentally demolish my house.
The distance between us disappeared instantly.
Saki's eyes widened.
She was shocked.
She hurriedly raised her sword to block.
Too hurriedly.
*Clack!*
Our swords collided.
Her form instantly broke.
The sword was knocked upwards.
Her entire torso was exposed.
My blade stopped at her waist.
'Dead again.'
She stared at the sword.
'…What?'
'Your defence was too sloppy.'
'You were too fast!' She snapped.
I pointed behind me.
'Look where Kasumi is.'
She turned.
'That's where I started.'
'…So?'
'So you had plenty of time to prepare.'
Her teeth clenched.
'That was still unfair!'
'Yes, it is because you either lack skill or sense, that is why it is unfair.' I said.
I began walking away.
Then.
Footsteps rushed toward me from behind.
A sword swung downwards.
I sighed and spun to my side.
*Tap*
My sword lightly struck her hip.
'Dead again.'
She froze, she missed.
'…WHAT?!'
'You…you.'
'You let your emotions cloud your judgement.'
I walked to Kasumi and handed her my sword.
'Three deaths.'
'I'm done fighting until tomorrow.'
Saki clenched her teeth.
Her grip tightened around her sword.
'One more time.'
'No.'
'I'm not leaving until you fight me!'
She lowered her head.
'…I need to get stronger.'
Kasumi blinked.
Saki stared at the floor.
'If I can't even beat your booger… how am I supposed to protect anyone?'
The dojo became quiet.
Then she looked up, wiping her tears.
Determination burned in her eyes.
'Tomorrow,' She said. 'I'll beat your ass!'
I shrugged.
'Go ahead.'
I turned towards the exit.
'Come Kasumi, let's prepare dinner.'
Kasumi placed the sword back on the rack.
'A-ah-coming!'
She hurried after me, but before leaving she glanced back.
Saki was still standing there.
Holding her sword.
Looking like someone who had just declared war on the concept of losing.
—————————————
[Kasumi's pov]
I had never seen a real sword fight before.
I had only seen videos online.
But never in person.
So naturally…
I was excited.
But something felt strange.
Dylan stood there.
Picking his nose.
Saki stood across from him like a serious warrior preparing for battle.
'Is this how masters fight?'
I simply didn't understand enough to know.
Then Dylan pulled his finger out.
'…Yuck.' I said.
There was a massive booger on it
He rolled it between his fingers.
'What is he doing…?'
Was this some kind of secret sword technique?
Just as I began questioning everything…
*Flick*
The booger shot like a bullet.
*SMACK*
It hit Saki in the forehead.
'OW!'
Before she could react…
Dylan's sword was already at her neck.
'You lose.'
My eyes sparkled.
So this…
This was what sword fighting is.
—————————————
When we entered the house, I could hear the faint sound of wood striking wood behind us.
*Thwack*
*Thwack*
*Thwack*
Saki was practising.
Kasumi looked back toward the dojo.
'Don't you think you were too harsh on her?'
'No.' I shook my head. 'If she wants to grow, she would need to be knocked down many times.'
I placed the pork chops on the counter.
'But… still..' Kasumi let out. 'Can't you be nicer?'
'Maybe I could.' I said. 'But I won't. Harshness breeds growth, if I soften, so will she.'
I began preparing the ingredients.
From outside.
*THWACK*
*THWACK*
The practice strikes grew louder.
Kasumu smiled faintly.
'She must really want to protect someone.'
I paused for a moment.
Then continued cutting the cabbage.
'People who say that usually end up getting hurt.'
Kasumi looked at me.
'Then… will you help her?'
I shrugged.
'That's what I'm already doing.'
Kasumi giggled softly.
But outside…
The sound of the wooden sword never stopped.
———————————-
'I finished washing the rice, Ku-reiji.' Kasumi said while drying her hands.
'Did you measure the water?'
'Yep!.' She said proudly.
'Good. Start the rice cooker.'
I tenderised the pork.
Added small slits to prevent curling during frying.
Salt.
Pepper.
Massage the seasoning in.
Let it sit.
Then I prepared the sauce.
Worcestershire sauce.
Water.
Sugar.
Tomato sauce.
And a bit of lemon.
Turn the heat to low.
Stir till the sugar dissolves.
Done.
Meanwhile, Saki came back in, dripping sweat.
'Do you need a towel, Nanase san?' Kasumi asked carefully.
'No.' Saki said, plopping onto the sofa.
Kasumi fidgeted nervously.
'Th-then… Do you need any drinks? I can get you water.' She said softly.
Saki blinked.
Then suddenly….
She lunged forward and hugged Kasumi.
'You're too cute!'
She started squeezing Kasumi's cheeks.
'Your cheeks are so soft! They're like dough!'
Kasumi tried to speak.
'Helph mwhe!'
'Adorable!'
I walked into the living room and saw the scene.
Saki was aggressively kneading Kasumi's face.
*Bonk*
I chopped Saki on the head.
'Ow!'
She turned around.
'What was that for, you bastard?!'
'You should apologise.'
'For wha—'
She stopped.
Realising what she had done.
She instantly dropped to her knees.
*THUD*
'I'm sorry, Sato san!'
'Sometimes when I see cute things, I lose control!'
'Please forgive me!'
Kasumi rubbed her cheeks.
'It's okay…'
'Sato san…'
Saki's eyes sparkled.
She prepared to attack the cheeks a second time.
Before she could….
I grabbed her by the collar and lifted her.
'Bastard! Let me go!'
'Have you regained control yet?'
'Yes!'
I let go.
She fell directly onto her butt.
'YOU BASTARD!'
She rubbed her backside.
'Sigh.' I muttered. 'What a loud mouth.'
She followed me everywhere I went, constantly yapping behind me like a malfunctioning alarm clock.
Eventually, I had no choice but to deploy the only countermeasure available.
Babysitter Kasumi.
The moment Kasumi started patting Saki's back, the loud warrior instantly quieted down.
It was like watching a feral dog get domesticated.
Impressive.
With the chaos temporarily suppressed, I opened the fridge, pulled out the leftover miso soup, and placed it on the stove to reheat.
At the same time, I began battering the pork loins.
Flour.
Egg.
Panko.
While battering, the rice cooker beeped.
*Beep beep beep*
Perfect timing.
'Kasumi, can you watch the soup?' I asked.
'S-sure!' She nodded quickly.
She stepped over to the stove and grabbed the ladle with both hands like it was an important mission.
Very serious expression.
Very focused.
Very determined.
She gently stirred the soup.
Then stirred again.
Then again.
After about ten seconds she looked back at me.
'Um…Ku-reiji?'
'Yeah?'
'…How long am I supposed to stir it?'
'…You don't have to stir it constantly.'
'Oh!'
She froze.
Then slowly placed the ladle back down like nothing had happened.
Behind her, Saki had been watching the entire interaction..
'You're adorable.'
Kasumi turned bright red.
Satisfied that the kitchen wouldn't burn down in my absence, I grabbed the prepared pork chops and headed outside to the outdoor fryer.
I placed them carefully on the table.
The oil was already pre-heated.
'Alright.'
I picked up the tongs.
'Time to fry.'
Behind me, I suddenly heard Kasumi shouting from inside the house.
'Please! L-let me stir!'
'You're just too adorable.' Saki held her tight.
'I-It's going to burn!'
I sighed.
My house is going to burn, isn't it?