[Kasumi's pov]
Under the buzzing street lamps, Saki suddenly asked.
'So how did you meet that bastard?'
'Who, Ku-reiji?' I tilted my head.
'Is that his name? Ku…reiji?'
'Un.' I nodded.
'That sounds foreign.'
I stared at Saki.
In my head I said,
You only just realised?
Ku-reiji's Japanese was perfect, sure.
But his height and his looks did not belong to a Japanese person.
'It's because he is a foreigner.' I said.
'HAAAAH?!"
Saki nearly jumped.
'He's actually a foreigner?!'
Saki suddenly went quiet.
Then she grabbed both my shoulders.
Her eyes sparkled.
'Since he's a foreigner… let's scam him.'
She smiled like a villain in a low-budget crime drama.
I immediately shook her hands off.
'No. He's my friend.'
My voice came out firmer than I expected.
Saki froze.
'I'm sorry! I won't scam him! Please don't make that face!'
'…What face?'
'That scary disappointed face!'
I sighed.
'Okay… but if you scam him, I won't forgive you.'
'Understood!' She saluted dramatically.
Honestly, I didn't know why I felt this way.
But whenever someone talks badly about Ku-reiji…
My chest tightened.
Even my parents never made me feel that strongly.
'Thank you!' Saki suddenly said.
Then she dove into my arms.
She rubbed her cheek against mine.
'I could sleep like this.'
'Th-that's enough.'
I gently pushed her away.
She grinned.
'You still didn't answer. How did you meet him?'
Thinking back, our meeting really was strange.
First, he insulted my food.
Then he carried me to the rooftop.
And somehow…
We became friends.
'He helped me a lot at school.' I said quietly. 'Ku-reiji is a kind person. Unlike me.'
Before I realised it, Saki gently hugged me.
Her warmth cut through the cold night air.
'Don't say that, Kasumi.'
Her voice was soft.
'You're a good person.'
'I wouldn't be your friend if you weren't.'
My throat tightened.
'Like earlier,' she continued. 'You helped around the house while I was being a lazy bum.'
'When I kept whining, you still put up with me.'
'So don't ever say you're a bad person, okay?'
My vision blurred.
'Sniff…'
'Sob…'
I buried my face into her shoulder.
Those were words I always wanted to hear.
But I never thought I deserved them.
Saki gently patted my back.
Under the dim street lights, I realised something.
For the first time in a long time…
I had a place where I belonged.
———————————-
[Dylan's pov]
'You're here early.'
Saki was standing in front of my gate while I was getting ready for my morning run.
'Hmph.'
She crossed her arms.
'That's because I'm itching to beat you with my sword.'
'…Right…'
I opened the gate.
'Come in.'
We still had two hours before school.
Plenty of time.
'Do you want to rest first?' I asked.
Saki raised her hands.
They were shaking.
'You see these hands?'
'Yes.'
'They can't stay still.'
'…Okay.'
'They're excited.'
'Uh-huh.'
'They can't wait to beat you up.'
'…That's great.'
It wasn't just her hands.
Her entire body was vibrating like a poorly assembled washing machine.
'Then let me help you fix that problem.'
We entered the dojo.
Saki held a wooden sword.
I held nothing.
'Just because you won once, ' she scoffed, 'your ego has exploded.'
'Honestly,' I said, raising one hand, 'this is enough to beat you.'
She stared at my hand.
Then her face turned red.
'You…Bastard!'
She gripped her wooden sword and rushed forward.
Fast.
Very fast.
Her footsteps echoed across the dojo floor.
Her eyes were locked on me.
Her sword raised high.
If this were a movie, dramatic music would start playing right about now.
The distance between us disappeared in seconds.
Her sword descended toward my head.
A powerful strike.
A decisive blow.
The culmination of her training.
The future of her pride.
All focused into one moment.
I stepped slightly to the side.
And activated my ultimate technique.
'Backhand.'
*PAK*
Saki collapses instantly.
Silence filled the dojo.
Then…
'OW OW OW!'
She rolled across the floor holding her cheek.
'My face! My face!'
I looked down at my hand.
My greatest discipline technique.
The backhand.
Many villains had fallen to it.
Today, Saki had joined their ranks.
'Round two?' I asked.
Saki continued rolling on the floor.
'…Please no.'
——————————
We returned to the living room.
Saki found a mirror and froze.
'HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GO TO SCHOOL LIKE THIS?!'
Her cheek had swollen dramatically.
She looked like a chipmunk storing food for winter.
On one side only.
'I can't go to school like this!'
'I know a way to heal you instantly.' I said.
'Yeah right,' she snorted. 'Unless you're a wizard.'
'Actually, I am.'
'Pfff… hahaha.' She she cutcthed her stomach. 'What next, you're going to tell me you have a pet dragon?'
'I did, actually.'
She smiled and spread her arms out.
'Go on Mr Wizard. Show me your magic.'
'Okay.'
She stared at me waiting.
*PAK*
I backhanded a bit harder this time.
She collapsed.
I caught her and placed her on the sofa.
Then I hovered my hand over her.
'Heal.'
The swelling vanished instantly.
'Honk-shoo…honk-shoo…'
Saki immediately started snoring.
Peacefully.
————————————
*Rub rub*
Saki slowly woke up.
She rubbed her eyes.
'Where am I?'
She looked around.
Then she saw me waving.
'Good morning.'
Blink.
Blink.
Then…
'AHHHHH!'
She clutched her body.
'WHY AM I IN YOUR HOUSE?!"
'You challenged me earlier.'
I raised my hand.
'You lost to my backhand.'
Her cheeks turned red.
'Y-you…!'
She touched her face.
'Wait…'
Her eyes widened.
'M-my cheek is normal.'
'I told you.'
'I am a wizard.'
Suddenly she rushed toward me with sparkling eyes.
'Teach me.
'No.'
Her face dropped instantly.
'Why?'
'Because you're not ready.'
'What does that mean?'
'I'll explain later.'
'But right now…'
I pointed to the clock.
''You're about to be late for school.'
She turned.
Looked at the time.
Then screamed.
'AAAAAH!'
She grabbed her bag and sprinted out of the house.
'GOTTA GO! SEE YA, BASTARD!'
The door slammed.
Silence returned.
I sighed.
'I should probably go too.'
I grabbed my things and headed out.