I stepped outside.
'What brings you here today, Saki?'
She looked normal.
As if yesterday had never happened.
'Here to knock your teeth out!'
She was still smiling.
Still loud.
Still her.
But…
Something was off.
'Then come on in.' I gestured.
She brushed past me without hesitation.
Inside, Eri spotted her.
'Umm… Swordfish Knight.'
Saki didn't even glance her way.
As if Eri didn't exist.
'Come on bastard! Let's go to the dojo already!'
She stormed ahead.
Eri stared at the floor. Fidgeting.
'Don't worry, Eri.' I patted her on the shoulder. 'I'll fix up my mistake.'
Eri slowly looked up at me.
Then smiled.
'Hehe. This dark lord wasn't worried for one bit.' She lifted her glasses.
I smiled before heading to the dojo.
———————————————-
Saki had already drawn her sword and was waiting.
'About time, you slowpoke.'
I picked up a bokken from the rack and stood inside the ring.
'Before we begin. I have something to tell you.'
I met her eyes.
'About yesterday. I'm sorry.'
Her grip tightened.
'You think that would upset me?'
She smiled.
But her body trembled.
'It would take more than that to break me down.'
She lunged.
*CLANG*
'Listen to me, Saki. I—'
*CLANG*
'I never meant what I said—'
*CLANG*
'Yesterday.'
Every strike carried weight.
Not just force…
But emotion.
Raw. Unfiltered.
*CLANG*
Too wide. Too reckless. No control.
… Just like me.
*CLANG*
She fell.
The wooden blade slipped from her grip for a split second… then tightened again.
She stood up.
'Again.'
Her voice was thinner, but it didn't waver.
She charged.
Missed.
*CLANG*
*THUD*
The impact echoed more sharply than before.
She didn't get up immediately.
A breath.
Another.
Then, she forced herself up.
'A-Again.'
The word came out quieter.
Rougher.
*CLANG*
She fell harder this time.
'A… again.'
*CLANG CLANG*
Her body gave out.
This time, she didn't catch herself and fell to the ground.
And stayed there.
Her breathing turned uneven.
Shallow.
Then her bokken slipped from her hand.
She didn't reach for it.
I stood there for a moment.
Watching.
'I think we should take a break.'
'No!' She yelled. 'I'm not done yet!'
She reached for her bokken and gripped it tightly.
Using it as support, she forced herself to stand.
'A… again. I'm going to b… beat you.'
'Suit yourself.' I shrugged.
The fight continued.
Swing.
Miss.
Stand.
Again.
And again.
Eventually, her exhaustion caught up with her and she fell to the ground, lying there.
Her breathing was chaotic.
Unsteady.
I sat beside her.
'Saki… you might be too tired to hear this but…'
I hesitated.
I wanted to leave, but Kasumi's voice echoed through my head.
'I'm… I'm sorry. For yesterday.'
'…'
She didn't respond.
Just staring at the ceiling. Sweat dripping onto the floor.
'I was harsh… not because I hate you. It's because I care about you.'
'And… you reminded me of who I used to be.'
My voice softened.
'I saw myself in you… and I handled it badly.'
I looked at her.
'… But that was my mistake.'
'I treated you like my past instead of seeing you for who you are.'
'You're not me.'
'You're Saki.'
'So… I'm sorry…'
'I almost took that away from you.'
I stood up.
'And today…'
'You did well. You kept getting up and that's what matters.'
The words caught in my throat.
Words I never said before.
'… I'm proud of you.'
'…'
I made my way out.
'Wait.'
I stopped.
Saki sat up, fidgeting.
'I… I have something to say.'
I turned around.
'I-I'm sorry… about yesterday.'
'You don't need to apologise.'
'No.' She shook her head. 'I let my emotions get the better of me and someone almost got hurt because of me.'
'Then you should apologise to Eri, not me.'
'Ahh! You're not going to let me apologise to you, are you?!' She yelled in frustration. 'I'm trying to be the big person here.'
'Try harder next time.'
Saki blinked, then laughed.
'Hey, bastard.'
'Yeah?'
She scratched her head.
'… Thanks.'
She smiled.
'Thank you for caring about me.'
I smiled back.
'And thank you for sticking around.'
'Yes… I can't believe I chose to stay.' She giggled.
'Let's go. I've got leftover udon if you want.'
'Perfect. I'm starving.'
Leaving the dojo together.
We walked in silence.
The air felt lighter.
Maybe swordsmen really do speak through their blades.
——————————————-
Back inside the living room, Saki and Eri stood awkwardly.
Neither spoke.
Until Saki bowed.
'I'm sorry. For attacking you yesterday.'
Our little dark lord was flustered.
'No no no, I the Dark Lord should be-be sor-sorry.' She bowed. 'This dark lord reco-recognised you as a worthy rival.'
'Ha.' Saki laughed. 'To think I will be your rival.'
'Hehehe.' The dark lord lifted her glasses. 'Be honoured to receive such a title from this lord.'
'Then I will defeat you, to bring peace back to this world.'
'Glad you two made up.' I came over. 'Saki, your food is ready.'
'Okay.' She nodded.
She went to the dining table and began eating.
'Good job.' I patted Eri's shoulder.
'Hehehe. A trivial task for this Dark Lord.'
'But I'm glad.' She smiled. 'That we made up.'
'You can be sensible som—'
'I'm glad that now I have a worthy opponent. Muhahaha!'
'Sigh.'
————————————
Later, after dinner and dessert.
Saki and Eri sat together, watching the TV.
Or rather, mocking it.
Eventually, it got late and Saki had to go.
'Saki, before you leave, I have something for you.'
'Oh, a gift!' Her eyes sparkled.
'Here.' I handed her a bracelet.
'Ooooh! Shiny!'
'That bracelet is special, Saki.' I said. 'If you're ever in danger… look to it.'
'It'll guide you when it matters.'
'How?' She inspected the bracelet.
'Through someone who shares your values, your ideals.'
She hesitated.
Then she put it on.
'Hey… bastard.'
'Yeah?'
She fidgeted.
'Th…Th…Thank you.'
Her cheeks flushed.
'Bye!'
She quickly ran away.
I watched as she disappeared.
'Kids these days.'
I shook my head.
Back inside, our little dark lord was in her dark attire.
Her black pyjamas.
'You can go to bed first. You don't have to wait for me.' I said.
She didn't move.
Then, she took off her glasses.
Her expression changed.
'Hey, Di-ran.'
'What's up?'
'If I ever lose control like today…'
Her tail drooped.
'… will you be there for me?'
She looked at me.
Waiting.
…
'Always.' I smiled.
Her tail shot up instantly, swaying happily.
'Thank you.'
She smiled and placed her glasses back on.
'Hehehe. This lord is tired.' She yawned.
As she was walking off.
I called out.
'Goodnight, Eri.'
She halted her steps.
Turned.
And smiled.
'Goodnight… my servant.'