Kaito could barely walk.
Every step hurt.
His ribs hurt.
His arms hurt.
His legs hurt.
Even breathing hurt.
He slowly followed Tanaka across the training grounds, one hand pressed against his side.
"…I think he broke something," Kaito muttered.
Tanaka didn't slow down.
"Nothing's broken."
"How do you know?"
"You're still talking."
"That's not proof."
Tanaka glanced back.
"If something was broken, you wouldn't be walking."
Kaito frowned.
"…I don't like this place."
"You will."
"No, I won't."
Tanaka kept walking.
"That fight was easy compared to what's coming."
Kaito stopped.
"…That was easy?!"
Tanaka turned around.
"Yes."
Kaito stared at him.
"…You're joking."
Tanaka didn't smile.
"That was a test."
"For what?"
"To see if you belonged here."
Kaito looked back at the training field.
People were still fighting.
Still training.
Still moving like the air weighed nothing.
His chest tightened again.
"…Do I belong here?"
Tanaka looked at him for a long moment.
"…You will."
"That's not the same thing."
"No."
Kaito sighed.
"…Great."
They walked past the main field and toward a group of smaller buildings near the edge of the training grounds.
This part of the place was quieter.
Less people.
Less noise.
More serious.
Kaito frowned.
"…Where are we going?"
Tanaka stopped in front of a small stone building.
"Here."
"That's it?"
"Yes."
Kaito blinked.
"This is the special training place?"
"Yes."
"…It looks like a storage room."
Tanaka opened the door.
"Go inside."
Kaito stepped in.
The room was empty.
No mats.
No equipment.
Just stone walls.
And the floor.
He looked around.
"…You forgot the training part."
Tanaka stepped in behind him.
"No."
The door closed.
The sound echoed.
Kaito turned.
"…Okay, what are we doing?"
Tanaka walked to the center of the room.
"Stand there."
Kaito walked forward slowly.
His body still hurt from the fight.
"…If this is more fighting, I quit."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"You won't."
"Probably not."
Silence filled the room.
Then Tanaka spoke.
"Show me your stance."
Kaito blinked.
"…That's it?"
"Yes."
Kaito raised his fists.
Same stance he always used.
Same guard.
Same breathing.
Tanaka watched carefully.
"…Too tense," he said.
"What?"
"You're using your muscles."
"…That's how fighting works."
Tanaka shook his head.
"Not here."
Kaito frowned.
"…Then how?"
Tanaka stepped closer.
"When you fought yesterday… what did you feel?"
Kaito hesitated.
"…That vibration thing."
"Yes."
"That's not helpful."
"That's what you need to use."
Kaito blinked.
"…Use it how?"
Tanaka pointed at his chest.
"Move it."
"…Move what?"
"That energy."
Kaito stared at him.
"…You can't just say that like it makes sense."
Tanaka didn't react.
"Try."
Kaito sighed.
"…Fine."
He closed his eyes.
Took a breath.
Focused.
His chest felt heavy.
The vibration was there.
Faint.
Like a low hum.
"…Okay… I feel it."
"Good."
"Now what."
"Punch."
Kaito opened one eye.
"…You're serious?"
"Yes."
Kaito stepped forward.
He focused on the feeling in his chest.
Tried to move with it.
His fist shot forward.
THUD.
It hit the air.
Nothing happened.
Kaito blinked.
"…That was normal."
Tanaka shook his head.
"You thought too much."
"I always think."
"That's the problem."
Kaito frowned.
"…You're not making sense."
Tanaka stepped closer.
"Again."
Kaito sighed.
Raised his fist.
Closed his eyes.
Felt the vibration.
This time...
He didn't think.
He just moved.
Punch.
The air cracked slightly.
Just a little.
Kaito froze.
"…Did you hear that?"
Tanaka nodded once.
"Yes."
Kaito looked at his hand.
"…That wasn't normal."
"No."
"…I did that?"
"Yes."
Kaito's heart started beating faster.
"…Again."
He stepped forward.
Punch.
CRACK.
The sound was louder this time.
The air trembled for a split second.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"…Okay… that was cool."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"That's the first step."
Kaito looked at him.
"…First step?"
Tanaka nodded.
"From now on… you relearn everything."
Kaito blinked.
"…Everything?"
"Yes."
"…Even my punches?"
"Yes."
"…Even my stance?"
"Yes."
Kaito groaned.
"I hate this place."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"You just got here."
Kaito raised his fists again.
The vibration hummed softly in his chest.
This time…
He liked the feeling.
"…Fine," he said.
Tanaka raised an eyebrow.
"…Fine?"
Kaito smirked.
"…Then I'll just get stronger faster."
Tanaka looked at him for a long moment.
Then nodded once.
"…Good."
Outside the building, someone leaned against the wall, listening.
Ryo.
He smirked slightly.
"…So that's the one."
He pushed off the wall and walked away.
"…This might be interesting after all."
Inside the room, Kaito threw another punch.
The air cracked again.
And this time...
The vibration felt stronger.