Kaito's fist slammed forward.
CRACK.
The air shook slightly.
Not as weak as before.
Not strong either.
But better.
He lowered his arm slowly, breathing hard.
"…Okay… that one was good."
Tanaka stood across from him, arms crossed.
"Again."
Kaito groaned.
"I knew you were gonna say that."
"Again."
Kaito raised his fist.
His shoulders burned.
His legs felt heavy.
His whole body ached from the fight yesterday and the training today.
But the vibration in his chest was there.
Clearer than before.
Like it was easier to find now.
He took a breath.
Moved.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
Sharper.
Tanaka nodded once.
"Better."
Kaito blinked.
"…You said that last time."
"You're improving."
"That's the first nice thing you've said all day."
Tanaka ignored him.
"Again."
Kaito dropped his arms.
"No."
Tanaka raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"I need a break."
"You don't get one."
"I'm taking one."
Tanaka stepped forward.
Before Kaito could react...
THUD.
Tanaka's hand hit his shoulder.
Not hard.
But fast.
Kaito stumbled back.
"…Hey!"
Tanaka looked at him.
"You stopped moving."
"I was tired!"
"You'll be tired in a fight too."
Kaito frowned.
"That's not fair."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"Punch."
Kaito groaned loudly.
"…You're the worst teacher ever."
"Punch."
Kaito raised his fist again.
The vibration hummed.
He moved.
Punch.
CRACK.
This time the sound echoed off the walls.
Kaito froze.
"…Okay… that was louder."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
Kaito blinked.
"…That felt different."
"You used less muscle."
"…More vibration thing."
"Yes."
Kaito smirked.
"…I like the vibration thing."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Good."
Kaito lowered his arms.
"…Now can I rest?"
Tanaka looked at him for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"…Five minutes."
Kaito dropped to the floor instantly.
"Best teacher ever."
Tanaka sat against the wall.
Silence filled the room.
Only the sound of Kaito breathing.
After a moment, Kaito spoke.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…How long until I'm not the weakest guy here."
Tanaka didn't answer right away.
"…A while."
Kaito sighed.
"I figured."
Tanaka looked at him.
"But you're not the weakest."
Kaito blinked.
"…Really?"
Tanaka nodded.
"You're just the least controlled."
"…That sounds worse."
"It is."
Kaito groaned.
Before he could complain again...
The door opened.
Tanaka didn't move.
Kaito looked over.
The same three students from earlier stood in the doorway.
The shorter guy smirked.
"Break time?"
Kaito frowned.
"…You again."
The girl crossed her arms.
"You look less terrible today."
"Thanks… I think."
The tall one looked at Tanaka.
"Ryo said to tell him something."
Tanaka's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…What."
The tall guy pointed at Kaito.
"He wants him on the field tomorrow."
Kaito blinked.
"…Tomorrow?"
The shorter guy grinned.
"Yeah."
Kaito looked at Tanaka.
"…Can I say no this time?"
Tanaka shook his head.
"No."
Kaito sighed.
"I knew you were gonna say that."
The girl smirked.
"You should be happy."
"How is that happy."
"You survived once."
"…Barely."
The shorter guy stepped closer.
"This time he won't hold back."
Kaito swallowed.
"…Great."
Tanaka stood up.
"That's enough."
The three nodded.
"Field. Morning," the tall one said.
They turned and left again.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Kaito stared at the floor.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…I'm gonna get destroyed again, aren't I."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"Yes."
Kaito sighed.
"…Good."
Tanaka raised an eyebrow.
"…Good?"
Kaito stood up slowly.
His body hurt.
His arms hurt.
Everything hurt.
But the vibration in his chest felt stronger.
Steadier.
"…Then I'll just have to do better than yesterday."
Tanaka watched him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…That's the right answer."
Kaito raised his fists again.
"…We still got time today, right?"
Tanaka smirked slightly.
"Yes."
Kaito sighed.
"…I regret asking."
Tanaka pointed.
"Punch."
Kaito groaned.
"…I knew it."
He stepped forward.
Focused.
Moved.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder than before.
Outside the building, Ryo stood on the roof, looking down at the training room.
He smirked slightly.
"…He's getting used to it."
He turned away.
"…Good."
His eyes sharpened.
"…Tomorrow will be more fun."