The training field was already crowded when Kaito arrived.
Way more people than yesterday.
Some were standing near the edge of the arena.
Some sat on the stone steps.
Some were already whispering.
Kaito stopped when he saw the field.
"…Why are there so many people."
Tanaka walked past him.
"Because you're fighting again."
"That doesn't answer the question."
Tanaka didn't look back.
"It does here."
Kaito sighed and followed him down the steps.
The air felt heavy again.
Not dangerous.
Not yet.
Just full.
Like the whole place was waiting.
His chest tightened slightly.
The vibration hummed softly.
Stronger than yesterday.
He rolled his shoulders.
"…Okay… I feel it."
Tanaka glanced at him.
"Good."
"That's not comforting."
His mother stood near the edge of the field again.
Same calm expression.
Same steady eyes.
Kaito walked over.
"You're watching again?"
"Yes."
"You're not worried?"
"You're not fighting to win."
"…That's even worse."
She smiled faintly.
"You'll be fine."
Kaito sighed.
"…I hope you're right."
He stepped onto the field.
The moment he did, the noise around the arena got quieter.
People leaned forward.
Some crossed their arms.
Some smiled.
Some looked bored.
At the center of the field, Ryo stood waiting.
Same stance.
Same calm face.
Same pressure.
The vibration in Kaito's chest reacted instantly.
Stronger.
Faster.
Ryo smirked slightly.
"…You're louder today."
Kaito frowned.
"You're still annoying."
A few people laughed.
Ryo's smirk widened.
"Good."
Tanaka stepped forward.
"Same rules."
Ryo nodded.
"No killing."
"That's not funny," Kaito said.
Ryo looked at him.
"I wasn't joking."
Kaito swallowed.
Tanaka stepped back.
"Start."
Silence fell over the field.
Kaito raised his guard.
His breathing slowed.
The vibration hummed.
He focused on it.
Like Tanaka taught him.
Ryo moved first.
Fast.
But this time...
Kaito moved too.
Step.
Block.
The impact hit his arms.
Hard.
But he didn't fall.
Ryo blinked slightly.
"…Better."
Kaito smirked.
"I trained."
Ryo stepped forward again.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
Kaito blocked the punch.
Dodged the kick.
Barely.
His feet slid back across the ground.
But he stayed standing.
The crowd murmured.
"He improved."
"Not bad."
"He's still dead."
Kaito heard that.
"…Hey."
Ryo attacked again.
Faster.
Kaito reacted.
His body moved before he thought.
Step.
Turn.
Punch.
The vibration surged.
THUD.
His fist hit Ryo's arm.
Not strong.
But real.
The entire field went quiet for a second.
Ryo looked at his arm.
Then at Kaito.
"…You did that on purpose."
Kaito blinked.
"…Yeah?"
Ryo smiled.
"…Good."
He disappeared.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"…Where..."
BAM.
The hit slammed into his side.
He flew back and rolled across the ground.
Dust rose around him.
He coughed.
Pain shot through his ribs.
"…Still too fast…" he muttered.
Ryo walked toward him slowly.
"You're using it now."
Kaito pushed himself up.
"…Using what."
"That thing inside you."
Kaito clenched his fists.
"…I don't even know what it is."
Ryo shrugged.
"You don't need to."
He stepped forward again.
Faster than before.
Kaito focused.
The vibration roared.
His body moved.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled.
Ryo's eyes widened slightly.
"…Not bad."
Kaito grinned.
"…I'm getting there."
Ryo smiled.
"…You are."
Then he moved.
Too fast.
Kaito couldn't see it.
Couldn't react.
BAM.
The hit slammed into his stomach.
All the air left his lungs.
His vision went white.
His knees hit the ground.
He tried to stand.
His legs shook.
Didn't work.
He fell forward.
The field went quiet.
Ryo stood over him.
"…Still not enough."
Kaito coughed.
"…Yeah… I noticed…"
He tried to push himself up.
His arms gave out.
Tanaka stepped forward.
"Enough."
The pressure in the air faded.
Ryo stepped back.
"…He improved."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
Ryo looked at Kaito one more time.
"…Get stronger."
He turned away.
"…Next time I won't stop."
The crowd slowly started talking again.
Some looked impressed.
Some looked disappointed.
Some just nodded.
Kaito lay on the ground, breathing hard.
His chest burned.
But the vibration was still there.
Stronger than yesterday.
He smiled slightly.
"…Sensei…"
Tanaka stood over him.
"Yes."
"…I lasted longer."
"Yes."
"…Next time… I hit him harder."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"…Good."
Kaito closed his eyes for a second.
"…This place sucks."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"You just got here."
Far above the field, on the roof of the training hall, the girl from yesterday leaned on the railing.
She watched Kaito carefully.
"…He's growing fast."
The tall guy beside her nodded.
"Yeah."
The shorter one smirked.
"…Still weak."
The girl smiled slightly.
"…Not for long."
In the center of the field, Kaito slowly pushed himself up again.
His body hurt.
Everything hurt.
But the vibration inside him felt stronger than ever.
And this time...
He liked the feeling.