Akira Maximilian knew when to take risks, and this was not the time.
He was forced into a retreat with Kiki, swerving to avoid a confrontation with Guy Fly—what he knew would have inevitably devolved into a one-sided slaughter, reminiscent of how powerless he'd felt in the presence of the Azure Oracle: a naked virgin, before the almighty Zeus.
The pair stopped next to a wall outside of the stove room. Neither had eaten their lunch yet that day, so the wafting aromas of freshly cooked pizza didn't help their rumbling stomachs.
Kiki had her arms around Akira's waist from behind, her head resting on their shoulders, as the two trailed off from the canteen.
"It's alright," Kiki said mildly. "We just need to figure out another way."
Akira scoffed. "How is a freak like that at such a high level, anyway?" she fumed, gently brushing Kiki off her back and turning to face them.
"When do I learn to control chi?"
