Apollo and Layla stared each other down for a few moments.
Apollo's breathing was clear and regulated, though it was mixed in with laughs. He was still having difficulty breathing at the correct times whenever he decided to use the basic shadow step technique.
However, Apollo was already getting used to it. He controlled his breathing both deliberately, and instinctively.
In... then out.
In...
Then laugh.
The smile on Apollo's face gradually widened. He was trying hard to suppress his laughs, but it truly was too hard for him. The grip on his bokken tightened, audibly stretching his skin in the process.
Apollo slowly brought the bokken in front of him, holding the hilt low, but pointing the blade towards the sky.
As for Layla, she leisurely bopped her head around with a bright smile on her face. Soft jingles resounded throughout the forest, seemingly assuming.
