"Mr. Oshieru, I'm sorry to tell you… but I know nothing about using a sword."
With an apologetic expression, Akogare smiled at his teacher nervously. Currently, both Mr. Oshieru and Naguru Akogare stood within a small hut—various weaponry was stored inside, hoisted on the walls. Amongst all of the weapons, however, the two suddenly had their gaze locked on one item.
Stuck to the wall of the hut, a steel sword was presented brilliantly.
Akogare eyed the sword intently, observing each diminutive detail possible. The slight curve, the black hilt, the shine that gleamed off the blade.
Mr. Oshieru then smiled. "Ain't she a beauty…"
"I mean…it looks like a sword."
Mr. Oshieru's face scrunched in irritation, scorching his student's words within his mind. With a heave, the blue-haired instructor shoved the dense and obvious claim to the side.
"Yes, and I guess that's all that matters right now." Mr. Oshieru relented, slowly walking up to the sword.
Mr. Oshieru wrapped his hands around the sword's hilt carefully, freeing the weapon from the wall. The instructor gave the sword a second look, craning his head to the side. It may have been a regular blade, but it was, fortunately, a finely crafted one. However, that wasn't what was important.
"It's good that the academy automatically supplies their students with items like these—never know what preferences an aspiring warrior might have." Mr. Oshieru commented, swiftly turning around to exit the hut.
Akogare's eyes broaden upon realizing the quick departure of his instructor, prompting the blonde to follow him immediately. The blonde student could notice how passionate Mr. Oshieru was about swords and how useful they could be in battle. Akogare could only wish to rely on something so deeply.
Then a thought hit him—he did have something to rely on: his classmates! Tanjo may have left, but that doesn't mean he is alone. Everyone was saddened when Tanjo left, but the thought only taught Class 1AB to value their partners more and not to miss out on what they could potentially miss.
"Hold on, Mr. Oshieru! Wait for me!"
XXX
Tanjo blinked, then again. Tentatively, the jet-black-haired boy turned his head toward Asami.
"You built this?"
Before them, a nicely shaped house made of wood could be seen. Sadly, it didn't have any visible windows, but the structure was professionally done—even a small chimney was placed on the roof.
Asami nodded. "Yep. Can't be living in a shack, can I? Besides, it works just fine out here in the woods—nobody can find it that easily."
His armor clanking every step, Tanjo proceeded to walk up to the home. Behind him, Asami silently followed with a gentle smile.
After a few minutes, the two safely entered the wooden home, Asami opening the door and waving a hand sarcastically. "Welcome to my humble abode…"
Tanjo looked around. It was a clean place, despite the fact that Asami left home quite frequently. Though there wasn't much interior decoration, it was definitely good enough to be labeled as a home.
"So, uh, where was that gear you were speaking of?" Tanjo asked, still taking in the sight before him.
Asami shut the front door with a push, walking into a separate room. "It's in here. Why don't you go wait in the living room? I'll snag them myself."
Tanjo averted his eyes from the home, looking at the departing Asami curiously. With a silent shrug, the jet-black-haired boy wandered further into the home. Soon, he stopped when entering a room with a single wooden chair, a fireplace happening to be right in front.
'I know it was obvious, but I can't believe she's all alone. I'd question if she has even one friend…'
There wasn't a single picture or portrait in sight, no sign of a potential family—or a past, for that matter.
*CLANK!*
Suddenly, a loud noise echoed throughout the house, prompting Tanjo to shift his body in the direction of the noise. Without much thought, the boy instantly reminded himself of Asami.
'What could she be grabbing?'
After several minutes have passed, the sound of a door creaking open reached Tanjo's ears, alerting him of Asami being finished. Tanjo had no clue what to expect—was it going to be more armor? Would he be handed weapons?
Did Asami own any weapons in the first place?
Probably, Tanjo concluded, his eyes drawn to the front of the living room, expectant of what was to come.
Without warning, a swirl of water blinded Tanjo, leaving the boy temporarily stunned.
"Graaagh! Asami!?" Tanjo hollered, swatting at the water covering his eyes.
"Don't look yet, it's a surprise!" Asami quickly responded, apparently standing just before the teenage boy.
Tanjo grumbled, annoyed, "You could've warned me, then…"
Gradually, the water slipped off Tanjo's face, enabling the boy to wipe his eyes. Upon opening his eyes, Tanjo immediately noticed what was in Asami's hands, thinking back to what Asami was searching for.
It was a gray cloak, much like hers. It seemed to be made of chain mail, but much thicker. It was obviously made to conceal his figure—did she expect him to constantly wear the hood?
"I thought that this would be suitable for you, as your armor is far too clanky, but it also exposes your home village. This cloak would also be much comfier. I think so, at least." Asami muttered, presenting the cloak proudly.
The boy eyed the cloak. It wasn't bad, and it could definitely work. "Isn't armor kind of important, though?"
Asami laughed as if Tanjo said something moronic. "Not when I'm done teaching you!"
His shoulders sagged. "Okay, then…"
"But wait!" Asami suddenly exclaimed, waving her free hand. "That's not all!"
Reaching her hand from behind her, Asami halted for a few seconds. "I remember how you said that your headband was sentimental or whatever, but this should be perfect for you—and you can keep the headband!"
Quickly, Asami thrust her hand forward, showcasing a mask. The mask wasn't designed with any particular style, just a few black streaks running throughout the face. Though it seemed plain, the combination of both the cloak and the mask would help in concealing his identity.
Becoming a rogue warrior—if he could be considered a warrior in the first place—was a heavy topic, and Tanjo needed to take it seriously. Curiously, Tanjo gripped onto the cloak and mask, Asami relinquishing her grasp on the two materials.
"Now, the mask is only something you need to wear when you're going to potentially be in a confrontation. With me, you will be a part of a few trips, so it is imperative for you to bring the mask everywhere." Asami explained, folding her arms.
Looking at the mask, Tanjo reflected on his situation once more and smiled. "Thank you, Asami—really."
"No problem. Now! Go put on the cloak and we can get back to training!" Asami cheered, shoving the boy into a different room.
Tanjo thought back to Kronos, and the new object he was given. With a frown on his face, the boy sighed in faux exhaustion. "Oh, great."
XXX
Man, I am getting increasingly lazy. I wrote this pretty late—compared to when I usually write, anyways. But this chapter showed two people acquiring new gear! Could this be leading up to something? Will Akogare learn how to use a sword? Will Tanjo embrace this new change? Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_