Dakota and Erika scour the forest for their sensei. It's not too large and can be covered within an hour. But their target is well hidden and can move away without them noticing. They have a while until sunrise and know they shouldn't exhaust themselves by running around, so they walk ready for an attack whenever. They don't intend to split up, it would be foolish to do so. Tsukihi can easily take their flags if they act separately. It won't matter if Erika lands a hit, the exam is for Dakota and she's going to act as support in order for them to pass.
A couple of hours pass without them finding her.
"Tsk. Does she plan to run the clock out?"
"She wouldn't do that," Erika replies.
"That runt probably would."
As if answering to Dakota's snide remark, she appears from the shadows and snatches one of his flags.
"Gah!"
But to Tsukihi's surprise, Erika grabs it back.
"Nice, Erika! But can you even do that?"
"Tsukihi sensei didn't say we could, but she didn't say we couldn't either."
"Cheeky little girl. I'll allow it."
"Quick, Dakota. Catch and put it back on."
"R-right."
"As the boy tries to put one of his flags back on, Tsukihi charges them. Her target is Erika."
"Let's go ahead and take you out of the picture. If you're gone, Dakota stands no chance alone."
"Coming straight at us, huh? Guess you want to end this as soon as possible."
The unarmed teacher and the blonde girl go head to head. Erika swings are swift and precise, she's not holding back. She has no choice but to go all out so Dakota can pass. But this can't be a one-man show. The boy in question steps in.
"Don't forget about me."
Tsukihi has been dodging and parrying Erika's attacks with her bare hands, adding someone weaker than her into the mix doesn't change much. But Dakota comes at her with something she didn't expect.
"Raahh!"
"What the hell are you doing?"
Dakota drops his weapon and lunges at Tsukihi, giving her a bear hug. He already has his arms around her, but she's grabbing both of his hands so he doesn't take a flag off.
"Now, Erika!"
Not wasting a moment, she quickly runs in and swipes a flag off. Before she can grab another, Tsukihi rips Dakota off of her and throws him several meters away, then landing two kicks on Erika, one on the wrist she tried to grab another flag with and the second right up her jaw.
'Shit, that was too much.'
Erika starts bleeding from her mouth a little, but she spits it out, wipes it off and smiles, "Looks like you underestimated Dakota, sensei."
"Hmph."
One more flag.