After a while, Yuuki and Kyouka got dressed where the latter couldn't deny that she enjoyed his embrace. It had been quite some time since she felt vulnerable and held with care. Ever since the tragedy that took everything from her, she has lost the privilege to be relaxed. She was fixated on becoming strong and that moment of weakness made her feel at peace.
"Hey Kyouka, are you really alright with this?"
He asked this to at least let Kyouka tell him her reason even if he knows it. This will make trust him more and lessen her burden. Yuuki does train like a madman but takes breaths when he feels his burning out since continuous strain of body and mind would ruin any progress you have.
At times it is best to step back for a moment and take a breather. Kyouka got this far due to her resolve and conviction having a clear goal in mind but like Himari haunted by her duty and trauma.
'Guess I became an emotional support at this point.'
He thought to himself since he was helping them overcome their weakness until they showed their true potential. Yuuki does feel worried for Kyouka having felt her stress from the moment they embrace each other.
"With What?"
She fixed her outfit while Yuuki crossed his arms and continued.
"Well I mean you even went as far as giving these kinds of rewards."
Kyouka didn't look at him and looked far away, recalling the horror that she had experienced before while Yuuki slowly walked up to her as she spoke.
"I was also a victim of the Mato Disaster. Have you ever heard of the Gassan Oisawa Incident? I am one of the only few survivors."
Yuuki remembers it quite well and thought that due to his interference that it changed since she was supposed to be the only one who survived.
"There are some who say that peaches and shuuki are subjects of study, but I am different. I have no intention of letting people suffer for that. I'll wipe them out swiftly, and to make that a reality I need power."
She said with an angry expression and gritted teeth while her eyes were burning with intense fashion.
"I live for a reason and that's why I don't want to waste my chance to get stronger even if it means putting my dignity on the line."
Kyouka still remembers the words of the person who saved her and vowed to use every chance he gets to become stronger. She then felt his hand on her shoulder and saw him grinned at her and said.
"Quite the conviction. I like that. If you're going to go that far then I'll make sure you'll achieve your dream."
Yuuki would only support her since he's able to stop it if he wants to but he's not someone who seeks peace that early because it would be too boring and would return to his mundane life. Kyouka blushed a bit feeling her heartbeat from his words.
"T-Thank you, Yuuki. With your help I'll be able to become commander and exterminate the Shuuki once and for all."
Kyouka said unaware her dream would one day change but that is a story for another time. She then calmed down after a few seconds and looked away from Yuuki as she said.
"This also the way you encourage me makes my dislike for you to be quite low."
Her face was so red that even her ears became red while Yuuki smirked hearing her words.
"Sure I said all that to reward you but who would get embarrassed getting naked in front of their dog or cat?
She said trying to control the situation. But Yuuki wasn't buying any of it and if anything he prefers to be called a Beast than a dog or cat considering it's one of his traits. One of his favorite character designs was Beast monarch from Solo leveling.
"Heh I think that Blush on your face Is saying otherwise"
He teased her and said Kyouka grit her teeth in embarrassment with a huge blush on her face as she put a hand on her sword and said.
"Your Dead!"
When she looked towards him and slash only to hit the air and saw Yuuki dodge her attack.
"Stop moving! Accept your punishment !"
"Hey hey, you can't kill your man can yah."
Kyouka blushed and tripped but was caught by Yuuki who was just chuckling.
"Relax, I'm just teasing you. Anyways, we should head back before we make the others worried."
"...Your lucky"
She calmed down where Yuuki made another clone for her to ride and went back to where the others were waiting.
"That was amazing! Seriously, where did you learn to use a sword like that!? It's like those shounen manga. It was like whoosh and shing as if a shadow appeared!"
Shushu tried to copy his movement but failed and Himari doesn't know how to feel that a man can be this strong.
"Thank you, Shushu-san. It still needs some fine tuning but I'm glad it amazes you."
"Yeah, Nei thinks you were really cool!"
Nei received a pat from Yuuki and Himari decided to ask him about it.
"Where did you learn those from? I doubt that's self taught."
Yuuki shrugged since he already told them and after a while they head inside where Kyouka and Himari continue their training with Yuuki watching them taking notes as they fight in hand to hand combat.
Shushu went to her room to relax and most likely read manga while Nei was beside Yuuki who was studying being helped by Yuuki.
"Oh wow, that's how you do it? Yuuki-san is so smart!"
Nei was impressed by being taught by Yuuki who gave her a simple way of learning math and arithmetic. She was surprisingly smart for her age and Yuuki enjoyed teaching her. It reminds him of the children on the streets that he protected for a few years.
Yuuki never went to college and preferred to fight since his career as Kickboxer overtook his schedule but he quickly left it when he became bored.
"If I'm smart then Nei is smarter you understand it rather easily."
"But I won't be able to learn it that easily if Yuuki-san didn't help me."
He smiled, turning his attention towards the two who were training when Kyouka called out to him. He went closer and said.
"What do you need?"
"I was wondering if you could spar with us. You've been observing us training and you've given a clear insight about Himari's skill earlier."
Kyouka said while Yuuki nodded.
"Alright, it's easy enough. Who would spar with me first?"
"Let Himari have go."
Himari, reluctant but having witnessed his skills, decided to give him a chance while Yuuki wanted to tease her but decided not to. Few seconds later the two distance himself where Kyouka stood close to Nei who finished her study and was watching the spar.
"You're too stiff. Relax your body and control your bringing. Clear your mind and give it a single thought."
Yuuki instructed while he took deep breath controlling his muscle and blood flow to ensure he won't waste any energy moving. Himari didn't listen to his advice and just took a stance rushing towards Yuuki where she was inches away from Yuuki didn't move until Himari found herself on the ground and Kyouka gasped in shock at how quick Yuuki Took her down.
"W-What just happened?"
Himari was confused , laying on the ground as Yuuki looked down at her, where she suddenly recalled her trauma afraid that she might see a face of disappointment and superiority yet Yuuki kneel down and reach out his hand with a smile.
"Relax, you're already better than most I know and certainly have more potential than the people I've seen. Remember, it's not over until you win, so stand up and fight."
Yuuki encouraged her that Himari believed it was not out of pity but certainty. Her ability has potential to be the strongest if she broke through her shell. Himari felt suddenly warm from his words continuously being stricken by words that made the heart feel motivated.
'Where does Yuuki come from with this motivational quote of his?'
Kyouka heard this nodded believing that his quote held merit and took them to heart. As long she is breathing then her dream will certainly become a reality.
"T-Thank you…and I'm sorry."
Himari surprisingly apologized to Yuuki, making him smile and always had the charm to make them somewhat comfortable to him.
"There's nothing to apologize for. Still do be careful when you act haughty since it might give someone the wrong impression."
She nodded, finding her action to be a bit immature while Yuuki was glad that they won't have any bad blood that often. After Himari stood back on her feet turn to Yuuki and asked.
"Anyway, what did you do?"
"It was a mixture of Aikido and Iaido. I imagine my arms to be a sword and quickly drawn."
Himari nodded hearing his explanation wanting to know more and decide to continue their spar.
"Then let's continue and teach me some of that martial art."
In the next few minutes, Himari was subjected to quite a lot of defeat where Yuuki didn't try to strike her and was only dodging, parrying and redirecting her attack. Kyouka noted that he has been using Judo, Jiujitsu and Aikido on his spar with Himari.
"Okay, you need to learn to properly use your breathing and be at full capacity. I can see you rely so much on your ability that it dulled your fighting spirit. Kyouka hasn't lost her, which is why her skill is higher than you and can defeat you even with your ability. This is not about skill, you just haven't gotten the fundamentals and basics."
Yuuki explained helping Himari stand up who was exhausted from the constant fall. She nodded as the android that Yuuki deployed arrived with the refreshment as they sat down to rest.
"You have to be lying about this not being part of your ability if you are able to learn martial arts and create robots."
Himari crumbled feeling her pride had been hurt realizing she was still weak even now and disappointed at herself. Yuuki shrugged and said,
"I'm not (Technically) lying. Also, you shouldn't compare yourself to me or anyone else. Focus on yourself or else you will be too fixated on others."
Yuuki chugged the bottled water while Himari began to consider his words, having a hard time overcoming her trauma.
"I still doubt that. Regardless, I hate to admit it but you're a great help."
He nodded and never hated her since Yuuki liked her in the story and how much she had grown after. Kyouka amaze how easily he was getting along with the others.
After a while, Kyouka went to her office to do paperwork while Himari stayed to train her ability and Nei went to her room to relax. On the other hand, Yuuki relaxes in his room and reevaluates her experience on the first day.
=======
The next day, Yuuki woke up early and went to have light exercise before he prepared breakfast. He went to train his [ Shadowed Blade of the End ] trying to refine his movement and increasing his power.
'I need to increase it since I'll be copying two abilities later.'
Yuuki knows that he'll be weak once again but the ability will pay off when combined with his technique almost making the said exchange unnoticeable. He couldn't get his technique the way he wanted it to be and kept on doing meditative slashes until he finished and went to prepare breakfast where the others woke up and ate their meal.
Kyouka explained that there won't be training or hunting, giving them a free day to relax, leaving Yuuki to relax in his room.
After a while, Yuuki got bored in his room making project and decided to explore their base a bit until he stumbled upon the open air baths and wanted to check it out when he soon realized what was about to happen.
Yuuki found Himari and Nei bathing, surprising him since normally his sharp intuition would warn him and he doesn't use his clairvoyance skills since he doesn't want to peek at them. He thought it was likely because of his [ Probability manipulation ] having set it to have the best outcome.
He didn't try to be rude and decided to leave until he sensed someone behind him.
"I Saw you!"
Someone shouted, taking Yuuki's attention as he looked towards where the voice came from and saw something small approaching him and slowly got bigger and bigger until it became a human sized Shushu.
Yuuki knew this would happen and would be entertaining her for a bit. She was curious and naive when it comes to a man but he does like her cheerful demeanor.
"Shushu?"