"Damn...this is going to take a while to heal.", Souta stated to Takeshi as he held his burnt arm close to his chest, his voice no longer carrying the sinister edge it held during the fight.
Takeshi raised an eyebrow, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand. His hazel eyes which are usually filled with a fierce intensity, softened just a bit as he stood in front of the fallen Souta.
"You really don't need to put on an act like that during fights.", Takeshi said to Souta, irritation creeping out as he spoke, "It's just weird seeing you like that".
"Yeah...I guess I did overdo it a bit.", Souta stated as he looked down at his burned arm, flexing his fingers slightly to check the extent of the damage, "But don't you remember? Master Asahi always taught us to keep a confident posture when we fought".
"That's...not what he meant.", Takeshi replied with a sigh of disappointment.
Takeshi then slowly extended his hand out to Souta. Glancing at the outstretched hand before him, Souta brought his up as well, accepting Takeshi's hand in a firm grip.
"What are you all going to do about Misaki in the second round.", Souta questioned as Takeshi pulled him up to his feet, "Isn't she going to be an issue"?
"That's not my problem to deal with.", Takeshi responded with his hands tucked in his pockets, obviously not fazed by the idea of Misaki, "If someone comes up for a plan against her, it would be Jin".
"I see...", Souta stated in an understanding tone, "Well...you should probably get going Takeshi. Your team looks like that they are waiting on you".
Takeshi turned away from Souta back to his team who were awaiting his return. There Jin and Izumi stood, wearing expressions of respect and satisfaction. However, Izumi's glistening eyes showed that she had questions for him as he returned.
"Takeshi...you should not have held back as much as you did. You could've ended the fight before it even started if you wanted to.", Izumi said in a light tone, though her words carrying hints of a scolding, "Are you going soft"?
"Yeah, yeah...", Takeshi responded in annoyance, rubbing the back of his neck as he spoke, "I just wanted to see if he had anything new to show. But it turns out it's just the same old Souta".
Jin who had been watching the exchange, softly chuckled to himself as he casually leaned against a nearby tree.
"She's not wrong...You were pulling your punches a lot during the fight.", Jin said to Takeshi with a sense of approval, "But it was still an impressive fight between two of you".
"What's this all about?!", Takeshi responded in a flustered tone, confused on why the two of them are questioning his actions, "Are we not here to train? Why would I finish a fight before it even starts"?
"Calm down Takeshi. We're just messing with you.", Izumi said to Takeshi, finding humor in how easy to get him fired up.
Before they could continue talking, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. Hesitantly stepping out were their two other teammates, their expressions wavering between shame and fear.
"I-I'm sorry…" the petite girl murmured under her beath, nervously biting her lip as she spoke, "I…froze up when you needed me the most".
"And I...", the slim boy clenched his hands into fists as he tried to get the words out, the pressure forcing him to shift awkwardly beside the girl, "I ran away from the battle. I should have stayed and fought. I'm truly sorry Jin...I let you all down".
Jin's eyes softened as he pushed himself off the tree and took a step toward them.
"Calm down...", Jin said in a firm yet calm voice, turning his attention to the girl, "Everyone freezes up sometimes. It's bound to happen especially if it's your first big fight. With more time and practice, you will get past it...So don't be yourself up over it".
"I-I'll do better next time...", the girl stated as she looked up at Jin, relief and gratitude filling her eyes.
"And you did exactly what I told you to do.", Jin said as he faced the boy, his tone shifting to something more approving, "You made a smart call, listening to orders and getting out of there when it was necessary. You didn't let anyone down. You did your job...".
The boy's expression wavered for a moment.
"Thank you Jin. I promise won't hesitate next time.", the boy responded with a flicker of determination replacing the uncertainty of his gaze.
"Good to hear..." Jin stated as he turned back to his team. "Let's get out of here. We're probably holding up the next round at this point".
As the five of them walked out of the forest, the other trainees turned to stare, whispers of admiration following in their wake. Jin, Izumi, and Takeshi walked with confident posture, as if they knew no one could stand up against them in battle. The two other members trailed behind them, less assured but still holding their heads high, encouraged by their leader's words. Eyes widened in awe, some murmuring praises, others exchanging knowing glances. Team seven had made a statement, their victory resounding and undeniable.
"Well done team seven.", an instructor called out, his arms crossed and an approving smile written along his face, "You all go get some rest. Your next fight will be in a few days".
"You know...a hot bath sounds about perfect right now.", Izumi stated in a tired voice, stretching her arms above her head and sighing as she tilted her head back.
Izumi's eyes then flickered to Jin, leading her to begin to smile.
"After we wash up, what do you say about grabbing some food tonight? Just the two of us?", Izumi asked in an inviting tone, her attention stuck on Jin as she awaited a response.
Jin's attention shifted momentarily from their conversation, as a familiar figure standing off to the side caught his eye.
It was Kurashi, his blank expression fixated on some unseen point in the distance, who stood lonesome a short distance away.
Jin hesitated before he looked back at Izumi and the rest of his team.
"You guys go on ahead to the dorms. I'll catch up you all later.", Jin stated as he already began stepping away from them.
The members of Jin's team took their leave to go to the dorm except one. Izumi's smile faded when she stood there and glanced over at Kurashi.
"Do you really think it's a good idea to get close to him?" Izumi questioned as her voice dropped to a murmur only meant for Jin, "He's not exactly the friendly type. And—".
"You're overthinking it Izumi. He just needs some time to adjust.", Jin said with a sense of reassurance, "Besides, sometimes people like him just need to be…broken in a little".
Izumi bit her lip after hearing that to avoid saying anything that would cause trouble.
"If you say so...", Izumi stated to Jin, giving up on trying to convince him.
He approached Kurashi slowly, his footsteps light and deliberate, noting the slight tension in Kurashi's posture as he got closer.
"Hey Kurashi..." Jin greeted him casually, his tone warm and inviting, "You good over here"?
There was no immediate response. Kurashi's gaze remained fixed on something in the distance, even if there was anything there at all. It was as if he were staring into a world only he could see.
"I know you're probably going over everything in your head, thinking up a plan for when you get in there. But you know, sometimes it's good to get out of your own thoughts", Jin stated as he studied Kurashi's blank stare with a sense of curiosity.
Jin give it moment, but Kurashi had remained unresponsive.
"Hello?", Jin repeated himself to earn some acknowledgment.
Kurashi blinked slowly, his gaze shifting to meet Jin.
"I just wanted to stop by and give you some advice when you go in there", Jin said in a generous tone, the conversation stale as if Jin was talking to a wall, "The main thing you should know is to not be afraid to use your surroundings. I assume you will go in alone, so the terrain can work in your favor, especially if you're up against a full team that doesn't have a strong strategy".
Kurashi's eyes flickered with a hint of acknowledgment, and that was enough for Jin.
"I would like to see you move on to the next phase," Jin continued on, his voice firm but encouraging, "It would be cool to go at it here instead of waiting until we got back to the base".
There was a long pause, the silence stretching between them, heavy and almost suffocating. Then Jin turned and took his leave, glancing back over his shoulder as he walked off.
"Take care of yourself Kurashi.", Jin said as he waved off to Kurashi, "I look forward to the second phase".
As Jin started to walk away, he noticed Izumi still standing a few paces behind where he had left her. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her gaze followed his every step, the irritation clear on her face. Her fingers tapped impatiently against her arm, the tension in her posture unmistakable.
When he reached Izumi, he slowed to her and let out a soft sigh.
"Why do you always have to do this? Every single time you see him.", Izumi whispered to Jin as they began to walk to the dorms together.
"He just needs someone to reach out, that's all it is." Jin explained to Izumi, offering a small apology for leaving her behind.
"Jin", Izumi stated in a calm tone, "You can't save everyone. Some people don't want the help".
"I'm not trying to save him.", Jin replied to Izumi with a controlled thought, "I just want to give him a chance".
Izumi glanced at Jin from the corner of her eye, the irritation still there. But something softer, almost like understanding, formed across her features. She looked away from Jin before the thoughts could linger, now focusing only on enjoying their time together.