Arnold and Akari had settled into life with the Duke's family, with Kuro's room conveniently located in the same part of the mansion. The three were set to learn swordsmanship, but since Akari was already highly skilled, she offered to help train Kuro and Arnold herself.
In their practice sessions, Kuro mastered each move quickly, showing an impressive natural talent that made every lesson look easy. Arnold, however, was the picture of hard work and determination, practicing each move repeatedly until he got it right. Though Kuro was faster, Arnold's persistence kept him steadily catching up, and their sparring sessions soon became a daily challenge that pushed both of them forward.
During one session, Akari watched their footwork closely, offering corrections. "Think of the sword as a part of your body," she instructed. "If you let it flow naturally with your movements, it'll feel lighter, and your strikes will have more control. Focus less on the blade itself and more on where you want it to go."
She demonstrated, showing how her wrist and shoulder moved with fluid ease. "Don't fight the sword's weight. Let your body guide it," she continued. "Watch your opponent's center, not just their weapon. That way, you can anticipate their movements."
Kuro nodded, absorbing her advice with ease, while Arnold listened intently, eager to apply each new tip. The two resumed sparring with renewed focus, both determined to master the skills Akari shared.
Noticing Arnold's stance was off, Akari stepped in, completely unaware of how flustered he already was. "Here, let me show you," she said, moving directly behind him, her hands settling over his to guide the sword. Her front pressed lightly against his back as she adjusted his grip. "So, you need to loosen your hold a bit—like this," she instructed, completely focused.
Meanwhile, Arnold's face was red as a tomato, his usual shy blush now in full bloom. His hands felt glued to the sword, but it wasn't nerves from training. He just stood there, trying not to let her see the wide-eyed, hopelessly smitten look in his eyes.
Kuro, a few feet away, had been watching the whole scene with his jaw clenched and arms crossed. Really? Holding his hands like that? he thought, feeling a mix of irritation and something… else.
Akari, still oblivious, gave Arnold an encouraging smile. "There! That's better. Keep thinking of the sword as an extension of yourself, like it's part of you." She stepped back, satisfied with her instruction, but noticed Arnold just standing there, dazed, a goofy smile on his face.
"Uh… you okay, Arnold?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Y-Yes! Perfect! Totally focused!" Arnold stammered, gripping the sword tightly to keep from turning completely red.
Kuro cleared his throat a bit louder than necessary. "Alright, Akari, I think my stance could use some… extra attention too," he said, raising an eyebrow.
Akari turned to him, clueless. "Oh, really? You? But you're a natural, Kuro!" she said brightly, missing his hint entirely.
Kuro rolled his eyes, muttering, "Yeah, well, apparently some of us need… a lot more hands-on guidance."
Many days passed they were on a picnic.As Akari wandered off to check out a patch of wildflowers, Kuro and Arnold were left lounging on a rock, both catching their breath from laughing over one of Akari's latest missteps (something about tripping over her own cloak).
Arnold suddenly turned to Kuro with a sly grin. "Hey, Kuro… do you like Akari?"
Kuro's face went blank. "What? No way!" He scoffed, throwing in a dismissive hand wave for good measure. "Me? Liking her? She's bossy, overdramatic, and way too invested in winning every argument. I'd sooner—well, I don't know, knit myself a coat out of cactus needles!"
Arnold smirked. "Right, sure. That's why your eyes light up every time she laughs, right? I mean, if you're that interested in cactus coats, go ahead, but I think we both know that's not the truth."
Kuro blinked. Eyes lighting up? What is he even talking about? "I… uh, I just like winning arguments, that's all. It's called competition. Not 'interest'."
Arnold gave him a mock-serious look. "Competition, huh? Well, in that case, I might as well tell you—I like her too. Guess that makes us rivals."
Kuro snorted, but inside, he felt a little jolt. Rivals? Over Akari? Nah. That's ridiculous… right? "Good luck with that, Arnold. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to hear you've got 'rivalry' on the brain. Just don't cry when she roasts you."
Arnold laughed. "You're funny, Kuro. But I don't need luck. I'll just charm her with my natural charisma and, you know… not deny my feelings every five seconds."
Kuro crossed his arms, acting unbothered. "Fine by me. Have fun. Enjoy the bossy lectures, constant teasing, and general chaos. That's her whole personality, by the way."
Arnold gave him a look. "Kuro, buddy, you literally follow her around half the time and get this dopey look every time she's near."
Kuro's mind raced. Dopey look? I don't do 'dopey looks'! "I do not have a dopey look. And besides, maybe I'm just… making sure she doesn't get into trouble. Ever think of that?"
Arnold chuckled. "Oh, I thought of that. And I also thought about how you keep going out of your way to make sure she's the only person you actually argue with."
Kuro opened his mouth, then closed it. Is that… true? Nah. Arnold's overthinking it. "You know what, if you like her, just go for it! I'm not stopping you."
Arnold leaned back, still grinning. "Great, I will. But hey—just so you know? The competition's officially on."
Kuro tried to act indifferent, but his mind was anything but. Competition? For Akari? This is so dumb. But if he's actually serious, maybe… maybe I should step in. Just to keep him from doing anything stupid, obviously.
Just as Kuro was about to come up with a comeback, Akari appeared out of nowhere.
"Hey guys, let's head back to the mansion," she called out cheerfully, breaking the tension.
Kuro's face immediately snapped back to his usual expression, as if he hadn't just been flustered. "Uh, yeah, sure," he said, trying to act casual. Arnold gave him a quick smirk but didn't say anything, and the three of them started making their way back together.
Later that night, Kuro lay in his bed, but his mind refused to let him rest. The conversation with Arnold, Akari's smile, the way she laughed earlier—it all replayed in his head, and it was driving him insane.
"Stop. Thinking. About. Her!" Kuro grumbled, rolling over and grabbing a pillow to bury his face in. He tried thumping his head against it a few times, as if that might shake some sense back into him. No luck. His feet started bouncing nervously on the bed as his mind kept running wild.
"Why is she in my head so much?" he groaned, sitting up and clutching the pillow like it was to blame. She's just a friend, he told himself. Just an incredibly annoying, overly smart, way-too-pretty friend who…
He cut off his own thought, banging his head lightly against the headboard in frustration. No. She's just Akari. Nothing else. Right?
But he couldn't shake Arnold's words from earlier, and that annoying voice in his head teased him with a smug, "Your eyes twitch whenever you lie…"
"Stop it, Arnold," Kuro mumbled, pulling his blanket over his head as if that might muffle his thoughts. After a few seconds of mentally thrashing, he peeked out from under the blanket, sighing in resignation. "I've lost it. Completely. This is…so embarrassing."
Kuro's eyes flew open under the blanket. Wait a minute… Arnold. The thought of Arnold actually trying to win Akari's heart was enough to snap him out of his own swirling emotions.
"Pfft, as if he even has a chance!" Kuro whispered, though he couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. What if Arnold was serious? What if he actually tried?
Images flooded his mind—Arnold bringing Akari flowers, laughing at her jokes, impressing her with some fancy gesture. The more he thought about it, the more it irked him. Kuro tossed and turned, trying to shake the irritation, but it only made his stomach churn more.
What if she actually falls for him? he thought, his heart sinking. The idea of Arnold swooping in and charming Akari made him irrationally annoyed. No way. Not happening.
He sat up, glaring at his blanket as if it was Arnold. "I'll just… keep an eye on him," he mumbled, as if that somehow justified his sudden protectiveness. Purely to make sure he doesn't mess with her. That's all.
With a firm nod to himself, he flopped back down on his pillow, though his mind was already planning how he'd handle Arnold's "attempts." She deserves better than a prince who thinks he's all smooth, Kuro thought smugly. Besides, she's… probably just as annoyed with him as I am.
And yet, he couldn't quite ignore the nagging thought that if Arnold really tried, he might actually stand a chance.
Meanwhile, in Arnold's room, the prince was pacing, his mind spinning with thoughts of Akari. He imagined her laugh, her sharp comebacks, and even her occasional eye-rolls. She's perfect, he thought, sighing to himself. Every single gesture… how could anyone not fall for her?
He paused in front of his mirror, striking what he hoped was a confident, regal pose. One day, I'll be king. And when that day comes… Akari could be my queen. The thought made his chest swell. Imagine that—King Arnold and Queen Akari, ruling side by side. How perfect!
Then, the thought of Kuro crossed his mind, and Arnold's fantasy flickered. What if that stubborn little duke somehow wins her over first? He winced. "No, no way… I mean, who needs him? I'm a prince! I have status, I have… I have charm!" He gave himself an encouraging nod in the mirror. "Not to mention, my castle could have all the flowers she wants. Maybe even an entire garden dedicated to her!"
But deep down, Arnold felt the tiniest twinge of worry. What if she actually falls for him first? he thought, gulping. I'll just have to… step up my game. Out-charm him. Outdo him in everything!
Imagining himself in battle armor, sword in hand, he whispered to his reflection, "Prince Arnold, future king… and Akari's destined love. This is just the beginning." And with that, he threw himself onto his bed, plotting ways to outshine Kuro in every way possible.
Kuro woke up with a start, clutching his blanket as if he'd just fought off a legion of demons. His heart raced, and his forehead was damp with sweat. He'd just had the most horrifying nightmare—a vision of Akari in a wedding dress, standing beside Arnold, gazing up at him with that soft smile.
No, no, NO! he thought, running his hands through his hair in frustration. There's no way she'd choose that light-wielding, overly polite prince over me! But the dream had felt so real that it struck a nerve he couldn't ignore.
He slumped back on his bed, hands covering his face as the awful realization hit him. I like her. Images of Akari's smile, her teasing remarks, and the way she rolled her eyes at his jokes flashed through his mind. But now, every thought seemed tainted by the vision of Arnold casting his radiant light on her. I can't let that happen.
With newfound determination, he bolted up and threw on his clothes. "Arnold's not getting ahead of me," he muttered under his breath, glaring at his reflection. This isn't just a crush. This is a battle. And I'm Kuro—the last guy who's going to lose.
He squared his shoulders and marched off, his mind now focused on one goal: winning over Akari, fair and square. If Arnold thought he could charm her with his light powers, he was in for a surprise. Kuro was ready to shine—metaphorically, of course.