The storm clouds that had accompanied Raiden Shogun's battle had long since dispersed, but their memory lingered like a shadow over the Kamisato Estate. Fu Gu had resumed his training, but the spar with the Shogun weighed on his mind. Raiden's ultimate attack had cut through his Infinity, and though he had escaped relatively unscathed, the realization that there were beings in this world capable of breaking through his defenses unsettled him. His training sessions were relentless, pushing his body and mind further as he sought to close the gap between himself and such overwhelming power.
Still, there were new, strange feelings gnawing at him—the growing presence of Ayaka.
---
Ayaka couldn't help but feel drawn toward Fu Gu. Since the day they had crossed paths, her mind had been occupied with thoughts of him—his strength, his resilience, and the enigmatic coldness that radiated from him. There was something about him that Ayaka couldn't quite place.
Her heart told her it wasn't just admiration for his abilities. It was more. She had seen many warriors in her time, but none had ever left her feeling this way. The memory of Raiden's battle with him still lingered, and Ayaka had been left wondering how someone like Fu Gu had crossed paths with the Shogun.
As Ayaka watched from the estate's balcony, Fu Gu's relentless training below caught her attention once again. His movements were sharp, precise, but his focus seemed elsewhere. The way he trained, the intensity—it wasn't just about improving. It was as if he were fighting to survive, haunted by something Ayaka couldn't see.
**Why do you push yourself so hard? What are you hiding?**
Her thoughts wandered as she gazed at Fu Gu, feeling a quiet connection despite the wall he had put up around himself. He wasn't like anyone else she had ever known in Inazuma. And yet, she felt the need to help him, to offer him more than just friendship. But how could she reach someone who seemed to push everyone away?
---
Fu Gu, meanwhile, wasn't blind to Ayaka's growing presence in his life. She appeared frequently, watching him, offering assistance or subtle encouragement. He didn't mind it, though he couldn't fully understand it either. In fact, her interest in him was starting to make him suspicious.
**Why is she always around? Is she waiting for something?**
Fu Gu often caught Ayaka looking at him with a gaze that carried more than just curiosity, but he wasn't sure how to deal with it. In his past life, trust was a luxury he couldn't afford, and building bonds only seemed like a way to get hurt. But here, in this strange new world, he couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps things worked differently.
One evening, as he wrapped up another session of training, Ayaka approached him. She was composed as always, her soft steps almost silent as she neared him.
"You've been training harder than ever," she said, a trace of concern in her voice.
Fu Gu glanced at her briefly, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I don't have time to slack off."
"You don't have to push yourself to the point of exhaustion," she replied, her eyes searching his face for something—an answer, maybe. "You've proven your strength already. Raiden herself acknowledged it."
Fu Gu scoffed, though it wasn't directed at her. "I barely survived that fight. If I don't get stronger, next time I won't be so lucky."
Ayaka's gaze softened, and she hesitated before speaking again. "Strength is important, but so are the people around you. You don't have to do this alone."
The words hit Fu Gu harder than he'd expected. He wasn't used to hearing things like that, much less from someone like Ayaka. For a moment, he considered her words, but the old habits, the mistrust that had kept him alive before, flared up once again.
"I'm fine on my own," he said shortly, turning away as if to end the conversation. But Ayaka wasn't done.
"I don't think you are," she said, her voice quiet but steady. "You act like you're invincible, but everyone needs someone they can rely on. Even the Shogun doesn't stand alone."
Fu Gu remained silent, but Ayaka could see the tension in his posture. She had struck a nerve, and she knew it. Her heart ached for him, for the weight he carried, even if she didn't fully understand it. **How can someone so strong still be so lonely?**
---
The next morning, as the sun rose over Inazuma, Fu Gu found himself wandering through the city streets. The bustling market offered a strange comfort, the sounds of merchants calling out to customers and the chatter of townsfolk filling the air. He had been staying at the Kamisato Estate for some time now, but the more time he spent in Inazuma, the more he realized he still had much to learn about this place—and its people.
While moving through the streets, he felt a familiar presence approaching. Glancing over, he spotted Ayaka walking toward him, dressed in her usual elegant attire but with a hint of casualness today. She smiled as she approached, and Fu Gu couldn't help but wonder why she was always so at ease around him.
"I was hoping I'd find you here," she said softly. "Would you join me for a walk?"
Fu Gu hesitated. He didn't exactly enjoy social outings, but something about Ayaka's gentle demeanor made it hard to refuse. "Sure, I guess."
They walked together in silence at first, weaving through the streets of Inazuma. The festival preparations were underway, with colorful lanterns and decorations being hung in the squares. The sight brought a strange warmth to the otherwise stoic Fu Gu, though he didn't let it show.
As they passed by a vendor selling dango, Ayaka stopped. "Would you like to try some?" she asked, gesturing toward the sweets.
Fu Gu eyed the food warily. "Not really."
Ayaka chuckled lightly. "You're always so serious, Fu Gu. It's alright to relax once in a while."
He didn't respond immediately, but something in her voice, the way she seemed to genuinely care, made him reconsider. With a sigh, he nodded. "Fine."
They bought some dango and sat by a small shrine overlooking the harbor. As they ate, Ayaka glanced at Fu Gu from the corner of her eye. She had been thinking about him constantly, trying to understand the enigma that he was. But she knew one thing for sure—there was more to Fu Gu than just his strength and power. There was a deep sadness behind his eyes, and it called to her.
"Why do you push yourself so hard?" Ayaka asked softly, her question catching Fu Gu off guard.
He paused, the dango halfway to his mouth. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer. No one had asked him that before. No one had ever cared.
After a long silence, he finally spoke. "I don't have a choice."
Ayaka frowned, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. "What do you mean?"
Fu Gu looked away, his jaw tightening. "There's something I need to do. Something I can't afford to fail at. And if I don't get stronger… I'll never accomplish it."
Ayaka's gaze softened as she watched him. **He's fighting a battle I can't see,** she thought, her chest tightening with sympathy. But she didn't press him further. Instead, she simply nodded, understanding that whatever burden he carried, it wasn't something he was ready to share yet.
"I see," she said quietly. "Just remember… you don't have to carry it alone."
Fu Gu didn't respond, but her words lingered in his mind long after they had finished their walk.
---
That night, as Fu Gu returned to his room, he found himself thinking about Ayaka. Her kindness, her patience—it was unlike anything he had experienced before. **Why does she care so much?** He couldn't figure it out. But there was something comforting about her presence, something that made him feel a little less… alone.
For the first time in a long time, Fu Gu allowed himself to wonder if, maybe, things didn't have to be the way they were. Maybe he didn't have to do everything by himself.
But that was a dangerous thought, and he pushed it away as quickly as it had come.
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**End of Chapter 5**
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Tired and want to rest 😵💫