Matsurize sat on a small stool, resting while time quietly passed. It was almost noon. He had dozed off in the courtyard, but the enticing aroma of food woke him up. Just as he stirred awake, Ayane stood at the kitchen door, calling out to him.
"Little Ze, come on, bring the dishes. It's time to eat."
Feeling a bit more energetic, Matsurize jogged over to the kitchen. On the stove sat several deliciously fragrant dishes, ready to be served. Together with Ayane, he carried the food to the dining table in the main room, which also served as the dining area.
Looking at the bountiful lunch spread before him, Matsurize felt a surge of joy. Deep inside, he couldn't shake the feeling that being able to eat such a hearty meal was a blessing. It was as if some past experience had instilled a deep fear of hunger in him, though he couldn't quite recall what it was.
Matsurize dove into the meal with enthusiasm, his pace not much slower than Ayane's. Yet, while his eating was crude and rapid, Ayane maintained her usual grace, creating a stark contrast between them. Having spent the previous night caring for Matsurize, Ayane had become familiar with his habits, including his large appetite.
Together, they managed to devour the enormous meal, which was enough to feed at least ten people. Ayane's immense strength naturally demanded a big appetite, and it seemed she and Matsurize were evenly matched in terms of how much they could eat.
After lunch, Matsurize took it upon himself to clear the table and swiftly moved the dishes back to the kitchen. He diligently washed the plates and wiped down the table, completing his tasks in no time. Once finished, he looked around for Ayane, wondering where she had gone.
He soon spotted her in the courtyard, doing her post-meal exercises. Matsurize watched with great interest, just as he had been fascinated by her swordsmanship. He was drawn to anything that could make him stronger, almost as if it were a subconscious longing.
Matsurize couldn't remember much, but deep down, he had a powerful desire to gain strength, to learn. Ayane's current actions, however, struck him as odd. Even with his limited memory, Matsurize could tell that her movements were peculiar.
Ayane moved with fluidity, her hands and feet striking towards the lower regions of an imaginary opponent. Every action targeted the vulnerable lower body of the enemy. Occasionally, she would roll on the ground, seamlessly blending punches, kicks, and evasive maneuvers. To Matsurize, it almost looked like a chaotic blend of dodging and ground techniques, or to put it crudely, rolling and flailing around.
After finishing her routine, Ayane noticed Matsurize standing nearby, watching her intently. She recognized the look in his eyes—it was the same curious gaze he had when he first watched her practice swordsmanship.
Ayane found it amusing and endearing. She wondered about Matsurize's past, curious about what kind of experiences could make him so obsessed with gaining strength. Of course, she had no way of knowing that Matsurize's drive stemmed not from some deep, forgotten history, but rather from his recent experience of crossing over from another world. The sight of that sea beast with a bull's head had been enough to make him realize this was no ordinary world. His fascination with extraordinary power had only grown from there.
Ayane shook off her musings, knowing there was no point in dwelling on questions that neither of them could answer. She beckoned Matsurize over, and this time, he approached cautiously, having learned from his earlier near-miss with her sword.
Matsurize jogged over to her, clearly intrigued by the strange fighting technique he had just witnessed. His face was alight with curiosity, and it was obvious that he was eager to learn. His smile revealed his enthusiasm.
Seeing his eager expression, Ayane chuckled softly and asked, "Little Ze, you're excited, huh? Want to learn?"
Matsurize didn't say a word, but he nodded eagerly, his smile widening.
Ayane smiled back. "Since you're so keen, I won't hold back. But you should know that this is my family's secret martial art. It has never been taught to outsiders, but now, I'm the last of my family."
She paused briefly, her expression growing somber as she reflected on her situation. She didn't mention her father, who had left on a voyage and never returned. After a moment, she continued, "If you really want to learn, I'll teach you. But you must understand the history behind this martial art first. You need to know where it came from. Do you understand?"
Matsurize nodded again, showing his attentiveness. He even went and fetched two small stools, placing them down for Ayane and himself. Sitting across from her, he said, "Go ahead, Little Yin. I'll listen and won't forget a word."
Ayane had noticed that Matsurize was a man of few words, but each sentence he spoke carried weight. With a slight nod, she began explaining the origins of her family's martial art.
"My family has been blacksmiths for generations, living here all our lives. I became a blade-maker, just like many in my family before me. We aren't just ordinary blacksmiths—we've been swordsmiths for generations, specifically skilled in forging katana, the kind of swords most suited for drawing techniques.
Over time, my family perfected the art of forging katana. However, creating such fine weapons requires rare materials—uncommon ores and treasures found only in the wild. In this world, those things are extremely valuable, and they're not easy to come by without a lot of money.
Where we live now, governed by Shipwreck Port, is one of the most dangerous regions in the world."
Ayane paused to let that sink in, then continued, "Because of this, we needed martial skills to defend ourselves. On top of that, blacksmithing is physically demanding work. That's where my family's martial art, the one you just saw, came from."
Matsurize nodded, understanding the basic reasoning, but he was still puzzled by the unusual style of the martial art.