Ryōshi stepped into the tranquil dojo, his presence both commanding and serene. The scent of something delicious wafted through the air, guiding him to the main hall where a young girl was busy preparing a meal. She was making onigiri, a simple yet comforting rice ball delicacy, delicately shaping them with her hands.
Upon seeing him, she looked up with a warm smile and greeted him, "Welcome home, Yū-chan." Her voice was gentle and kind, the sweet nickname she had given him bringing a rare softness to his otherwise stern expression.
Moments later, another boy entered the dojo, struggling with a large sack of sugar. He froze upon noticing Ryōshi, his eyes widening with surprise. The girl, noticing the boy's hesitation, introduced them. "Yū-chan, this is Kage," she said, her voice full of warmth.
Kage gave a nod, his expression a mix of seriousness and lightheartedness. "Nice to meet you, Yū-chan. Brought some sugar," he said with a small grin, then quickly added, "I appreciate you letting me stay here."
Ryōshi's eyes narrowed, his tone cold and distrustful. "Aiko, are you sure we can trust him?" His words were direct, cutting through Kage's attempt at humor. "We don't know anything about him."
Aiko, whose kindness always shone through, smiled reassuringly. "Yū-chan, he's just a boy in need. When I found him, he was famished and lost. We can give him a chance."
Kage, sensing the tension, kept his tone respectful but added a touch of his usual humor. "I promise I won't cause any trouble, Yū-chan. Plus, I'm pretty handy with errands."
Aiko chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Yes, Kage, you've been a great help. Honestly, I never expected him to stay, but here he is. It's nice to have some company."
Ryōshi remained serious, his trust not easily earned. "Just remember, any sign of trouble, and you're dead," he said, his gaze never leaving Kage.
Kage nodded solemnly. "Understood, Yū-chan. No trouble from me."
As they sat down to eat, Aiko placed the tray of onigiri in the center. Kage, despite his earlier lightheartedness, ate like someone who hadn't had a proper meal in days. He devoured the onigiri with enthusiasm, grabbing one after another and stuffing his mouth full.
Aiko watched in amazement, a hint of disapproval crossing her face. "Kage, slow down! You'll choke if you keep eating like that."
Kage looked up, his cheeks bulging with rice, and tried to speak, but all that came out was a muffled, "Mmmff." He gave a sheepish grin and tried to chew more slowly.
Ryōshi observed the scene with a mixture of amusement and suspicion, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Aiko's right, Kage. You need to take your time and appreciate the food."
Aiko sighed, shaking her head with a fond smile. "I swear, it's like you've never seen food before."
Kage finally swallowed his mouthful and laughed, "Sorry, Aiko. I guess I'm just really hungry." He reached for another onigiri, this time making a visible effort to slow down.
Despite her scolding, Aiko couldn't help but feel a bit pleased. There was something heartwarming about seeing someone enjoy her cooking so much, even if it did mean a little mess.
As they continued to eat, Kage's curiosity got the better of him. He looked around the nearly empty dojo, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Why is this place so empty? Weren't there more students training here before?"
Aiko's expression turned somber as she carefully chose her words. "There used to be many students here. This dojo was once a place bustling with life and energy. But things changed after Master Hanzo passed away."
Ryōshi's face darkened, and he clenched his jaw. "Master Hanzo was more than just a teacher. He was a protector of this community. His death left a void that was hard to fill."
Kage frowned, sensing the weight of the conversation. "How did he... what happened to him?"
Aiko sighed softly, her eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and resolve. "After Master Hanzo's death, we found a letter. It was a threat, saying that anyone from this dojo would die. At first, we thought it was just empty words. But then, twenty students went missing in just one day."
Ryōshi's voice was cold and steely. "That day changed everything. Fear spread quickly, and the dojo was abandoned. No one wanted to be associated with a place marked by such danger."
Kage, realizing the gravity of the situation and the solemn atmosphere he had disrupted, decided to apologize in his own unique way. He stood up, cleared his throat dramatically, and gave an exaggerated bow.
"I'm terribly sorry, esteemed Yū-chan and gracious Aiko," he began with a flourish, "for my ravenous display of culinary enthusiasm!"
He straightened up, placing a hand over his heart as if he were making a solemn vow. "I promise to henceforth eat with the dignity and grace befitting a noble warrior... or at least, I'll try not to look like a starving squirrel at a buffet."
Aiko couldn't help but giggle at his antics, her earlier disapproval melting into amusement. "Oh, Kage, you really know how to make an apology memorable."
Ryōshi, while still serious, couldn't suppress a faint smirk at Kage's theatrics. "Just make sure you keep your promise," he said, his tone less severe than before.
Kage saluted with exaggerated seriousness. "Yes, sir! You can count on me to be the model of dining decorum from now on." He then sat back down and, true to his word, started eating with exaggeratedly slow and deliberate movements.
Kage had several reasons for staying at the dojo, all centered around his personal gain. The most immediate benefit was access to free meals and a safe place to stay, which were crucial for someone who had been struggling to find consistent shelter and food. Kage had gathered crucial information and discovered that Ryōshi and Yū-chan were the same person. This revelation made him more determined to stay at the dojo.
However, Kage's ultimate goal was driven by self-interest. He knew that by aligning himself with Ryōshi, he could eventually face overpowered adversaries, such as S-rank mercenaries and formidable bosses. These encounters presented opportunities to challenge himself and "level up" his skills. Fighting alongside Ryōshi, who posed as someone who killed for fun but was actually a hero, offered the perfect cover for Kage to pursue his personal mission.
Kage had no interest in being taught or observing others. He was there to help himself, to gather the intel he needed, and to face strong opponents that would test his limits. His stay at the dojo was a calculated move to ensure he had opportunities to advance his own goals.