1222-08-27
My days had become so monotonous, so similar, that I barely noticed the daily routine anymore.
The field—the same familiar field that stretched for miles—lay next to the forest, offering a strange sense of comfort. I could run; I could leave. But where would I go? The people here had become a family to me. Riku and Keenan were constants in my life now, their presence woven into my days.
Keenan had beaten Riku in the last round of the tournament. I still couldn't tell if she had let him win or if he'd succeeded on his own merit. One thing, however, was certain: if I wanted to improve, I'd have to become stronger—just as strong as they were, if not stronger. They had started earlier, advanced further, but that didn't discourage me. It thrilled me. The idea of catching up, of surpassing them, filled me with a sense of purpose.
I could be like them. I could be unshakable. I could reach the stars. The stars had always seemed so distant, so unreachable. But as the days turned to months, that dream no longer felt impossible. It felt closer, tangible—a goal within my grasp.
T only seemed to watch us when someone new arrived. For the rest of the time, we knew what to do without being told, and we did it. Every day, we trained, sparred, and talked. It was exhausting, yes, but it became my life—a life I had grown accustomed to.
Riku stood off to the side, talking with Sora and Kaede, while Keenan and Tatsuya stayed with me. I wanted to be brave enough to ask them about their souls—their spirits, the things that gave them the will to live. So, we talked as we sparred, the rhythm of training blending with the rhythm of our words.
Keenan sat across from me, a wide grin plastered on his face as he rubbed the back of his neck. The air between us was lighter than usual, like the weight of his usual losses against Riku had finally lifted.
"First time beating Riku, huh?" Tatsuya said, leaning back with a smirk, his arms crossed.
Keenan nodded, his grin faltering just a little. "Yeah... first time ever."
I couldn't help but chuckle at his tone—half disbelief, half pride.
Tatsuya leaned in, curious. "How'd you do it? She's not exactly known for going easy on people."
Keenan shrugged, his eyes dropping to his hands. "Things just... worked out for me this time."
"Lucky?" I repeated, unable to hold back a laugh. "Against Riku? That's a stretch."
Keenan looked up at me, his grin slipping completely.
"You think she let me win?" he asked softly.
I tilted my head. "What do you think?"
His gaze dropped again, and for a moment, the confident Keenan I was used to was nowhere to be seen.
Tatsuya stepped in, his tone more serious now. "Come on, Keenan. A win's a win, right? Riku doesn't just hand those out. You're improving."
Keenan nodded, but the doubt in his eyes was impossible to miss.
I smirked. "Or maybe she felt bad for you."
That got his attention. He looked up sharply.
"She wouldn't do that," he wavered.
"Guess you'll have to prove it wasn't luck next time."
"Next time, huh?" Keenan muttered, a small spark returning to his expression.
Tatsuya clapped him on the shoulder. "There you go. Next time, you'll show her it wasn't a fluke."
"Yeah," Keenan said, his voice firmer now.
I leaned back. "Good. Don't make it boring."
He shot me a playful glare..
Tatsuya left to grab some water, heading back into the building. Kaede stood by, watching him go, her gaze distant, like she was listening for something we couldn't hear.
It was a strange feeling. The tightness in my chest when I realized how much time I'd spent with these people. They were family. Tatsuya, Keenan, Riku, Kaede, Sora... they had all become a part of my world. Each of them brought something irreplaceable.
But it hurt, too. I thought about it in quiet moments, like now, when no one else was speaking. I pondered what my soul truly meant by that. Why didn't it speak more clearly to me? Why wouldn't it reveal the answers I needed? Maybe it knew something I didn't want to hear—something that would prevent me from making the hard choices I knew were coming.
"Let's spar," he smiled, cracking his knuckles.
The offer was a welcome distraction. Sparring always helped clear my mind. I nodded, my hands already moving to stretch. "Sure," I said, trying to focus. "Let's see what you've got."
"It's simple," he said between blows. "When you fight, you're reacting. Riku's the same. She's not just mimicking—she's living the fight, feeling it in her body and soul. She doesn't just copy what she sees, she adapts to it. That's why she's so dangerous."
I dodged again, then aimed a counter, but he blocked it easily.
"You think Riku's just copying?" Keenan asked, almost sounding amused. "She says she can mimic every style, but that's not exactly what's happening. Her ability's not about copying moves one-to-one. She's learning how you move, what your body does in response. Then, she expresses it, turning it into her own unique version. It's like she loops your style, builds on it until it's hers."
I tilted my head, still dodging. "So, she's not just copying, she's... interpreting?"
"Exactly." Keenan's movements were smooth and confident. "She learns from the fight itself, from the way the battle flows, and then adds her own flair to it. That's how she stays ahead. It's not just about mirroring—it's about internalizing and expressing the fight."
I stumbled back, thinking about what he said. "So, you're saying... she's not really copying, she's evolving?"
"Yep.That's where her victories comes from."
As he came in for another strike, I finally understood what he meant. I wasn't just reacting anymore—I was starting to feel the fight. And that made all the difference.
The fight between Keenan and I escalated quickly. I thought I had an edge—after all, I could phase through him, move without being seen.
Every time I thought I had the upper hand, Keenan was already one step ahead, his strikes landing precisely where I was about to be.
I should be faster, I thought, more unpredictable...
I phased through him again, but before I could get a hit in, he anticipated my next move and blocked me effortlessly. His speed, his fluidity—everything about him was honed to perfection.
I realized I wasn't just fighting Keenan. I was fighting my own predictability.
I tried to make another move. He countered. Landing a clean punch to my side. Knocking the wind out of me. I staggered back trying to regain my composure.
Keenan didn't gloat. He just stood there, calm as ever. "
You can't just think with your abilities, Utsuho," he said, his voice almost amused.
I pushed myself up. "What are you talking about?"
"The future isn't set. It's malleable, like water. It's not something you can predict with just your abilities. You have to feel the flow of the fight, see the patterns before they even form."
I gritted my teeth. His words stung. I was too focused on my intangibility. Too reliant on the idea that I couldn't be touched. I wasn't adapting—I was reacting.
Keenan stretched his arms, looking satisfied with the outcome. "Think outside the box, Utsuho. The future can shift, and so can you."
I stood there, trying to catch my breath. If I wanted to win, I'd have to change.
I had to evolve.