Training is a regime. It is often planned, and accounted for.
Every lesson, every second is essential.
But right now—
『EEEEK!』
I jumped left and right as fireballs hurled past my feet, almost grazing my black shoes.
『Rioo!! Please! Can't we lower the difficulty?!』
I cried out pleadingly, prancing awkwardly around the dojo as more fireballs came flying. I nearly tripped in the chaos!
"BWAHAHAHHA! No can fcking do, btch! If you're what you claim to be, then suck it up!"
My eyes narrowed, cheeks puffed out as I glared at Rio, again with her obnoxious "WAH-HAH-HAH!"s.
It's hard to maintain proper footwork when literal fireballs are flying at you.
Sometimes my feet crossed, causing me to stumble—and sometimes burn.
『Gyahhh!』
Like just now, curled up in a ball, patting the foot that got hit.
『It hurtsss! Hurts! Rio, you big meanie!』
I cried, flailing at the air.
"PFFTTT THEN DONT GET HIT THEN DIPSH*T WAH-HAH-HAH!"
Rio wheezed, collapsing to her knees on the tatami, banging her fists on the mat.
Meanwhile, I stared at her, feeling… a little butthurt. Is this how my subjects feel when I make fun of them? When I project my majesty?
If so… I kind of get it now.
Despite the pain, I bit my lip and stood up.
"Oh? Ye'r ready for another round?"
Rio stopped laughing and straightened.
『Yes.』
I slanted my eyebrows, fingers curling into fists.
「I should get serious. No more mistakes. If I aim to be the unmoved mover, I must learn to move.」
A fireball hovered above Rio's hands. My eyes locked onto it.
Woosh.
The moment she threw it, my gaze tracked its arc—it soared high, near the ceiling.
I stepped back instinctively, letting it land harmlessly in front of me.
Woosh!
A familiar sound cracked in my ear. My eyes snapped upward just in time, and I sidestepped.
Pshh!
Another dodge successful.
Woosh!
Three steps forward—dodged again.
Woosh!
A hop to the left and a fireball landed meters away.
The more I stopped obsessing over precise footwork, the more fluid my dodges became. I even started adding flair.
Woosh!
I spun, black gothic lolita dress twirling elegantly, as a fireball landed two steps to my right.
Hop back—and another splashed down just in front of me.
"Very good! Now you're getting it! Use your brain, but not too much—you're not running f*ckin' calculus in your head, dumbass!"
Rio's voice echoed from across the dojo, watching me transform from panicked prancing to graceful waltzing.
"Now let's turn up the volume, what do you say?!"
『Bring it on.』
I shot her a wink.
With a snap of her fingers, five fireballs appeared midair. My eyes narrowed, scanning each one.
As they arched toward me, the middle one seemed closer. A step to the side—and dodged again.
Two more fireballs closed in, targeting my right shoulder and left leg. I hopped back, only to have another near-miss!
『Tsk!』
I clicked my tongue.
『Then I'll do this!』
I let myself fall backward, phased through my shadow, and reappeared just ahead of the fireball.
"Goddamn, nice dodge!" Rio exclaimed.
"But don't forget the last one!"
『Hm?』
I almost smiled at her compliment—until I spotted the last flaming ball coming at me.
Shit.
I tilted backward; it passed inches from my face.
『Phew.』
I took a deep breath, staring at the black scorch mark on the wall.
That could've been my face!
"Great job. You may have frolicked like a scared rabbit, but you're an alive rabbit."
Rio said with a huge grin on her face as she crossed her arms.
"Now—why do you think it's necessary to learn a stance, and why shouldn't you cross your legs?"
Hearing her question, my white, diamond-shaped pupils wandered off before looking back at her.
『Because a stance is necessary so you don't limit yourself, and not crossing your legs when moving prevents you from tripping—but more importantly, it gives me a base to push off from.
For example, if I crossed my legs, I could stumble backward. But if my legs aren't crossed, I can lunge forward, sidestep, backstep, and so on.』
My eyes narrowed as I looked at Rio, trying to see if I answered correctly. Rio smiled and patted my back, causing my eyes to almost pop out.
『Puffu!』
I blurted with each pat.
"That's right! That's right! Footwork ain't just about 'not trippin'—it's also a way to give yourself more options in a fight!
There ain't no best defense or offense if you can't pick either 'cuz you flopped to the ground!"
I nodded at Rio's words, taking note of them.
"With that in mind, try landing a hit on me with what you've learned."
Hearing those words, my eyes widened.
『W-What? Like, right now?!』
My mouth was left wide open.
"Yeah, dumbass. It's almost 12nn. I wanna eat and get it over with for today."
I looked to my left, seeing the dojo door—and the bright light outside. I hadn't noticed how much time had passed.
『I'm afraid I'll fail to exceed your expectations though.』
I laughed as I crossed my arms.
"Failing's part of the process. If you're the unmoved mover, a mere 「supernova」 wouldn't faze you."
Rio smiled and raised her hand, giving me a thumbs-up.
Be that as it may, I couldn't help but return her smile.
『Fine. I'll try again and again until I beat you—eventually.』
I flipped my hair and gave Rio a proud smile.
"That's more like it!"
Rio thrust her hand to her hip, forming a fist.
"Let's begin!"
She clapped—and the room momentarily went dark. When the light returned, her magical girl costume was revealed.
Meanwhile, I extended my right hand to the side, and my black umbrella manifested in my grip.
『Please take care of me!』
I gave Rio another smile as I took a step—
Poof!
Mid-step, I instantly disappeared.
"Well what do you know!"
Rio looked down just in time to see me lunging toward her.
My right hand prepared to strike her stomach with the umbrella, but I noticed her left hand readying a counter.
『I don't make the same mistakes twice!』
I shouted proudly with a grin as I jumped to her side and punched with my left hand—
Blocked!
"Ohhh! That was close~"
Rio stepped back.
"You almost landed a clean blow there—oops."
Using her yapping as an opportunity, I darted to her right and kicked her calf, causing her to buckle.
『Rio, you talk too much.』
I couldn't help but show a smug face as I saw her drop to one knee. It felt good getting the upper hand someti—
Before I could finish that thought, my black eyes widened—reflecting the same black shoes flying toward my forehead!
Instinct kicked in.
I bent backward, narrowly avoiding a spinning kick.
"And you think too much."
Rio hopped lightly as she cracked her neck and knuckles.
My eyes lingered on her figure, narrowing before my mouth curled into a grin.
『Pffft… I can't help it. I use what I was born with, o~hohoho!』
I straightened my palm near my mouth, eyes gleaming with glee.
"Acting all high and mighty now, are you?"
Rio rotated her arms—then vanished.
I stopped laughing immediately and scanned the dojo.
Nothing.
No trace. Not even a smudge.
My eyes frantically searched every corner, every surface—she was nowhere.
I was panicking, but I knew better than to show it. I steadied myself, then suddenly had a hunch.
I sidestepped left—
Just in time to catch Rio mid-punch in my peripheral vision.
But it wasn't over.
I knew it wasn't.
My gaze snapped to her feet.
Just as predicted—she was going for a kick.
『For I am the uncaused cause.』
Like obedient servants, shadows creeping from every corner of the room slithered toward my legs, wrapping around them as my words echoed through the dojo.
『None shall challenge my will!』
A smile crept across my face as I countered her kick with my own.
BANNG!
The moment our shins collided, Rio was flung across the dojo.
"Goddamn—cough cough"
She stood up, dusting herself off.
"You really gave your hundred percent with that one."
She stretched her hips, spine cracking.
『Of course. If I aim to be your disciple, why should I remain pathetic?』
I crossed my arms and gave Rio a warm smile.
She froze.
Then—
"WAHAHAHAH! That's right! That's right!"
My eyes widened as an arm suddenly draped over my shoulder. I turned—and there was Rio, wearing a stupid grin.
"Well, that's that and this is this. I'm fcking hungry—let's go eat!!"
She let go, clapped, and the room darkened again. When the light returned, she was back in her civilian outfit.
『T-That was it?』
I tilted my head, eyes wide.
"Yup. That was it. Training shouldn't be rushed. You've got a long way to go before you actually beat me, kiddo."
She smiled—eyes closed.
I froze.
Rio, in her Jirai Kei outfit, wearing a genuine, non-teasing smile…
That combination was dangerous.
I blushed and looked away.
"Hey, don't fall for me, idiot."
She bonked my head.
"That's why I don't smile genuinely at people, goddamnit!"
She stomped the floor.
『I-I'm sorry??』
I wasn't really sorry. But saying it felt correct.
"Sorry my fuckin' ass! Change to your civilian form—let's eaaaat!"
She grabbed my arm and dragged me along.
『A-Ahh! Okay, okay! I get it!』
I quickly changed forms to keep up.
----
Leaving the dojo, I followed Rio to a ramen shop a few blocks away.
We ended up standing at the counter.
"Ojii-san, tonkotsu shoyu pleaseee."
Rio raised her hand.
"Coming right up."
The old ramen chef replied.
"Gurl, order."
Rio nudged me and pointed at the menu.
"O-oh, uh…"
I scanned the list.
Shoyu Ramen.
Shio Ramen.
Miso Ramen…
It went on and on.
"I'll get a tonkotsu ramen, please."
I bowed slightly, smiling at ojii-san.
"Alright. Five minutes."
As he turned away, I looked at Rio.
Why does she not age?
"Rio, I have a question."
I kept my tone soft.
"So long as it ain't stupid—whaddup?"
"Why do you not age?"
She froze.
I felt her shoulder flinch. She smiled—but stared at the counter.
"Well… because of my trump card. That's all I can say."
She looked at me, smiling.
But it wasn't really a smile.
"I see. I'm sorry if I seemed nosy."
I rubbed my arm and looked away.
"Pfft, don't be. You're just a kid. You've got a lot ahead of you—so keep askin' questions."
My eyes widened as I felt a hand on my head.
I looked up.
Rio's eyes were warm.
Gentle.
Like Himeno-nee.
Like my mother.
Without realizing it, I leaned into her touch as she patted my head.
"Should I give you two some alone time?"
The old ramen chef suddenly leaned between us at the counter.
Our faces turned red instantly.
"EEP!"
We both squealed.