That training session with the old man definitely made me break a sweat. As I walked through the temple garden, my body still a bit sore from the sparring, I could see the sun slowly setting behind the hills. The sky was painted in shades of orange and violet, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere. I took a deep breath, feeling the gentle breeze of the evening, knowing it was time to rest.
I headed straight to my room to get ready for bed. As I entered the temple, I passed through the common room and noticed the girls were there. They had just come out of the shower and were already in their pajamas, chatting and laughing together. When they saw me, all four greeted me with a kind and casual tone.
—Good evening —I said with a slight smile as I walked by.
They returned the greeting almost in unison with a "Good evening, Leo," and I continued on my way. But just before I reached my room door, a voice stopped me.
—Hey, Leo... can I ask you something?
I paused and turned my head. It was Ren who had spoken. I walked over, curious, since it wasn't common for any of them to ask me something directly.
—What's up, Ren? Everything okay? —I asked kindly, though a bit surprised.
She looked at me for a moment, then exchanged glances with the other girls before replying with a somewhat shy smile:
—Do you think you could come with us to the mall tomorrow? Masha, Sakura, Kaori, and I are going...
I was a bit surprised by the request but nodded with a small smile.
—Sure, no problem. Can I ask what you're going to buy, or is it a secret mission?
The four of them looked at each other, as if mentally organizing their answer. Ren spoke up again:
—We're going to look for some elegant dresses for the Saturday event. We want to look good for the ceremony.
—Ah… I see —I replied, not wanting to pry too much—. Alright then, I'll go with you.
Remembering that Tom wasn't with us, I asked with some curiosity:
—Is Tom coming with us tomorrow too?
Ren shook her head before replying:
—We asked him, but he said he's going out with the master. They're heading to another temple to pick up some things with a few students.
—I see… —I said with a slight nod, feeling my excitement for the event grow inside me—. Then, I'll see you tomorrow.
—See you tomorrow! —the four replied with a smile.
Once in my room, as I changed into comfortable clothes for sleep, I lay down on my futon and closed my eyes for a moment. I couldn't stop thinking that only five days remained until the big ceremony. That number kept echoing in my mind: five… five… five. It was a mix of excitement, nerves, and anticipation. I felt like a kid waiting for his first big festival.
I adjusted myself on the futon, letting the nighttime silence of the temple wrap around me. My eyelids began to slowly close, heavy from the day's training. Soon, I drifted into a deep sleep, knowing that tomorrow would be another special day with them.
Everything was dark, but at the same time peaceful. I felt a strange calm, as if I were floating between dream and reality. My eyelids, still closed, twitched slightly, reacting to a subtle shift in the air. Suddenly, something heavy landed on me. I felt the air escape my chest from the pressure against my body.
I couldn't move —my body was numb. Slowly, with effort, I began to open my eyes, still groggy. The blurry image before me started to clear, and the first thing I saw was Kaori's face… right on top of me, like a sack of potatoes crushing me.
—Kaori…? —I murmured in a confused and sleepy voice.
She looked at me with a mischievous, cheerful smile as I let out a long yawn.
—Good morning, Leo. The bath is ready for you. We need to get ready to head out —she said with that lively, energetic tone she always had in the morning.
I stared at her for a second, barely processing what was happening.
—Alright… thanks —I said, rubbing my eyes.
—After your shower, join everyone for breakfast, okay? I'm heading out first —she added, then quickly got up and left the room.
Still half asleep, I slowly sat up from the futon. I stretched with another yawn. I grabbed a towel and a gray T-shirt I had folded nearby, and stepped out of the room toward the bath. Just a few steps and I was in front of the door.
I entered, closed it gently, and began undressing. The warm steam already filled the room, and the bathwater was softly steaming. I slipped into the hot water, feeling my body relax with every second. I closed my eyes as the water rose over my chest, easing the tension from yesterday's training.
I grabbed the soap and began to wash slowly, mentally going over what the day would hold. After a refreshing shower, I stepped out, grabbed the towel, and began drying off. With the towel wrapped around my waist and the shirt in hand, I walked down the hallway back to my room.
Before entering, I knocked, just in case one of the girls had gone in. Hearing no reply, I gently pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was quiet and orderly. I finished drying off and got dressed: black pants, urban-style sneakers, and the gray shirt I had prepared.
Fully dressed and with slightly damp hair, I headed to the dining area. The aroma of breakfast filled the air —the scent of hot rice, cooked fish, and freshly brewed tea.
—Good morning, Leo —they said almost in unison as I arrived.
—Good morning —I replied with a smile, taking my seat.
I served myself rice, fish, and a bit of hot tea. As I ate, the girls talked excitedly about what they planned to buy at the mall. I just listened, enjoying the breakfast and the peaceful atmosphere of the temple, feeling like this day was going to be more interesting than I expected.
I sat at the table with them and, for a moment, remained silent, watching them interact. Each of them had such a unique presence, yet together, they formed a perfectly balanced group. It was impossible not to notice.
Ren, with her short white hair just above her shoulders, radiated a natural elegance. Her intense purple eyes stood out hypnotically against her pale skin. Her face was slim and serious, and her athletic figure showed not only discipline but strength. She wore a black T-shirt with a minimalist flower design on the left side of the chest and dark blue jeans. She was, without a doubt, a stunning girl. But beyond appearances, what I admired most about her was her maturity and the way she looked after everyone —like the big sister of the group.
Sakura, on the other hand, had a more serene beauty. Her long, jet-black hair fell gracefully down her back. Her skin was slightly pale, but her most striking feature was her eyes: a brilliant, almost mystical shade of purple. Her face had a refined grace, like something from a traditional painting, and her body reflected a mix of delicacy and strength. She wore a beige shirt with subtle border details and a long black skirt that gave her a calm and sophisticated aura. Sakura was naturally quiet, but her strong personality emerged when needed. Around her friends, however, she showed a gentler, more reserved side.
Masha had a quieter, yet just as special, presence. Her short, neatly styled hair was a vivid red that seemed to glow in the sunlight coming through the window. Her eyes were a light brown that shimmered warmly, and her skin had a soft, pale tone that added to her delicate appearance. Her face was well-defined, and like the others, she had a slim, athletic build. She wore a loose dark blue T-shirt with no design and slightly baggy white pants. Masha didn't seek attention, but her presence was always naturally noticeable. She was respectful, kind, and treated everyone equally.
And then there was Kaori.
Her long, dark brown hair gleamed under the sunlight, casting warm highlights that blended beautifully with her extremely pale, almost snow-like skin. Her emerald green eyes sparkled with an intensity that could melt away any distraction. She had a slim, agile figure and a refined face that radiated both intelligence and sensitivity. She wore a deep red shirt with black floral patterns and loose black pants that matched her style perfectly. Kaori was special… even if she could be a little jealous at times, her concern for others was genuine. We all loved her for her authenticity, that mix of sweetness and determination that made her stand out effortlessly.
While I was thinking all that, Kaori approached and placed a plate in front of me. It was freshly made white rice with a piece of fish straight from the pan, still steaming, with a touch of soy sauce that made it smell amazing. I thanked her with a glance and brought my hands together in a short prayer of gratitude before eating.
I took the first bite and felt how the flavors blended perfectly. The fish had a crispy outside and soft inside, and the rice was just right. The girls kept chatting while enjoying their meals. Laughter, stories, and little comments about what they hoped to buy filled the room.
I just smiled as I chewed slowly, enjoying not just the food but the moment itself. There was a very special warmth that morning. Between the taste of the meal, the peace of the temple, and their company, I felt like the day had only just begun and already held something magical.
After finishing, I got up to wash my dish, already focused on the outing we'd be having.
As I finished drying my plate and cup, I heard Ren talking to the others from the table, with that calm yet firm tone she always had.
—Only four days left until the event… hmm —she said thoughtfully, gazing out the window—. Have you all thought about what we're getting after the dresses?
Masha, sitting with her arms calmly crossed, answered with a small spark of excitement.
—I don't have a clear idea… but what if, after choosing our dresses, we go to the accessories section? It wouldn't hurt to get something more than just the dress, like necklaces or bracelets. Something to complete the look for that special day —she said, brushing back a strand of her vibrant red hair.
Sakura, who rarely showed surprise, raised an eyebrow and narrowed her eyes as if reevaluating Masha.
—Wow, Masha… you surprised me with that. But I must say, I think it's a great idea —she said with a slight smile, fingers interlaced on the table.
Kaori, stretching her arms behind her seat, added with a small laugh:
—I agree with Masha too. Besides… I didn't know you liked accessories like bracelets, pendants, and all that. I thought it wasn't your thing.
Masha lowered her head slightly, cheeks a bit red, but with a shy smile.
—Hehe… well, I just thought it'd be nice if we all looked good that day. It's important, right?
Ren nodded slowly, crossing her legs, and with her usual calm authority, concluded:
—Alright then, it's settled. We just need Leo to finish washing so we can go.
I, who had been listening to the whole conversation while drying their dishes —which still had a few drops of water—, turned to the group with a soft smile.
—I'm done… are you all ready to go?
The four girls turned to me and, almost in perfect sync, replied:
—We're ready!
It was funny how, amid so many intense moments, we could still enjoy these everyday situations. Even with a big event approaching, that day had a special kind of energy… light, peaceful, as if the weight of the world had paused just to let us breathe.