Morning:
I need to get out of here. Fast.
"Kaede, stay here! Where do you think you're going? It's team training time!"
"Since when? You know I don't do that. Too exhausting. Just like you. And the others. Just leave me alone."
I looked out the hallway window into the garden. They're so loud again… Training is just way too tiring. And honestly: I hate it.
"Kaede, you know what I wonder? Maybe you should join the military. They're always looking for scouts like you."
She said it with a harmless smile, like it was a joke – but I knew it wasn't.Riku and Shiro just laughed, clueless about the real reason for my fear.They had no idea what Yuna knew.
She can't be serious. I just want to be left alone.I sank to my knees.Life energy uninstalled. Reboot failed.Thanks, dear school – I hate you.Yuna covered her laugh with her hand, but I still saw it.
"Come on, Kaede. It's not like you've got secret powers or something."
"Well, actually…" she started again.
"Ahh! No! Definitely not! You're not ruining my life!"
I raised my hand and covered her mouth. Reflex. Pure survival instinct.
"I'll come already…" I mumbled. "Not like I've got a choice anyway."
If Riku or Shiro ever find out – it's over. Then the whole school will know.Or worse: the whole damn country.Riku's a damn blabbermouth after all.
I groaned internally. No motivation. So this is what torture feels like.
Training Room:
The lights were on bright. The room was empty – a miracle for this time of day.The walls were made of light-colored wood, the floor covered with mats like in an old dojo.A few simple tables stood to the left. Viewing area. Eating area. No people. A dream.
I stepped in slowly.I hadn't been here in a year. Should've stayed that way.
Well then, let's do a few target exercises.Yuna brought out a wooden training dummy and tried to stand it on the mat.She clearly had trouble getting it to stay up, and her face looked like it was getting chewed off.
"Need help, my lady?" Riku said proudly and set the dummy up.He struck a noble pose, then said, "You can thank me later."He even flexed his muscles – I think that idiot was trying to impress her, but Yuna just ignored him and walked right past.
Riku froze in place. I smiled in Schadenfreude.Wonder what's going through his head now?
Whatever. Enough talking. My dialogue quota for today is used up.
I'm getting a drink before this starts.I headed to the far side, waited until they weren't watching, then walked to a table in the corner.What happened next, you can probably guess.
I fell asleep.
Shiro:
Hmm... Kaede going for a drink already – yeah, right.But it is weird that he came along today, even though Yuna didn't really do much to get him to.
Yuna knows something. I'm sure of it.But what's the knight-for-brains thinking?
I don't wanna anymore. I don't wanna anymore. I don't wanna anymore.
Yep. He's got existential issues, all right.I looked at him with pity.
"Hey, Yuna... why did Kaede come along today? Do you know something we shouldn't?"
She looked at me confused, smiled and said:
"Who knows, hahaha."
She definitely knows something – but what could it be?Aghh... I can't figure it out.I paced in circles. The more I thought about it, the faster I walked.
Kaede:
Poke poke pokePoke poke poke
I felt a light poking on my cheek. I ignored it, but...
Poke poke poke
Dude, what the hell—
What's she doing here?!My whole body tensed up defensively. Reflex.Not the devil herself – or should I call her Empress?No, better not. I'm not falling that low.
"Kaede, have you changed your mind?"She winked at me playfully, like it was nothing.
"Eh… no," I answered, still wondering what the hell she was doing here.
"What do you want, Ichigo?"
"Forgot already? Our deal."
"Yeah, I remember… but why now? And how do you even know we're here? Did you stalk us?"
"Uhm… no."She scratched the back of her head – like only a liar would.
Yeah, right. And how she stalked us...After what she pulled on me, nothing surprises me anymore.What a Yandere. If a girl like that had a crush on me, I'd off myself right then and there – yeah, you heard me. I would.Poor Shiro.
"Kaede, come. I want to train with Shiro."
My jaw dropped. She can't be serious, right?
There are so many better times than right now.
"I guess you're right, Kaede."
Phew. Lucky me.
"Real shame you won't be around anymore," she said sadly.
"...What do you mean?" I looked at her suspiciously.
She pulled something from her little bag.
"Is that a magic document...?"
"Heeeee... no no no! You know what, Ichigo?I do think now's a perfect time!"