Chapter 5 – Rivals and Allies
The morning sun shone over Shinkage High, the campus alive with the usual buzz of students practicing with their Kagekisen. Akihiro's aura flickered faintly above the board as he adjusted his stance. He had been training relentlessly since his last failures, and while still far from strong, small sparks of progress glimmered in his control.
"Takeda," a voice called, sharp and confident. Akihiro looked up to see Riku, the shadow-beast Kagekisen user from yesterday, smirking at him. "Ready for round two? Or are you going to collapse like yesterday?"
Akihiro swallowed hard. He wanted to prove himself—not just to Riku, but to Mina and Sayaka, whose approving glances still fueled his determination.
Before the duel could start, another student approached, moving with casual ease. He was slightly shorter than Akihiro, with messy black hair and sharp brown eyes. His Kagekisen aura flickered weakly, barely visible—but there was something earnest and unpolished about him.
"Hey… are you Akihiro?" the boy asked, his tone nervous but curious. "I'm Kiro Hoshino. Looks like we're in the same club. You're… kind of famous around here, huh?"
Akihiro blinked. Famous? He nodded shyly. "I… I guess some girls… notice me." His cheeks heated. "But I only… I mean… Mina and Sayaka…"
Kiro laughed lightly. "Ah, got it. I see why you're shy then." He extended a hand. "Well, I'm terrible at Kagekisen. Probably the worst in the club. I'm just here to survive… maybe make a friend or two."
Akihiro hesitated, then shook it. "I… I'm not good either."
A faint smile formed on Kiro's face. "Great, we're equally hopeless. Maybe we can help each other."
Before Akihiro could respond, Riku's mocking voice interrupted. "Enough chatter. Let's see if you've improved, Takeda."
The duel began. Akihiro's Kagekisen flickered above the board, slightly steadier than yesterday. Every move he made was more deliberate, more strategic, though still far from perfect. Riku attacked aggressively, but Akihiro managed to deflect several blows, surprising both Riku and himself.
Kiro watched from the sidelines, nodding slightly. "Not bad… he's actually learning."
Minutes passed. Akihiro lost pieces again, but he lasted longer than anyone expected, defending his king with calculated moves. Riku's expression shifted from smug to thoughtful.
"Hmm… your spark is stronger," Riku admitted reluctantly. "Don't get cocky, though."
Akihiro's chest swelled. He hadn't won, but he had proved he could last against a stronger opponent, and for the first time, he felt like he belonged here.
After the duel, Kiro approached him again. "You've got potential. If you keep this up, maybe you'll actually become strong… like, way stronger than me."
Akihiro smiled faintly. "Thanks… I'll try my best."
Mina and Sayaka watched silently from the side. Mina's eyes narrowed slightly—not in disapproval, but interest. Sayaka's gentle smile mirrored the faint pride she always showed when Akihiro improved, even in small ways.
As the sun dipped lower, Akihiro and Kiro walked side by side back to the clubroom, talking quietly about strategy, aura control, and training techniques. Though Kiro was far weaker, Akihiro sensed a loyalty and determination in him that mirrored his own.
Maybe I'm not alone in this journey, Akihiro thought, glancing at Kiro. Together… we might just survive Shinkage High.
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