Chapter 6: "Furukawa Haru and the previous day."

–– Ha!

The sound of nature was cut by small cries of release coming from my mouth.

I was training in the main dojo of our temple, which, with its side doors open, overlooked a small garden with a fountain where the tiles rested after hours of flying through the sky.

–– What is Hatsu-sama thinking?

Whether he wanted it or not, tomorrow was the agreed day for the duel he had arranged with one of the firstborn of the Takumi clan.

–– I don't think, I should give it any more thought. –– I changed my posture to a straight mass, clasped my hands together, took a breath of air and released it slowly to the whistling sound of the wind. -- Concentrate Furukawa Haru.

As I said my name I closed my eyes, and separated my hands, lowering one to the height of my hips in the form of a fist and the other I stretched it to the height of my chest with an open palm.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap –– Steps? –– Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

The footsteps were getting more and more intense, I took another long breath and opened my eyes sharply, meeting my clan's motto head on.

"The union of all your senses will make you unstoppable, doubt, analyze and act..."

–– Hm... –– I let out all the air at once. –– To be cautious is not to be cowardly.

When I finished speaking I tapped hard on the wooden planks of the dojo floor with my bare foot, and I moved towards the place where the footsteps were coming from.

–– You have fallen, Haru-sama.

Out of nowhere, a person in a dojo uniform appeared behind me, and without another word he swiftly threw his fist.

–– No…

Before his fist made contact, I lowered my center of gravity by bending my legs as if I were doing squats.

–– You're the one who has fallen.

With a quick and light movement, I rested my hands on the ground, lifted my own weight on them and threw a charged kick with the momentum of that movement.

The person who attacked me received the impact of my kick with both arms intertwined protecting his head.

–– Tch. –– A small crack from his mouth gave me to understand that he was not satisfied with his task.

After the impact we both stepped back and stared at each other and after a few seconds, he lunged at me.

This person threw his left fist and I dodged it by slightly placing the palm of my hand to deflect it with his own strength, then I threw a quick kick near the ankle of the leg I was using as support to make him stumble, but he reacted before I could make contact by throwing a knee that I could dodge by jumping backwards.

It was my turn to go on the attack, so the moment I made contact with the wooden floor of the dojo, I propelled myself so that I did not have time to stand up after throwing that knee, I threw a fist strike that he narrowly dodged, at that moment, when my fist grazed his cheek, I opened my palm and went straight to his neck down violently, making contact and producing a small stumble in my enemy which I took advantage of to grab him by his clothes and with a judo key I threw him to the floor, I put my knee on his chest and left my fist in the air.

–– I surrender. –– My enemy raised his hands above his head as he tried to catch his breath.

–– Ugh... –– I let out a sigh to try to regain control of my breathing.

When I managed to recover, I stood up, extended my hand to my practice enemy and we bowed.

–– Thank you very much for the practice! –– We shouted in unison as we returned to our usual postures.

Clap, clap, clap… –– Suddenly there was a clapping sound very close to where we were.

No matter how much I looked to one side or the other, I couldn't find the source of the clapping.

–– Up here Haru. –– That voice?

Yes, I was not mistaken... it was Akira-sama, who surprisingly to me, was sitting on one of the beams supporting the roof of the dojo.

–– Let's see. –– Akira-sama suddenly jumped up without warning, landing very softly on the wooden floor. –– That was a very good fight.

–– Thank you very much!

Out of pure reflex, I and my sparring partner put one of our knees on the floor and bowed our heads.

–– You may rise.

–– Yes!

As Akira-sama said, we stood up and faced forward.

–– I hope tomorrow's match will be just as good, don't you, Daiki-san? –– Hey, is my father here?

–– Well, well, I expected nothing less from our leader.

From behind one of the doors, a man of imposing build, dark hair and deep eyes approached us… that was my father Furukawa Daiki.

–– Boy, you may go.

–– As you command Daiki-sama! –– The boy who played the enemy for my practice quickly walked away from us with a bow.

–– That was not a bad key Haru, as a father I am very pleased with your rapid progress.

–– I am honored to receive those words from you father, I am always trying to improve. –– I put my right hand to my chest and bowed a little.

–– Do you think you can beat Hatsu with your current level? –– Akira-sama began to speak.

–– I don't know, if I speak honestly I think Hatsu-sama has improved a lot since last time, but I know I can make this match enjoyable in his eyes.

–– Good answer. –– And my father replied.

The three of us sat in the dojo talking for a while, it was a very pleasant chat, until before the sun went down and Akira-sama got up.

–– Well, it's time for me to leave, I have to go to Takumi Temple now...

–– Do you need me to accompany you, Akira-sama? –– I got up from the floor and approached him.

–– No, it's not necessary... you are my escort and I know this is part of your duties, but you are one of the parties involved in this battle, therefore, you can't come.

–– As you command...

Akira-sama walked out of the dojo, leaving my father and me inside.

–– Haru...

–– Yes?

–– I trust you. –– My father rested his hands on my shoulders. –– The secret of the family is in your hands, I wish you the best.

–– I know, don't worry father, I... I stared at my father and flashed him a smile. –– I will obtain victory and maintain my position as Akira-sama's escort.

–– I like that look… I can tell you are from this family, let's go to dinner, your mother is waiting for us.

–– All right.

We left the dojo and started walking towards the dining room to have dinner and finish the day, at some point, I looked up and stared at the full moon.

–– I… –– I raised my hand with a clenched fist and pointed it at the moon. –– I will not lose my place.