Chapter 7: "Takumi Hatsu and the previous day".

It was already the time when the sun began to disappear over the horizon, and Akira-sama still did not make an appearance, I was tired of waiting for him at the entrance of our temple, could it be that he went to visit Haru-san first? It's possible... whether I like it or not, he is his personal escort, for the moment of course...

–– Hatsu.

The breeze that accompanies the sunset is very relaxing, it stimulates a lot when meditating and I'm supposed to be training with Ichiro-nii but... I'm not a specialist in physical training, that's why I'm meditating.

–– Hatsu…

–– Ha… –– I let out a slight sigh. –– Akira-sama really takes a long time to arrive...

By protocol, the leader of the clans must pay a visit to each party involved when there is a battle agreed between the other clans, that's why I've been meditating all day near the main gate, I wanted to be the first to receive Akira-sama, that's what a good wife does....

–– Hatsu!

–– Hm...

I opened my eyes to see how the sky was being painted orange by the rays of a sun that was gradually giving way to the stars and a moon that should be full tonight.

–– Hatsu! –– Eh?

I turned my head in the direction I had heard someone call my name.

-- Well, well... if it isn't my dear Onii-sama.

–– Nothing of dear Onii-sama!

Obviously it was my brother who was calling my name, but... he seemed a bit angry, why is that?

–– If you frown like that, you'll get wrinkles at an early age, Onii-sama.

–– And whose fault do you think it is?

–– Hm? –– I tilted my head to one side as if I didn't understand the reason for my brother's question.

–– Do you know how long I've been waiting for you at the dojo?

–– But I told you that I'm not into physical training.

–– You're going to face Haru-sama tomorrow, with your current stamina you won't give a worthy battle, you know very well that he was Akira-sama's sparring partner when we were kids, are you even taking it seriously?

–– Of course I'm taking this battle seriously, I provoked it myself… I'm not going to lose, I'm risking a lot.

–– Ha… The worst thing is that I understand you…

–– Isn't it obvious? We're twins…

–– And that's what scares me the most. –– Ichiro-nii scratched the back of his head while looking down at the floor. –– Tch… Hey Hatsu…

–– What?

–– Get the hell down off that roof will you, I look like an asshole talking to myself!

And he's just now realizing that? It's clear that he's an idiot... I always meditate in high places, so I can go deeper inside myself and be connected with nature in a better way.

–– You... –– In the blink of an eye, Ichiro-nii was already behind me with a creepy face.

–– Who gave you permission to come up to my meditation place?

–– Since when did I need permission to walk around my own home? Ha… –– He let out another sigh again… –– You know, I've had enough, if you're going to take us down, I'll have to take you by force.

Ichiro-nii brought his hand closer and placed it on my shoulder, crumpling the kimono I was wearing.

–– Take your hand out of there… Onii-sama…

–– What will you do if I don't? –– Ichiro-nii tightened his grip.

–– Tch… You made me do this.

I brought my hand to the hand my brother was occupying to squeeze my kimono, and when I made contact I held it.

–– Do you know how long it took me to fix this kimono?

–– I guess a whole day.

–– That's right, and now you come along and wrinkle it up like it's nothing…

–– Does it matter?

–– Do you know what day it is today?

–– Mmmm… Ichiro-nii looked away to think for a bit until his eyes widened like saucers. –– Don't tell me… you fixed this kimono for Akira-sama's visit…

–– Tin, tin, tin… we have a winner, Onii-sama!

It was at that moment, where I stood up catching my brother off guard who tried to break away from my grip to get some distance.

–– Whew… that was close.

–– Tch.

I also took the opportunity to gain some distance from him who, as I was walking away, was shaking his clothes with his hands.

–– Onii-sama…

–– Do you want to continue?

–– How about we make this a punishment game?

–– Uh… Interesting.

–– How about this? –– I pointed at the pole we were standing on. –– The first one to step foot off this pole will be servant to the other one for a whole week.

–– That's just like you, sis.

–– Well, what do you say?

–– Of course I accept, Hatsu.

–– Then…

"Let this oath be sealed by our ancestors and our motto."

–– No secret will be hidden from our eyes. –– I began to recite our motto, while closing my eyes.

–– All information will be revealed. –– And my brother continued.

"No doubt will torment our spirit, we are and will be the ones who will reveal the greatest secret in the world."

After those words, we both looked up, smiled and took our combat stances, with me being the first to attack.

I quickly rushed towards my brother and when I was a good distance away, I opened my hand and launched an attack directly to his face trying to cut his field of vision, but it wasn't going to be that easy… my brother deflected my attack by putting his hand on my palm lowering it, to later launch his fist against me.

I managed to stop his fist by catching it with my free hand.

–– You have good reflexes, sis.

–– And your reaction ability is still inhuman, Onii-sama.

After those brief words we took our distances, but before I touched the wood, Ichiro-nii, took out one of the slippers he was wearing and threw it at me. Somehow I managed to dodge it but…

–– You just gave me a space, sis!

I was right, that projectile was so sudden that it made me lose my concentration and therefore my sight of Ichiro-nii, who took advantage of it to quickly approach me, who was just setting foot on the wood.

He launched an attack with his open palm towards my stomach, making an effective contact that made me slide down the wood but without making me lose my balance.

–– What the hell was that Ichiro bastard!

–– A surprise attack.

–– You cheating bastard! –– With anger rising to my feet I lunged at my brother throwing my clenched fist into his face.

–– Naive. –– Ichiro-nii easily caught my fist. –– This is what happens when you get carried away by your emotions, think about it coldly, Haru-sama is a very calculating person, he knows very well how to take advantage of his surroundings in a battle, that's why Akira-sama is so fond of him.

–– Shut up... –– I know... you don't have to say it. -- Shut up, shut up, shut up!

Already out of my stirrups I broke free from my brother's grip by shaking him hard, then I asserted myself as fast as I could and launched a kick with me, which my brother could barely parry.

-- Tch... I'm disappointed in you Hatsu... if this keeps up, you'll lose.

After those words, Ichiro-nii threw me into the air and then jumped towards where he had thrown me.

–– I'm sorry Hatsu, but this ends here.

My brother raised his arm and dropped his elbow all over the area of my stomach.

–– This... This is not over!

As best I could, I turned my body so that my brother's elbow just grazed the side of my abdomen, tearing the kimono I was wearing, but I got what I wanted, now I was in a more advantageous position than my brother.

–– I got you!

Taking advantage of the momentum I had gained thanks to the spin, I launched a downward kick towards my brother's body, who could only succeed in protecting his body by crossing his arms in the form of a cross.

–– This has gotten out of hand, Takumi brothers.

Just when my attack was about to make contact a person, with a voice very familiar to my ears, appeared between me and my brother, deflecting my kick and throwing my brother down in a subtle way, causing him to regain his balance and fall standing on the wood just like me.

–– You two don't hold back...

–– Akira-sama!

As if on reflex, we bowed to the presence of Akira-sama, who was sitting on the branch of a tree near the building we were fighting in.

–– When did he arrive? –– I looked up to see Akira-sama. –– My Akira-sama's sensor didn't activate.

–– Akira-sama's sensor? –– Both Akira-sama and Ichiro-nii looked at me a bit puzzled. –– That aside, is Hajime-san here?

–– Yes!

Akira-sama was looking for my father Takumi Hajime, the former clan leader, a very reliable person and the one who started honing the infiltration skills that made the Takumi clan famous.

–– Very well… Hatsu, come with me.

–– As you say Akira-sama!

I got up, climbed down from the roof together with Akira-sama and we entered the main temple which was where my father was staying.

When we arrived, we found my father leading a training of the people affiliated with our clan.

–– You look very nice, Hajime-san.

–– But if it's Akira-sama, please give me a moment. –– My father turned to look at his students. –– All right guys, take a fifteen minute break!

–– Yes! They all responded in unison.

–– Why don't we go outside and talk?

–– All right.

The three of us went outside and sat down on some benches outside the temple.

–– Well, as you know, Akira-sama sat down, put his hands over his mouth and stared at my father. –– I'm here to see how your daughter was doing for tomorrow's match against the first-born of the Furukawa clan.

–– And we appreciate your visit. –– My father put his hand on my shoulder and smiled. –– We are looking forward to tomorrow's battle.

–– Anyway, I just hope it will be a good exhibition between Haru and Hatsu.

–– I might even change escorts at the end of the battle, hahaha… –– I jumped into the conversation.

–– I don't know, if I make a comparison between you and Haru… Ufff… Akira-sama sighed and looked at the full moon. –– You know what? I hope this battle will make you two get better, we need you two at your best to defeat Samuru-san.

–– You don't worry about it young master. –– My father stood up and looked at Akira-sama. –– My sons will always be at your disposal, and the Takumi clan in general as well.

–– I'm glad to hear that… now… Akira-sama stood up. –– It's time for me to go home.

–– Why don't you stay for dinner? –– I got up and made my move, if I can get him to stay… maybe… just maybe…

–– I'm sorry Hatsu. –– Huh? –– My mother is waiting for me, I promised to help her at home tonight, maybe another day… Yes?

Akira-sama smiled at me with a purity and naturalness that made my chest feel overwhelmed by such warmth…

Ha… that's why I love him so much, that's why I want to be the one who is by his side in the moments he needs support…

–– Well, I'm leaving… I hope for a good fight tomorrow, Hatsu.

–– Yes! –– I said goodbye with a bow.

After that Akira-sama disappeared from my field of vision, leaving me next to my father who was staring at the night horizon.

–– Hatsu, my daughter.

–– Yes? –– I returned to my normal posture.

–– I trust you, the whole clan trusts in your victory tomorrow, if you succeed, we will have a greater prestige before the Hoshinomori clan, we can have the place we have always deserved.

–– Thank you very much for your words father.

–– Very well, time to finish with the training, you should go to rest, tomorrow is the big day.

–– As you command, father…

My father entered the temple and I was looking at the full moon that flooded this night with all its brightness, I feel identified with the moon… although my name has no relation I feel that… Like the moon, which shines thanks to the light of others, I have been able to shine thanks to all the people who trust me… Yes, like the moon, my time to shine has come.

–– I'm very sorry Haru-san… but you will be the one to make me shine in the eyes of Akira-sama. –– I focused my eyes on the moon and sighed. –– And so, I will have the place that has always belonged to me.