An Everlasting Friendship

The training grounds were silent, save for the steady rhythm of Hiro and Aidan's breaths as they stood opposite each other. The cold concrete beneath their feet carried the weight of the moment. Above them, behind a glass-paneled office, Kousuke and Kazuya observed from a distance, their eyes sharp, their conversation just as intense as the match about to unfold.

Hiro bowed first, Aidan following suit a second later. The tension between them wasn't hostile—just the unfamiliarity of two boys sizing each other up for the first time.

Then, with a slight shift of his foot, Hiro lunged.

He swung the first punch, but Aidan caught his wrist with startling ease and countered with a left hook. Hiro ducked just in time, feeling the force of Aidan's fist cutting through the air above his head. Their movements were fast—clumsy in some ways, but instinctive. The sparring match was less about skill and more about understanding the other's rhythm.

Meanwhile, in the office above, Kazuya leaned back against his desk, arms crossed as he spoke.

"So, Kousuke, tell me—what do you think about your son joining the organization alongside Aidan?"

Kousuke didn't respond immediately. His eyes followed Hiro's movements, the way he analyzed Aidan's stance, the brief hesitations before he made his next move. "It's up to him," he finally said. "He's smart. He'll decide what's best for himself."

Kazuya smirked. "That's what I like about you, Kousuke. You always act like you're giving him a choice."

Kousuke's gaze flickered to Kazuya, but he said nothing.

Kazuya continued, turning back to the fight. "I know the age requirement for the gang is fifteen, but there's an opening in the lookout division. Both Hiro and Aidan could start early. They wouldn't be doing any heavy lifting—just keeping an eye on things. It's simple work, and they'd be learning discipline."

Kousuke sighed. "They're kids, Kazuya. Let them have some kind of childhood before throwing them into this world."

Kazuya chuckled. "I'm ruthless, not a monster. They wouldn't start right away—the minimum age is seven. That gives them time to train, and by then, they can decide for themselves."

Below them, Hiro dodged another strike, barely managing to sidestep Aidan's foot sweeping toward his legs. The movement cost him—Aidan was quick, and in a blink, he had Hiro in a headlock.

Kousuke tensed.

"Relax," Kazuya muttered, watching with amusement. "Aidan knows better than to actually hurt him."

Hiro struggled, his small hands gripping Aidan's arm, searching for a way to break free. He could hear his own heartbeat, loud and erratic. Then, something sparked in his memory—a technique he had seen his father use before. He had never tried it himself, but at this moment, he had no choice.

With a quick twist of his body, Hiro wrapped his leg around Aidan's neck and used the leverage to flip him over. Aidan hit the ground with a stunned grunt, Hiro rolling away and scrambling to his feet.

In the office, Kousuke's eyes widened. "How the hell…?"

Kazuya chuckled. "Looks like your kid knows more than you think."

Aidan stood up, brushing himself off. His usual smirk had been replaced with something else—respect. "Not bad," he admitted, cracking his knuckles. "Didn't think you had that in you. Now let me return the favor."

Without warning, Aidan lunged, fist cutting through the air. Hiro had no time to react. The uppercut connected squarely with his chin, and before he knew it, he was flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.

Then, Kazuya's voice echoed through the intercom. "That's enough. You can stop now."

Aidan sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. Hiro groaned, rubbing his jaw as he sat up.

Kazuya turned to Kousuke, grinning. "Your son is impressive. He learns fast. You should be proud."

Kousuke didn't reply, but he couldn't shake the image of Hiro using a move he had never been taught.

Minutes later, both fathers stepped onto the training grounds. Hiro and Aidan looked up at them expectantly.

Kazuya spoke first. "You both put on quite a show. I'm impressed."

Aidan bowed slightly. "Thank you, Father."

Hiro did the same. "Thank you, sir."

Kazuya's expression shifted to something more serious. "We've been talking. There's a position open in the gang's lookout division. It's not real gang work yet—just observation, tracking supplies, keeping an eye on things. You both would be good at it."

Aidan turned to Hiro, eyes gleaming with excitement. "That sounds perfect. What do you think?"

Hiro hesitated, then looked at his father. Kousuke studied him for a long moment before speaking. "It's your choice."

Hiro thought about the fight, about how it felt to hold his own against someone like Aidan. He thought about his father, about the world he lived in. About how he wanted to be strong.

He turned to Kazuya and nodded. "I want to join."

Kousuke sighed, running a hand down his face, but he didn't argue.

Kazuya smirked. "Good. You'll officially start when you turn seven. Until then, train hard."

Aidan grinned, nudging Hiro. "Looks like we're in this together."

Hiro nodded, determined. He didn't realize, at that moment, just how much those words would define the rest of his life.

(End of Chapter)