Her biggest supporter

The crisp morning air was heavy with the scent of polished wood and sweat. Inside the Reinhardt family's private training hall, the rhythmic sound of fists meeting padded targets echoed across the spacious dojo. The soft shuffle of feet, controlled breaths, and the occasional grunt of exertion created a familiar melody—one that had become second nature to the Reinhardt siblings.

It was Saturday.

Their day of training.

Leina steadied herself, fists clenched as she focused on Levy, who stood in front of her holding up padded mitts. His stance was relaxed, a smirk playing at his lips as he wiggled his fingers.

"Alright, bookworm," Levy teased. "Show me what you've got."

Leina exhaled through her nose, rolling her shoulders. She wasn't the strongest in the family—not by a long shot. While her brothers excelled in combat training, she was the one who preferred books to bruises, pages to punches.

But that didn't mean she was weak.

She threw a punch, her knuckles hitting the padded target with a dull thud.

Levy barely reacted. He blinked, unimpressed. "That was adorable. Try again, but this time, pretend I'm one of those villains from your mystery novels."

Leina scowled. She adjusted her stance and struck again—harder this time.

Levy let out an exaggerated grunt, shaking his hand dramatically. "Ahh! The mighty Leina Reinhardt! A fearsome warrior!"

Leina rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."

"I know," Levy said, grinning. "But hey, at least I'm entertaining."

Across the dojo, Lester stood with his arms crossed, watching Liam and Louis spar. The twins moved in perfect synchronization, their movements nearly identical as they countered each other's strikes.

"Don't just copy each other," Lester instructed. "Anticipate. Adapt."

Louis suddenly shifted his footing, breaking the mirrored movements. Liam hesitated for just a second too long, and Louis took advantage, landing a clean strike to his brother's side.

"There you go," Lester said with approval. "Keep thinking ahead."

Leina watched them for a moment before Levy flicked her forehead.

"Hey," he said. "Don't space out now. Unless you'd rather be sparring with Lester?"

Leina huffed. "Absolutely not."

Levy grinned. "Good choice."

He plopped onto the wooden floor, stretching his legs. "Alright, break time. I'd like to survive until lunch."

Leina sighed in relief, sitting beside him and grabbing a water bottle. She took a slow sip, letting the coolness soothe her dry throat.

Levy leaned back on his hands, staring at the ceiling. "So, are you going to tell me what's bothering you, or am I going to have to guess?"

Leina stiffened slightly.

"…Nothing's bothering me."

Levy snorted. "Yeah, right."

Leina stared down at her water bottle, twisting the cap in her fingers.

Her mind flickered back to Susain's taunts earlier that week. The way she had somehow known something she shouldn't have.

And then there were those twins.

Maria and Daria.

Friendly—too friendly. Almost unnaturally so.

Leina had spent all of Friday evening thinking about it. Wondering if she was just imagining things.

But the feeling in her gut hadn't faded.

"…It's nothing important," she finally muttered.

Levy raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

Leina hesitated—then nodded. "Yeah."

Levy studied her for a moment before sighing. "Alright. But if it does become important, you'll tell me, right?"

Leina hesitated again—then nodded.

"…Yeah."

Levy grinned, nudging her shoulder. "Good. Because I'd hate to have to interrogate a bunch of nine-year-olds."

Leina snorted. "You'd make a terrible interrogator."

"Excuse you, I'd make an amazing interrogator."

"You'd probably bribe them with candy."

"…That's beside the point."

Leina shook her head, but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.

For all of Levy's teasing, she knew he meant what he said. If something was wrong, he'd be the first to stand by her side.

And for some reason, that made everything feel a little less overwhelming.

Just then, Lester clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention.

"Alright," he said. "That's enough for today."

Liam and Louis collapsed onto the floor in dramatic unison.

"Finally," Liam groaned.

"My legs are dead," Louis added.

Levy stretched his arms above his head. "That was a solid training session. I think we deserve a reward."

Liam immediately perked up. "You mean—"

"Snacks," Levy confirmed.

Louis gasped. "Best. Brother. Ever."

Lester sighed. "Fine. But don't take forever."

The twins bolted out of the hall, already arguing about what they were going to eat.

Leina stood, brushing off her training clothes. Levy ruffled her hair again before following after the twins, whistling to himself.

Lester walked past her, pausing briefly.

"You did well today," he said simply.

Leina blinked. Praise from Lester was rare. But when he did say something, it was always genuine.

"…Thanks," she said.

Lester nodded before heading off.

Leina lingered for a moment, exhaling slowly.

For all the chaos, for all the teasing—Saturdays like this reminded her of something simple.

She wasn't alone.