Frustration Burned in the Fire

In the first months after her joining, Seika spent most of her time with Wero, to whom she felt a certain closeness. They trained together, spoke about their fears and plans, and Wero showed Seika how to survive in the gang. This shared time strengthened their relationship. She still didn't want to get closer to her mother, but her safety within the gang forced her to endure it. Fortunately, nothing dramatic happened during these months. But that was about to change.

Wero explained to Seika that she had to learn to defend herself. So far, she had done nothing to protect herself because she always thought the others would shield her, and she felt unsure of her own strength.

"This mustn't become a matter of dependency."

Wero emphasized that Seika could not rely on the others to protect her forever. She had to be able to defend herself—not just physically, but also through prevention, mental strength, and strategic communication. Wero gave Seika the nickname "Saika," which in her mother tongue meant "little bunny." Wero found the name fitting because Seika seemed sweet and soft but turned wild and unpredictable when angry.

To Seika's misfortune, it was her mother who was assigned to teach her how to fight. Was it a prank from the other members? Mio, however, remained calm and treated Seika like any other student, with neither favoritism nor restraint.

Seika: "This can't be happening!"

Mio: "Who did you expect?"

Seika: "Anyone but you!"

Mio: "You don't always get to choose your opponent. For you, this is a good lesson."

Seika didn't want to admit that Mio was right. She thought about attacking her, but that would only confirm what Mio had just said.

Mio: "You need to learn to accept your thoughts. They won't always be good. Sometimes, they're full of doubt, anger, or fear, but they're a part of you."

Seika: "Why are you suddenly trying to sound wise?"

Mio: "I control my anger. Self-control is a greater strength than throwing reckless punches."

Seika: "I'm the one who's angry here!"

Mio: "I can see that. Your aura is full of fear, uncertainty, anger, and pain."

Seika: "I don't see any aura!"

Mio: "But it can be felt, even if it's invisible to others."

Seika: "Maybe you're sensing wrong!"

Mio: "Or maybe you misunderstand yourself."

Seika: "I don't need a mother lecturing me about aura."

Mio: "Today, I'm not your mother. I'm your teacher."

Mio knew she had struck a nerve when Seika rushed toward her. Yet she dodged effortlessly.

Mio: "You let your anger control you. I stayed calm and anticipated your movement. What did you learn from that?"

Seika: "You just got lucky."

Mio: "Luck isn't something you can always rely on. Self-control is the key."

After the training, Mio showed Seika how to handle a bat. Seika didn't immediately understand why she had to learn to fight when self-control was supposed to be so important. To her, it seemed contradictory to learn violence while also mastering one's impulses. Mio explained that not every opponent was controlled and that Seika needed to be prepared for a fight.

Mio: "Sometimes, offense is the best defense. But fight only when it's necessary."

Seika thought back to the time before Mio trained her. Back then, she was left to fend for herself within the gang and often let her rage out uncontrollably. She had no mentor to teach her how to rein in her emotions. Instead, she followed her instinctive impulses, feeling powerful when she used violence and sometimes even enjoying the control she felt when beating someone. Only when Mio became her teacher did she begin to understand what it truly meant to be strong. Mio taught her that real strength lies in mastering one's emotions rather than giving in to them. This training became a turning point in her life, helping her begin to leave the past behind and become Kiyomi.

Seika and Mio grabbed bats and trained on dummies. As they struck, they began to release their pent-up emotions. Seika imagined her father as she hit the dummy—her hate, her anger, all the pain she had bottled up for years. Mio, who could feel how much Seika was suffering, joined her. Both struck with all their might, Mio sharing her daughter's emotions while attempting to teach Seika how to control that rage. The strikes were not just training; they were also a cathartic release of frustration and hatred.

Mio: "These dummies never did anything to you, yet you're hitting them. How does it feel?"

Seika: "Nothing. They're just dummies."

Mio: "And if they were people?"

Seika: "That would be different."

Mio: "When you know nothing about your opponent, many act only out of anger. Your knowledge about someone influences your actions."

After the training, Seika decided to write down all her fears, worries, and frustrations and throw them into the fire. As she watched the paper burn in the flames, she felt a mix of fear, relief, and determination. Her hands trembled slightly, but with every spark that turned to ash, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. With this step, she aimed to let go of her past and start anew. The frustration and old burdens—burned away in the fire.