Shirogiri dojo

The Shirogiri dojo was quiet, save for the rhythmic sounds of Ash's footwork echoing against the polished wood floors. His body moved with calculated precision, each strike flowing seamlessly into the next. The years of training had etched his movements into muscle memory—fluid, precise, and efficient. Every motion was a result of countless repetitions, each one sharpening his technique, his mind, his resolve.

Kenshiko's voice crackled over the speakers, cutting through the silence with a clinical tone. "Your stance is stabilizing. Faster recovery time between strikes. But your right side still has micro-delays."

Ash didn't miss a beat. He exhaled, adjusting his form with a subtle shift of his weight. "Noted."

The sound of footsteps from the entrance signaled a new distraction. Kaede's voice rang out, teasing and light. "So serious all the time. You ever do anything fun?"

Ash didn't pause. His jab shot forward with a sharpness that broke the stillness. "Training is fun."

Kaede groaned audibly, clearly unimpressed. "Ugh. You sound just like my father."

That comment was enough to make Ash stop. He glanced over his shoulder to see Kaede standing in the doorway, arms crossed, her usual mischievous grin plastered on her face. She was already challenging him without saying a word.

He arched an eyebrow, his tone dry. "How about you put all that brooding energy into a real fight?"

Kaede rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck with a confident tilt of her head. "Why not? I need a warm-up."

Ash's gaze shifted toward Kaito, who was leaning casually against the wall, watching the exchange. "Is this okay?" he asked, his voice flat.

Kaito glanced up at the ceiling, pretending to inspect the beams as if he didn't have a care in the world. "I'm just here for the show," he said nonchalantly, not even looking at them.

Kaede grinned wide, her eyes glinting with mischief. "That means yes."

Ash sighed, stepping into position. His feet slid into place, his focus returning to the task at hand. "Fine. Just don't complain when you lose."

Kaede smirked, unshaken. "Don't worry about me, Shirogiri. Worry about yourself."

THE FIRST EXCHANGE

Kaede moved first. Quick. Almost too quick.

Ash barely registered the movement before she closed the gap between them, her foot flashing out in a feint to the left before she snapped a powerful kick toward his ribs. He twisted his body, evading by mere inches, but she was already flowing into her next strike—no hesitation, no wasted motion. She was fast. Unpredictable. And relentless.

Ash brought his arms up in a defensive block just in time to intercept her next punch, feeling the force of it vibrate through his forearms. She's stronger than she looks, he thought, narrowing his focus.

Kaede grinned, clearly enjoying herself. "What's wrong? Can't keep up?"

Ash didn't answer. He didn't need to. Instead, he relied on his training, letting his instincts guide him as he sidestepped her next punch, countering with a sharp jab aimed at her shoulder. She barely managed to deflect it, but he saw the shift in her rhythm—she was good. He'd give her that.

"You fight like Kaito," Ash said, stepping back into his stance as they circled. "Same aggression. Same footwork."

Kaede's smirk grew wider, her eyes flashing with pride. "I fight better than him."

From the sidelines, Kaito cleared his throat loudly, breaking the tension with his dry voice. "I'm still here, you know."

Kaede's eyes flickered briefly to her father, and in that moment of distraction, she lunged forward with a swift sweeping kick aimed at Ash's legs. He saw it too late. Before he could react, her foot hooked around his leg, sending him stumbling back with a sharp grunt.

Kaede's laughter rang out as she flashed a triumphant grin. "Got you."

Ash's eyes narrowed. His expression remained unreadable, but the flicker of challenge in his gaze was undeniable. "Not twice."

PUSHING THE LIMITS

They clashed again, faster this time. The fight had moved from a series of measured strikes into a flurry of raw aggression. Ash's precision met Kaede's unpredictability in a flurry of blocked punches, deflected kicks, and fluid counters. There was no rhythm to her fight, no set pattern. She fought on instinct, and it made her dangerous.

Kaede aimed for his ribs again—Ash blocked. She shifted, driving her elbow toward his jaw—he ducked, and in the same motion, he swept low, hoping to catch her off guard. But Kaede was quick, flipping back with an agility that made it seem effortless. She landed, facing him with a cocky grin.

"You really don't talk much, do you?" she taunted, watching him closely as she regained her footing.

Ash exhaled, his breath steady despite the speed of their exchanges. "Talking won't win you this fight."

Kaede's grin widened, the glint of challenge in her eyes intensifying. "Maybe not. But it's distracting you."

With that, she surged forward, pressing the attack. Ash was forced on the defensive, his every move calculated, but Kaede's speed and unpredictability pushed him to the edge. For the first time in a long while, Ash felt the weight of the challenge pressing in on him. He wasn't just fighting a skilled opponent—he was fighting someone who could push him to his limits.

THE FINAL MOMENT

Kaede feinted high, and for a split second, Ash thought he had her figured out. But she was already shifting, dropping low, aiming to sweep his legs once again. This time, Ash was ready. He didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped into her attack.

Kaede's eyes widened in surprise as he pivoted, using her own momentum against her. He twisted her mid-motion, sweeping her legs out from under her with a precise strike. In an instant, she was on the ground, her body hitting the mat with a solid thud.

Ash stood over her, his breath steady. "Got you."

Kaede groaned from the floor, blinking up at him with a mixture of surprise and admiration. She rolled her neck, grinning despite the loss. "Alright, alright. You win. But next time, I'm taking you down."

Ash didn't say anything. He simply extended a hand, pulling her up with minimal effort. As she stood, brushing herself off, he noticed something in her eyes—a fire. A challenge that was far from extinguished.

For the first time, Kaede didn't seem like just a source of irritation. She was something else. Something more. A rival. A force to be reckoned with.

And as he looked at her, a thought crossed Ash's mind—this wasn't just a sparring match. It was the beginning of something much bigger.

Kaede wasn't just trouble. She was challenging.

And Ash wasn't sure if that was a good thing—or a dangerous one.