Chapter Eight: "A Day Of Peace"

Chapter Eight – "A Day of Peace"

Tenkai Garden Pavilion — Morning

Sunlight spilled over the polished stone paths of Tenkai Academy, glinting off dew-drenched leaves, showcasing the beautiful Outlook of nature.

Birds chirped in melodious unison. Blossoms swayed lazily in the breeze. The world, for once, was still, peaceful, quiet and free from danger.

Takashi sat beneath an apple tree on a hill overlooking the garden plaza. His hands were laced behind his head, eyes half-lidded, looking at the wonderful work of nature.

"This feels... wierd" he muttered.

Akihiro flopped down next to him, biting into a massive steamed bun. "You mean peaceful? Yeah. I hate it."

Sakura rolled her eyes, sitting cross-legged beside them, her spirit fox curled up and snoring softly. "You two are allergic to happiness, I swear, why don't you enjoy it while it lasts."

Akihiro responded: "I agree, let's have some fun", grasping Sakura and Takashi in his hands.

"Don't squash me okay, too temder to be a squashed little girl, by the way, I haven't found a boyfriend yet, so don't ruin my shape".

Akihiro bursted into laughter

"What's so funny?", Sakura asked ready to hit him.

"The world is worrying about demons and you are worried with your shape, what makes you think a boy with love you in this situation?".

"Why youuuu", Sakura hit him hard and starts to chase him in order to beat him the more.

Takashi tries to help holding off his smile but they are all stopped by the sound of a distant voice calling Takashi.

From the hill's slope, a joyful voice rang out:

"Takashi-oníí-chan!!"

Takashi barely turned before Airi tackled him with a tight hug, giggling. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes bright—free of corruption for the first time in weeks.

"How did she....come so fast?, Her voice sounded like it came from afar off when we heard it".

"Man that girl is fast", Akihiro stated.

"You're up!" Takashi gasped.

"Of course I am!" she said, puffing her chest. "I heard you saved me… again. That means you owe me tea. And dango. And a new flute."

Sakura stifled a laugh. "She's got you wrapped."

Akihiro grinned. "Definitely more dangerous than any demon."

They all chuckled.

Training Fields — Midday

With the skies clear and classes paused, students gathered in the open arena for games, friendly duels, and cooking contests. Music played softly through enchanted crystals hovering in the air.

Takashi sparred with Sakura under the shade, both holding wooden swords.

"No powers," Sakura reminded. "Just skill."

Takashi scoffed: "you scared that I would woo your ass?".

"As if", Sakura responded boldly.

He lunged. She dodged. He swept low. She jumped, spinning midair.

"You've been watching too many anime," she teased.

"And you haven't watched enough!" he countered.

Meanwhile, Akihiro taught Airi how to summon a tiny Shikigami—a miniature squirrel spirit that rode on her shoulder and squeaked on command.

"Can I name it Sparkleclaw?" she asked seriously.

"...You just did."

Takashi lunged forward again, swinging low. Sakura hopped back, spinning gracefully on her heel. Her wooden sword tapped his shoulder.

"Point," she said, smirking.

"No fair," Takashi groaned, rubbing his shoulder. "You're faster."

"You're predictable," she shot back, flicking her sword with flair. "You always lead with your right."

"Because it's stronger," he grinned.

"Not when it's slower."

He narrowed his eyes. "Alright, no holding back this time."

"No powers," she warned again.

He feinted left, then ducked and swept her legs—but she flipped mid-air, landing light as a feather behind him.

"Nice try," she said sweetly, before poking him in the back with the tip of her sword. "Point two."

"I'm starting to think you've been practicing just to beat me."

"Of course," she said with a wink. "What else is there to do while you were busy soul-diving and saving the world?"

A small crowd had gathered around them now—students cheering, some placing playful bets. Airi stood near the edge with Sparkleclaw on her shoulder, pumping her fists.

"Come on, oníí-chan! Don't lose to the pretty girl!"

Takashi turned red. "Airi!!"

Sakura, laughing, took advantage of the distraction and darted forward—but this time, Takashi anticipated it. He sidestepped, tapped her wrist with his sword, and then gently pressed the tip against her chest.

"Point."

The crowd let out a collective "Oooooh!"

Sakura stepped back, raising an eyebrow. "You've improved."

"You too."

They stared at each other, breath steady, smiles rising.

"Match point?" Sakura offered, raising her sword.

"Let's make it interesting," Takashi replied.

And with that, they charged—wood clashing, feet dancing across the grass, two warriors not fighting for victory, but for joy.

"Match point?" Sakura offered, raising her sword, hair swaying gently with the breeze.

Takashi grinned, lifting his own. "Let's make it interesting."

They circled each other slowly, light on their feet, the crowd now fully invested in the friendly showdown. Airi stood front and center, Sparkleclaw bouncing on her shoulder like an excitable mascot.

"I'm rooting for both of you!" Airi yelled. "But Sakura… don't go easy on him!"

"Oh, I won't," Sakura replied, never taking her eyes off Takashi.

"Gee, thanks," Takashi muttered.

Sakura lunged first—fast, sharp, deliberate.

Takashi deflected it cleanly, but her follow-up came in low—a sweep that nearly knocked him off his feet. He hopped back just in time, barely keeping balance.

"Close one," he said.

"Closer than your grades in battle theory," she teased.

He chuckled. "Oh, now you're playing dirty."

He twirled his wooden blade and adopted an exaggerated battle stance—one leg up like a flamingo, arm stretched out, hand wobbling dramatically.

Sakura blinked. "What… are you doing?"

"Confusing you with style," he replied.

The crowd laughed.

Sakura lunged again, but this time he slid beneath her strike with unexpected grace, popped up behind her, and tapped her shoulder with the tip of his sword.

"Point for style?"

"Nope."

Sakura spun and launched a flurry of precise jabs. Takashi dodged left, then right, the last strike grazing his side.

"Getting tired?" she asked, a sly grin forming.

"Only of losing," he shot back, dancing backward, giving himself space.

She charged again, this time going for a high feint before ducking low—only for Takashi to sidestep with a graceful spin and flick her sword from her hand.

Gasps from the crowd. Sakura's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wha—"

Before she could finish, Takashi gently pressed his sword against her forehead with a cocky smirk. "Boop."

A beat of silence.

Then laughter erupted around them.

Even Sakura laughed, pushing his sword aside. "You're the worst."

"You almost had me," he said, offering his hand.

She took it, letting him pull her back up. "I'll get you next time."

"Only if you stop smiling when you fight," he teased. "You get soft when you're happy."

She bumped his shoulder with her own as they walked back toward the others.

"I'm always happy when I'm fighting with you."

He paused for just a second—just enough for her to catch him flustered.

"Geez," he muttered. "Was that a compliment or a declaration of war?"

Sakura just winked and walked ahead.

"Both."

Cooking Contest.

After the sparring match ended with laughter and mock grumbles, the students gathered in the open garden arena for the highlight of the day: the Tenkai Student Cooking Contest.

A long line of enchanted stoves and tables appeared out of nowhere—summoned by the school's support spirits, each glowing faintly with kitchen-themed magic.

"Rule's simple!" the announcer (a loud second-year with too much energy) shouted. "Teams of two. One dish. Judges: your fellow students."

Takashi looked down at Airi, who was clapping wildly.

"Please don't team me with her," he muttered to no one.

Too late.

Airi tugged on his sleeve. "Oníí-chan, we're teaming up, right?! You cook, I decorate!"

"Decorate?" he blinked. "Airi, this isn't an art project."

"It is now," she grinned, already pulling ingredients onto their table.

Akihiro stood confidently at the next station, cracking his knuckles. "I was raised by a chef. You're all going down."

Sakura narrowed her eyes from across the garden. "We'll see about that."

Her partner? Surprisingly… a tiny old librarian spirit who floated beside her like a moody kitchen witch.

---

Contest Begins

Takashi fumbled with a pan. "Uh… is this upside down?"

Airi placed fruit slices in the shape of a smiley face on raw dough. "Look! It's you!"

"That's a pancake, not a mirror," he groaned.

Meanwhile, Akihiro diced vegetables with terrifying precision—his Shikigami wolf even helped stir soup with its tail.

Sakura, calm and focused, blended ingredients like a potion master. Her spirit fox held a spice jar in its teeth, nodding whenever she reached for it.

"Why are their animals so coordinated?" Takashi muttered, dropping an egg.

"Because they don't burn water like you," Airi said brightly, squeezing ketchup into a heart shape.

Judging Time

The three dishes were placed side-by-side on a long table.

Akihiro's Dish: Spicy pork dumplings with miso broth and flame-grilled rice cakes

Sakura's Dish: Rose-colored berry crepes with vanilla crystal cream

Takashi & Airi's Dish: Burnt omelette shaped like a smiley face with glittering sprinkles and… seaweed eyebrows?

The crowd stared.

Airi beamed. "It's art!"

Takashi shrugged. "It's edible. Kinda."

The first bite went to a brave judge (an older third-year). They sipped Sakura's tea, moaned after tasting Akihiro's dumplings… then paused at Takashi's plate.

They bit in.

Chewed slowly.

And then—

"Surprisingly… not bad?"

Airi gasped. "We did it!"

Takashi fell to his knees. "We've peaked."

Contest Results

🥇 First Place: Sakura – elegant, balanced, sweet

🥈 Second Place: Akihiro – bold, fiery, full of soul

🥉 Third Place: Takashi & Airi – chaotic, questionable, but creative

Takashi raised his wooden spoon in triumph. "We're officially the best worst team."

Airi hugged him. "Let's always be last together!"

"Please no."

Dorm Rooftop — Sunset

The four friends sat shoulder-to-shoulder, feet dangling off the edge, snacks in hand. The sky glowed with oranges and purples.

Airi leaned her head on Takashi's shoulder. "Today was perfect."

Takashi gave a small smile. "We needed it."

Sakura nodded. "And we earned it."

Even Akihiro, the ever-gruff wolfboy, looked soft in the fading light. "Let's enjoy it while it lasts."

For the first time in forever, laughter echoed through the halls of Tenkai.

No warnings.

No blood.

Just peace.

To Be Continued…