"I'm human. A genuine human being."
Ryuji withdrew his flames. But at that moment, a towel was handed to him. Turning his head, he saw that it was Tifa who had passed it over.
However, Tifa's breathing was very rapid and her eyes seemed to wander slightly. When Ryuji sensed her condition, he realized that she was extremely agitated at the moment.
Ryuji was a little curious, but he also used it as an excuse to shift the conversation away from the topic of his "race." If Hanzo suddenly started asking whether he and Mai could have children, things would get troublesome.
While taking the towel and wiping away the blood he had left earlier, he asked,
"What's wrong, Tifa? You look like you have something on your mind."
He tried to make his voice as gentle as possible, but Tifa still nervously took a step back.
Looking at Ryuji's face, she recalled the battle she had just witnessed. She was very clear that the man in front of her was undoubtedly a fighter even stronger than her master Zangan.
Although Ryuji used a sword, that didn't stop her from wanting to learn martial arts from him.
But… what could she possibly offer as payment for becoming his student?
Tifa felt extremely conflicted.
This was the time when she desired strength the most. She wanted to avenge her father. She wanted to overthrow the Shinra Company.
But it was also the loneliest time in her life.
She had lost everything: her hometown, her father, her family, her childhood friends.
Even after her teacher rescued her, he had left to wander the world again. The hospital bills for saving her life were something she had to repay herself.
She had no money, no connections. This was her first time meeting Ryuji. She had nothing she could offer him.
Even the place she was staying in now had been provided by Ryuji.
So what could she possibly use to ask him to take her as a student?
A person shouldn't be so selfish…
Suppressing her desire to ask for apprenticeship, Tifa shook her head. She bit her lip before finally speaking.
"I'm just… a little scared."
Ryuji chuckled softly. Looking at the still somewhat inexperienced Tifa, he explained things to her.
"Don't worry, Tifa. That guy isn't a bad person. My fight with him was basically a mutual breakthrough, we both pushed each other forward."
That really was the case with his fight against Akuma. So, strictly speaking, they were already something like friends.
"So relax. After I take a shower, we'll go buy some things… but…"
Ryuji looked at Tifa. He didn't really know what the original Tifa was like, but the Tifa standing in front of him felt like a very strong-willed girl.
So he thought for a moment before speaking again.
"Are you interested in learning martial arts from me? Of course, it wouldn't be for free. I'd need you to help train future students of the Shiranui-ryū here and also participate in some competitions with me to help build the reputation of the Shiranui school."
Tifa's eyes widened in surprise. But before she could refuse, Ryuji spoke again.
"After all, you wouldn't want to just eat and live here for free, right?"
Tifa's body trembled slightly. She really didn't want to freeload. Earlier she had even wanted to ask Ryuji to help her find a job. But when he brought it up with such a casual, almost joking attitude, she suddenly realized how different Ryuji was from her childhood friends.
If it had been those childhood friends, they probably would have just told her to stay here while they worked to support her.
But Ryuji…
Thinking about how Ryuji wanted her to learn martial arts from him, her heart filled with joy. She also understood that he must have seen through her desire to learn his martial arts.
So, looking at Ryuji's gentle smile, Tifa felt a mix of complicated emotions, but overall she nodded happily.
"Mhm, I'll work hard!"
But the moment she bowed, Tifa also made up her mind.
This kindness… I will repay it a hundredfold with everything I possibly can!
She didn't know how to repay Ryuji, but she had already decided that no matter what he wanted in the future, she would do everything she could to bring it to him.
Watching the smiling Ryuji and Tifa, Mai glanced at the two of them and then frowned. It wasn't that she wanted to stop Ryuji from flirting with girls but rather it was Tifa's age that concerned her.
"By the way, Tifa, how old are you?"
The question made Tifa somewhat shy.
"I'm fifteen years old, but I'll be sixteen soon. I'm already an adult."
Huh?
Ryuji's eyes widened instantly!
She hasn't even reached the legal age in Japan yet?!
Mai nodded and then spoke.
"I see… In that case, you'll have to go to school. Otherwise we'll get into trouble and official authorities will come looking for us."
She looked at Tifa.
"So while you're in this world, you'll have to attend high school, Tifa."
Tifa: "..."
What is high school?
She had no idea.
~~~~~~~~~~
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