Yuna waited at the center of the empty dojo while my pulse remained less disciplined than the Fitness calibration suggested. Asking after losing felt cleaner because no victory could disguise the relationship as something I had earned from her. The coming answer would confirm her present choice without forgiving any future failure in advance.
I stepped within conversational distance and stopped before entering reach for a kiss. Her training clothes, damp hair, plus controlled breathing made desire obvious enough that pretending calm would insult both of us.
"Yuna Arai, will you be my girlfriend under the relationship agreement all four of us signed?" I asked.
"Yes," she replied before I could make the question more impressive.
I asked whether her yes meant committed dating beginning now rather than a promise after national training. Yuna confirmed the status began through this conversation, subject to every active term and her right to leave.
