(Seven years later)
They're standing across from me.
Kana on the right, Yui on the left.
Same faces… but eyes glowing with very different intentions.
"What tricks are they playing this time…?
Last time, while I was sparring with Kana,
Yui dumped a bucket of water on me."
Third Flame – Stage Three.
My iris turns crimson.
My heart pounds.
Reflexes sharpen.
But already, a dull throb is forming on my forehead.
Kana raises her katana.
The flame in her eyes spills past in white mark of her iris.
Second Flame – Stage Three.
But a strategist.
Yui—arms raised like she's dancing.
Same level… but chaos.
Unpredictable.
"Ready?" Kana asked.
"Always," I said.
My eyes stayed on Yui.
You never know what she'll do, or when.
Dust stirred into the air.
Yui lunged from the shadows like a bird.
Unexpected speed.
I flipped to evade—and at the same time, Kana repositioned behind me.
Tactical pincer, I thought.
But it couldn't be that simple.
They're hiding something.
Kana's blade came down silently.
I blocked by instinct—sparks flew.
Then Yui rammed into my left shoulder—deliberately.
My focus broke.
The Flame inside me flared hotter.
But the throbbing in my head worsened.
Side effects… now of all times?
I shook my head, trying to steady myself.
Suddenly, Yui's foot slipped.
"Yui!" I shouted.
Instinct moved before thought.
I reached out and caught her.
And in that exact moment—
—Kana's blade was at my throat.
The dust settled.
Silence.
This was the moment I lost.
"Get off my sister."
Kana's voice was sharp.
I placed a hand on the ground and started to rise.
But Yui didn't let me.
That same familiar mischievous look in her eyes.
They were mocking me again.
"You… played me."
Kana's smirk spread across her face—a real, satisfied one.
She was enjoying her first win against me.
"What, it's our fault you drool over my sister?
We took a risk… and this time it worked."
Yui sat on my right, eyes glowing with shy triumph.
"I didn't know I had that effect on you, Hayato.
You looked stunned. Mouth wide open."
I sighed deeply.
"I did not! You were falling.
If I hadn't caught you, you'd have hit the ground."
Yui tilted her head, voice soft:
"My hero…"
Something twisted in my chest.
I hated that.
"Why would you do something that reckless?
Why put yourself at risk?"
Yui was savoring every second.
Then she said:
"I never thought it was risky.
Because… I knew you'd catch me."
Kana chuckled.
"Your mouth's open again, Hayato."
I lowered my head.
Let out another long sigh.
"You two… really need to stop messing with me."
Kana lowered her sword.
Her face relaxed, but her voice stayed steady:
"We finally beat you, Hayato.
Fair and square."
I frowned.
"Huh? Fair?"
"Did you forget our deal?
If we beat you, we go free.
That freak promised."
Six, maybe seven years had passed since that ridiculous promise.
I hadn't realized they still took it seriously.
Did they truly believe they were still slaves?
They could leave anytime they wanted.
"That deal… this doesn't count. It was a trick."
Yui cut in:
"We've been watching you for years.
We tried so many times.
Lost so many times.
But this time… we found a way to surprise you."
Kana added:
"We know your weakness now."
Something stirred unpleasantly inside me.
"Tactics?
You mean trickery.
And I don't have a weakness."
Yui leaned in.
I looked away immediately.
Her voice brushed my ear:
"If I did it again… would you catch me?"
I was too busy pretending to be fascinated by a blue butterfly on the tree.
Kana snapped:
"Answer us, Hayato. Would you?"
The butterfly flew away.
I watched it drift upward.
"You two… really are insane."
Kana turned to Yui.
Eyes bright with victory:
"When the freak shows up, you can tell him.
We want our silver too."
Yui giggled:
"I wonder what Renji will say when he hears this."
They both laughed.
A warm wind blew sakura petals past them.
I stood up.
Brushed the dust off my clothes.
"Do whatever you want…
I'm leaving."
Yui's teasing voice drifted behind me:
"You're so cute when you're mad.
Even funnier when you pout."
She leaned toward Kana and whispered:
"Why didn't you tell him we're staying?"
Kana winked:
"Because… this way's more fun."