When my senses returned,
my eyes locked on a distant point.
Every movement ached in my joints—but the pain was already fading.
Someone was nearby, close enough to feel, yet too far to touch.
Renji.
His smile, as always, hovered between genuine and false.
With a serious tone, he said:
"You did good.
It's time, Hayato. This... will be our strike. The spark of rebellion."
I lowered my head slightly.
Too early. Far too early.
My voice came out so quiet it almost disappeared with the wind:
"We're not ready.
Watari still hasn't reached the level we need.
And my team… is no longer four."
The number felt heavier than the sentence.
Renji tilted his head as he replied:
"You're right. Losing the twins after your defeat was a big blow.
But you… you're like a whole team by yourself, Hayato.
The other groups in the camp say they're ready."
A whole team.
Sounds like a compliment. But it carries weight.
"What about Watari?"
I asked, not turning my head.
Renji chuckled, a sly gleam in his eyes.
"Don't worry. He's looking for you.
I gave him directions.
He'll find you any minute now."
He'll find me…
So that's under your control too, huh?
"Renji… this war doesn't belong to us,"
I said, more firmly this time.
Renji lifted his gaze to meet mine.
"No. This war belongs to me.
And I can't force anyone who doesn't want to fight."
"Anyone in the camp say they don't want to join?" I asked.
He shrugged.
"Some. But… with my irresistible charm, I convinced them all,"
he said with that same infuriating grin.
"That sounds less like charm and more like... pressure,"
I muttered.
"Not pressure—charisma!"
He spoke with such confidence it was hard not to react.
I let out a short, involuntary laugh.
"Your charisma didn't work on me."
Renji narrowed his eyes, grinning.
"And yet you'll still be at the front line, won't you?"
Just then, the wind picked up.
Renji heard footsteps approaching.
He let out a quiet breath, then stepped back.
"Watari's here," he said calmly. "I'll leave the rest to you."
He turned slightly, shooting me a smug look.
His cloak shifted with the wind as he walked away.
The silence he left behind lasted only a second.
Then Watari appeared in front of me—
breathless, eyes wide with excitement.
"Sensei! I finally found you!"
I rolled my eyes.
"Watari… how many times do I have to say, don't call me sensei."
He was exhausted, but his eyes were steady.
"We've been looking for you for days, sensei."
We? I frowned.
"Kana and Yui too. We've been tracking your steps.
They were really worried about you."
I muttered under my breath:
"Damn it, Renji…"
It slipped out.
Watari tilted his head. "What did you say?"
"Nothing. Come on, let's head back."
We walked in silence for a while.
Only our footsteps echoed through the dirt.
"Watari," I said.
"Do you know the battle is about to begin?"
He nodded. "Yes, sensei."
"Did Renji try to persuade you?"
"No. I told him I'd fight."
I stopped for a moment.
"Why? Watari… you're not ready."
Without looking away, he answered:
"I know. But I want to be ready.
And if I have to fight before I reach that point…
I still won't run.
This is my path."
I slowly turned to look at him.
"Then… what level are you aiming for?"
"To be as strong as you.
Stronger, even," he said.
His words were clearer than I expected.
I paused.
Something stirred in me.
Maybe… admiration?
"I didn't expect that," I admitted.
Watari's resolve didn't falter.
"I have to do this, sensei."
He is hiding something.
"Do you have to?"
He looked away.
"…Sensei. I… I like Kana."
"Oh…
You two… would make a nice couple," I said.
But somewhere deep inside, I ignored the sting.
Watari scratched his head, blushing.
"I want to talk to her…
but she's always serious."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Is there another Kana in this camp I don't know about?"
Watari sighed.
"I thought about asking Yui for help…
but even she's hard to talk to."
I laughed unintentionally.
"Yui? You're either joking, or your eyes are broken."
Watari replied seriously:
"I'd never joke about that, sensei.
When the twins trained with you, they were laughing.
I couldn't believe it.
That's why I wanted to learn from you.
To reach your level.
I'm sorry."
I bowed my head.
"You don't want to be in my place.
Dealing with their games."
Watari smiled.
"Maybe I do want it, sensei.
To joke with two pretty girls.
Talk with them… I'd enjoy that."
I sighed again.
"If they're still waiting at the camp, tell them.
Let them train you.
Take my place."
He looked concerned.
"…You think they'd accept?"
"Why not?
They're good at heart.
They're done with me."
Watari went quiet.
Then asked softly:
"What are you going to do, sensei?"
I closed my eyes.
The answer had been waiting inside me for a long time.
"I'm not sensei anymore.
The battle has begun.
And we… will be on the front line.
Whether I want it or not."