Part 2 — The Tournament We Might Refuse
Akari listened as Haruto talked, nodding now and then, fingers still moving gently through his hair.
After a pause, Haruto spoke again, quieter this time.
"Aka… Daigo-sensei said there's an upcoming tournament."
Her hand slowed. "Tournament?"
"The Shinobi Vanguard Tournament," he said. "Students from other academies too. Everyone's going."
He hesitated, then added, almost too casually,
"Except us."
Akari looked down at him. "You want to go?"
Haruto turned his face slightly toward her. "Please."
She smiled. "You three can go."
His eyes widened just a little. "Really?"
"Yes," she said warmly.
Then he frowned. "But… when they ask, say no. Okay?"
Her smile faded into confusion. "Why?"
He stared at the ceiling.
"Because I don't want them to get hurt," he said. "And I don't want to fight them if they get paired with me."
Akari sighed softly. "The starting matches are always cross-academy. You know that. Only after students get knocked out do they start pairing people left over. If you, Ayame, and Kaito all keep winning… then one of you might get paired."
Haruto was quiet for a moment.
"Anyway," he said finally, letting out a slow sigh, "just say no."
She shook her head lightly. "That's unfair, you know."
He didn't argue. He just closed his eyes again.
The front door opened.
"I'm home," Ayame's voice rang out.
"I'm home," Kaito followed.
"I'm home," Renjiro said last, his tone calm as ever.
Footsteps approached the living room.
Haruto didn't move from the sofa.
Akari's hand was still in his hair.
For just a moment, everything felt normal.
And that was the most dangerous part.
Lunch was quiet at first.