After returning to the city by helicopter, the three landed in the main street—dust still clinging to their clothes, and the echoes of battle lingering in their chests.
Raizen walked with an annoyed wave of his hand, saying mockingly:
Raizen: "Why are sword users always so arrogant?"
Rinto: "Are you talking about me?"
Raizen: "No, I mean that idiot Neryo… Who does he think he is? I'll punch him someday."
Falen let out a long sigh, as if the weight of the fight was still pressing on him.
Falen: "But he's right… We're weak. We couldn't handle a single man. If he had finished that strange strike, he would've killed all of us."
Rinto: "He would've only killed you."
Falen: "What's wrong with you, idiot? Who was the one screaming like a princess, 'Help me fight him!' huh?!"
Raizen raised his hand to stop the argument:
Raizen: "Enough! It's over now. We should focus on training."
But Rinto didn't stop provoking him:
Rinto: "Our weakest one wants to lecture us now… You didn't do anything except synchronize with Falen. Without him, you're useless."
Raizen: "At least I have actual combat power—not like you… swinging a cheap sword."
Rinto turned sharply:
Rinto: "What?! Then I'll kill you with this cheap sword!"
Before he could take another step, Raizen's fist shot up and struck Rinto in the jaw—hard.
Rinto collapsed instantly, unconscious.
Falen's eyes widened.
Falen: "What did you just do?! He didn't even want to fight you. He was holding his sword in a defensive grip!"
He looked at the unconscious Rinto, then the street.
Falen: "Great… how do we know where he lives?"
Raizen: "I know. He's my neighbor."
They carried him home, and to their surprise, discovered that all three of their apartments were side by side. Falen stood before the door, sighing deeply.
Falen (inwardly): Why is this my fate… stuck between two idiots fighting on both sides of me?
They entered Rinto's home and sat beside him, waiting for him to wake up. Falen spoke firmly:
Falen: "Since we're his neighbors, it's our duty to stay with him until he wakes."
Raizen: "I can't. He doesn't deserve my respect."
Falen: "You'll stay whether you like it or not… and when he wakes up, you'll apologize."
Raizen had no escape, so he muttered:
Raizen: "Fine…"
As they played cards, Rinto slowly regained consciousness.
Rinto: "What? Why are you here?"
Falen: "We couldn't leave someone unconscious on the street. We brought you home… then found out we're neighbors."
Rinto: "I'm not honored by that."
Raizen: "Me neither."
Falen: "Same."
Raizen stepped forward with a rare hint of shyness.
Raizen: "I just wanted to say… sorry for mocking your sword."
Rinto: "I accept… but if you say it again, I'll kill you."
Raizen: "O-okay…"
Falen checked the time.
Falen: "Since it's nine… how about we sleep in your apartment tonight, Rinto?"
Rinto: "Don't you guys have your own apartments?"
Raizen: "Yeah, but… we don't want to be bored."
Rinto: "Fine…"
Raizen stood up excitedly.
Raizen: "How about I cook dinner?"
Falen: "Yes!"
Rinto: "Just don't poison us."
Raizen: "Impossible… we're friends!"
Rinto (inwardly): How can he trust me this easily… when I've only known him for a single day?
Raizen returned and announced:
Raizen: "Okay… dinner will be from a restaurant."
Falen: "What?"
Rinto: "Didn't you say you were going to cook?"
Raizen: "I was joking… I've never cooked in my life. What do you want to order?"
Falen: "Burger."
Rinto: "Pizza."
Raizen: "You two have no taste! Listen to my choice… curry!"
Falen: "How old are you?"
Rinto: "Who eats curry? My grandparents… and Raizen."
Raizen: "You don't understand real flavor!"
Rinto: "Yeah, sure… we don't understand, Grandma Raizen."
Raizen: "I'm seventeen!"
A few minutes after dinner, a message arrived on their phones.
Message: "You must be present at 4 o'clock at the Great Mountain."
They read it together.
Falen: "Where is the Great Mountain?"
Raizen: "The same mountain where the helicopter landed at the top."
Rinto: "So our meeting is at four… wonderful!"
Falen: "You're awfully confident."
Rinto: "How can I not be… when I hold this mighty sword?"