AN - Criticism is greatly appreciated (maki's a bum).
[POV 3rd]
As Kazui woke up, a familiar, pounding headache greeted him, just like the night before. His expression was dull, tinged with quiet disappointment.
The one who had woken him was his older brother, Jinichi Zenin.
It turned out that Jinichi, like his maid, Tetsuo, had already heard what happened. The two of them were now helping him pack his belongings, preparing for his transfer to the Akashi compound's living quarters.
Kazui didn't say much.
He simply helped in silence, folding what little he owned or even knew of owning and carrying it alongside them.
By the time they arrived, the difference was obvious.
Smaller room, more compact lifestyle, like they were indirectly telling him he was less important.
Still, he stayed silent.
Once everything was sorted, Tetsuo handed him a neatly folded schedule, his new daily routine within the Akashi.
When it was time to leave, Tetsuo hesitated.
"Young master-"
"…Just call me Kazui now."
Tetsuo paused.
"…Kazui… I'm sorry. I failed you as a maid. I never wanted this to happen… I always respected you, your calm, peaceful nature. the way you treated us despite us being servants, led me along with you, your more than i could have ever asked for in a master..."
His voice tightened.
"I can't believe I have to leave you here. If you ask me to… I'll fight for your-"
"Tetsuo."
Kazui cut him off gently.
"It's fine. Really. It sucks, yeah… but things change."
A small pause.
"And I'm not dragging you down with me. I'd never ask of that."
He looked at him properly this time.
"…See you around... Friend."
Tetsuo straightened immediately.
"Yes, sir!"
The door slid shut.
…
The room felt colder without him.
less open.
"well i mean it is smaller..."
Kazui exhaled slowly, then glanced at the schedule in his hands.
"…Well. Might as well get started."
Kazui stepped outside, taking in the Akashi compound, both to get his bearings and to see who he'd be working with.
"Yo, new recruit. You're Kazui, right?"
"…Mhm."
"Not much of a talker, huh? Well, I'm the 3rd Seat of the Akashi, Tatsuya Zenin. Nice to meet you."
"…Right. Do you know where Training Ground B is?"
"Ah, B Squad, bit young for that huh? Take a right, keep going till you hit the outer yard. You'll find it there, also you look good in the Akashi uniform."
"…Thanks."
"No problem."
As Kazui approached the training ground, a loud voice echoed ahead—
"YOU KIDS CAN'T EVEN DO 800 PUSH-UPS?! HOW THE HELL DO YOU EXPECT TO JOIN THE HEI WITH THAT ATTITUDE?!"
"But sir—"
"—Oh? Looks like we've got a new face."
All eyes turned toward Kazui,, questioning why someone a is enrolling a year late.
"DID I SAY YOU COULD STOP?!"
"NO, SIR!"
"…Good. Now, what's your name, kid?"
"Kazui Zenin."
"Alright, Kazui. I'm Shiga Zenin. My Cursed Technique is Moral Boost: it enhances the training efficiency of those around me."
He crossed his arms.
"What about you, kid?"
"Discharge Manipulation. I can control cursed energy after it leaves my body."
"…Show me."
"…Yes, sir."
A faint flow of cursed energy gathered in Kazui's palm-
Then a small wisp escaped, flickering weakly in the air like smoke.
"…Hmm."
Unlike the higher-ups, Shiga didn't dismiss it outright. Instead, he observed carefully.
"I see the issue."
"…What issue?"
"You can't output enough cursed energy. At best… what? less than one-thousandth of your reserves?"
"…Yeah."
"So how do I fix that?"
"Simple."
Shiga smirked slightly.
"Use it. Over and over again."
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
An awkward pause.
"But for now, training comes first. No cursed energy. Join the others."
"…Yes, sir."
A little while later…
'This is fucking hell…'
'Three hundred one-handed push-ups before breakfast…? Just kill me now…'
"Yo, new guy, how ya Holding up?"
Kazui glanced up.
"…Barely hanging on. Who are you?"
"Oh, right. Haven't introduced myself. Genya Zenin, 4th Seat, you?"
"…Kazui."
A stretched pause.
"…Urm. What's with the 'seat' thing?"
Genya blinked.
"Oh, yeah, that. Only the Akashi use it, makes sense you wouldn't know about it."
He did a push-up before continuing.
"Basically, the higher your seat, the stronger you are. You move up by beating someone above you in the official tournament. Happens every half-year."
"…When's the next one?"
"In Four months."
"…So Tatsuya's stronger than you?"
"Well… Yeah."
"ALRIGHT, EVERYONE! TRAINING'S OVER! PREPARE FOR EDUCATION PERIOD!"
"YES, SIR!"
Kazui let out a breath, collapsing heavily on the grass.
"…What a pain…"
Genya chuckled.
"You'll get used to it."