Two Steps Behind

-

e: Threads

hardwood floor like golden threads. Aiko's breath misted faintly in the cool air as she t

. And

erything. Flow, p

ent purposeful, honed from years of repetition. In her mind, the world outside the

ik

gently throu

d-up towel. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and he wore a simple white hoodie with his backpack slung l

his." He held

smiled faintly. "

ys do that thing where you push your

ir fingers brushed, jus

observant,"

r fail home economi

ure softening. "Still m

so this tim

sideways glan

handed her the rice bun wrapped in wax paper. The smell was warm and savo

shift through the skylight. "You'v

ualify," she

dy did, di

n Junior Tournament is coming up. Only one

g right away. Then, qu

spond. Her eye

mething els

anced

" he continued. "Since last

some trouble. With a few upp

wed. "Are they

s. I can h

r a long moment. "Do

"What are you going to d

more chili oil

. "You're r

friend, and I notice w

strikes. "They said I don't belong in the tournament. That jutsu i

his voice level. "You could bre

not th

lowly. "The

what if they're right? What if

y do

n't kno

nce we were kids. You're more disciplined than half the dojo. You

se days. When it was just about

still that girl. The rest-noise. You do jutsu

at him. Rea

that flashy confidence most boys tried to wear like a

rrow your head for

e not to burn anyth

r laugh-loud

warm, suspend

were teenagers in a world full

it out. One

r. Just

ust. Not everyone's

ded. Her fin

instantly. "

ocked the screen and

idn't

s gaze linger a

-

torn open. Her gloves were missing. Her uniform sliced down one sid

od. No

mal

ed at it

s empty. The a

upperclassmen t

as del

tomac

d enem

-

s back wall. The water was slow and dark, carrying

, holding the ruine

say anythi

beside he

it was a whisper. "Someo

anger. He just exhaled. "I thou

ed. "You

k at you. The way people go

him. "Why didn

ou'd tell me when

red at t

ink someone from the to

aid carefully. "But I

dded s

e that day, her s