Two Steps Behind

ee: The Sce

ouds lingered low over the school buildings like secrets waiting to be spoken. Aiko stood

e night, replaying the g

to look closer. Whi

t angered her. Whoever was behind this had underestimated her resolve.

't know what

urnament. Not j

r discipline. And ye

footsteps

e

with sharpness. Today, he offered a warm coffee in a paper

leep much," h

ping the coffee

ng about what

sideways. "

n't want to interfer

ime, in

faintly.

offee drift around her face. "She said it

said. "That's how th

ing the rain fall. "I want to

ed piece of paper. "I

m nearby schools, dojo affiliations, recent

d's bulletin and the regional committee sit

age. One name sto

d. "She was in last

said. "Her cousin trains at your dojo

seen

fluence. And if she felt like you we

lain the

ay

tucking it into her poc

n't be

t him. "Than

d. "You never ha

-

cross the floor. Aiko was sparring with an upperclassman under Coach Nakamura's watchful

e wasn't just practicing anymo

hbook in hand, but his gaz

, how she paused half a second longer between transitions. She wasn't just fight

ped off the mat, sweat trailing down her tem

ch muttered. "Shar

foc

ed. "Focus is good. But an

dn't d

, then said, "Let's try something new ne

d an eyeb

not just see it. You've got

, curiosit

ll figure entered the

r over workout clothes. She moved like she didn't belong to an

at?" Aiko

athletic reps. She visits around tournament season. They mon

an eyebrow

te sponsors. Even ma

ow we were b

t. But when you st

ted. Was that wh

cooldown drills, trying to i

-

he campus exit. The mist had thickened, giving the trees a dream

ockets. "What would you do if you

moment. "I'd train ha

t afraid o

ut fear doesn't mean you stop.

strength in her answer. "You'

have the

more than

the school gate. The canal below

id. "You train, you fight, you earn your place

same fight. Just different rules

ed. "I h

're stil

ned to him. "If I ever start doubtin

rrowed. "What

ere there aren't any. Losing faith. I

r gently. "Then I'll r

ed softl

-

er. She started circling names. Mei Kanzaki. Dojo connections. Students who'd foug

t catching h

. Always present. And always step

nt a message to Ren: "Let's

most instantly: