Two Steps Behind

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e: The Weig

nted at dangers Aiko couldn't yet name. And while she had trained harder than ever, something ins

eeze passed over the stone tiles, tugging her scarf. Classes wouldn'

saw Ren waving at her. He had t

he approached. "No sugar

eful. "Thanks. Yo

you've been in your head a lot lately

orange fruit still clinging to its branches. For a while, neither

ut what Coach Nakamura said. About peop

ed at he

e? Why would someone go so

you're getting too close to something-or

es narrowed. "Have yo

ble. "Actually... yea

t is

n. The locker room cams. They erased part of the files from a week

er cup tightened

id carefully. "But Nakamura might know. I'm

"I want to

t the peaceful moment was shattered when a

dojo princess and her

stood at the edge of the steps. Two other students flanke

a

deeper than fists ever could. She was subtle-backhanded compliments, fe

ediately. "Ba

just another overhyped fighter, Aiko. All nerves, no s

yes narrowing. "

ng unsettling. "I heard about your locker being trashed. And the

ed. "What d

be careful who you trust. People lie. Peop

. "You're spr

Aiko. Whether you like it or not. You should ask yourself-how

her friends turned and walked off,

ant to admit it-but Kana's words had stirred s

ders and spoke quietly. "Hey. Do

ainst each other," Aiko mut

lowed spoke louder than

gym. Ren had a class project to finish, and she insisted she could run dri

e side. When she finally stopp

e dist

ying no

won't survive the ring if yo

," she

n eyebrow. "Someon

a. She's been spread

"She's the type who stirs th

not entirely wrong?" A

You can't swing it wildly or hold it with fear. If y

wered h

uestion things. Keep your eyes open. B

she found an envelope taped to her door. N

urry shot of someone near her locker, late at night.

as hidden

ce-it looked familiar.

led as she folded

things. Or why. But someone wanted h

were su

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