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The fourth month in Japan was proving to be the most eventful so far. My team was coming together—Saeko, Saya, Kohta, Hiroki... each piece of the puzzle falling into place. But there was one bond that still needed to be fortified.
Rei Miyamoto.
Since the whole locker room incident, we'd had a few training sessions together. She was driven, sharp, and eager to improve her skills. But there was always something... off. A lingering tension. She was holding back, and I knew why.
She didn't trust me yet. Not fully. Not the way she trusted Takashi or Hisashi. And in a world where trust would mean the difference between life and death, that had to change.
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"Hey, Marco," Rei called from across the gym as I finished stacking some equipment.
I turned, tossing my towel over my shoulder. "What's up?"
"I was wondering..." She shifted her weight, her fingers fidgeting with her sleeve. "Can we train somewhere quieter? Just us?"
I blinked. "You sure? I figured you liked showing off in front of your friends."
She scoffed. "Shut up."
But she smiled. Progress.
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I drove us to an isolated clearing in the outskirts of town—one of my scouting points. There was plenty of open space, old concrete barriers, and cover for training scenarios. The sky was beginning to turn orange, the sun dipping low as the day drew to a close.
Rei stepped out of the car, rolling her shoulders and gripping her wooden staff.
"So," she said, spinning the staff with practiced ease. "Are we going full contact?"
I smirked. "I was thinking more hand-to-hand this time. Unless you're scared."
"Please," she shot back, tightening her stance. "I can handle you."
"Good," I muttered. "Because you're gonna need to."
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Rei's strikes were fast, fluid. Her training in the martial arts club gave her solid fundamentals, but I could tell she relied heavily on predictable patterns.
I dodged her first swing, weaving around her next strike and stepping inside her guard. Before she could react, I hooked her ankle with my foot and sent her stumbling back.
"Too slow," I teased.
"Don't get cocky," she growled, resetting her stance.
This time she attacked more aggressively—more chaotic. Good. She was learning. But still... predictable.
I feinted left, forcing her to overcommit. As she lunged to correct herself, I grabbed her wrist and twisted, sending her face-first into the dirt. I pinned her arm behind her back, holding her down with one knee.
"Yield?" I asked, breathing hard.
"Like hell," she muttered.
I laughed and let her go. She pushed herself up, spitting dirt out of her mouth.
"Damn... you're annoying."
"Yeah," I grinned. "But you're learning."
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We sat on one of the concrete blocks, drinking water and catching our breath. Rei still looked frustrated, but I could tell something was bothering her.
"You're not angry about the fight," I said. "What's really going on?"
She sighed heavily. "I just... don't get you. You show up out of nowhere. You get close to my friends. You act like you know everything, like you're planning something... but you never explain anything."
I knew this conversation was coming.
"Rei," I said carefully. "You know I've been preparing for something. But it's not because I want to 'control' anything. It's because..." I hesitated, then decided to take a risk. "Because I know that someday soon, things are going to get bad."
She frowned. "Bad? How bad?"
I didn't answer right away. Instead, I focused on her—and activated my information system.
Name: Rei Miyamoto
Age: 18
Survival Level: 3/10 (Tier 1)
Survival Abilities: 2 – (Martial Artist / Tactical Awareness / Order Follower)
Background: Daughter of Tadashi Miyamoto, a senior police officer. Rei grew up in a strict household with strong values of justice. She is protective, loyal to her friends, and harbors deep insecurities about living in her father's shadow. Although physically capable, her tendency to let emotions dictate her actions limits her strategic judgment.
Emotional Anchor: Strong bond with Takashi Komuro. However, there's a growing sense of uncertainty in her relationship with him. Subconsciously drawn toward individuals who provide security and structure.
I shut down the system and looked back at Rei.
"You're strong," I said. "But you rely too much on instinct. In a real crisis... that's going to get you killed."
Her expression hardened. "I know that," she muttered. "But what do you expect me to do?"
"Stick with me," I said firmly. "I know you trust Takashi, but... you need someone who knows what's coming."
She paused, then gave me a dry smile. "And you're that person?"
"I know enough to keep you safe," I replied. "And I swear... when the time comes, I'll be there."
For the first time since I met her, I saw the wall she kept up around herself begin to crack.
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We spent the rest of the evening practicing—her attacks sharper, her focus stronger. By the time the moon was high in the sky, we were both exhausted.
When I drove her home, she lingered at the car door before stepping out.
"Hey," she said softly. "About what you said... I'll trust you. Just... don't give me a reason not to."
I smiled. "I won't."
As she walked toward her house, I knew that something had shifted. Our bond wasn't perfect yet, but it was stronger than before.
And when everything finally went to hell... I knew she'd be there, fighting alongside me.
No doubts. No hesitation.
An unbreakable bond.
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