"I just wanted to welcome them... to the Hell of Kyudai."
He turned his attention to a nearby man in a traditional Yukata, intently practicing with a shinai. Continuing the conversation, he asked,
"Takeru is your brother; why wouldn't you choose him, Shiba?" addressing the Yukata-clad individual, Shiba Seijuro.
"Wait! Is it really just because they share the same name?" he thought, noticing Seijuro's silence.
"Oi, Akashi! What does he mean by the same name?" Kagami called out to Akashi Kotaro, who was watching with mild interest. Akashi replied nonchalantly, "Sei!"
"Ah! So it's Seijuro and Sei!" Kagami exclaimed, realization dawning. But before he could process this, Kozuki playfully bumped him from behind.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Kagami complained, rubbing his back while Kozuki Yamato shrugged it off, ignoring who was puzzled by the earlier exchange.
Seeing the rising tension, Okita Souji, who had joined Kagami, intervened to calm the situation. His usual tranquility, which mirrored Seijuro's calmness, often helped ground the team during stressful moments and maintain stability in their dynamic.
"Alright! Let's dive into the topic of Kyudai Erabi!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, glancing at Seijuro, who met his gaze with equal intensity. "What are your thoughts on the matter, Shiba?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
"Just wait for the exam day; I won't lift a finger to help her then, so no need for your concern!" Shiba declared confidently as he strode over to Yamato, who was leisurely sipping his tea, under the watchful eyes of the group.
"Honestly, she's fully capable on her own and doesn't need my help at all!" he added, savoring his tea, even as he felt Yamato's disapproving gaze.
The tension hung in the air for a moment before he opted for silence, walking away rather than engaging further, leaving the others to quietly observe their interactions with interest.
----------------------,
The first-year students were left confused by the sudden attack from their Senpai, their faces reflecting uncertainty. It felt as though chaos had erupted around them, like the aftermath of an unexpected storm.
One moment he was a commanding presence, catching them off guard, and the next, he vanished just as abruptly, leaving them to navigate a whirlwind of emotions.
"So, this is the SA team?" Shinji inquired, interrupting the silence that had enveloped them and directing his gaze toward Sei and Takeru, who stood there, motionless and seemingly lost in thought.
Neither of them offered a reply, their expressions holding a blend of surprise and contemplation. Takeru, in particular, looked utterly astonished as he turned his head slightly to glance at Sei, who let out a heavy sigh, clearly overwhelmed by the situation unfolding before them.
The atmosphere was thick with tension, and it was clear that both of them were grappling with unspoken thoughts, adding to the stillness in the air.
"What are you all thinking?" Shinji asked, adjusting his glasses as he glanced at them. They sat in the thick, heavy air, the unspoken tension weighing down the atmosphere.
"Hurry up and answer me!" Shinji urged them while grappling with the pressure of their actions and gazes.
"What do you think, Sei?" Takeru asked, with a look of genuine surprise on his face. He had not anticipated such a bold suggestion from his friend. "Wanna give a try in a fight?" His unexpected question took Shinji, who was standing nearby, completely off guard and left him momentarily speechless.
"Okay! If that's what you want to do!" Sei replied enthusiastically, clearly ready to take on the challenge that lay ahead of them. His excitement was palpable, and it was evident that he was eager to get started.
"Hey! What are you all up to?" he exclaimed, but then quickly added, "No..." His memory took him back to the moment when Senpai came over to their group and began speaking with them, though he was unable to catch any of the words exchanged between them.
With a furrowed brow that showed his confusion and curiosity, he turned to his companions and asked, "What exactly did he say to you guys?"
"That's okay! Shinji, we just want to understand each other's abilities before teaming up!" Takeru replied though it was unclear why someone with such positive thinking came up with this idea.
Sei nodded her head to Shinji as if saying 'It's okay, anything is normal!'.
Takeru and Sei make their way through the training ground, their footsteps leading them to the very center, where they stand facing one another, ready for the challenge ahead.
With a determined expression, Takeru calls forth his fire guardian, invoking its power as it manifests in the form of a stunning katana featuring a brilliant red blade.
As the weapon materializes, it engulfs him in a radiant aura of flames, causing the air around him to shimmer and the temperature to rise considerably, creating an intense atmosphere charged with energy.
In response, Sei concentrates and channels her own abilities, summoning the essence of water. This magical force coalesces into her own formidable katana, one with a sleek black blade that glistens ominously.
Surrounding her, an aura of enchanting water magic begins to swirl, enhancing the atmosphere and showcasing her mastery over the liquid element, contrasting beautifully with Takeru's fiery display.
They fell silent and began to fight with lightning speed. Takeru lunged forward, his fiery aura trailing behind like a comet. He swung his katana, unleashing a wave of flames toward Sei, eager to engulf her.
Sei was ready. With fluid grace, she raised her katana, channeling her water essence. The dark blade met the blaze in a spectacular clash of steam and sparks, enveloping the training ground in a shimmering haze.
Seizing the moment, Sei pivoted and unleashed a torrent of water from her blade, spiraling toward Takeru. The wave crashed down, aiming to envelop him.
Undeterred, Takeru sprang backward, twisting mid-air like a coiled spring. His katana ignited once again, forming a swirling barrier of fire that vaporized the water on contact, showering the scene with steam. The training ground transformed into a display of elemental prowess, with each attack, expertly countered.
"Why don't you use your flame aura, Sei?" Takeru paused his attack and yelled at Sei.