"Shinobu!" Kanae Kocho couldn't help but scold her sister.
"I just want to know if you're qualified to be my teacher," Shinobu said sternly, staring directly at Kaito Sora.
Shinobu was deeply dissatisfied with her sister's request for her to learn swordsmanship from someone her own age. While she wouldn't claim to be invincible, her swordsmanship skills were far beyond what ordinary instructors could teach. Only renowned sword masters were qualified to guide her. Unfortunately, the Kocho family lacked the wealth and influence to hire such masters.
However, Shinobu had great confidence in her swordsmanship talent. At the very least, she was certain that no one her age could possibly teach her anything!
"Shinobu, you..." Kanae looked at her sister, wanting to say something, but ultimately sighed.
Really, we had agreed on this before coming here...
Kanae turned to Kaito with an apologetic expression. "I'm so sorry, Kaito-san. Shinobu, she's just..."
"It's fine," Kaito said with a smile, looking at Shinobu, who was glaring at him defiantly. "You want to fight me?"
"Your strength is formidable, I know that much," Shinobu replied. She had witnessed the lightning that night and heard from her sister that the man before her was the one who had summoned the terrifying thunder that shattered the mountain where the Matou family resided, annihilating one of the six great mage families.
But lightning and swordsmanship were two entirely different things.
"I don't know anything about your swordsmanship skills," Shinobu continued.
"In that case," Kaito said, "I'll use a sword to fight you."
Tohsaka Residence. Training Ground.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Definitely Kaito-san. He's so powerful."
"But this is about swordsmanship, right? I don't think I've ever seen Kaito-san use a sword before."
All the women living at the Tohsaka residence had gathered at the edge of the training ground, curiously watching Kaito and Shinobu.
Kanao Kocho, like a shy little girl hiding behind her mother, clung to Shinobu's arm, peeking out from behind her with wide eyes, staring curiously at Kaito.
"You can make the first move," Kaito said.
"Then I'll begin," Shinobu declared, her fighting spirit ignited.
She had no intention of learning swordsmanship! Since childhood, whether it was her school's fencing instructor or the various teachers her sister had hired, none had lasted more than a few days or, at most, a couple of months before she surpassed them. Learning from ordinary people was a waste of her time.
She wanted to join the Special Operations Division! If she could defeat Kaito—or at least force him to use abilities beyond his physical strength or swordsmanship—it would prove that she was ready to stand on her own!
Shinobu glanced at Kanae, who stood at the edge of the training ground with her usual gentle demeanor.
Sister, I'll prove to you that I've grown up!
Ten Minutes Later.
Clang!
The sword fell to the ground behind her.
Shinobu stood in a daze, staring at the blade resting against her neck and the man holding it.
"Shall we continue?"
Continue? Hearing that word now, Shinobu felt nothing but self-mockery and bitter amusement.
Ten minutes. It wasn't that she had lasted ten minutes.
For the first five minutes, she had poured everything she had into attacking Kaito, using every technique at her disposal except poison. Yet, despite her full effort, Kaito had effortlessly blocked her strikes, even yawning at one point while holding his sword with one hand.
The next five minutes began when Shinobu, in frustration, shouted, "Are you just going to keep defending?!"
And then, she realized what true nightmare felt like.
Kaito began his assault. One strike, then another, and another. Unlike her desperate attempts that failed to even trouble him, each of Kaito's casual swings carried immense pressure. Often, just one or two strikes were enough to make her lose her grip on her sword and fall to the ground in disgrace.
Again and again, she got up, unwilling to admit defeat. But Shinobu knew the truth.
"I've lost," Shinobu muttered, lowering her head.
If Kaito had defeated her with superior speed or strength, she could have accepted it. But what she found most unbearable was that Kaito had used techniques she could clearly see—even slower than her own speed—and a level of strength she could easily handle, yet she had been utterly powerless to resist.
"Then you can leave with your sister," Kaito said.
Shinobu's head snapped up, her eyes wide with panic as she stared at Kaito's retreating figure.
"You're not going to take me as your disciple?"
"Hmm?" Kaito turned to look at her, tilting his head slightly.
After a long pause, seeing the pitiful expression on Shinobu's face, he shook his head with a smile. "I appreciate your competitive spirit and confidence, but I'm not pleased with your earlier doubts about me."
"You can go home with your sister. Kanao, do you want to stay?"
Kanao, who had been hiding behind her sister, was staring intently at Kaito. When he suddenly turned to her, the middle schooler's face flushed red, and she shrank further behind Shinobu. But after a moment, she nodded shyly.
"Yes!"
"But..." Shinobu was desperate.
The more she had resisted the idea of becoming Kaito's disciple earlier, the more she now longed to be his student. This crushing defeat had made her understand what her sister had meant when she said, "You still have a long way to go." Compared to a true master like Kaito, she was indeed far behind.
Kaito hadn't relied on overwhelming physical strength or the lightning techniques that could level mountains and destroy centuries-old magical fortresses like the Matou family's workshop. He had defeated her using only swordsmanship, leaving her utterly humiliated.
Shinobu knew that by following him, she could grow and become stronger rapidly. She and her sister were ordinary people without any prestigious background. This opportunity to become his disciple—as her sister had emphasized—might be the only chance she would ever have to step into a new world.
She had to... she had to...
Shinobu wanted to say more, but Kaito had already walked over to Kanae, bent down, and picked up Kanao, who was still hiding behind her sister.
"Let's go."
"Your master has something good for you."
Kanao's face turned red, but she obediently allowed Kaito to carry her. However, she glanced hesitantly at Shinobu, who was still sitting on the ground, staring blankly at Kaito's retreating figure, and then at Kanae.
"Go with him," Kanae said softly, not trying to persuade Kaito further.
She was just an ordinary member of the Special Operations Division, a team leader at best. Compared to Kaito, she was insignificant. The fact that he was willing to take Kanao as his disciple was already a great blessing.
Shinobu had been too stubborn, too proud... If only Kanae had been stricter with her in the past, perhaps things would have turned out differently.
Though she thought this, Kanae simply watched respectfully as Kaito carried Kanao away from the training ground. Mahiro Shina and Alisa, though sympathetic to Shinobu's disheartened state, said nothing and left as well.
Only Shinobu remained, sitting alone in the training ground, staring blankly at the spot where Kaito had disappeared.
"Shinobu, let's go home," Kanae said gently.
Shinobu looked up, her eyes filled with confusion.
Kanae had quietly walked over and now stood beside her. There was no reproach or disappointment in her eyes—only warmth.
"Are you hungry?"
"Your sister will make sukiyaki tonight, with your favorite ginger vegetables and ramune soda."
"Sister..."
Shinobu's lips trembled.
Finally, in a voice on the verge of tears, she choked out, "I'm sorry."
It was the first time she had ever apologized to her sister.
Her sister had gone to such lengths to find her an exceptional teacher. She had repeatedly warned Shinobu not to let her pride get in the way. And yet, Shinobu had ruined everything.
"You don't need to apologize to me," Kanae said, her expression still gentle.
She knelt down and embraced Shinobu, who was now crying tears of regret, gently stroking her back.
"You only need to apologize to yourself."