The bus rolled over a few dry branches with a faint crackle. Apart from the chilly weather, the ride was smooth. The scenery outside the window was familiar… nothing about the journey stood out as particularly different this winter, except for the person sitting beside Logan.
Outside, passersby were gradually shifting from light clothing to heavier attire as the cold set in. Logan coughed lightly, glancing at the sky as he fished for a conversation starter, "Winter is coming."
Diane sat upright by the window, her hands neatly placed on her knees. She responded with a soft hum and said, "Yeah, it's been feeling cold here for quite a while already."
Typically, after the November cold snaps, the damp chill was enough to keep feet cold all day. The nuances of this climate could be a fascinating academic topic, blending regional and continental effects.
But these two students chatting about the weather clearly had no such scholarly interest.
Their conversation was dry and straightforward, the kind that could make someone squirm in discomfort. To make matters worse, the only thing breaking the silence was the automated bus announcements.
In truth, the awkwardness was already palpable.
The occasional rattle of old bus parts added a peculiar rhythm to the scene. Around them, a few elderly passengers sat quietly, eyes closed.
'The atmosphere felt... strange.'
Logan thought to himself and let his eyes wander to his left. His gaze caught the soft lines of Diane's pale hands and legs.
She was already bundled up in her warm winter school uniform, but as was common among high school girls, her outfit still carried a touch of style.
The fabric accentuated her calves, her legs appearing sleek and graceful, which is an intriguing blend of modesty and charm.
"Um…"
Seated near the back of the bus, Logan made another attempt to salvage the conversation. Diane, who was sitting by the window, turned her head slightly.
However, when Logan met her clear, expectant gaze, he sighed, giving up entirely. He slumped in his seat, lightly tapping the backrest and muttering under his breath, "How did it end up looking like some kind of romantic subplot?"
"What?" Diane blinked in surprise, catching only part of his words, "What are you talking about? Sitting together? It's just because we're heading in the same direction, right?"
"Yeah, yeah…" Logan nodded, leaning forward slightly as he continued mumbling vaguely, "The martial arts school is just a few streets away from my neighborhood, and we're getting off at the same stop... no monsters here to object..."
Diane tilted her head, observing him for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. The dreary scenery outside seemed to brighten.
"What's funny?"
Diane waved her hand, with a hint of a smile on her face, "Nothing, just that for a moment, you looked like the lazy and carefree Logan I used to know." She quickly added, "I don't mean that in a bad way! It's just… you felt familiar and relaxed again."
Ignoring the implications of her description, Logan focused on her last remark, "What do you mean by 'familiar again'? We've been at the same school all along. How could you not recognize me?"
To Logan's surprise, Diane nodded with some seriousness, "Sometimes, it really does feel like you've changed a lot."
The changes were, of course, monumental, but Logan maintained an air of nonchalance as if nothing fazed him.
However, that composed demeanor seemed to confirm something for Diane. A subtle, inexplicable shift took place within her… a spark of deep crimson on a dim canvas. Unnoticeable to others, yet undeniable in her heart. It was like a slow thawing of frozen thoughts deep within her mind, accumulating bit by bit.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, she joked, "For example... you took down several thugs at the casino during the autumn field trip. With skills like that, how could I possibly recognize you as the same person?"
Logan chuckled and flexed his biceps theatrically. Diane glanced at him before playfully pushing him away.
The atmosphere eased. Most of the bus ride had already passed, and the unfamiliar martial arts school was now visible in the distance.
Logan, eager to shift the conversation away from the previous topic, quickly pivoted. This time, his transition was smooth, "By the way, when we were at school, didn't you say you wanted me to teach you a few moves?"
Diane blinked, caught off guard, but quickly recalled her earlier comment.
'Martial arts for fitness, loose-fitting clothes, one-on-one instruction...' She suddenly felt a twinge of panic, her gaze darting away, "Oh, um, what exactly do you know, Logan?"
"I know…"
Logan faltered.
He resisted the urge to slap himself, 'Of all things to bring up, why this?'
Back when Diane unexpectedly mentioned wanting guidance, Logan had avoided the topic like the plague. What did he know? He knew a lot… more than enough to dominate in a completely different genre of story.
If this were some action-packed urban warfare narrative, he'd be the unstoppable soldier-turned-vigilante.
Logan squinted at the eager expression on Diane's face.
'What could I possibly teach her? All I know are lethal combat techniques. Should I teach her the 48 Killer Techniques?' He mocked inwardly. (T/N: 48 Killer Techniques is Kinnikuman Techniques.)
'The Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist would be a great choice for a girl. After all, beyond the 48 moves, there were 72 and even 128 techniques.'
But Logan quickly shut down that train of thought. After all, he didn't know the Gentle Fist. And even if he did, there was no way he could teach Diane.
"Well, I think you should focus on building a solid foundation first." Logan put on a serious face and said bluffingly, "Rushing ahead without a strong base is the worst mistake you could make!"
Hearing this, Diane pouted, clearly disappointed by the anticlimactic response.
The truth was, Logan had never been to a martial arts school himself, which was another glaring problem. He had casually made up the story, never expecting Diane to take it seriously. With no clear plan, he decided to play it by ear.
As light music played in the background, their seemingly long first bus ride together finally came to an end. Logan breathed a sigh of relief, his spirits lifting as he exclaimed, "We're here!"
But just then, a familiar tall figure flashed by outside the left window...
Logan's sharp instincts kicked in. He turned his head, trying to confirm what he'd just seen.
"Senior!" Diane leaned out of her seat, waving enthusiastically at someone by the roadside as the bus slowed down.
'Senior?'
A sinking feeling churned in Logan's gut as he stiffly turned to face the figure. Sure enough, standing with arms crossed and an icy demeanor was a girl he recognized all too well… the senior, Olivia, exuding her usual unapproachable aura.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you." Diane explained to Logan as if she had just remembered something, "I mentioned your achievements to her, and Senior Olivia decided to sign up too."
"...?"