In the previous chapter of In the Middle of Two Sides…
The figure disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Hōzuki, somewhat annoyed, turned his gaze to an antique portrait hanging at the back of the living room. In it, a full team of elite demonic soldiers… all dead, except for him.
Hōzuki: Kouta… if you're going to change this world, you better not let me down.
With that, he left his house once again, walking into the darkness. A point of conversation with Gares.
Back with Kouta…
(Beginning)
Across the fire, the murmurs still barely ceasing, Kaede watched with narrowed eyes. She'd heard enough. She stood up and walked toward the group, her dry, determined steps silencing the rest of the voices.
Kaede (sharp, firm):
"Are you forgetting that we all accepted the challenge? He gave us the order not to stop until one of us fell... and even then, he didn't kill us."
Everyone stared at her in silence.
Kaede (looking directly at Masaki):
"He wasn't the only one who lost control. Many of you got carried away, used real techniques... Or are you going to tell me you didn't see Yuzuki's weakening spell? Naoya's defensive double thrust? You all went there to kill, not to train."
Naoya (crossing his arms):
"That doesn't excuse his loss of consciousness. If he keeps this up, sooner or later someone's going to die." At that moment, Asuka, who had been listening from the edge of the clearing, approached.
Asuka:
"You know what I think? They're looking for excuses to not accept that he's stronger than us. And that bothers them."
Masaki (dryly):
"It's not bother. It's common sense."
Sanae (appearing from the house, voice calm but firm):
"Then use it well. If Kouta were a real danger, you'd all be dead by now. All of you. But instead, you're here, alive, whining by the fire like scared children."
The group was silent for a few seconds.
Tetsuya (with a tired smile):
"The only reason this works... is because we trust each other. If that breaks, we'll destroy each other."
Kaede:
"And it's not like there's nothing to watch out for. If it happens again, I'll stop it myself. But until then... you'd better focus on improving, not doubting yourself."
Souta and Yuzuki avoided looking at her. Masaki sighed in frustration. Naoya simply nodded slowly.
From his spot, Kouta opened his eyes slightly, not moving. He had heard every word.
Kouta (thinking):
Now I'm a danger to them, huh?...
Kouta said with a muffled laugh, looking at the ground before turning to the sky. The tension hung in the air, floating like ashes that never quite went out...
Kouta stood up slowly, stretched his arms, and brushed the dust off his clothes. He said nothing, didn't look at anyone. He walked through the trees, moving far enough away so that the campfire remained a distant reflection. Already in shadow, he let out a long breath.
He assumed a fighting stance. His legs flexed, his arms tense. He released an aggressive aura, and just as the aura began to grow too much, Kouta absorbed it completely. His body grew more robust and heavy, but he seemed to handle it with ease now. He began to move with restrained speed, training his Super Boost with a new intention: not to fight, but to control it completely, and even to take it further.
It only lasted a minute before a dry voice interrupted their movements.
Kaede:
"You're forcing it again. If your mind isn't clear, your body will reject it."
Kouta wasn't startled. He just lowered his arms and looked over his shoulder.
Kouta:
"How long have you been there?"
Kaede (approaching):
"Long enough. I heard everything they said. And I also saw you not reacting."
Kouta (shrugging):
"And what did you expect? That I'd get up and fight them one by one?"
Kaede:
"No. I was hoping you'd at least trust someone enough to say something."
There was a brief silence. Kouta looked at her, his expression serious, but not harsh.
Kouta:
"...I don't like to talk when I'm like this. I just came to clear my head."
Kaede (direct):
"Then clear this up."
—I need you to take me with you to Adeus Palace tomorrow. I want to see something with my own eyes. Something hasn't been right for weeks, and you're the only one with direct access.
Kouta tensed for a second.
Kouta:
"What are you looking for?"
Kaede:
"I don't know yet. But when I do, I want to be there to confirm it. And I'm not asking your permission. I'm telling you I'm coming with you."
Silence returned, thick as fog. Then, Kouta gave a faint smile.
Kouta:
"I knew you didn't just come here to give me advice."
Kaede (staring at him):
"No. I also came to see if you still know how to fight like a human. Without your augmentations, without your aura, without shortcuts."
Kouta turned completely to her.
Kouta:
"An old-fashioned duel?"
Kaede (taking a fighting stance):
"No tricks. No weapons. Bare-knuckles."
Kouta (crossing his knuckles):
"And if I beat you?"
Kaede (with a half-smile):
"Then I'll consider confiding in you something I haven't told anyone."
Kouta (interested):
"A secret?"
Kaede (more serious):
"you could call it that."
Without another word, they launched themselves at each other. There was no spiritual power or weapons, just sharp blows, quick dodges, and the sound of fists striking directly. Kouta was more agile, Kaede more precise. He sought to open spaces, she to close them. They were opposing forces colliding, without hatred, only with need.
Minutes passed without pause. When Kouta tried to sweep with a low kick, Kaede grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. Kouta fell backward, but rolled and got back to his feet.
Kaede (breathing heavily):
"That's all?"
Kouta (smiling):
"We're just getting started, aren't we?"
The fight continued. Neither of them spoke anymore. They just clashed. Respectfully. Forcefully. Like two warriors who knew what the other was carrying, and didn't say it.
The blows followed one another. The cracking of branches and the scraping of their bodies against the ground broke the silence of the forest. Kouta gasped, his lip split and his shoulder burning from a poorly blocked blow. Kaede wasn't any better: her eyebrow was bleeding, and her balance was already failing her due to a slightly twisted ankle.
Still, neither of them gave in.
Until, in an instant, Kouta found the opening. He feinted with a right hook, and when Kaede raised her guard, he spun and swept her center of gravity. She fell, and before she could get up, she felt Kouta's knee pressing against her stomach, immobilizing her.
Kouta (panting):
"Weight ready?"
Kaede, lying down, closed her eyes for a second. She took a deep breath. When she opened them, there was no longer any coldness in them. Only a mixture of exhaustion… and sincerity.
Kaede:
"Three years ago, before I died… I was engaged."
Kouta didn't respond, but he didn't move from his position.
Kaede (continuing):
"A soldier. A straight-laced, strong, serious guy. Like you. He was assigned to a suicide mission, and he asked me to replace him. I was stronger. But he wouldn't let me."
"He died. And a month later… so did I. I thought I'd join him here, but he's gone. He never appeared. Not even his aura. Nothing."
"Since then, I won't let anyone protect me. Or trust me without giving something in return."
Kouta stood up. He held out his hand, without saying a word.
Kaede took it.
Kaede (now standing):
"That's why I watched you so much." I wanted to know if you were just another idiot with a martyr complex... or if you could survive without sacrificing yourself every time something went wrong.
Kouta (calmly):
—So?
Kaede (nodding slowly):
"I don't know yet. But if you screw up, this time I'll be there to stop you."
Kouta laughed, tired, but relieved.
Kouta:
"I accept the condition."
The two stared at each other for a moment. There was no romance (yet :b). Just respect. Trust earned through hard work. And something that felt a lot like a beginning.
Sanae (from the bushes):
"Are you done hitting each other, or should I wait for you to kiss first?!"
Kouta almost tripped as he turned sharply, and Kaede just held a hand to her face, sighing.
Kouta (blushing):
"You were spying."
Sanae (coming out with an apple in her hand):
"No, just watching with medical concern. Very professional."
Kaede:
—Leave us alone for a while, Kouta…
Kouta (raising his hands):
—Fine… fine… I'm leaving. But I won, huh. Don't forget that.
Kaede (shouting comically):
—Don't hold it against me now!
When Kouta walked away through the trees, still smiling, the atmosphere changed. Sanae was no longer joking. She walked slowly toward Kaede, who was picking up her gloves from the ground.
Sanae (seriously):
—Do you trust him?
Kaede didn't answer right away. She silently put the gloves away. Then she looked up.
Kaede:
Yes. But if Kouta loses control again in the middle of a real battle, and there are allies nearby… then someone will have to—
Sanae clenched her fists, and her tone changed.
Sanae:
—I remind you that even though he's young, he's still our boss now. If you so much as raise a hand to him for no reason, Kaede... not just me, but the rest of the group will turn on you…
Kaede just looked at her. And just before she could answer, a figure appeared behind them. Not a branch broke. Not a leaf moved. It was…
To be continued…
YEP, I wanted to make this chapter long, creativity got out of hand and I didn't know when to stop :b enjoy it because after this it will take me a while to create another as good as this one
Current Powers:
Kota: 1400
Haruto: 750
Yui: 540
Tetsuya: 670
Sanae Hoshizuki: 370
Soldiers:
Attack team:
(Attack Leader) Kaede Minazuki: 560
Reiji Tsukino 2: 435
Souta Amagai: 480
Defense equipment:
(Defense Leader) Naoya Kirishima: 380
Tama Kudō: 300
Yuzuki Sera: 350
Support team:
(Support Leader) Riko Hanekawa: 255
Hajime Igarashi: 210
Variable Tactics Unit:
Masaki Dojima: 315
Asuka Renji: 240