HANEGAWA HIGH - GYMNASIUM
5:58 PM
THWACK!
Ren's strike came down hard. A solid, satisfying crack of shinai on shinai.
Minato blocked cleanly, stepping aside with the grace of a dancer, not a duelist.
"Too slow, Tsukihara! Gotta be faster than that."
THWACK!
"Come on, when ya told me that you'd participate in the tournament, I thought you'd take training a bit more seriously!"
"He is taunting you. I despise jesters. Kill him."
Whoa, Soren, relax. Something's gotten into you today.
THWACK!
Clean. Straight on the shoulder. Minato groaned.
"That one hurt, Tsukihara."
Shit.
"Bravo. Now finish him."
Shut it.
"That's totally my fault, I went too–"
"Nah, relax. It means you're doing something right," Minato said, glancing at his watch.
"Alright, let's head over to the exit now. I've got an announcement."
Announcement?
Ren and Minato, still rolling his shoulder, walked over to the gym exit, shinais in hand. It seemed that the entire club was there which, of course, meant Alina was there too. Glancing.
"She has been watching you. I do not know for how long."
Comes with the looks, buddy.
"Don't jest, or as you have taught me: don't fuck wit me."
Oh damn, you actually used it right this time. Good stuff.
A psychological high-five quickly interrupted by Minato.
"Ahem. As y'all know, Kendo Club has been going on for a couple weeks now. Due to the tournament, even if ya aren't participating, we've all been training super hard. Harder than normal compared to the last couple years. This means that we haven't really got to know each other too well. So…"
Ren could practically feel the suspense building up in the room.
"...how about a club Hanamaru Udon. My treat."
Cheers erupted. A couple of first-years boys chest bumped and ended up on the floor. Ren could've swore he saw a third-year crying tears of joy.
"Yes! How wondrous! I love the Hanamaru Udon! We do not need to kill him yet."
You've literally only had it once.
"And that single time formulating such a gracious opinion, speaks to the levels of culinary enjoyment that Hanamaru Udon brings to me!"
… You use really big words sometimes.
***
HANAMARU UDON – PRIVATE ROOM, 2ND FLOOR
Ren took a seat at the edge of the table. He didn't really want to come, but Minato insisted. He had barely sat down before it began.
A first-year chimed up. "Yo, bro. Ren, right?"
Ren nodded.
"So you're actually the Ren? Emerald Flash Ren? Name's Yuuto Nakamura! At your service, Mr. Emerald Flash." Yuuto said, giving a concerningly solemn bow.
I'm tired of this.
"Do not be. Take pride in your accomplishments! And…"
Ren knew what was coming. It always did when someone mentioned 'Emerald Flash'.
"...do you see? The cape? It commands!"
Yep. There it was.
"Dude, did you really take down the Orc King solo?" Yuuto continued.
Ren shifted in his seat. "Aha, I wish, but no. I had a great party. Couldn't have done it without them."
"But on the stream, I didn't see them – just you! And that Metal Thorn Spike Attack move! Where you put your sword into the ground and bam! Thorn spike'd! I thought my screen froze – then it exploded! I've watched it, like, seventeen times!"
"Oh heavens! What did he name it?"
Another first-year interrupted him. "Idiot. It's Steelthorn Lockdown. And yeah, that was insane, Ren! Is it a signature ability?"
Ren nodded.
"So how'd you get it to work? I haven't met anyone else who has been able to use theirs."
"If I'm being honest, I don't really know. I just used it and it worked." Ren lied.
He knew exactly how it worked. As Soren put it: "You used it for chivalry, and not for self gain. The mark of a knight."
"Sick, dude!" Yuuto finished off.
It was finally over.
And just in time too, as the final club members made their way in. Ren recognised a couple. He saw Minato take his place at the head of the table, of course, Shirogane on his right, looking like he didn't want to be there. Classic Shirogane. And Alina, who took her spot… right in front of Ren.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
Ren gave out a weird cough-choke and answered. "Y-yeah sure, you're good."
"Brilliant job 'Mr. Smooth Operator.'"
Why do I teach you pop-culture references…
Alina gave her classic polite smile again.
Looks like that warm smile thing back in history was a one off.
After a bit of small talk, and a lot of Orc King, Emerald Flash talk, the food finally arrived. Minato clinked his glass at the head of the table.
"I don't wanna hold ya for too long whilst this delicious food is right in front of us, so I'll keep it brief. Thanks for your hard work, and let's hope for a great year for the Kendo Club!"
More applause. More clapping.
"This man rallies his troops exceptionally well."
A small, attention-grabbing cough came from in front of Ren.
Alina.
"So, Ren, you play World Liberator?"
He was stunned. Code red.
Soren, what do I do? I don't want the cute exchange girl to think I'm a VRMMO nerd!
"But that is what you are."
But still–
"If, magically, you are able to court her – which I do not recommend as I sense something off about her – she will find out eventually."
Ren sighed. Soren was right. He spoke up.
"Uh, yeah I do."
He waited for the fallout. The slight snort. The laugh. He could only pray he didn't die of embarrassment right there.
"Oh, nice. I do too…"
The eyeballs of the two first-years next to Ren practically exploded.
"...so, this Orc King killer, Emerald Flash thing. I've heard about it – that was you?"
No way World Liberator is going to set me up right now.
"Yeah, aha, that was me."
Why the hell did I add the 'aha'?
"That is true. Why did you?"
Shut up. Only I'm allowed to self-deprecate about my terrible game.
She slightly nodded her head. "Wow. Impressive. How'd you do it?"
Ren was about to answer, when Yuuto spoke up.
"With none other than: Steelthorn Lockdown! It's a sick ass signature ability that makes metal vines and stuff pop out of the ground and help you defeat your opponent." he said proudly.
Alina choked a little on her food. Not violently, but just enough for Ren to glance up – and catch the flash of something in her eyes.
Does she know the ability?
"Whoa, Alina, you okay?"
She cleared her throat. "Ahem, yeah, I'm good, thanks. So, metal vines from the ground, huh?"
"Uh, yeah. That's the gist of it." Ren said.
"And this is a signature ability?"
What is this, some interrogation?
"That's what the game says, so… I guess so?"
"Ren, I do not like this. Why is she so interested in Steelthorn Lockdown?"
You're right. Something's off here.
Alina looked down at her food. "Hm. Interesting."
My turn to get info.
"So, Alina, did you help with the Orc King campaign? What I mean is, were you at any of the raids? Like the Three Commanders raid? The first gatekeeper raid? Y'know, those things."
Alina paused just a second too long.
"Aha, no, I'm more of a casual player. I like helping around the shops in towns and stuff."
She quickly took a sip of water.
She's totally lying.
"I agree."
"Noble. We need people like you to run the game since there aren't any NPCs. So, Alina, I'm on the frontlines a lot so I don't really get to meet your kind. I'm curious: what kind of stuff do you do?"
"Excellent trap, Ren. We shall see if she falters or not."
Alina, less composed now, rattled off vague statements.
"Uh, you know… shelf stocking, deliveries, helping old men find potion ingredients – standard shop girl things. A frontliner like yourself would probably find it boring."
"Nah, stocking shelves sounds like a blast."
She laughed.
…
She laughed? Like… legit laughed? At the joke… or?
"She was laughing at you. I would."
Thanks a lot, buddy.
"You're a weird guy, Ren." Alina chuckled.
She paused. The tips of her ears started going bright red.
She's… embarrassed?
"I believe she believes that you believed she meant it sincerely."
Okay. Whoa. First of all: too many 'believes'. Second: why would she even care what I think?
"I-I didn't mean it like that! You're not weird. You're normal! But not average! Ah! I'm not calling you above-average, but, y'know I'm just calling you…"
Her hyperactive rant fizzled away as she dug herself deeper and deeper into the bit of embarrassment.
"...excuse me. I need to use the bathroom."
Alina stood up from the table, and walked off.
"Yo! Fujisawa! Where you going?" Minato called out from the head of the table.
"Bathroom." she responded, head down.
Ren heard a faint whisper as Alina walked off.
"I need to save what dignity I have left."
***
HANAMARU UDON – PARKING LOT
9:12 PM
Steam rose in soft curls from the last bowl as the group trickled out into the night air, laughter fading with every goodbye. Minato did some dramatic bow, Shirogane vanished like a ghost, and Yuuto was still re-enacting Ren's fight with the Orc King – Soren kept muttering about the cape and its commanding presence.
"See ya, Ren!"
"Later!"
"Stay safe, Emerald Flash!"
Ren waved, pulling his jacked just a little tighter as he peeled off in the opposite direction.
He passed the station, made a right at the bakery, and walked under the flickering sign of the Lawson's.
Stepping inside, he was greeted by harsh fluorescent lights and the low hum of an ancient freezer. The cashier, in his early twenties, had a zombie look in his eyes as he welcomed Ren with a mindless: "Good evening."
Okay… what am I looking for… chest rub? Maybe heat pads?
The pharmacist in his brain was very much asleep. The knight, however, was not.
"In my world, some people leave the sick in the mountain caverns overnight, and their health returns to them the next day."
Not many mountain caverns around these parts, Soren.
He wandered over to the health section and started scanning boxes, trying to remember what Aki said earlier.
"It's no big deal, Ren. Just some pressure in my chest. Comes and goes."
Totally normal.
He reached for a box of warming patches when he heard the crackling of dozens of food packets hitting the floor in the snack aisle.
Ren turned his head.
There, hunched over a basket with far too many brightly coloured snack packs in it, was Alina – picking up the mess she made.
"Need help with that?"
She slowly turned toward him, expression frozen.
"...Ren?"
"Alina."
They stared at each other for a beat. Then Ren looked down.
Three different flavors of Pocky. Instant yakisoba. A pack of konbini egg sandwiches. Two types of onigiri. Four chocolate bars.
"...We just ate, didn't we?"
Alina pouted, hands on hips, and walked up defiantly to Ren.
"Yeah? So? I didn't even eat that much! Plus, I'm just… strategically loading my brain with calories."
Looks like I hit a nerve.
Ren took a step. "My fault. I didn't know you needed to strategically load your brain. Must be a lot of thinking you're doing at this time of night."
Alina loosened up. Triumphant.
"See, I'm glad someone understands–"
She paused.
"...You were definitely making fun of me, weren't you?"
Ren looked to the ceiling. "Nah, I'd never."
Alina punched Ren in the chest. "You're such an asshole!"
"I agree, Ren."
You're meant to be on my side!
"Ow, ow! Alright! Alright! I'm sorry!" Ren put his hands up innocently.
"How about this," Ren continued. "I'll help you clear up this mess you've made, and keep this our little secret – will you still be mad at me then?"
Alina paused. Thought.
"I think those terms work."
"So a truce?"
"Truce."
Ren knelt down and helped Alina pick up the avalanche of a mess she'd made. Do they not have snack aisles in Europe or something?
"The slayer of the Orc King is now doing a janitor's job."
A knight must always help a damsel in distress. You said it, not me!
Ren picked up the last packet off the floor. "Andddd, that does it! Evidence: destroyed."
Alina let out a small smirk. "Thanks for helping me with this, Ren. Even if it was because you were being an asshole."
"No harm, no foul. Anyway, I have to pay and get these home now."
Alina peeked into Ren's basket.
"You have chest pains?"
Ren shook his head. "Nah. My sister. Aki. She said she had some chest tightness earlier. Nothing serious, but… figured I'd grab something just in case."
"Oh." Alina's posture shifted. Less 'caught with snacks and angry at Ren,' more 'serious mode.' "Is she okay?"
"She's fine," Ren said quickly. "Tired, maybe. You know Aki. If it was bad, she'd just lie about it anyway."
Alina smiled. "Guess you two really are related."
Another pause.
"...Need me to walk you home?" Ren offered, a little too fast.
Alina blinked. "What?"
"It's dark out, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Y'know, that is if you want. You don't have to–"
"Thanks Ren, but I've already booked a taxi. I wouldn't want to delay your life-saving treatment anyways."
Ren nodded. "Ah, alright. That makes sense."
"Take care, Ren. I hope Aki feels better soon."
"Thanks, and you too."
Alina walked past him, whispering something as she went by. "And remember, this stays between you and me."
Ren turned around and raised a hand in salute. "Not a word."
***
TSUKIHARA HOUSEHOLD
9:41 PM
Ren unlocked the door, stepped in quietly, and kicked off his shoes. No knight in his head – he guessed Soren was already asleep.
The living room was dark, save for the glow of the TV – paused mid-episode. Aki was curled up on the couch, blanket half-draped, a mug of tea cold on the table.
He walked over, placed the box of heat pads on the table, and pulled the blanket up around her shoulders.
She looked like she was sleeping.
But her breathing – slow, a little shallow.
He didn't like that.
"Hey," he whispered, brushing a stray hair from her face. "If you're faking sleep to avoid your medicine again, I'll unplug the TV. No more soap operas."
No response.
But she just shifted slightly, and muttered something he couldn't quite catch.
Ren sat down next to her, pulled the blanket tighter around both of them.
"She'll be okay, Ren."
She's just tired. That's all it is.