When the Flower Blooms

Chapter 5 - Training

"YOU ARE HERE TO BLOOM, NOT TO WILT! DO YOU HEAR ME?!"

"YES, MA'AM!"

When will this end?

"SWING YOUR KNIVES UNTIL YOU FEEL LIKE DYING!"

"YES, MA'AM!"

Get me out of this hell. I'm tired. I want to watch anime, eat good food, and sleep on a comfy bed.

"CROCUS! I DON'T NEED HALF-ASS SWINGS! DO 500 MORE!"

"YES, MA'AM!"

Why do I need to experience this?

Two weeks ago....

Aster's POV

"What do you think of Viena?" tanong ko kila Miss Scarleth at Chief Reid.

"She's quite daring and interesting." sabi ni Chief Reid.

"She's a capable girl. She still have many flaws but with the right amount of training, she will be a fully bloomed flower." sabi ni Miss Scarleth sabay kindat.

"Will she really do it? You say all those things but in reality, you're only recruiting her for the name and the title she holds, right?" sagot ko naman sa kanila at nakita kong sumama ang tingin sa'kin ni Chief Reid.

Honestly, I am doubting her abilities. Although, she kind of helped me a few times, cooked my meals and let me sleep in her apartment (though, I purposely let myself in), she still needs improvement in many aspects.

She needs to overcome her trauma if she wants to be stronger. She's not in her safe place anymore. Only I can protect her. I promised him that I'll bring her back.

I was about to oppose the idea when the door swung open. Viena was standing there with her clothes all wrinkled and her eyes all puffy. The scene she witnessed earlier must've been playing inside her mind.

"Is that true?" sabi ni Viena.

"What does that mean?" tanong ni Miss Scarleth.

"That you only need my name to accomplish your goal?"

Saglit na nanahimik ang paligid dahil sa sinabi ni Viena.

"If you see it that way, then go ahead." sabi ni Miss Scarleth.

"And if I refuse?"

"I don't believe that you'll do it. You can't even protect yourself." sabi ko kay Viena.

Napalayo naman ng tingin si Viena dahil sa sinabi ko. I'm just saying the truth though.

"Then train me."

"Huh?"

"I said you need to train me."

Sino? Ha?

"Y-You mean me? I need to train you?" nagtatakang tanong ko. "Bakit ako pa?"

"You criticized my moves earlier when we kind of fought in Room 175. If you train me, I'll get stronger. Maybe."

And then get into a lot of fights with you everyday? You'll hate me.

"Hmm~ That's what I need to hear. I'll give her a call. What do you think?" sabi naman ni Chief Reid.

Don't tell me tatawagan niya yung babaeng yon? My poor body and soul.

"A-Are you sure that's going to be okay, Papa? Di'ba nasa ibang lugar siya ngayon? You wouldn't want to make her angry." sabi naman ni Miss Scarleth.

I get why she's kind of scared. That woman is a beast! I don't want a repeat of my trainee days. Huhu.

"It's going to be fine. She said she have free time so she'll be coming back to Shigusa headquarters tomorrow. She's perfect for the job."