Accurate Sense × Inaccurate Judgement [Dr. Stone]

XIV- First memory

As the leaves began to fall from the trees and the steam from her breath becoming more thicker, it was clear that winter was near. Everyone had to work as twice as hard in surviving such as survival, especially in storing food and producing clothes that could fight the cold.

On the other hand, Kaoru focused on a different goal at hand.

With a yell, she swung her blade hitting the bark of the tree- a smile formed on her face upon seeing that her hit was deeper from the one before. Her eyes gleamed with joy upon seeing the progress she was making, "I guess I'm improving, although can't say for you."

Her blade was starting to get worn out. The handle was getting much more coarse, often giving her mild splinters. Yet she disregarded these small injuries she would sustain.

"I wonder how you're doing over there Senku" Kaoru mumbled under her breathe. Cerulean eyes widened as her nose caught the scent of someone approaching her.

At the moment she pulled up her cloak, a figure emerged out of the woods. "Hyoga-sama" the girl muttered, her eyes met Kaoru's. Instantly, dread washed over the hooded girl's face. "Y-you're-"

'Damn, out of all the people I could encounter. It had to be Homura!'

Kaoru still hadn't forgotten the encounter she had with the gymnast back in the primitive village. Months had already passed by and Hyoga nor Tsukasa had brought it up to her- there was no punishment, only that she, Taiju, and Yuzuriha would be tailed 24/7. Nevertheless, if Homura had recognized finally recognized her, she would be in big trouble.

Kaoru clutched her blade tightly, internally preparing herself to have another face-off with Homura in case recognition would dawn upon her face.

The pink-haired girl's eyes narrowed, "Have I met you before?"

Kaoru's glare became sharper. 'I guess I don't have a choice...'

"You're-"

"Ah, Homura-kun I see you've returned." Hyoga's interrupted as he arrived at the scene. The spearman glance from Kaoru and back to his right-hand woman, a look of delight was tinted on his always shut eyes. "It seems this is the first time you've met each other."

"Hyoga-sama, I've come for my winter supplies" Homura spoke in a low voice as she approached the spearman.

"Of course Homura-kun, you must be prepared properly for the winter," Hyoga said. His gaze then returned back to Kaoru, "But first, I'd like you to meet one of Tsukasa-Kun's interest Kaoru-kun."

"What a creepy term to refer to me" Kaoru muttered under her breath.

"You and Kaoru-kun might get along," Hyoga said to Homura. "After all, you two are quite profound in gymnastics."

"I'm just an amateur in Baton twirling" Kaoru interjected. "I'm still in the beginning stage."

Hyoga let out a small chuckle, "How humble of you Kaoru-kun. Even though you tend to use your skills in ways that go against Tsukasa-kun's Empire."

His words felt like an eerie whisper to her. Though it was ambiguous, Kaoru could sense some sort of threat and spite. She fought the cold chills that ran up her spine, but she would only be fooling herself if she said that she wasn't frightened and what he had said.

"Come Homura-kun, Yuzuriha-kun might have prepared your essentials for the winter" Hyoga spoke as he began to walk away, the pink-haired woman following him in pursuit. But before he left, he glanced back at her, and in a smooth voice, he spoke. "Do you honestly think that your flimsy skills can protect them?"