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Y/N's PoV -
"Get up. Not the time to rest yet." Wakasa said in a careless manner, his back now facing me. I was trying to retain my breath while panting heavily, my face to the ground and it took all my strength to not fall as my arms and legs supported my body, my stomach in pain after the kicks and punches.
I tried to get up but failed. My whole body feels weak making it difficult for me to hold myself upright. If this continues I won't be any stronger. Why? Why am I still so weak!
After much effort, I finally stood up and took the stance, nodding at him to continue. Being weak as I was, I couldn't even react when he kicked my leg, making me fall on the hard ground. I groaned loudly in pain and annoyance.
"I guess we should stop now." My pride wanted me to continue but I know that if I did, I would be in no shape to fight anymore or attend the event a few days later.
Nodding, I sat up and caught the bottle he threw at me. "You're getting better." He said as he sat beside me."Good joke. Are you mocking me or something." I said with a scoff and drank the water. He glared at me as if to tell me that he is serious. I sighed and shook my head. Even that felt painful right now.
"Listen Wakasa, I may have improved a little but the progress is too slow to be appreciated. I need to work harder." I'm still no good. Will I ever be?
"Y/N... you're improving. That's a good thing and you should appreciate it. I'm not going to tell you that there's no need for you to train anymore, now that would be a lie. But I have seen your improvement and you've become better in a very short amount of time. I mean before you lost your stamina, you were putting up a good fight."
I wanted to deny that but I didn't. It felt good... being appreciated by others. It made me feel all fuzzy, just like how I felt when I started to love my mother or when Aakashiko-sanmakes me pumpkin pies, when I read Oshiko's letter and that day when I got all excited over a damn movie. I didn't want to accept this feeling but somehow after my short exchange with Oshiko, I have started to accept these small changes in myself. She said it was a good thing.
But I need to work harder. When the two of us went back home, I remembered something. The girl Hinari, she was never there in the original story. I should tell Ara to do a background check on her. What if she becomes a threat to my future plans? I need to stay cautious.
In five days, it will finally be the time I officially meet Hima. I hope that I can have a good relationship with her.
After cleaning up I greeted my mother and Aakashiko-san and had lunch with them. After that I went straight to the study room. Ara has gone to meet her parents two days ago and will be back a day before the event. I will tell her to look up about Hinari after the event is done. Right now, I should let her enjoy with her parents.
Opening the book and notebook I started making notes. I still need to understand the market schemes better. I am going to handle a big business so I need to work hard on this as well. But I can say I'm getting better at this. I don't get much distracted nor do I sleep in between. It took time but I'm glad that I'm better now.
After about three hours of continuous studying, it was around six in the evening. I decided to go down to read the newspaper, I still don't like that, and have some tea. Mother was waiting for me it seems and Aakashiko-san was preparing the tea in the kitchen.
"Hello mama, Aakashiko-san." They look back at me with wide smile on their faces. "Hello baby, come have a seat." Mother said while patting the seat next to her. Aakashiko-san hummed a tune as she served us tea in front of us.
"How are your studies going Y/N?" Mother asked, her voice soft. She has been working on some charities recently to increase the reputation as well as support of our company. Though it is a calculated move, she does it from the kindness of her heart.
I smiled. "It's getting a little difficult but I can manage," I took a sip of my tea. "What about the even mother? Can you tell me more about it."
"Oh, well there will be many big businessmen and also your grandfather's business partners. We will be meeting some really influential people." A sip. "But not to worry. As long as I and your grandparents are here, this business will never fall."
I nodded and proceeded to drink my tea in silence. It was comforting, the silence that is, with just Aakashiko-san's low humming in the back.
Tomorrow will be a good opportunity for me to find out who can be my future ally and who can be my enemy. I'm still not good enough at the market stuff so I need to work hard, harder than I already do. Just two more days.
