Huffs and groans can be heard in the field as you keep a close watch on Kunikuzushi, making sure that he's not straining himself too much as he directs another lightning strike towards a dummy, barely missing the head which brings him to his knees, a loud groan leaving his lips as he finally plops down onto the ground, uncaring of the dirt clinging onto his back as he just stares up at the sky, too tired to move. "I'm drained... let's take a break, please?" The boy before you mutters, his eyes closing shut as you make your way over to him, a cup of tea in hand.
"I think that's an appropriate decision. You've exhausted yourself quite a bit, you deserve to rest."
Sitting beside him, you take out a damp cloth and start wiping away the sweat that has accumulated on his skin, the feeling making Kunikuzushi smile slightly, enjoying the moment. "It's only been a few days since we started your regimen but I can say that you're quite talented." You praise him, genuinely impressed with how much he's improved already though your words may have a different effect on him as this makes the boy before you flush bright red, his head turning to the side to hide his expression though even from where you sit, you can see that a pout has found perch on his lips. How adorable.
"Stop trying to make me feel better, (Y/N)... I barely managed to hit that dummy-"
"And yet you still did. We've only been at it for 4 days, Kunikuzushi. There is no need to be so harsh on yourself. You're doing well." You cut him off, not liking how he's starting to get a bit self-deprecating.
You have noticed this growing habit of his. It's only been 2 days or so since his words have taken a slightly negative route when it comes to talking about himself but you still manage to catch on.
Perhaps the situation with his mother has gotten worse.
It worries you.
"I am only able to train you for an hour or two everyday and yet you have shown a lot of improvement, I say that you are quite the prodigy. So cut yourself some slack, Kunikuzushi. I'm happy that you're a student of mine."
Gently, you guide Kunikuzushi to sit up, his skin still warm from training, so is his face as you hand him the cooling cup of tea that you had prepared beforehand. You had made sure to add an extra mint to help with cooling his body faster.
Seeing the cup handed to him, Kunikuzushi can't help but make a face, knowing that the tea that you make is always bitter. "Do I really have to drink this, (Y/N)?" He asks you, the pout still on his lips as he looks up at you. "It's always so bitter..."
"Would you like me to add some sweeteners? Milk, perhaps? Or sweet flowers?"
For a second, Kunikuzushi looks down at the cup.
He can already taste the oncoming taste of the tea, the slight bitterness lingering on his tongue with every sip, then he imagines how the taste would be much more bearable if there was a sweet flower or two. But then, this is something that you personally prepare for him every single day. Something that you drink yourself after you train.
If he wants to be strong like you, then he should follow your training regimen as closely as possible.
So, even with the bitterness haunting him, he shakes his head at your suggestion, instead, he takes a deep breath and gulps down the liquid, the cooling effect making his whole body feel better though the state that his tongue is put on screams for him to drink something else to wash off the taste.
Pushing down a shiver, Kunikuzushi hands you back the cup, muttering a quick thank you as he does so.
Amused with how he gulped down the tea, you unconsciously ruffled his hair as you stood up in order to put away the cup, unaware of the way Kunikuzushi almost stopped functioning at your action.
