final boss | kenma kozume

her reward

Kokoe put on the kendo bogu or kendo equipment and prepared for the fight.

"Is fighting all you know?" Kenma sighs, remembering that it was her sole purpose in the game.

"Hey," he called as she put on her head equipment. It covered her pretty face, and much of her peripheral vision.

"Yes, Kenma?"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm preparing to spar with their leader, look at me."

"Yes, but why exactly?" he asked and tilted his head.

"Because it is all that I've ever known," she answered nonchalantly. "And you ought to know at least that much. You know where I'm from."

"Say, if I win this match, maybe you could do something for me as a reward," she added.

"Huh?" Kenma's brows knitted as he listened to her idea. She brought this match and sparring session to herself, why should she be rewarded by him? he wondered to himself.

"Ah. Fight rewards. Players get a reward for each battle won," he suddenly realized.

The captain and Kokoe faced each other from a distance. The rookie from earlier was made the referee and stood nearby. The competitors came forward and crouched, the usual practice for every match.

Kokoe wore white on her back while the captain had red on hers. Kokoe was confident the point would always be hers.

The match commenced; and the two yelled, a custom for each kendo match as well.

"So she does know the rules around," Kenma commented. She wasn't going to fight barbaric.

They sparred with their bamboo swords, Kokoe had an almost perfect defense. With both hands, she gripped on her sword tightly and raised it to create an opening, an opening even her opponent did not see coming. The captain stepped back but the white flag had already been raised.

Kokoe had just hit the captain's "men" or the top of the head.

"An easy point, huh?" the crowd gossiped. "The captain is just going easy on her."

The two stood again, and this time the Captain read her movements and blocked successfully. Kokoe still forced her way through, it was a fight with raw force and power. And when it comes to power, it's not something either of them likes to lose.

"You're stubborn," they both thought. The captain tries to change direction to score a point but it was futile.

"You're a second too slow," Kokoe thought. Her mockery was covered by the headgear but Kenma knew she was getting back to her arrogant self.

Her mocking lines in the game were a literary masterpiece for some.

"Cower in the darkness, cower before me!"
"Your hopes and dreams are fragile threads, threads that I shall sever and burn!"
"Your pitiful attempts amuse me, I shall let you live for a little longer!"

Kenma shivered as he recalled the lines.

The white flag was once again raised, signalling another point for the villainess.

"Did she... Did she win against the captain?" the realization sink in for everyone in the crowd.

"Well would you look at that," the captain spoke and removed her head gear. "I guess not all newbies should be treated as fools."

Kokoe removed her head gear as well.

"It was a good fight. What's your name?" the captain asked and approached her.

"Kokoe. Remember that name," she answered.

After all the fuss, the crowd left and the noise eventually died down. Kokoe returned the equipment and sword to the kendo club. Most members were wary, some were scared, and some glared at her attitude.

"My prize?" Kokoe said, looking at the blonde waiting for her by the clubroom door.

"Huh?" Kenma asked, raising a brow.

"I believe I told you that I'd like to be rewarded if I came out victorious, which I did," she said while they walked down the hallway.

"I don't recall myself agreeing to that," he mumbled, fortunately inaudible.

"It's nothing big, really," she assured.

"I'll hear you out."

"Please teach me ageba."

"Ageba?"

She presents a piece of paper in front of him. She has failed miserably on an algebra worksheet.

"Ah. Algebra," he corrected her, trying not to laugh. She just defeated the kendo club captain but couldn't figure out a single thing in math.

"Algebra. I meant to say that."

"Sure," Kenma said. He couldn't help but chuckle.

Kokoe's was flushed in a light shade of red, probably from embarrassment. "I could have figured it out if they had these books in the Moon Tower," she defended herself.

Kenma sighed and shook his head with her excuses.

"Can we, can we go to your house?" she suggested.

"Why am I stuttering now!" she scolded herself in her mind.

"My house?" Kenma repeated. Now it wasn't not only her who was red.

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Kozume Household

"Honey... She's here again," Kenma's father whispered.

"I know, I know!" their tones contrasted greatly.

"We'll just be studying," Kenma said. His cheeks were still reddish from earlier, making his father worried.

"Sure, sure, I'll make you some snacks, Kenma, Kokoe," his mother offered in a nice cheery voice.

"Hey, keep the door ope-" his father advised but he's interrupted.

"Dear, have you ever seen Kenma with a girl other than little miss Kokoe?" she whispered to him. He shook his head as an answer.

"Exactly, what if our Kenma never finds a girlfriend after Kokoe if we're so strict?" her whispers were soft but intimidating for some reason.

"R-right."

In Kenma's room, Kokoe sat on the floor near the small table.

"Teach me, Kenma," she said, showing her unfortunate math score.

"Right, right," he said and sat in front of her. He brought out his books and notes.

"I think Kuroo would be a better teacher for this," he added.

"Kuroo?" she repeated, trying to recall who the familiar name was. "Ah, the one with you during lunchtime."

"Yeah."

"But I want you."

It sent his mind on a haywire, his brain was forgetting how to function. His stomach felt weird, like a churning feeling in it. His legs and feet felt like noodles, like he could barely maintain his posture. And his heart too, beat a little too fast for his comfort.

"Kokoe."

"Yes?"

"You make it easy for me to misunderstand."

"Misunderstand what exactly?" she asked, clueless.

"Forget it," he said and furrowed his brows to snap out of it. "Let's start with the basics."

"Seriously, Kenma. What is it that you're misunderstanding?" She wouldn't let it go.