Shangri La Pt. 1

25: Heartfelt

"Hah~ Well since you seem a bit annoyed at something, why don't I give you a little suggestion. How bout you and me do a little spar?"

"Ha? A fight, why?" 

"Cause it's clear that you're bothered by something, and all the other guys don't wanna interfere unless you deal with your problems. And since I think your situation the best, I think helping you release some steam will make you talk. So how bout it?" Gin suggested. 

"Wha– Why the hell do you care?" 

"Cause I'm basically the one that knows most of your secrets. So tell you what, if I win, then you gotta tell me what's wrong. And if I win, then I'll tell you something that I've been dealing with myself, deal?" 

"You– Don't you remember what happened the last time we fought?" 

"Yeah, that ended in a draw, but that was long before the war, so both of us have changed. And if you want all of them to get to training, you gotta be the one to set an example." Gin noted.

Soon, Katsuki shifted his gaze over to his colleagues to see all of them crowding near the training grounds but appearing to be afraid to set foot any closer.

"Hah~ You're not gonna stop asking to fight me till I give in, aren't you?" 

"It's the best way to let your stress out, believe me." Gin replied with a smirk, only making the blond sigh in knowing that he wasn't gonna win an argument, but he could win a fight. 

"Fine, I'll fight you." 

"That's the spirit." 

"Uh oh, those two are really gonna fight?" 

"Hold on, if Acri wins this fight, will that mean he'll be the new Captain?" 

"Don't know, didn't he turn down the offer of becoming Captain last time?" 

"Yeah, but things 've changed since this." 

"Let's just watch and see how this goes."

So both the blond and silver-haired man were feet from each other on the training grounds, both with their weapons in hand; Katsuki with his large sword while Gin held a large and heavy glaive. 

"You're really gonna tell me what you're dealing with if I win?" Katsuki repeated. 

"That's what we agreed on, and believe me when I say I've been dealing with a lot since you've been busy. So the first one who loses their weapon, loses the match." Gin answered as he twirled his glaive in his hands as he got into position. 

"Let's just get this over with." the blond muttered as he held his sword with both hands as he stood in his position.

It went completely silent around them, as if there was no one else in their presence causing them both to stand ready to fight but with calmness at the thought. 

And in an instant, both charged towards one another and slammed their weapons in front of each other for a loud clash of metal echoed in the air as powerful winds blew past them. Their weapons locked them in combat as they tried to push their pressure towards the other. 

"Damn, did you have this kinda strength the last time we fought?" Katsuki groaned. 

"Heh– You haven't seen my full potential yet, but I don't think that's gonna be needed for this fight." Gin replied as he pushed the blond away and took two steps backwards just in time to dodge Katsuki's sword slashing towards him.

Katsuki then started swinging his sword back and forth to try and slice the silver-haired man, but each time, Gin would just take a few steps back. But soon, Gin was losing space on where he could back up, so when the last time Katsuki could swing, he swung his glaive in front of him to block the blade.