Loveless

Chapter 20

The next day, Eloise had to get ready for her training with Sephiroth. Ever since he had dragged Genesis into her sessions, she found herself wondering what else he might decide to add next. With him, training never stayed predictable for long.

She was drying her hair when a soft knock sounded at the door. Eloise opened it quickly and found her mentor standing there. Her eyes flicked instinctively to the clock on the wall—she still had almost an hour before training.

Sephiroth stepped inside without a word and placed a large box on her bed.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing at it.

"Open it," he replied simply.

She hesitated, glancing from the box back to him. Sephiroth was not known for gestures like this, and even with her, his kindness was rare and usually restrained. Carefully, she lifted the lid.

Inside lay a long black dress, elegant and neatly folded. The fabric was soft beneath her fingers, the upper part detailed with a subtle, refined pattern while the rest fell in clean, simple lines. It was beautiful.

Her eyes widened, then lifted to meet his. A bright smile spread across her face before she could stop it. Without thinking, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Sephiroth stiffened at first, clearly unprepared, then awkwardly patted her head once or twice, unsure what else to do.

"That doesn't mean today's training will be easier, right?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled against his chest.

"No," he answered calmly. "You will be fighting Angeal today."

She sighed and pulled back, though her smile lingered as she carefully placed the dress back into the box. She couldn't bring herself to be upset. Even if his words were blunt as ever, the gesture itself meant more than he probably realized.

"Today, I will fight you."

Angeal was already waiting in the simulation room, standing calmly at the center, his posture relaxed but attentive. He was watching her carefully, without teasing or provocation, and that alone made the situation feel more serious. Fighting him felt very different from fighting Genesis.

"I know," Eloise replied quietly.

That didn't mean she felt confident. The training she had gone through with Sephiroth was beginning to show results, but her strength usually surfaced through irritation or anger. Angeal did not provoke those emotions. He was calm, nice, and patient, which made it harder for her to draw on instinct.

Instead of the Buster Sword, Angeal held his usual training blade and took a defensive stance. Eloise tilted her head slightly, studying him. If she hesitated too long, he would take control of the fight. She inhaled deeply, focused on her hands, and forced herself to move.

She rushed forward and attempted to kick him before following with a strike from her sword. Angeal stepped back with ease, raising an eyebrow as he redirected her momentum and swung his blade in a controlled arc. She tried to close the distance again, aiming for his shoulder, but he anticipated it and countered with a sharp kick that sent her stumbling backward.

She caught herself after a few unsteady steps, breathing harder than she wanted to admit. Her energy was draining faster than she expected, and she hadn't even found an opening yet.

Angeal lifted an eyebrow, almost teasing.

"Are you holding back, Eloise?"

"Are you?" she shot back, mirroring his expression.

A faint chuckle escaped him. He adjusted his grip on the sword and advanced again. This time, she prepared herself to block, but he feinted at the last second, slipping past her guard. She felt the rush of air as his blade passed close, then pain flared as he kicked her squarely in the back, sending her into the wall.