𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 | 𝐓𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐨

- Chapter 18 -

A whole month passes, filled with intense training under Toji's guidance. With every training session, Helia can feel herself improving, both in terms of physical strength and combat skills.

Every day she has also diligently reported to Naobito, every night, giving detailed reports on Toji's activities, whereabouts, and any other relevant information.

As the days and weeks of training pass, she starts to notice a different side of Toji. While he still retains his casual and indifferent demeanor, there's a newfound focus in his approach to her training.

He pushes her harder, his instructions become more precise, and his critiques seem more constructive rather than merely critical.

Despite his often-irritating mannerisms and sarcastic comments, he is very focused on her progress as a fighter.

Oh, and yes, as a side effect of the deal, she finds herself still cleaning Toji's toilets twice a day.

And Toji, being all too aware of her dislike for this particular task, takes great pleasure in reminding Helia of her duty, a smug smile often on his face.

Each time Helia enters his room to clean, she can almost feel his smirk as he sits back and watches her work.

Today has been another exhausting day for Helia. After completing her nightly report to Naobito, she trudges towards the training grounds, already tired and weary.

Her body aches from the previous day's training, and the thought of another hard session is less than appealing.

She didn't appreciate Toji's company much more than in the beginning of their training sessions, but at least now, his presence was bearable.

She had also stopped calling him 'sir', but she couldn't bring herself to call him by his name, she resented him too much for that.

As she approaches the training area, she can see Toji already there, waiting for her, his arms crossed and his usual nonchalant expression on his face.

"About time." He says dryly, his tone indifferent. "You look like you're already tired, and we haven't even started yet."

She doesn't have the energy to argue with him. "Whatever, let's just get started."

He smirks slightly at her response, amused by her reluctance. He steps further into the training grounds.

"Eager as ever." He mocks. "Very well, if you're so keen to get started..."

He suddenly moves forward, lunging towards Helia, aiming a swift punch at her.

She barely has time to react, and her body moves on instinct as she quickly sidesteps Toji's fast lunge.

His punch misses her by mere inches, his arm swinging through the air where she was standing just a moment ago.

"You're getting better at evading. I'll give you that. But try not to look so surprised the next time I come at you."

She doesn't answer his comment, she's not in the mood to talk right now. He shakes his head slightly, slightly amused.

"What, no snappy comeback this time? Don't tell me you're finally getting used to this."

Without warning, he moves in for another attack, this time throwing a kick towards her leg.

This time Helia doesn't have the time to react and his kick connects with her leg, and the impact causes her to lose her balance, falling to the ground with a thump.

He looks down at her, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"Well, that was disappointing. Didn't even try to block that one."