Taimanin: The Weakest's Resolve

Fuuma Tokiko - 1

It was in the early morning, the sun was about to rise. Fuuma Tokiko woke up sooner than others since she needed to do some preparation before heading out for a mission.

Quietly sipping the warm tea in the kitchen, Tokiko listened to the faintest noises from the floor above. She observed the footsteps that started from the Young Master's room.

He was doing it again. It had been like this ever since the Great Ashen Tree incident.

Despite getting discharged from the medical bay not that long ago, and having barely enough rest due to paperwork, Kotaro continued to wake up early. He tip-toed down the stair, already wearing a tracksuit, and put on the shoes. He planned to make a few laps around Gosha. Tokiko had nothing against that routine, it was a decent exercise necessary for any Taimanin to do.

Still, Kotaro's case was not entirely the same. He still needed a support stick to help him walk. She didn't want him to strain his body right after the treatments.

"Oyakata-sama."

"Tokiko. Good morning."

Kotaro simply greeted with a glance thrown over the shoulder. He didn't seem surprised once she made her presence known by standing behind him.

"Shouldn't you be resting at the moment?"

"I'll just take a walk outside." He noticed she was wearing the Taima bodysuit at this time. "Are you about to go on a mission?"

"I will be away shortly and return in the evening."

"Stay safe."

"Rest assure."

Kotaro unfolded the support stick and leaned on it as he headed toward the door.

"I think you should rest for some more, Oyakata-sama."

Tokiko had no intention of letting the conversation end. The topic stayed. It hadn't been that long since the doctor allowed his discharge, he should have prioritized his well-being first and let his strength to recover naturally instead of trying to regain it back.

"I rested plenty these days. Can't just stay in the house and do paperwork all the time. Besides, it's just a walk."

"But as a reminder, please refrain from engaging in any heavy activities. I know you've been to the training ground."

"I have." Kotaro didn't deny the fact. "Just to throw shurikens at the dummies."

Tokiko raised an eyebrow at his words, arms folded.

"And doing some stretching to my arms and leg. Nothing serious, I promise you."

"...very well."

He smiled.

"I'm off then. See you later, Tokiko."

He walked out and closed the door. With his current condition, she felt a bit uneasy. But it couldn't be helped. Kotaro had made up his mind, and she couldn't try to convince him otherwise, not when his eye was filled with a newfound determination.

Such an expression had been the talk among the Task Force members in town. Whatever happened back there, Kotaro started to become much more motivated than he'd ever been.

"Oh! I almost forgot..." Kotaro reopened the door and spoke to her through the gap. "You're going to stop by Asagi-sensei's office first, aren't you?"

"I am. Do you need something there, Oyakata-sama?"

"I left a document there. You should take a look at it before starting the mission."

"A document?"

Without sharing anymore detail, he left.