“Are you ready for this?” Horikita asked, watching Ayanokoji's steady stance.
He didn’t respond as she marched toward him, preparing for a punch. “Here I go!!”
“..............”
".............."
“Don’t overexert yourself, Horikita,” Ayanokoji advised, his voice calm yet distant.
“Remember that quality is more important than quantity.”
“I know,” she replied, trying to catch her breath.
Frustration bubbled within her as she attempted a complicated maneuver.
“Ugh! Why can’t I get this right?” she huffed, wiping sweat from her brow.
The sting of her earlier misstep—a twist of her ankle—clouded her focus.
“You’re overthinking it,” Ayanokoji said evenly, contrasting her irritation.
“Focus on your form, not just the technique. You have the foundation; take your time to work through it.”
Just as they resumed practice, the rustle of branches signaled Ibuki’s arrival. “Hey! Am I late?” she called, a wide grin on her face.
“Looks like you two have been working hard!”
Horikita, fatigue momentarily forgotten, managed a small smile. “We’re just getting started, Ibuki. How did you find us out here?”
“I’ve got a nose for fun! Plus, combat practice in the woods? Hard to resist!” Ibuki chuckled, joining their training.
Ayanokoji stepped back to observe, allowing the two girls to spar, showcasing their growth since entering high school.
As practice continued, Horikita stumbled again, her ankle flaring up painfully. She grunted, trying to shake it off,
but Ayanokoji quickly intervened. “Take a break, Horikita. You need to be careful.”
“I can’t—” she started, but he cut her off.
“You can’t afford to push yourself to the point of injury. The upcoming months will be challenging enough. Use this time to recover rather than risk making it worse.”
His concern surprised her, filling her with a sense of solidarity that strengthened her resolve.
“You’re right,” she conceded, sitting on a nearby log.
“I always want to be prepared, but… I don’t want to let my team down either.” Her voice softened, the weight of her expectations pressing down like the humid air around them.
Ayanokoji sat beside her, his expression serious.
“You won’t let anyone down by recognizing your limits. In fact, understanding them is a strength. We all have to find our balance.”
Horikita looked at him, curiosity mixing with admiration.
“What are your thoughts on our third year? The last stretch of high school will likely be the most challenging. Do you think we’re ready?”
Ayanokoji pondered her words for a moment.
“Ready doesn’t mean you won’t face difficulties. It means knowing how to tackle them. I believe we’ll figure it out as we go along. What’s most important is the teamwork we’ve built and the trust we have in each other.”
YOU ARE READING
~Tears of Unreciprocated Love💕
Fanfiction~Loving someone who doesn't love you in return,.. is like trying to fly with a broken wings~ ...
