SUB ROSA | Wind Breaker

Arc 3 || 2. Wild Hearts

The courtyard was calm, the quiet broken only by the faint rustle of leaves as Akame made her way toward the exit. Her thoughts were preoccupied, her steps measured, when a faint golden glow caught her attention. She paused mid-step, her gaze drawn to the gym, its lights spilling out through the slightly ajar door. The sight pulled a small, amused smile to her lips. Yuta and the others had left a while ago to meet Kotoha at Café Pathos—she'd assumed everyone had cleared out. Yet, it seemed someone had forgotten to turn off the lights.

Curiosity sparked, and Akame stepped lightly inside, her footsteps soft against the polished floor. The dimly lit gym carried a stillness that contrasted sharply with the energy it held during the day. Her eyes adjusted to the muted light, and there, in the center of the room, she saw him.

Suo.

He moved with a quiet intensity, his body flowing through a series of mixed martial arts drills. Each motion was precise, his weight shifting effortlessly as his muscles coiled and released in perfect harmony. His sharp focus made him appear almost untouchable, as if the world outside the gym no longer existed. Akame stopped in her tracks, her breath catching as she watched him. There was something captivating about the fluidity of his movements, the sheer discipline etched into every step.

Unaware of her presence, Suo transitioned into a series of sharp kicks, the sound of his strikes echoing faintly in the empty gym. Akame's gaze lingered, tracing the contours of his form, the unwavering focus in his expression. She felt her chest tighten, though she wasn't entirely sure why.

But then, as if sensing her, Suo's movements slowed. His lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk as he turned to face her. "Enjoying the show, Akame?"

Caught, Akame's cheeks burned, but something in his tone—light and teasing—allowed her to push past her embarrassment. She shrugged, stepping closer with newfound confidence. "Maybe I am," she replied smoothly, her voice carrying an edge of playful defiance. "But you're the one showing off."

Suo turned, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Is that what you think?" he asked, crossing his arms as his gaze flicked over her. "Or are you just making excuses for getting caught staring?"

Akame raised an eyebrow, pushing past her initial embarrassment. "Maybe I was staring," she admitted, surprising herself with her own boldness. "But it's not every day I get free tickets to a front-row performance."

Suo chuckled, the sound low and warm as he leaned against the wall. "Look at you. Didn't know you had this side to you."

"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think," she countered, tilting her chin slightly.

His smirk deepened, his gaze lingering on her as if reevaluating her entirely. "Guess I don't," he murmured, his tone softer now, intrigued. "You planning to keep surprising me, or is this a one-time thing?"

"Depends," Akame said, her lips curling into a small smile. "Are you ready to keep up?"

For a brief moment, Suo just stared at her, caught off guard by the quiet confidence in her tone. Then, shaking his head with a faint laugh, he pushed off the wall and walked over to her. "You're different tonight," he said. "Looks like Choji's been rubbing off on you," he said thoughtfully, almost to himself.

Akame blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Had it been that obvious? Her friendship with Choji had brought a sense of ease and confidence she hadn't realized she needed, but hearing it acknowledged—especially by Suo—sparked a warmth in her chest. "Maybe," she admitted, her voice softer now.

Suo's expression shifted, a quiet respect replacing his usual playfulness. "Keep surprising me like that, and you might give me a reason to show off for real," he teased, though his tone carried a sincerity that wasn't lost on her.