Ch'en felt that something was increasingly off.
Amiya had been practicing with Sakura Fubuki for half a month, and her skill had suddenly improved by leaps and bounds. She had learned to draw the blade, and when she did, it carried a pale pink glow and drifting cherry blossom petals, possessing much of the bearing of Yae Sakura Iaijutsu.
Even their ears were the same!
"Does using Sakura Fubuki improve your skill level?"
"Don't make excuses for your laziness. This is the result of Amiya's hard work. Her ability to empathize with swords is stronger than yours."
"..."
"I was rash."
Hoshino shook her head in distress. "I didn't take your skill level or your imbalance of mentality into consideration. Those are things a mentor should consider. I have no experience teaching several students at once, and I carelessly neglected my duty."
"Uh..."
Ch'en felt warned.
Letting something so trivial throw her off balance truly made her unfit to be a swordswoman.
Fortunately, this was only a new sprout. As long as it was nipped in the bud before being allowed to grow, Ch'en's mindset could be corrected and she could become a qualified swordswoman.
"I've always hoped you could go farther."
After speaking with Ch'en, Hoshino turned her gaze to Amiya.
Hoshino asked curiously, "Has your adorable Feline friend not come again today?"
"She's sick."
Amiya said strangely, "Anyway, she's been staying indoors lately. I guess something scared her, but I've thought about it for ages and still have no idea why."
"I hope she gets better soon."
Hoshino said this sincerely to Amiya, earning a nod from the little leader.
"I'll be sure to pass it on."
That evening.
Hoshino saw Kal'tsit in the courtyard. She had arrived uninvited, empty-handed, and with her usual stern expression.
"It's been