Kaien, Oh Kaien

The next day, sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds over the Shin'ō Academy training grounds, casting a mottled pattern of light and shadow on the ground.

Students trickled out of the examination hall, chattering as they compared answers in groups of three or five.

Having finished a full day of theory exams, Wang Xun stretched.

Studying academic subjects didn't yield fragments, so Wang Xun had genuinely put in the effort.

Fortunately, he had that little academic ace Nanao around. Tagging along with her during review saved him time and effort.

"How did you do?"

Nanao looked at the relaxed expression on Wang Xun's face.

"Easy."

"Don't get careless. That was only a small part of the final grade. The comprehensive assessment in swordsmanship, Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kidō over the next two days is what really matters. I remember your overall grades have never been very high."

"Mm-hmm."

"You... You never train hard, and you do everything halfheartedly. What if you fail the squad entrance assessment in the future?"

"I won't fail. Don't worry."

Wang Xun was always this laid-back. Nanao felt as though she'd punched a wad of cotton again.

Although Wang Xun's overall grades weren't high, he'd never once fallen out of the elite class. In that respect, he was unusually consistent.

Nanao couldn't help wondering whether this guy could become really strong if he were the hardworking type and trained diligently.

Nanao tried to imagine Wang Xun with exceptional strength, standing head and shoulders above everyone in the elite class while the various squads fought to recruit him.

If that really happened, and with his good looks, there would surely be plenty of girls around him...

Nanao shook her head, casting those distracting thoughts aside.

Looking at the lazy, white-haired bottom-ranker beside her with his arms folded, Nanao tightened her grip on her schoolbag.

Oh well, he wasn't bad like this either.

"Tomorrow's Kidō test is Shakkahō again. It's the same old thing, though this year's classes should cover some higher-level Kidō."

"Your Shunpo seems to have improved a little. Maybe you can use it to raise your score this year."

"Swordsmanship and Hakuda are both practical combat tests, but you always lose so quickly. You surrender after just a few moves..."

"Senior Wang Xun!"

A cheerful greeting rang out, and Wang Xun and Nanao turned to look.

"Oh, it's the Shiba kid."

"Haha, what do you mean, the Shiba kid? Just call me Kaien."

Kaien Shiba, dressed in the Spiritual Arts Academy uniform and carrying a parcel, came over with a grin.

"Senior Ise, you're here too."

"Yes. Hello, Shiba."

Kaien Shiba looked much older than her, so it felt strange to be called his senior.

Still, Nanao returned the greeting politely and formally.

"Finished enrolling? We'll be schoolmates from now on. Let's get along."

"Haha, yeah, let's get along. Speaking of which, Senior Wang Xun, I don't know what's gotten into Kūkaku, but she's been really, really fond of Ichiraku Ramen lately."

Kaien leaned in with a knowing look and gently nudged Wang Xun's arm with his elbow.

"Oh? Is that so? That's a good thing..."

Wang Xun raised an eyebrow.

The next moment, he felt a chill coming from beside him.

Oh, no...

Kaien clearly hadn't noticed the subtle shift in the atmosphere and continued with a smile.

"You bet. Kūkaku's been running to that ramen shop every few days lately. I was wondering when she'd gotten so fond of ramen. Then she told me you'd recommended the place, Senior."

Wang Xun felt the temperature beside him drop another few degrees.

All right, that's enough. Shut up already, you guy who can't read the room...

As if he hadn't seen the message Wang Xun was sending him with his eyes, Kaien enthusiastically slung an arm around his shoulders.

"Speaking of Kūkaku, she's been wild since she was little. I've never seen her take such an interest in a guy before..."

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Wang Xun broke into a violent coughing fit, trying to cut Kaien off.

But it was already too late.

Beside him, Nanao pushed up her glasses, her voice frighteningly calm.

"Oh? So you're this interested in Wang Xun's affairs, Shiba?"

"You bet I am!"

Kaien seemed completely oblivious to the danger, still wearing a broad grin.

"Say, Senior Wang Xun, if you're free today, how about we have dinner together? Kūkaku would probably be delighted to have you there..."

Kaien looked at Wang Xun, who looked like he'd lost all hope, then at the dark expression on Nanao's face. Finally, he belatedly sensed that something was wrong.

"Ah, um..." He scratched his head. "I think K-Kūkaku's calling me. You two seniors must have things to do, so I won't bother you any longer. I'm off..."

With that, he waved to them and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Only Wang Xun and Nanao remained, standing where they were. The air seemed to have frozen.

"Nanao..."

Wang Xun spoke tentatively.

"Yes?"

Nanao looked up. Her face wore a calm expression Wang Xun had never seen before, one that was a little frightening.

"Why do you look so solemn..."

"Wang Xun!"

A lively voice called out from the distance.

Wang Xun and Nanao turned at the same time and saw Kūkaku Shiba running toward them.

She was dressed in casual clothes today, her long black hair streaming behind her and a bright smile on her face.

"Huh, that's weird. I definitely saw my big brother here just now. Where'd he go? Oh, Little Nanao, you're here too."

Kūkaku ran up to them and looked from Wang Xun to Nanao, apparently sensing that the atmosphere was a little strange.

"What's wrong? Why do you look so serious?"

"It's nothing."

Nanao quickly resumed her usual calm expression and gave a nonchalant reply.

"Kūkaku, what brings you here?"

Wang Xun looked at Kūkaku, trying to change the mood.

"I came to see you!"

Kūkaku said with a smile.

"My big brother came to pick up his enrollment materials as a new Spiritual Arts Academy student today, so I came in with him. It might not be so easy to come in again after this."

"I heard you had tests today, so I thought I might run into you at the gate. And I actually did."

Kūkaku smiled and leaned closer. Having just run over, her breath was still somewhat hot, and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead glistened.

Nanao stared at the cleavage before her, rising and falling with each breath, her eyes nearly fixed in place.

Wh-what is this?

The next second, Nanao's gaze turned as sharp as a hawk's, and she fixed her eyes on Wang Xun, who was sitting on pins and needles beside her.

If Wang Xun's gaze so much as shifted, she would strike without hesitation.

Those eyes that have fallen into the abyss without knowing it, I'll personally...

Fortunately, Wang Xun's gaze was wandering everywhere else and hadn't strayed into the danger zone.

Kūkaku seemed unaware of the strange atmosphere in the air. She casually leaned toward Wang Xun, her eyes shining with joy.

"Hey, Wang Xun, do you have time later?"