Divergent paths

The days passed quickly since Honami's issue was resolved. Actually, it was she who solved it; I had offered my help, but she refused. She wanted to face her own problems and not rely on me so much. I found that admirable, so I let her do what she thought necessary.

Now I was wandering through the school hallways. I didn't have anything better to do, so I decided to spend some time alone. I enjoyed it because it allowed me to reflect on myself and my emotions, something that sometimes was difficult amid the daily hustle and bustle.

While walking, I noticed a blue-haired girl acting suspiciously. I wondered why she was behaving that way; she seemed to be hiding from someone, and then she started following a group of girls. This happened several times, and my curiosity led me to follow her.

The blue-haired girl was Ibuki, who was following a small group of girls from Class D: Matsushita Chiaki, Satou Maya, and Karuizawa Kei. The three of them were sitting in an ice cream shop, laughing and enjoying their ice creams. Ibuki, on the other hand, sat on a bench a little farther away but with a clear view of the trio. She wasn't trying hard to hide her surveillance; her eyes were fixed on them, almost as if she was waiting for something.

I decided to sneak up behind her. Just as I was beside her, I blew softly in her ear.

"Damn it!" Ibuki jumped off the bench, and her reaction made me laugh out loud. When she turned around and saw who it was, she gave me a death glare.

"You bastard! What's wrong with you? You nearly scared me to death," she said, furious, as she sat back down.

"Come on, it wasn't that bad," I replied, settling beside her.

"Hmph," she grumbled, looking away with a frown.

"By the way, Ibuki, why are you following those girls?" I asked, pointing at the trio.

Her demeanor changed a little before she responded. "That's none of your business," she said defensively.

"I guess that's true, but Ibuki, you're a terrible spy. Or at least that's how it looks," I said with a teasing smile.

"I don't have to answer any of your questions," she retorted, crossing her arms.

"Come on, that's boring. I thought I'd see something interesting," I said, letting myself fall onto her lap. I knew I might get hit, but I enjoyed the risk.

"What the hell are you doing?" she glared at me, with a face that said, "Depending on your answer, I'm going to hit you."

"I'm helping you, you know?" I replied with a carefree smile.

"Helping?" she repeated, still incredulous.

"Of course. I don't have bad intentions; I'm just helping you stay unnoticed. It's obvious that you're spying on them, and they might realize it, so I'm here to make sure that doesn't happen," I explained, trying to sound convincing.

"And why are you helping me?" Her tone was still defensive, but there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes.

"Because I'm bored, and there's nothing else to do," I said, shrugging.

"So your way of helping me is lying on my lap. You're a pervert," she shot me a judgmental look, but I couldn't help laughing.

"Me? A pervert? Please, Ibuki, I think you're the one who's a little embarrassed," I responded with a mischievous smile.

"Embarrassed? There's no way that's happening," she stated seriously.

"I guess that's true. After all, you and I shared a 'heated moment' together," I said, emphasizing the last words. Ibuki's blush deepened.

"What are you talking about? That never happened!" she exclaimed, clearly alarmed.

"Huh? What do you mean it didn't? Have you forgotten about our 'heated moment' in that tiny elevator? How mean of you to forget it so quickly," I said, pretending to be offended.

Upon hearing this, she gave me a light punch in the stomach. "Ah! Hey, what was that for?"

"So you'll stop saying nonsense. That was just an unfortunate accident. Don't say more about it, or I'll kick your ass," she warned, her tone threatening.

"I don't think you could even touch me," I said with a defiant smile, as I responded to her provocations.

"Of course, I could! If I fought you, I'm a thousand percent sure I'd kick that annoying ass of yours," Ibuki replied, with a competitive spark in her eyes.

"You seem confident, huh? But that's just that: confidence. Reality is another thing," I responded, keeping calm.

"You're arrogant for thinking I couldn't touch you," she said, frowning, clearly provoked.

"No, dear, I'm not being arrogant. I'm simply stating the truth," I replied calmly.

"Oh, really? Then why don't we find out right now?" Her tone became more serious, as if I had touched a nerve.

"Are you sure? You know I wouldn't want to damage that pretty face of yours," I said, trying to keep the mood light.

"Shut up! Let's fight, and that way, I can get back at you for your jokes," she said, standing up energetically, forcing me off her lap.

"Are you serious, Ibuki? You know we could get expelled if we get caught. After all, physical violence is prohibited," I reminded her.

"It doesn't matter. If we get caught, we'll just say we're training or something. So, what do you say?" Her gaze was determined, and I could see she was ready for a friendly challenge.

"Sure, where do you want to do it?" I asked, feeling the excitement of a friendly exchange beginning to bubble between us.

"Just follow me," Ibuki said as she walked away, completely forgetting that she had been spying on the trio of girls. I followed her, intrigued by her sudden determination, wondering if she had any plan in mind or if she had simply let curiosity take over.

...

Finally, we had arrived at the destination Ibuki had chosen: a secluded area far from where we had been. As we walked, I noticed there were no cameras here, meaning it was a blind spot. Definitely something to keep in mind.

"We'll fight here," Ibuki said, positioning herself in front of me on a grassy section that seemed ideal to avoid injuries in case of a fall.

"I'll ask you again, are you sure about this, Ibuki?" I asked as I took off my jacket and rolled up my sleeves.

"Absolutely. Unless you're the one afraid of getting your butt kicked," she replied with a mocking tone, smiling defiantly.

I just smiled back and positioned myself in front of her, ready to start. The excitement and adrenaline were building, and I knew this would be an interesting exchange.

We took our stances, and the air was thick with tension. Ibuki made the first move, a quick taekwondo strike that ended in a high kick. I dodged with a swift turn, feeling the wind displaced by her foot.

"You're gonna have to be faster than that!" I said, keeping a carefree smile as I looked at her, knowing I had the upper hand.

With visible determination, Ibuki lunged at me, attempting a direct hit. But, with almost disdainful ease, I evaded her attack, sensing her frustration growing. In an instant, I grabbed her wrist and, using a jiu-jitsu technique, took her to the ground effortlessly.

"Watch the grass," I commented, as she quickly got up, her face reflecting a mixture of anger and frustration.

"This isn't fair! I'm not just here to do you a favor by training," she protested, her voice tense, almost as if she was trying to justify her futile efforts.

I didn't reply, simply watching as she composed herself. Her movements were faster, but that didn't make them effective. With each attack attempt, her frustration was palpable. I watched her launch a series of quick kicks, but each one was easily dodged. It was like a game of cat and mouse, and she was clearly at a disadvantage.

"Come on, Ibuki! Try a little harder!" I said with a teasing tone, enjoying the moment. Every time she attempted a hit, I moved gracefully, evading her attacks as if they were nothing. Her breathing grew heavier, and I could see how fatigue was beginning to take its toll on her determination.

When I thought she might surprise me with a spinning kick, I elegantly ducked and grabbed her by the waist, bringing her to the ground again. This time, her fall was less controlled, and she lightly hit the grass. The look of exasperation that crossed her face was almost comical.

"Do you give up?" I asked, watching her get up, her muscles tense and her face flushed with frustration.

"Never! I'm not going to let it end like this!" she shouted, her voice full of defiance. But the helplessness was evident in her eyes.

Ibuki tried to organize a more strategic attack, attempting to combine movements, but each one was predictable. She threw a low kick, but I dodged it effortlessly. It was as if every move of hers was written in a script I already knew by heart. Before she could react, I caught her again with a jiu-jitsu technique, causing her to fall once more.

"Come on, Ibuki, seriously. You don't have to keep trying if you don't want to," I said, feeling like I was about to cross the line between friendly competition and play. The frustration was palpable on her face, and I knew she was fighting against her own limits.

"This is humiliating..." she muttered, her gaze on the ground, unable to hide the frustration building inside her.

As she stood up again, I saw her accelerated breathing and how she tried to recompose her posture. I couldn't help it; there was something admirable about her struggle, despite her evident helplessness. She attempted another attack, this time jumping from a nearby tree, but it was too predictable a move. With a simple sidestep, I dodged her attempt, causing her to fall on the grass once more.

"Ready to give up?" I asked, keeping my tone light but not hiding the reality of the situation. I watched her get up once more, and although her expression remained determined, the frustration shone in her eyes.

"This has only just begun!" she insisted, but her voice sounded a little quieter, as if she was already starting to doubt herself.

"Alright, if you insist," I responded, enjoying the competition without malice, but fully aware of the vast difference in our skills. I was pushing her to her limit, and each time she fell, I could see how her determination held on by a thread. It was a game for me, but for her, it was a challenge she couldn't win.

As she prepared for another attempt, her gaze was a mix of defiance and helplessness. At that moment, I understood that this battle wasn't just about combat skills, but also about the inner struggle she was facing. Each fall challenged her more, but it also frustrated her.

"Want to try again?" I asked, knowing the answer would be yes, despite everything. The spark in her eyes, though dimmed, was still there, and that made me respect her even more.

"Of course! This isn't over," she affirmed, but in her tone, I felt the echo of a larger struggle.

As she prepared for another attempt, Ibuki gathered all her strength and launched herself with a combination of moves, her expression fierce. However, once again, each of her attacks turned out to be predictable. I watched her throw a punch that I dodged with a smooth twist, and before she could react, I grabbed her by the waist once again.

I took her to the ground with a jiu-jitsu technique, and this time, the impact was harder. Her hands hit the grass as she tried to get up, but exhaustion had caught up with her. "No... it can't be!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.

I watched her as she struggled to stand, her face flushed and the gleam of defiance in her eyes fading, replaced by a mix of helplessness and humiliation. She couldn't keep playing like this anymore.

"Do you give up now?" I asked, keeping a light tone. Although I didn't want her to feel this way, the competition had become clear: I was enjoying the moment.

"This is ridiculous! How can there be such a difference?" she murmured, her frustration evident. She remained on the ground, breathing heavily, fighting against her own discouragement.

I approached a little, sensing we had reached a critical point. "Look, you're incredibly persistent. That's something to respect. But today... it just wasn't your day."

Her silence was eloquent, but I didn't feel any remorse. I had enjoyed every move, every technique I had applied with precision. There was nothing wrong with winning, and I felt satisfied with my performance.

Finally, she stood up, head lowered and shoulders slumped, a figure of defiance now feeling defeated. Without another word, she turned on her heels and began to walk away, leaving behind the frustration accumulated in the air.

Her silence was eloquent, but I didn't feel any remorse. I had enjoyed every move, every technique I had applied with precision. Winning wasn't something that made me feel bad; I was used to it. Even though Ibuki was quite strong for her age, she wasn't someone who could really stand against me. The difference in our skills was evident, and although I had fun, I couldn't help but feel that this challenge wasn't what I had expected.

Maybe next time, when she tried to improve again, I could offer her a hand instead of just competing. But for now, I was satisfied with how things had gone.

Fighting is part of growth, and everyone must find their own path.