1 month has passed ever since school started and Akira's team still hasn't been able to get a single hit on Rengoku not even on his sword.
Sora: "Even after a month has passed, we still haven't got a single hit against him!"
Yumi: "It feels like he got even faster than usual."
Hazuka: "Or we're just feeling a little slow today."
Ninako: "Whatever the reason, it's obvious we're still not good enough.
Meanwhile Akira was silent, staring at his teammates.
Sora: "Uh, Akira, you've been staring very weirdly at us."
Akira: "Oh sorry. I was just looking at what you guys tend to do when engaging Rengoku so I can find some ways to get a hit."
Hazuka: "You've been doing this for a month now?"
Akira: "Yep!"
Yumi: "So, what did you find in us?"
Akira: "Let's start with Sora. Sora, you always tend to back away after attacking once, which can get very obvious to your opponent and take advantage of it."
Sora: "I do? Well I tend to try to avoid getting hit, so I guess that's that."
Akira: "Hazuka, despite that fact you learned Offense magic, you still use Support magic that can really make you an easy target."
Ninako: "I thought you promised you'll use Offense magic?"
Hazuka: "I know, I know! It's just that Offense magic is really frustrating to do!"
Akira: "Well you're definitely not gonna learn Offense magic if you're not gonna try."
Hazuka: "Why did they even force us to learn both magic types!?"
Akira: "Unfortunately you'll just have to deal with it. Yuyu, I've been noticing that you've been keeping a huge distance towards Rengoku despite using a shotgun. And I also noticed you're using a pistol from time to time."
Yumi: "You noticed huh. Yeah, this shotgun wasn't the only gun I used back then, but I preferred it over the others. But these spars with Rengoku Sensei pretty much made me use my pistol."
Sora: "Would it be cool if you own a gun that can transform into different types of guns?"
Akira: "I mean, it's possible with the right amount of magic, but that's gonna take a long time to make depending on how many guns you want to make in that."
Sora: "You're right."
Akira: "And finally Ninako. I've been noticing you have a weird behaviour of charging into Rengoku despite being a magic user."
Hazuka: "We noticed that as well. And every time you do that, you get near Akira all the time."
Akira and Ninako blush and look away at each other.
Akira: "Ninako... Y-you really don't have to be protective you know. Plus you're a magic user, you should keep your distance."
Ninako: "I-I know, I'm just worried for you that's all."
Hazuka: "Ninako, are you still worried about that nightmare you had?"
Ninako "Admittedly yes. I just don't want him to be killed."
Sora goes near Ninako and confronts her.
Sora: "Still that's no reason to just act blindly and think you're a close range attacker. I mean if you can make an elemental sword you can help him out, but I'm just saying don't let your emotions take over all the time."
Ninako: "I-I understand."
Ninako then approaches Akira to apologize.
Ninako: "I'm sorry Akira."
Akira laughs it off and headpats Ninako.
Akira: "There's no need to say sorry, I understand what you were trying to do. Just don't get careless okay?"
Ninako blushes and smiles.
Ninako: "I understand."
After that they were about home until they noticed Taki's group arguing.
Gaki: "Ugh!!! Yudo, why are you so useless!? You didn't land a single hit, while our "leader" despite not landing a hit at least got near him!"
Yudo: "I-I'm sorry..."
Chu: "Ugh, let's go Gaki, we're just wasting time here."
Taki: "..."
Yudo: "..."
Taki and Yudo could only stand in silence as they have no idea what to do.
Yumi: "I feel bad for both of them."
Ninako: "Yeah, I can tell that they tried their best."
Sora: "Wait Kuro is also their teammate right? I didn't see him at all."
Akira: "That's because he's up there hanging on the tree."
They look at the top of the tree and see Kuro hanging and fully knocked out.
Yumi: "That's gotta hurt."
Akira approaches Taki and Yudo feeling defeated.
Akira: "You two alright?"
Taki: "Oh Akira. As you can see, we're not."
Taki sighs in disappointment.
Taki: "We can't seem to be in sync. Every time we try to think of a way to attack, either Kuro, Gaki, or Chu will suddenly charge through. It's getting frustrating."
Yudo: "And yet, I always take the blame, it makes me very angry and I want to talk back to them, but I'm scared."
Akira looks at them and thinks about what he can do to help. Unfortunately he couldn't think of any.
Akira: "As much as I want to help, I can't do anything at all." He thought to himself feeling bad for the both of them.
Taki notices what Akira is doing.
Taki: "Akira, there's no need for that. As the leader of this squad, I'm held responsible for what is happening here."
Akira was stunned by what he said but respected his decision.
Akira: "Okay I understand. But if you're struggling, don't be shy to ask for help from others."
Taki: "Akira..."
Akira then leaves the two alone and returns to his teammates.
Taki: "Help from others huh..."
Yudo: "Taki..."
Sora: "What did you say to him?"
Akira: "Nothing much."
Everyone says their goodbyes with Ninako and Akira walking together.
Akira: "You've been walking with me a lot lately. Not that I don't mind, but it's weird."
Ninako: "I don't know, I guess I just feel comfortable when walking with you more. I was nervous towards the others, yet, I feel like I can be myself when I'm with you."
Akira: "Is that so? Am I really that easy to approach?"
As they walk through the night, they notice their mothers talking to each other.
Akira/Ninako: "Mom?"
Sumire: "Oh Akira, I was just talking to Kira here."
Ninako: "You two know each other?"
Kira: "Yep. We were classmates in our school days."
Sumire: "So, this is Ninako? I heard from my husband that he taught her magic when she was young."
Kira: "She's still improving, but she's getting better. Oh my, I just realized, you two are walking together. Are you both dating or something?"
She says in a teaseful way to both of them. Akira and Ninako's faces turned tomato red from what Kira said.
Akira/Ninako: "WHAT!?"
Both are trying to regain their composure.
Akira: "W-w-were not dating!"
Ninako: "Y-y-yeah! We're just walking home together! Nothing's wrong with that right!?"
Kira giggles at their embarrassment.
Kira: "I know, I know. I'm just messing with both of you."
After the four of them continued to talk about random stuff and went back home.
Sumire: "Hey Akira?"
Akira: "Hmm?"
Sumire: "Are you really sure you guys aren't in a relationship or anything?"
Sumire asked as she put a huge smug on her face with Akira all red again trying to regain his composure.
Akira: "W-w-were not really!"
Sumire: "Okay, okay, I'll stop asking that question."
Akira: "Seriously mom..."
Sumire: "Hehe."
With Kira and Ninako.
Kira: "Are you REALLY certain you both aren't in a relationship?"
Ninako blushes nearly fainting.
Ninako: "M-m-mom! We're not dating, really!"
Kira: "Sorry, I just wanna tease you more. It's been a long time since you've been able to express your emotions ever since your father passed away. Seeing you all happy and embarrassed makes me feel happy as well."
Ninako: "Mom..."
Kira: "I'm glad that you're making friends that look out for each other."
Ninako: "I'm glad that I met them."
Kira: "And plus, I can't wait to see my grandchildren once you get married with Akira, hehehe."
Ninako: "MOM!!!"
Both mothers had a good time teasing them all night.