The sky hung low with heavy clouds, casting an ominous pall over the city and dimming the afternoon into an eerie twilight. Kurayami Hikari trudged along the sidewalk, his every step sluggish, his limbs leaden with exhaustion.
Another yawn threatened to escape him, but he suppressed it, shaking his head in a futile attempt to stay alert. The night before had been grueling, a relentless cycle of training that had pushed his body beyond its limits. Now, he was paying the price.
A sudden gust of wind sent leaves skittering across the pavement, rustling against his legs. The air carried the scent of damp earth and distant rain, a foreboding whisper of the approaching storm.
"Morning, Hikari!"
A familiar voice rang out from behind. He turned his head, blinking to clear the haze from his vision. Mitsumi was jogging up to him, her bright expression a stark contrast to his weary one. Her shoulder-length hair bounced lightly with each step, and she carried her bag lazily over one shoulder. Despite the dreary weather, she exuded warmth, as if the gloom dared not touch her.
"Hey, Mitsumi," Hikari mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. He tried to stand straighter, blinking rapidly in an attempt to fight off the exhaustion weighing him down.
Mitsumi slowed to a stop beside him, arms crossed as she gave him a once-over. "You look like a walking corpse." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you stayed up playing video games again."
"It's not like that!" he said quickly, waving his hands in defense. "I just had… some things to do."
She arched an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. And those 'things' wouldn't happen to involve a certain Master Ryu, would they?"
Hikari stiffened. She was sharp. Too sharp. He chuckled awkwardly, looking away. "Maybe."
Mitsumi sighed, shaking her head. "You need to take care of yourself. It won't matter how strong you get if you collapse mid-battle."
He had no response to that. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets and kept walking. Mitsumi fell in step beside him, and together they made their way to school.
The day passed in a blur of monotony. Hikari struggled to focus, his mind drifting between the echoes of last night's training and the challenge awaiting him tonight. Even during lunch, he barely registered Mitsumi's words, nodding absently at her chatter. By the time the final bell rang, she had had enough.
As they walked home, she abruptly stopped. "Alright, spill it."
Hikari blinked, turning back to her. "Huh?"
"You've been weird all day—jumpy, distracted. You're walking like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. What's going on?"
He hesitated. Telling her the truth wasn't an option. Not yet.
"I'm just tired, that's all," he finally said. "Nothing to worry about."
Mitsumi narrowed her eyes but sighed in resignation. "Fine. But if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me."
He nodded, offering a small smile. "I know."
They reached her house soon after. She turned to him before stepping inside. "Get some rest, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah." Hikari waved her off. "See you tomorrow."
The moment she was gone, his smile faded. He turned on his heel and made his way toward his true destination: the Love Bridge.
The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the worn planks of the bridge. The wooden structure creaked under the whispering wind, its old railings groaning with every shift. The scent of rain lingered in the air, an omen of the coming storm.
A voice broke through the silence. "You got here pretty early."
Hikari turned. At the center of the bridge stood Master Ryu, his arms crossed, his presence an immovable force against the evening gloom. His long coat fluttered slightly, the edges licking at the wind like restless shadows. His sharp eyes locked onto Hikari, scrutinizing, measuring.
"Didn't have anything better to do," Hikari shrugged. "Figured I'd get this over with."
Master Ryu smirked. "Cocky. I like it. Let's see if you can back it up."
Then, he vanished.
Hikari barely had time to react before a shadow loomed over him. Instinct roared through his veins. He twisted, barely dodging the devastating downward strike that splintered the wooden planks beneath him.
No time to breathe. Master Ryu was relentless. Another strike came, faster, sharper. Hikari raised a shadow-clad arm in defense. The impact sent a shockwave through his entire body, his bones rattling from the force. Pain flared, but he bit down on it and retaliated, tendrils of darkness lashing toward his master.
Master Ryu blurred out of reach, reappearing behind him in an instant. Hikari spun, a kick already aimed at where he knew Ryu would be. Empty air. A feint. Before he could adjust, a solid force slammed into his ribs, sending him hurtling across the bridge.
He crashed against the railing, the impact jolting through his spine. Coughing, he pushed himself up, his vision wavering. He couldn't afford to falter. Not now.
Master Ryu's gaze was impassive. "Better. But still too slow. You rely too much on reaction. Predict me. Control the battlefield."
Hikari wiped blood from his lip and smirked. "Easier said than done."
"Then make it easier."
The battle resumed. This time, Hikari didn't just dodge—he observed. He read Ryu's movements, noting the minute shifts in stance, the slight tension in his muscles before a strike. It wasn't perfect, but he was adapting. Each exchange lasted longer, his body moving with sharper precision.
Then, he saw it. A small opening.
He didn't hesitate. With a burst of shadow, he propelled himself forward, his fist aimed straight at Master Ryu's chest.
It was a mistake.
Before he could register what happened, he was on the ground, staring up at the storm-darkened sky. His lungs burned. His limbs refused to move. A single, crushing strike had ended it.
Master Ryu stood over him, arms crossed. "You hesitated. That's why you lost."
Hikari groaned, shutting his eyes. "No, I didn't. I went for it."
"Exactly. You went for it without thinking of the consequences. Power is useless if you don't use it wisely."
Silence stretched between them. Then, Ryu sighed. "But… you did well. You've grown."
Hikari cracked an eye open. "Did I hear that right? Did you actually compliment me?"
Ryu scoffed, turning away. "Don't get used to it."
A small smile tugged at Hikari's lips. As the night deepened, the storm finally arrived, rain beginning to drizzle over the bridge. He looked up, feeling the cool droplets against his skin.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
Tomorrow, his real journey would begin.