15 - I Heard Kimonos Are the New Trend

Earth In Words Institute, Training Grounds

It was morning. Just a normal morning… If not for the explosions. His sister is screaming, crying about their pets, of all things.

The gun is cold, his hands are hot. And he is angry, angry enough to not hesitate to pull the trigger as the man rounds the corner.

His sister stopped screaming, staring wide-eyed at the body on the ground.

They have to move...

Uren emerges to find his reflection staring back wide-eyed. A quick glance over his shoulder reveals no one else has entered the changing room yet, which brings a sigh of relief out of him as he takes the time to fix his braid and give himself a second once-over in the large mirror above the sink.

The white kimono fits well enough, as far as he cares for appearances... Not exactly suited for a prince, but if Seijuro Aston can pull it off, then so can he.

Uren glances at his smartwatch, his stomach twisting over the memory of watching the video for the first time, still in bed after being abruptly awakened by Oreo's disapproving gaze.

"For a woman?! You risk jeopardizing the future of our people for a pair of tits?!"

The man's furious shout seems to still ring in Uren's ears.

Well, Oreo wasn't wrong. The situation escalated quicker than either of them could've predicted, and Sara was caught in the crossfire because of him.

Uren doesn't believe for a second the video was a coincidence… After a month of noninterference, perhaps they've grown complacent, and now his reputation is damaged beyond repair.

No matter. As long as things continue as planned, and he manages to keep their attention, they'll still accomplish their objective in the end.

The mission is everything.

Uren nods to himself.

Enough stalling.

However, as Uren is prepared to leave, footsteps approach, causing his heart to skip a beat.

"Have you seen it?! They're releasing another flavor! I heard it's supposed to taste like clouds!"

"How do you even know what a cloud tastes like?"

"You're addicted man. Six cans a day just isn't healthy."

"Whatever, I'll just workout the cals, you feel me?"

Their loud conversation halts as the group of male students enters through the changing room's door. While their eyes meet Uren's, he nods in their direction, quickly grabs his backpack, and walks by them.

"Hey!" one of the boys calls, far too late to stop Uren from leaving the room.

"Was that him…?" his friend whispers.

Uren's heart beats loudly in his chest as he blends among the crowd of buzzing students outside. Are the looks his imagination? Could things be much worse than he anticipated?

Each step Uren takes brings his thoughts closer to the edge; although among the arriving, talkative students, he finds no one directly pointing or looking in his direction, his neck hasn't stopped prickling since he arrived at school.

The mission is everything.

Uren sighs, his steps halting as the path in front reveals a wide-open area many football fields in size, occupied by many different buildings and students. A glance at his smartwatch reveals his schedule, and that, indeed, his current location matches the one of his morning club activity for his second day, Martial Arts.

Impressed by his surroundings, Uren continues on his way as he glances at the large open gates at the entrance, decorated by large rising dragons whose eyes seem to follow his every move.

"Is that him?"

Uren cringes, his gaze drawn to a group of kimono-wearing students who walk by him. However, none of them look in his direction, and Uren is left with his heart pounding as he watches them head for one of the many large buildings at the edge of the open area.

Are those the Dojos?

After a moment of inspecting the agglomerate of raised buildings surrounding the area, each one seemingly built in its own style, Uren sets his eyes upon the closest one, nodding to himself.

"First one on the right after the dragon gates… You really can't miss it."

At the top, as if inspecting the students below, stands a man wearing a black kimono, his impressive figure drawing Uren's gaze as he sets to climbing the stairs leading up to his first period of the day.

"You must be Uren."

As he reaches the top of the stairs, Uren looks up to find the tall, dark-skinned man smiling at him, his well-filled black kimono swinging lightly in the wind as he bends his head slightly, bringing his closed right fist against his left open palm.

"Name's Jin Utama, responsible for the building you see behind us. I assume you are here for your first lesson?"

"Ah, yes…"

Uren slows down his hurried steps as he stands in front of Jin's expectant gaze, awkwardly imitating the man's greeting.

"In that case, you may call me Master Utama. We don't receive many students at such late stages of the way. I was informed you already have experience in the Arts?"

"I was trained according to my family traditions," Uren replies, nervously swiping his gaze across the student-filled field below before meeting Jin's eyes once more. "But I'm not sure how I'll compare to…"

Unsure of how to finish his sentence, Uren shrugs.

Jin nods. "The Institute tends to feel overwhelming for those who are not used to it. I thought you might feel lost as a foreigner… Don't worry, I'm here to guide you for today."

The man's voice is deep, carrying a calm but confident note as he gazes Uren from head to toe, and his indecipherable smile makes it hard to guess at what kind of conclusion he may have reached.

"Today we'll test your abilities, but do not be discouraged if you're still wearing a white kimono tomorrow." Jin gestures at the compendium of large buildings overseeing the space underneath them, each varying in style. "Our Dojos. Each of them represents one of the currently recognized Martial Arts by the Alliance… You'll train with me today, but it'll be a part of your journey to choose an appropriate Master in the future; don't be shy about looking around before doing so. Sparring and experimental classes may be arranged by talking to a dojo's Master... You'll recognize them by their black kimonos." Jin points at himself. "Like this one. Is there something you wish to clarify?"

Under Jin's expectant gaze, Uren nods hesitantly. "The platforms, are they for fighting?"

"Indeed, those are for fighting. Tournaments, events, and sometimes even conflicts between different dojos, they are resolved here, at the Training Grounds."

"And I assume the color scheme represents strength?"

"Well… One could say they represent expertise. Some say it should represent raw combat power. Ultimately, it falls to a Master to judge their students apt of a new color. As for me… I tend to think of it as a weight to bear."

Uren nods. "A greater responsibility."

Jin smiles. "I'm glad to see you understand. Many fail to. Now, as for the rest," still smiling, Jin points to the left of them, at the gates from which Uren came. "There, you will find the common area as well as the infirmary, secretary, changing and bath rooms… Which I can see you have in fact already found." And then to their right, toward another aggregate of buildings. "You may use these as long as you are a student of this Institute. Some of the most advanced training facilities in the world can be found here."

Uren inspects the modern buildings with interest as he realizes they're the only place frequented by students without kimonos in near vicinity. He recognizes some sort of gym, though the other buildings are a complete mystery to him.

"I see. Thank you."

"Now, if you'd follow me, I believe we're ready to begin?"

Uren nods.

"Good, I'll present you to your fellow disciples."

With a nod, Jin leads the short walk toward the two stores' wooden building, his silence countered by the noises coming from within growing louder.

As they approach, Uren watches the students inside through the building's open entrance, who seem in the middle of their warm-up routines, until Jin steps through the entrance clapping his hands twice, and the room gradually falls to a standstill.

The hundred or so pupils seem to vary in age, from fourteen to nineteen, and Uren tries not to show his discomfort as their eyes jump from Jin to him.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Master Utama!"

Jin laughs in good spirits, joining his open palm to his fist, then lowering his head as the students reciprocate his gesture in sync.

"I'm glad you're still lively on your second day. Now, this is Uren, and he'll be joining us for now… What do you say?"

"Welcome, Brother Uren!"

Once more, the students lower their heads, and Uren hurries to do the same, hoping they won't notice his awkwardness.

Jin claps twice for a second time. "Now, begin! You may start by repeating what we practiced yesterday! For the few of you who came in for the first time today, find a partner to teach you! Dominic! Jasper!"

Given Jin's call, two students separate from the rest, exchanging glances as they jog toward the tatami's middle in order to meet Jin and Uren.

"You're having us help the newbie, Master?" the boy, Dominic, speaks lively as he comes to a stop in front of them, his gaze jumping from Uren to Jin rapidly before finally settling on Uren, widening comically. "Hey, aren't you the guy from that video?!"

The girl, Jasper, punches his arm as she stops by his side, almost as if by reflex. "Very subtle, genius."

"Oh, c'mon! Your punches actually hurt, you know?!" Dominic throws her a hurt gaze as he rubs his arm, then clears his throat and gives Uren a shallow bow. "Sorry about that. We like to think we're better than the vultures out there, so we won't judge without something more substantial than a shady video taken without consent…"

"No matter how bad it may look," Jasper cuts in, her clinical gaze performing a slow once-over which reminds Uren of a protective mother bear standing by her cub. "Don't make me regret giving you the benefit you the doubt, Uren."

"Jasper," Jin warns, sighing as he gives the girl what Uren assumes is a customary look of reproach, considering the easiness by which she ignores it.

Both of them wear kimonos in full dark red, and it is immediately obvious to Uren how similar Jasper and Master Utama are in appearance, though he withholds his conclusion for the moment. Dominic, on the other side, tall and pale, swipes his messy long hair aside as he gives Uren what the prince assumes is supposed to be an encouraging smile.

Ignoring his jittering stomach, Uren bows in their direction, joining his fists together. "Thank you for having me, and for your trust. Nice to meet you."

"Hi," Jasper murmurs, averting her eyes to give the room a long swipe as if inspecting the other students.

Dominic rolls his eyes. "You're a formal one, I can see. Rich family? Don't worry, you're among your peers," he says while pointing his thumb in Jasper's direction and prompting her to return the favor in the form of an immediate dirty stare.

"All right, that's enough from both of you," Jin interrupts, "I assume you know what to do?"

Jasper nods, visibly refusing to meet his gaze. "Yes, Father."

"Jasper…"

She frowns. "Yes, Master."

"Good. Be careful."

Jin nods once before walking toward some of the other students to give pointers, his gaze occasionally jumping around the place as if in search of struggling pupils to instruct.

Dominic sighs. "Like father, like daughter, eh?"

"You know he can still hear you, right?"

"What?! No way!"

Dominic gives Jin a quick glance, gulping as he meets the man's eyes square on, then forcing a laugh.

"H-he knows I was just joking."

"Sure he does." Jasper rolls her eyes as she steps in Uren's direction and meets his gaze. "Okay, let's get this over with. Considering your expression of lost kitten dumped in the jungle, I assume you have no clue about what's happening?"

"Lost kitten… dumped in the jungle?" Uren repeats incredulously, bringing Jasper to quirk her lips upwards for the first time since they have met.

"Yeah man, it's like you expect us to jump you or something. Is that because of the video? They bullied you on the way here or what?"

And just as quick as it had appeared, Jasper's smile vanishes. "Very perceptive, Dominic. As always. Will you let me explain, or should I ask Father for a quieter replacement?"

He smiles at her. "We both know you'd never replace me, babe."

Jasper rolls her eyes again. "Fuck, you're impossible. Never mind."

"Eh… You guys need to test me, right?"

Jasper raises her eyebrow. "Okay, maybe not that lost, after all. Yes, my father is supposed to ascertain your level of training before setting you out into the world again, and we'll help him with that. We'll also explain how things work around here while beating you up for our trouble. Cool, right?"

Uren stares at Jasper uncertainly. "…Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, you're allowed to dodge," Dominic buts in, winking at him. Then, he screams toward a group of students sparring near the entrance, "Hey, Louis, throw me two of those big boys, yeah?!"

Moments later, a pair of large gloves comes flying in their direction, which Dominic catches with practiced ease, ignoring, or perhaps unaware, of Master Utama's disapproving head shake at his back.

"You're still cold, so we'll start slow," Jasper explains as Dominic raises his now gloved hands in Uren's direction with a huge smile on his face.

"These," he says, slapping the gloves together, "Are for hitting. Not this," he finishes, pointing one of the gloves toward his goofy smile.

Jasper simply sighs. "Now do you see what I have to deal with?"

***

Earth In Words Institute, Training Grounds

Dark eyes. Pale skin. Otherworldly beauty.

Princess. Daughter. Fighter.

Surrounded by the best money can buy.

Obsession. Jealousy. Respect.

Honor. Duty. Blood.

Bound by her fate, unable to escape…

"Ah, hi… Excuse me, Miss Aston?"

Seijuro averts her gaze away from the bottomless pit of her iris's reflection for long enough to give the awkwardly smiling girl next to her a questioning look.

"It's just… E-every other mirror is taken," the girl murmurs, indicating the buzzing changing room at her back with an awkward nod, "And you've been here for a while… I-I'm sorry if I offended…"

Seijuro smiles. "Don't worry, Minister Hollins was already done. I'm sorry if our talk had you late for class."

"M-minister…?"

The girl pales, and Seijuro doesn't wait to see if she'll recover enough to question her bullshit before grabbing her things and heading for the exit.

Strangely, she finds being surrounded by their clattering comforting. The girls always seem to lower their guards after seeing her naked, as though they realize, if for a brief moment, she's also human.

But perhaps she ended up stalling for too long this morning.

"I've been waiting for more than ten minutes," Melinda grumbles as soon as Seijuro walks through the changing room's door. "What were you even doing in there? Reconstructing your face?"

Ignoring her friend's snark comment, Seijuro smiles and swirls once, raising her hands above her head as she stops in front of Melinda and bows performatively. "How do I look?"

"Black fits you. I'm glad the old man finally relented."

Seijuro glances down at her half-dark red, half-black kimono. "I still believe he should've promoted you as well."

"I'll prove myself in time." Melinda shrugs, rising as she stretches her arms and yawns. "Ready to go?"

"Sure. But I'll have to stop by Jin's dojo on the way."

"Yeah, yeah, you told me like three times already. What's so important it can't wait until our break, anyway?"

"I suppose it could, but I'd rather get it out of the way, rather than risk missing him."

Melinda raises her eyebrow. "Him?"

"Foreign prince. His adoptive father has become our prestigious Institute's newest investor, and Adela made me promise I'd welcome the boy personally."

"A foreign prince? Well, that's a first."

"They're common enough, you're the one who doesn't pay attention to anything other than fighting."

"I'm sure they are, Seijuro. I'm sure everyone stumbles on foreign royalty on their way to breakfast."

"We're coming from breakfast, and I'm not stumbling on anyone. You don't need to wait for me. It's just a boring formality."

"You're kidding me? It's a fucking prince. Of course I'm coming."

Seijuro pauses, throwing Melinda a sidelong glance. "…I swear this must be the most girly thing you've ever said. Next, you're gonna tell me your favorite color is pink."

"My favorite color is orange. And what's wrong with a girl being girly, huh? I can do girly," Melinda declares, pointing a thumb toward her basic makeup.

"Except I had to beg you to dress yourself in something other than sweatpants?"

"Hey, you leave sweatpants out of this. They're sexless! Girly girls can wear them!"

"Sure they can Melinda, sure they can…"

As per usual, the flow of students walking through the dragon's path is near constant, but especially so in early morning, right before the beginning of club activities. Today, Seijuro feels as though her neck prickles under the guardian's eyes as she walks underneath them, their impressive figures staring down at the commotion below in mute dissatisfaction.

She doesn't allow her smile to waver, however. How could two mere statues understand the concept of duty? Of sacrifice? She'll do what she was born to accomplish, no more, no less…

"Hey, is that what I think it is?"

Seijuro averts her eyes from the dragon statues to follow Melinda's nod toward one of the arenas, where many shouting students quickly gather to watch two facing dark red kimono students on top of the round elevated ground.

"Is that Aden?" Seijuro asks with a raise of her brow.

"I would recognize that cocky smile anywhere. C'mon, maybe we can still stop this!"

Though Seijuro doesn't share Melinda's enthusiasm for stopping the fight, the other girl is already jogging in the arena's direction before she can protest, leaving Seijuro no choice but to follow while shaking her head.

Aden's smile is, indeed, as cocky as they come, his short, pale blond hair doing nothing to hide the icy blue glow of his hungry gaze as he stares down at his visibly upset opponent, a girl about three-thirds his size, her fists closed tightly as she stares up at him.

"I dare you to say it again!" she shouts, to which Aden simply shrugs and, Seijuro assumes, repeats whatever bullshit he used to rail her up in the first place.

A shame his voice is drawn by the crowd.

Then, Melinda is between the two of them, her back turned to Aden as she raises her open palms in the girl's direction.

Half listening to their shouting, Seijuro slowly makes her way up as people realize her identity and step aside, falling into an abrupt silence as they do so.

"Do you not realize our reputation is dragged through the mud every time you open your mouth?!"

"As if I'd give two shits about your precious reputation. The strong make the rules, and the weak will follow… You more than anyone should understand as much, lapdog."

Aden's unmistakable accented voice almost brings a smile to Seijuro's lips, though Melinda's growl speaks of unavoidable bloodshed if the conversation continues unchecked.

Seijuro nods at a silent Master Gu at the edge of the ring as she finally steps atop it, attracting the gazes of those present.

"Seijuro…" Aden murmurs, something she can't quite identify flashing through his eyes, "I should've known whenever one shows up, the other is never far behind…"

"Please don't mind me, by all means, continue," Seijuro says, smiling at their sudden silence with amusement.

"Miss Aston!" the girl calls, bowing deeply, "Please allow me to face Aden in combat! Only through pain will he understand the error of his actions!"

Seijuro nearly rolls her eyes, though she manages to contain herself with a small sigh as she steps in the girl's direction and gently grabs her shoulder, raising her surprised gaze to level again.

"I don't know what he told you, but I guarantee it was with the sole purpose of creating this very moment," Seijuro explains, "If he challenged you, it is because he believes he'll have an easy victory. Alas… the decision of allowing the fight to happen doesn't belong to me."

"If both combatants wish to proceed, then you will fight according to Alliance's rules. I'll preside it," Master Gu interjects, his body and eyes as unmoving as they were a moment prior.

As always, a man of few words.

Melinda clenches her teeth, clearly unhappy with the Master's decision but unable to challenge it.

Aden simply chuckles, waiting with his arms crossed and gaze narrowed.

"Somebody needs to teach him a lesson," the girl insists after giving the boy's expression a glance, "But… You're right. I know… I know he's stronger than me. Thank you, Miss Aston."

"Just call me Seijuro."

"S-Seijuro, then. Thank you. I'll be going now, before he manages to ruin the rest of my morning."

The crowd boos as the girl runs without looking back, quickly disappearing from view amidst the other students.

"And I thought I had her hooked. Shame."

"You're disgusting," Melinda says without looking in his direction.

"Nice kimono, by the way. Black fits you."

"You think so? Melinda said the same. Perhaps I'll wear it more in the future."

Melinda shakes her head, gazing at the two of them with disgust. "You aren't going to say anything?"

Seijuro shrugs. "Say what? He's working hard to raise his rankings, just like the rest of them. Should I criticize the fact he's proactive about it?"

"He has no honor," Melinda insists, "I'll never respect someone who enjoys fighting against weaker opponents."

"I enjoy fighting. Weaker or stronger, it doesn't matter."

"You're a cunt," Seijuro interrupts, staring down at the disappointed students who disperse with shakes of head and curses. "But you live by your principles. Am I wrong?"

Aden shrugs, his unreadable expression giving away nothing of his thoughts regarding her words.

"Well, if there aren't any more donzels in distress my brave knight would like to save along the way...?"

Seijuro raises her eyebrow at Melinda suggestively, to which the other girl shakes her head and rolls her eyes.

"Fine, I'm coming."

"Master Gu," Seijuro says, giving the silent man a bow and receiving the same in response.

"And where do you think you're going exactly?" Aden steps forward, blocking Melinda's path as she is about to walk past him. "You think you can butt in here, scare away my prey, and just walk it off?"

As tall as she is, Melinda still has to stare up at him.

"Aden, I'm busy," Seijuro says, sighing as she watches the two of them facing without blinking. "Lest you waste my time further, Melinda isn't the one you'll be facing."

"I'm not scared, either of you will do."

"Seijuro, please let me do it… I promise it won't take long."

Eden growls, then laughs, mixing the two sounds together as he sticks his tongue out mockingly. "Can't make a decision without your master's approval, lapdog?"

Melinda breathes in, then out, her pupils dilating slightly before she steps forward and shoves the larger boy back a single step, enough to walk past and continue on her way.

Meanwhile, she gives Seijuro a look of obvious frustration, though she continues on regardless, head raised and back straight.

"Tsk. I must be losing my touch."

Seijuro gives a smiling Aden her best unimpressed look. "You know, I always expect people to realize nothing good comes from taking your words seriously, but somehow, they never do."

"Ironic. I never understood how they can't see through the cheap façade a certain princess likes to put over her shitty personality. We should exchange pointers one of these days."

"If you ever find yourself in a ring with me, Aden, know it won't be the cheap façade on the other side."

"You'd blow your cover for me?! I'm honored, Your Highness!"

Seijuro rolls her eyes over the boy's exaggerated reverence.

"You really do have a talent for it, don't you? Enough, duty calls and all that."

Seijuro turns to leave, but to her surprise, Aden quickly straightens himself and jogs in her direction until he's walking next to her, his mischievous smile making it obvious he knows exactly what he's doing.

Seeing them walking together as they exit the ring, Melinda looks up in surprise. "You invited him?!"

"I must certainly did not," Seijuro clarifies through clenched teeth, "Aden, darling, why don't you make yourself lost before I lose my patience?"

"You know, I don't think I will. In fact, I think I will follow the princess and her lapdog until I learn exactly what they're scheming, and why is it important enough to skip class for it."

"You're skipping class too," Seijuro points out, though her sigh makes it clear she has no hope of shaking him off so easily.

Melinda glances from Aden to Seijuro, visibly lost for words.

Aden simply smiles as Seijuro contains her urge to face-palm.

Why can't things ever work the way she wants them to?