"E-Ehh?? Is Kiryu-senpai still feeling unwell, Tetora-kun?" Hajime asked, arriving at the ES dojo for a self-defense lesson. Behind him was Midori.
“ Hey, Hajime-kun! And Midori-kun too, glad you came along after all~ ” Tetora initially greets them in a friendly manner, but is quick to put on the air of a dignity as the sole representative of the dojo present at the moment... which Hajime points out by mentioning Kuro’s absence, to which Tetora can’t help but give a bit of a vague smile.
“ Ah, yeah... Well, I think he’s doin’ a li’l better now, but he told me he had some important business and wouldn’t be able to make it today, so you’ll just have to settle for me. ” His words came across as more self-deprecatory than intended, since he’d been trying to consciously fight off those feelings of helplessness after losing his position as leader of RYUSEITAI-N and now, being unable to help Kuro.
He feels that there’s something that he’s missing here, whether it be from his own obliviousness or his seniors are intentionally keeping it from him, but in the case of the latter, he didn’t want to doubt them either. He’s come to realize that there are things he shouldn’t meddle in, or else he’d likely complicate things further, so maybe this was just one of those instances...
Still, isn’t he allowed to be worried? He has faith in his seniors, but he’d like to be of some use to them when they’re in a pinch. He’s torn, but whatever’s going on, surely, they’ll be able to settle it... right? Right, of course. There’s no reason to doubt them. And it’s with that thought in mind that the fog in his mind begins to clear and he regains his usual disposition, especially since he doesn’t want either of his friends to see him in a funk like that.
“ ...I’m sure it’ll be alright, haha~ ” While it’s supposed to be a reassuring gesture, somehow it felt as if he’s speaking out loud to himself rather than the two present. “ Taishou can handle himself just fine, but right now, it’s my responsibility to oversee the dojo, so let’s just get right down to it, alright? I think this is the first time I’ve gotten to train you guys myself, so I’ll do my best! You guys better give it your all too~ ”
@skycoloredbubbles













