Seraphim is a Bystander

Training Together - Part 1
 

"Aoi-san! I’m sorry you have to see me like this…"
"It’s alright. This just proves how hard you’ve been working."
I gently calm down Ichijou-san, who’s flustered and trying to tidy herself up, and then I turn to face Master. She’s wearing a sly, teasing grin as she speaks to me.

"Oh? You’re taking your eyes off someone who just tried to harm a noble? Getting sloppy, are we? My little disciple?"
"Haa… Master, you were grinning as you swung down. You never smile like that during training, do you?"
"Ha! You’ve become a boring disciple, you know that?"

"Sigh..."
Even in front of a client like the Ichijou family, she’s acting this casually. I sigh at her conduct, but Master just laughs it off. I always got the impression Ichijou-san wasn’t that serious about mastering combat, but I guess Master’s been training her pretty strictly.
"Putting aside your little test for me... you’ve been awfully tough on Ichijou-san, haven’t you?"

"Huh? She’s the heir to one of the most prominent families in Akatsuki. You can’t have too many ways to defend yourself when you're in that position."
"Well… I can understand that."
I nod at her reasoning, but glance back at Ichijou-san, who’s still catching her breath behind me. She picks up the naginata she dropped and uses it to help herself stand.

"Ichijou-san?! You should rest a bit more—"
"No… Aoi-san, I appreciate your concern, but this is something I asked Morimiya-sama to do for me!"
"Yeah, Aoi. Don’t go dousing the fire in someone who’s trying hard."

"..."
Surprised by the two of them, I look closely at Ichijou-san again. Her body must be screaming from fatigue, yet her eyes are locked onto Master with determination. She used to be afraid of fighting, but something’s clearly changed in her. Probably something like what happened to me—when I wanted to protect my family, to be strong like my dad.
"...I see. In that case, I won’t say anything more. But please don’t push her so hard she ends up injured or collapsed."

"Yeah, yeah. Who do you think you’re talking to?"
Well, that’s exactly why I said it—because it’s you, Master. Do you know how many times you left me too sore to move?
"Still, I guess it’s time for a break. Once that’s done, I’ll spar with both of you."
"Wait, I’d love to spar with you, but… are you sure?"

She says it like it’s no big deal, but sparring between me and Master is a whole different world from the level of her training with Ichijou-san. Our practice got too intense for regular wooden weapons long ago—we had to switch to real gear.
"What? Think the two of you could take me down together?"
"No, that’s not what I meant…"

"I’ll do my best not to slow you down, Aoi-san!"
"That’s not what I meant either… Argh, fine! I’ll do it! But Ichijou-san, please rest, okay?!"
"Yes! Oh, and you don’t have to call me ‘Ichijou-san’ right now."

"Alright then… Yuna-san, please rest."
She’s still part of the Ichijou family, so I thought I should keep it formal… but I guess if Master’s already being this casual, it’s fine?
While I’m still a bit confused, Master and Yuna walk off to get some water, looking quite pleased with themselves. Oh well… they seem happy, so maybe it’s all good.

"By the way, Katagiri-san. Do you happen to have my training clothes in the car?"
"They are already prepared. The changing room is this way."
"As expected. Thank you, as always."

I wasn’t expecting to get changed today, so I thought I might just train as I was, but of course Katagiri-san had already brought my gear.
While changing in the dojo’s dressing room, I start imagining what kind of training this will be. Then I remember—oh right, I haven’t given Master or Yuna their souvenirs yet. Or introduced Seras to them, either.
『…!? Wait, you’re going to introduce me to those two too!?』

"Well, of course. I owe both of them a lot. And I’m planning to introduce you to Michiya-sama and Mayuko-sama as well."
『...At least explain things properly before calling me out! I’m getting tired of doing the {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} introductions myself!』
"Got it!"

『...Haa...』
Hmm… I’ve been thinking this for a while, but maybe Seras-san isn’t really fond of interacting with people. But everyone’s nice, so I’m sure it’ll be fine!
"Phew… Okay, all changed!"

It’s been a while since I sparred with Master—I need to show her I’ve grown! Even though I’ll be with Yuna-san, once it starts, I probably won’t have time to think about anything. I still don’t know where Master’s limit even is.
...Come to think of it...
"I wonder who’s stronger—Seras-san or Master?"

Maybe if I introduce Seras-san, I’ll get to see them spar?