The bell rang signaling the end of classes for today. An ocean of students flooded the High School exit doors as they were eager to get some well deserved leisure time.

Among those students, Azumi, Hinami and Saiko made their way through the exit doors while chatting cheerily. When they finally split, each one of them going their separate ways home, Azumi grabbed her phone and texted someone.

"Hey! Can I call you? I have something important to tell you…" texted Azumi.

Not even one minute after the text was sent, Azumi received a call. She took a moment to look around and after she confirmed no one at sight, she answered.

"Hey Hinato! I didn't see you in School today, where were you?" asked Azumi.

"Hey, how are you doing? Yeah, today I had to help out store some new Karate equipment that had just arrived." responded Hinato.

"Really?! You're not hiding any love affairs from me are you?!"

"Don't be an idiot, I don't have time for that. Not with the competition coming up next month."

"Oh that's right! You have a competition coming up, that makes sense…"

"So, what did you want to speak to me about?"

"Uh…w-well…Kaida came to talk to me today…" Azumi's voice was shaking as she recalled their encounter.

"About Mr. Nogi?"

"Y-yeah…she thinks I'm lying. She went on about why she didn't believe Mr. Nogi had planned that and that I was the one who entrapped him."

"So, Kaida is investigating the incident…don't worry about it, she can make all the assumptions she wants, she doesn't have any proof on you. As long as you keep your cool, you should be fine."

"Well, that's the thing…she pressured me a lot, she must have noticed through some of my reactions to her questions, that I was lying…I'm usually such a noteworthy actress, but she caught me off guard… I'm sorry…"

Azumi was genuinely disappointed in herself. While she tried to remain the same cheerful and playful person, she still struggled to get these words out.

"Don't worry about it. You did well." said Hinato in a calm tone.

Those words seemed to have had a positive effect on her, her eyes widened in surprise to hear him say that. She wasn't used to hearing someone respond so calmly after she had felt she screwed up.

"Kaida is very sharp, she can easily see through anyone, no matter how good of a liar you are. You did your best, now leave the rest to me, okay?"

"O-okay."

"Good, now go get something to eat, that'll cheer you up."

"Yeah, that sounds good! Hum, speaking of which, I don't feel like going home right away, would you like to go watch a movie with me or just get something to eat?"

"Sorry I can't today. But we can reschedule for another day if you want, I know you're dying to see that new horror film."

"Of course I am and I know you are too! But, no problem, we can go this Saturday, what do you think?"

"Yeah sure, Saturday it is."

Not long after that, the phone call came to an end and so did the cheerful expression Azumi had struggled to maintain during their call.

Even though Hinato had praised her and remained calm throughout the entire conversation, Azumi couldn't help but feel disheartened. She, then, dragged herself on her way home, feeling emotionally exhausted.

As she reached the main entrance to her building, she stopped on her tracks and looked at the twilight sky. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before resuming her course. 

After getting out of the building's elevator, she gently opened the door to her apartment and got inside.

"Finally, I was starting to get worried. Where were you?!"

"Sorry mom, I was reviewing some school work with Hinami and Saiko and lost track of time." apologized Azumi.

"I hope you're not lying to me, you know I don't want you wandering around, after that maniac attacked you." spat Azumi's mom.

"I know, I'm being careful…"

"Well, it doesn't matter. Now go take a shower. Dinner's ready."

"Okay…"

Azumi made her way to the bathroom, but her mother suddenly stopped her in her tracks.

"Honey, you seem down. Is something wrong?" asked her mother.

"Huh?! No, I'm fine, I'm just really tired."

"Azumi, I am your mother, you know you can talk to me, right?"

"Yes, I know. But, seriously, I'm exhausted. Right now, all I want is to take a shower, eat something and go to bed."

"Okay, if you say so, I won't press you any further." said her mother, while her hand slowly reached Azumi's face, to comb her hair behind her ear.

But, before her mother could display that affectionate move, Azumi instinctively dodged her mother's hand.

"Oh…you're still doing that?" commented her mother, feeling disappointed as she retracted her hand.

Without saying a word, Azumi rushed to her room and shut the door behind her. She, then, dropped her bag and lay down on her bed. Her emotionless face, until now, finally broke down and she began crying while holding her pillow.

How can you call yourself my mother?

(...)

On a brand new school day, club activities were in progress. The High School had such a rich campus that track and field and soccer classes could occur simultaneously, without one bothering the other.

Among those club activities, there was one other that had a special facility for its classes, since it was considered of high importance for developing disciplined and confident students.

That club activity was…Karate.

The sound of impact on kicking pads echoed through the Dojo as the students were training Kumite (combat). They were preparing for next month's competition.

One girl in particular was really engaged, throwing multiple mawashi geris (roundhouse kicks) at the kicking pad her colleague was holding. When she stopped, her colleague couldn't hide his relief.

"Jesus, Kaida, those kicks are way too strong. You'll end up sending someone to the hospital."

"Don't chicken out on me, Sota. We still have 2 more rounds to go."

"Don't remind me, Sensei is really going hard on us, today."

"Come on, you're a big guy, you can take it. Now, let me just go grab some water, real quick." teased Kaida.

Kaida quickly reached for the bottle on her bag, took about three sips and returned to her colleague, delivering more explosive kicks.

At the end of Karate class, Kaida was beaten. She sat on the floor against the wall and took some deep breaths. When she regained control of her breathing, she looked to her side and spoke to the student next to her.

"It's a shame I didn't get to spar with you, today."

"Yeah, Sensei asked me to help train the lower-grade belts."

"You're a really good teacher, I understand why he'd choose you."

"I don't know about being a good teacher, but I do enjoy teaching Karate."

"Maybe, after you finish High School, you can apply as a Karate Sensei in another Dojo or, even, in gyms." remarked Kaida.

"That's not a bad idea."

"Of course it isn't, I'm all good ideas." teased Kaida.

They both chuckled and continued talking about the training and the competition. 

After a while, Kaida decided to change the subject.

"Non-related to that, I was hoping I could get your opinion on a certain matter."

"Hinato, you're friend's with Azumi, right?" inquired Kaida.

"We know each other a bit, but I wouldn't go saying we're friends." replied Hinato.

"Based on what you do know about her, would you say she could have staged that Mr. Nogi incident?"

"Why do you say that?"

"My instincts tell me she is lying. Yesterday, I spoke with her and she seemed unsure about the events that took place, her narrative was incoherent. And, I mean, Mr. Nogi was a perverted pig as everyone knew, but I think all of this was a big stretch, even for him. What is your opinion?"

"Kaida, you know I don't really bother about school or student drama, that is why I refused your offer to enter the student council."

"Yes, I know you don't care about any of this. I'm not asking you to. But, I do like your opinion on things, you're very perceptive. Could you please just give me your point of view on this?" begged Kaida.

Hinato let out a sigh and, then, he spoke.

"Like I said, since I don't bother worrying about any of this, I don't have a particular opinion on the subject. 

That said, based on what you told me…I think Azumi is lying."