Jin stood quietly in the arena. His voice echoed gently across the space.

“I don’t want to fight.”

Someone from the crowd murmured, “What’s he saying?”

Kazuma squinted in confusion. “What’s he talking about? Then why’d he even show up?”

Ren murmured from beside, “Maybe he meant it in another way…”

“Tch. Ken, You used a temporary flex, right? At least you knew that much.”

A cold glare followed. ‘And again, she talks like that. Even after telling her the truth… she never changes.’

Ren let out a dry laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. At least I knew that.”

Kazuma rolled his eyes. ‘She’s criticizing you, idiot…’

Hisagi leaned in. “Master, you said he might’ve meant something else… what did you mean?”

Ren glanced at the arena floor. “…That…”

***

On the arena floor, Bunta frowned. “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jin (Age 20, His medium-fair skin reflected the soft arena light. He wore a sleeveless, dark green high-collar jacket, open at the top to reveal a tight black inner shirt. His dark gray pants fit snugly and flexibly around his legs, with pockets around the thighs. He wore a fingerless black gloves. Just below both shoulders, armbands sat above the wrist.)

Jin replied, “Don’t misunderstand me. I want to finish this quickly. That’s why I don’t want to fight.”

Bunta blinked. “…What?”

“Let’s play a game instead. We’ll ask Haruto-san to pick one, of course. But if you agree, you can’t back out—you’ll have to accept defeat if you lose.”

Bunta hesitated. ‘What’s he trying to say? If we don’t fight, I can save my stamina. But I don’t know the game… then again, neither does he. …I’m confused.’

Jin raised an eyebrow. His voice was patient. “So… do you agree?”

Haruto had been listening nearby with arms crossed, but hadn’t interrupted.

Bunta sighed. “…Fine. I agree. If I lose, I’ll admit defeat.”

Jin turned toward Haruto. He nodded and stepped forward.

“You both agree?”

Jin nodded. “Yes.”

Bunta nodded as well. “Yeah.”

“Alright. Wait here. I’ll return with the game equipment.” He used a temporary flex and disappeared backstage.

– ‘Hey, what are they doing? Why aren’t they fighting?’

– “If someone doesn’t want to fight, they play a simple game to decide the winner. But both sides have to agree—it doesn’t always happen.”

– ‘A game? But it’s just two of them. What kind of game can they even play?’

– “Depends on the instructor.”

Haruki leaned forward with curiosity. “What will Haruto-senpai suggest now…?”

***

“Ken, you said you'd tell us about your past performance, but then he called your number. Time to spill it!”

Hisagi clung to his right arm with a grin. “Yes, Master. You have to tell us now!”

Ren scratched his head. “Umm… well, I don’t remember.”

Sakura puffed her cheeks in frustration. “Haaa?! You said, ‘I’ll tell after the match,’ but now you’re pretending to forget?! Again with the lies!”

Hisagi joined in with a huff. “Yes, Master! You promised!”

Ren waved them off. “Ask him! He said the same thing! Why are you only asking me?”

Sakura asked, “Oh? So you’ll tell after Master does?”

– Kazuma, say something! Why are you so quiet?

Kazuma didn’t look up. – …

He muttered sarcastically, “Let’s just watch the match. We just participated and lost. It's boring.”

Hisagi shot a glare at Kazuma.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that! Come here—I’m going to pull your cheeks as punishment!”

“I’m not moving. Master is sitting between us, so I’m safe here.”

At that moment, Haruto returned—not empty-handed. He carried a bundle of weapons. One by one, he laid them on the arena floor: dagger, axe, shuriken, kunai, spear, hammer, katana, parade sword, shield, tonfa, staff, and bo staff.

Sakura’s eyes widened. “Master… Why did he bring weapons?! Didn’t they say they didn’t want to fight?”

Kazuma scowled. “How would I know?! Go ask your lovely ‘Ken’—don’t ask me!”

*******

Haruki said, “Only one without enemies is chosen by peace.” Then, without explanation, he turned and walked away.

Bunta blinked. “What’s this supposed to mean? Why aren’t you saying anything, Haruto-san?! We agreed to a game—not a fight!”

Haruto didn’t answer. He leaned casually against the ring wall, arms folded, simply watching.

Bunta clenched his fists. “At least say something!”

Haruto, without looking at him, replied flatly, “I already did.”

Jin’s voice was calm but confused. “Haruto-san, what are we supposed to do with these weapons? At least explain the game.”

“...”

***

Three women (healers) talking about Haruto.

Maki (36), Miya (34), Kiko (33)

Maki folded her arms. “This guy... always does these kinds of things.”

Miya tilted her head. “What’s with that? He just said something like ‘chosen by peace’... What does that even mean?”

Kiko leaned forward. “Senpai, do you know the answer?”

Miya blinked. “Answer? Wait—oh, it is a game, right?”

Kiko nodded. “I think Haruto-senpai gave a riddle.”

Miya frowned. “So… they have to pick a weapon based on the riddle?”

Maki replied firmly, “Exactly.”

*******

Sujin smiled, his eyes flicking toward the ring. “Haruki, do you know the answer?”

“Not sure… but…”

“I guess the answer.”

*******

Hisagi asked with innocent curiosity, “Master, I don’t get any of it. Why’d he just drop the weapons like that? What’s the game?”

Kazuma answered with a sarcastic smirk, “Hey, punk, He gave a riddle—they need to choose the right answer.”

He turned to Ren. “Hey, Ken, did you get it?”

Ren scratched his head. “Huh? Umm… I dunno.”

“As expected. That brain of yours doesn’t do riddles.”

Sakura leaned over, placing a hand on Kazuma’s shoulder. “Then you know the answer, Master?”

Kazuma said sharply, “Even if I did, I’m not telling you.”

*******

– ‘Who is that instructor? Just tosses weapons around, says a weird line, and leans against the wall like he’s some hero.’

Yui snapped, – “Hey! He’s my mentor!”

– ‘He is?! Seriously?’

“Yes! He’s a really good person—don’t talk bad about him!”

“Yui, you're talking aloud.”

“I know, Mom. Yuki keeps saying, ‘Talk aloud so Maa can listen.’ And you can just use your ability to talk to us directly, right?”

Miko’s teasing voice followed. “Okay, but… just saying—he's not married, right? Should I talk to him?”

Yui turned red. “MOM! What are you even thinking?! I didn't—why would you think like that?!”

“Well, you said he’s a good person and defended him so fiercely. I thought maybe…”

“No!”

Miko laughed gently. “Okay then. But tell me honestly, do you like anyone? You’re still single and already 30.”

Yui groaned. “Don’t say my age, I knew it! And no, I’m not interested in anyone. He’s just my mentor. You never listen when I talk at home.”

“I didn’t listen because I couldn’t help, even when I wanted to. My ability is... different.”

Yui’s voice softened. “So what? I never asked for help. I just wanted you to listen. And now, talk to Yuki too—she’s family now.”

– { Now, are you happy? } Miko’s voice chimed into the shared mindspace.

– ‘Maa, I’m happy!’

– “She wasn’t asking you, dummy.”

– ‘Buuuu!’

– { Okay, okay. Stop your fight. Do you always talk like this? }

– “First that idiot started it!”

– ‘Maa, she’s lying! Don’t believe her!’

– { Enough! Focus on the match first. }

******

Down below, Jin spoke calmly, “I think… we’re supposed to choose a weapon now.”

Bunta turned to Jin. “Then I’ll go first. Is that okay with you?”

“…Okay.”

“Then I will choose the shield.”

Bunta stepped forward and grabs the shield, glancing at Haruto, but Haruto says nothing.

“Huh? With this I have no enemies—I can defend anything!”

Jin looked over at Haruto, eyes narrowing slightly. “Well, I’ll choose now… the katana.”

Bunta frowned when he saw Haruto. “Can we both pick every weapon and fight? Say something!”

*******

– “Mom, did you know the answer?”

Yui nudges her lightly.

– { Huh? Umm… I think I know… } Her voice trails off, unsure.

– “What’s with that, Mom? Did you know or not? Say any hint!”

Yuki is playful, almost smug. – ‘I think I also know.’

– “Hey! Even your dumb mind got the answer?!”

Yuki scowled. – ‘Hey, who has a dumb mind?!’

– “Then say the answer! If you do, I’ll agree you’re not dumb.”

– ‘Huh, find it yourself. You’re the intelligent one, right?’

Yui sulked, arms folded. – “...”

*******

Miya folded her arms, fuming. “Ugh, that Haruto! He didn’t say anything to them—how are they supposed to figure it out?! That idiot…”

A deep voice rumbles from behind. “You should respect your Senpai.”

Miya spun around, eyes blazing. She marched toward the speaker, grabbed his ear, and yanked hard. “First YOU respect your Senpai, idiot! Who do you think you are, speaking from the back like that?!”

Toshi (30) flailed, laughing awkwardly. “Ahh—don’t pull me senpai! I just came to watch the matches!”

He tilted his head. “Anyway… what is Haruto-senpai doing now?”

Miya scoffed. “You came late and now you’re asking questions? Hmph, it’s just some boring thing.”

*******

Back on the arena floor, Bunta thought to himself. ‘What do I do now…? He’s not saying anything. Should I pick another weapon? Staff? Hammer? Something else?’

“Now it’s your choice only—choose.”

Bunta sighs, bracing himself. “Haa… I know. I chose spear. If I have to fight, then I’ll at least pick something strong.”

Jin shifts nervously. ‘I have to choose now… is there something I’m missing?’

“Choose quickly—we’ll wrap this up.”

He nods slowly. “I know, don’t worry… well—I chose hammer.”

Kazuma smirked sarcastically. “What are they even thinking?”

“Master! Say something—you know, right?”

Kazuma snapped, “I already said—don’t ask me.”

******

Hina squinted toward the horizon, legs swinging lazily. She huffed. “Dad, when will we go to the arena and watch?”

Kaizen looked up from tying his sandals, voice calm. “We’ll go soon. I think it just started, and it’s only the first round.”

Hina puffed her cheeks, eyes narrowing with a sulky glare. “I know that. But what is Daikin-uncle doing? He has to be in the tournament, right? Why are we in his home?”

“I already asked Daikin-san. The first round is one-on-one, so there’s no need for him in that round. Rika-san is preparing something for you. Don’t you want to eat?”

Hina turned halfway toward the doorway, still pouting. “I want to eat… but I also want to see.”

*******

On the arena floor, Bunta stepped forward. “I’ll choose… Bo staff.”

Jin’s eyes darted toward Haruto, who stood silently, his expression didn’t change.

‘Still he’s not saying anything. Do we really have to fight with these weapons?’

*******

A voice whispered from the crowd—

“Hey, choose quickly. Then he’ll say the answer automatically.”

Another voice added quickly, “Yes.”

*******

‘Damn. I have to choose quickly.’

Jin stepped forward and grabbed the axe with both hands. “I’ll choose… axe.”

‘Would I choose staff or dagger? Well…’

Bunta reached down and picked the dagger.

*******

Kazuma's voice was completely deadpan. “I’m bored. They’re still not thinking.”

Hisagi leaned close to Ren, whispered, “Master… ask him. If you ask, he’ll definitely answer.”

Ren didn’t move. He whispered back just as softly, “Well… it’ll be revealed soon, right?”

Hisagi nodded, though he still looked unconvinced.

*******

Jin stood frozen. ‘Only five are left… and he still hasn’t said anything. Think. What was the riddle again? ‘Only one without enemies, chosen by peace.’ …Only one without enemies…’

His breath caught. He blinked rapidly as something clicked. ‘Wait… that’s not what it said… What the—? Why was I thinking like that? It’s simple, right?’

He stepped forward, raising his voice for the first time. “Haruto-san.”

Kazuma finally let out a sigh. “I think he finally understood.”

Miko leaned toward Yui. – { Yuki… I haven’t asked you yet, but what do you think the answer is? }

Yuki bit her lip, her voice uncertain. – ‘Umm… I’m not sure if it’s right… it’s just a guess…’

Yui scoffed, arms crossed. – “I knew you didn’t know. You’re just bluffing, dumb idiot.”

– { Stop, Yui. Even if she’s wrong, no one will scold her. Yuki, go ahead. }

– ‘I think… it’s the Parade Sword.’

On the arena floor, Jin pointed confidently toward the weapon.

“Haruto-san. I choose the Parade Sword. That weapon… it doesn’t have enemies.”

– “Huh? No enemies? Wait… yeah, that’s right! It really doesn’t have enemies!”

Yuki scratched her head. – ‘Wait… doesn’t it have enemies?’

– “Why are you asking, you dumb girl? Then why did you say that answer?”

– ‘I didn’t think that way. Actually, I didn’t think about the riddle much. It just seemed like the odd one out.’

Miko’s calm voice cut in gently, like a soothing breeze. – { Yuki, you think differently. In your world, how is that weapon used? }

Yui’s cheeks puffed out in a sulky pout, voice sharp with irritation. – “Now I understand your dumb mind didn’t solve the riddle.”

Yuki scrunched her face, stubborn and refusing to back down. – ‘Hey, don’t call me dumb. The point is whether it’s right or wrong. Anyway, Maa, I saw on TV how they use that one.’

*******

Haruto nodded. “Correct. You win.”

Bunta blinked, confusion clouding his face as he snapped, “Huh? Why? I don’t get it.”

Haruto sighed calmly, “You’re thinking of which weapon makes you have no enemies. But the answer is which weapon has no enemies. He already said it, right? We use that in funerals.”

– ‘Funerals?’

– “Yes. During funerals, to rest the souls, they place that weapon beside them.”

– { Why did that surprise you, Yuki? In your world, how is that weapon used? }

Yuki hesitated, then answered thoughtfully, – ‘Um… in my world, it’s used for ceremonial purposes—like in the military.’

She smirked, proud and a little defiant. – ‘See? I could answer. You couldn’t even guess. That’s the difference between us—so don’t compare yourself to me.’

– { Yuki, even if your guess method was different, it’s still correct. }

– ‘See? Maa’s praising me, but you just can’t accept the truth.’

Yui sighed, shaking her head in mock amusement. – “Ah, ah… You’re so smart. Happy now?”

Haruto folding his arms. “You picked four times, and the first choice was yours too. It was a fair fight. Admit defeat so I can announce the winner.”

Bunta slumped his shoulders with exaggerated defeat. ‘Tch… Why didn’t I think of that? It was so easy…’ Then he said, “I admit defeat.”

“The winner is Number 11.”

*******

Sakura leaned forward, looking at Kazuma. “Master, you knew from the beginning, didn’t you?”

Kazuma blinked, a bit annoyed. “So what?”

“Why are you answering me like that? What did I do wrong?”

Kazuma stayed silent.

*******

“What do you think, Sujin-sama?”

Sujin gave a faint smile. “I had already guessed it.”

*******

Haruto picked up the third match slips and read aloud, “The third match is between 80 and 100.”

Hisagi’s eyes widened in shock, his heart pounding. “I didn’t think my match would come this quickly… If it was later, maybe I could’ve learned some techniques from you, Master.”

Ren’s tone was calm but firm. “You don’t even know your type yet… Well, If you don’t want to fight, just admit defeat and watch the other matches and rounds.”

Hisagi’s feet stayed planted, trembling nervously. Kazuma stepped forward and gave Hisagi a firm tap on the head. “Idiot. Loosen up first. You won’t be able to move if you stay frozen like that. Now go.”

Hisagi took a deep breath, swallowed his fear, and stepped onto the arena floor.

The crowd fell silent as the two fighters faced off… Kemuri vs. Hisagi.