The sky was still brushed with warm orange as Asuka opened the front door, eyes half-closed, hair messy from a rough night. The morning air was crisp and quiet, broken only by the distant chirping of birds.

Asuka stepped out onto the porch, squinting against the morning light. She paused, narrowing her eyes.

“Huh… you really came?”

Leaning against the gate wall like part of the decoration itself, Kaido grinned, hands tucked into his pockets.

“Good morning,” he replied, tilting his head, grin teasing.

She rolled her eyes and started walking past him without another word. Kaido chuckled and matched her pace.

“I told you yesterday you don’t need to pick me up,” she grumbled.

“I know,” he shrugged. “But someone who spends half the night training has no right to complain. If I let you sleep, you’d stroll into class halfway through third period.”

She let out a theatrical sigh. “It wasn’t half the night, exaggerator…”

“Yeah, right. If you could, you’d marry the tatami.” Kaido’s grin widened.

“Baka!” she huffed, a tiny smile betraying her irritation.

They walked in silence for a few meters, only the sound of footsteps on dew-wet pavement filling the air. The sun was climbing, painting everything with a soft golden glow.

Asuka glanced sideways, breaking the silence.
“How’s Aroma-san?”

“My mother's fine. Stubborn as ever.” He suddenly snapped his fingers and dug into his bag. “Oh—almost forgot.”

He held out a neatly wrapped bento. “Mom sent this. She said: ‘Make sure Asuka eats properly, and don’t push yourself too hard—or I’ll get mad.’”

Asuka blinked, a little awkward. “Uh... thank you.” She held the package carefully, not knowing where to put her hands. “She didn't have to.”

Kaido smiled. “You know her… she just can’t rest until she knows you’re fine.”

As they continued walking, Kaido looked down the road ahead.

“And… how’s your dad?”

Asuka’s step slowed. A sigh slipped out. “Haa… the same.” Her voice dropped, soft and restrained. “That’s why I have to get stronger. I have to take over the dojo.”

Kaido looked at her, his expression turned serious. “You know you can count on me, right?” His tone was calm but steady. “You don’t have to carry it alone. The dojo’s got your back.”

She tightened her grip on the strap of her bag. “I know. I just… hate burdening people.”

“Burdening? Asu, you’re fighting for something everyone respects. No one sees it as a burden.”

She didn’t answer, but the faint softening in her eyes showed his words had hit home.

No words came, but her eyes flickered with a subtle warmth, showing that she had understood him.

. . .

When they arrived at school, Kaido wasted no time stirring her up.

“You know,” he said, faking seriousness, “Miss Miho’s gonna love seeing your face today. Skipping class on a Monday? What a model student.”

“Urusai, Kaido!” (Shut up, Kaido!) she retorted, squinting.

“I bet ten yen she’ll give the speech,” he continued, lifting a finger and mimicking Miho’s dramatic tone, “‘Miss Kazama, responsibility is the key to your future!’”

Asuka raised her hand, ready to slap his arm, but—

Before she could finish, the sharp rhythm of elegant footsteps echoed across the courtyard, stealing everyone’s attention.

A blonde figure approached with calm, deliberate steps, her uniform styled into a picture-perfect statement—fitted skirt, silk bow tie, posture sharp and refined. She walked like someone fully aware of the impact she carried.

She stepped forward, every movement deliberate, sweet and venomous. Eyes locked on Asuka, lips curved into that infuriating, smug smile.

“Bonjour, Kazama.”

Asuka’s hand lowered slightly, tension tightening her shoulders.

“Tsk… first thing in the morning…” she muttered.

Kaido leaned in just enough to annoy her, lips curling in that infuriating grin.

“Lucky you, Asu. Your number one fan’s in a good mood today.”

She shot him a death glare. Kaido raised his hands in surrender but snickered softly.

The elegant figure tilted her head, feigning boredom.

“Surprised to see me so early?” she said lightly, oozing false sweetness. “Oh là là, I thought you’d finally given up on school. You’re so… undisciplined.”

Asuka took a deep breath, already feeling her patience evaporate.

“What do you want, Lili?!” she snapped, folding her arms tightly.

Lili inclined her head, her perfect blonde hair reflecting the light.

“Mon dieu… so aggressive so early…” she sighed theatrically. “Can’t I just say good morning?”

“You can… but keep the poison to yourself,” Asuka shot back, rolling her eyes.

Lili’s gaze flicked to Kaido, scanning him from head to toe as if judging some hidden flaw.

“I still don’t understand,” she said, one arm crossed under her chest, the other elbow resting on it, hand lightly pressing her cheek. “Hm—why you insist on such… company.”

Kaido arched an eyebrow, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips. “Funny, coming from the girl who always loses to Asuka.”

Asuka’s chest swelled with a quiet surge of pride—though she’d never admit it aloud.

For a fraction of a second, Lili’s mask cracked. Her expression stayed poised, but her eyes flashed.

“Mon cher, I could silence you in a heartbeat,” she purred.

“Lili, don’t you dare!” Asuka stepped forward, tone sharp. “Touch him and I’ll make you regret it.”

Lili placed a hand delicately on her chest, acting surprised.
“Oh… me? Threaten someone? Jamais. Just stating facts.”

Kaido’s posture was loose, but his eyes were sharp. “Sure. Stating facts.”

Lili took a step closer, her heels clicking sharply. Her clear eyes gleamed with poisonous delight.

“You know, chéri… it’s amusing how you’re always around her. Almost like you need Asuka—to protect you.”

The provocation was served like wine, sweet and lethal.

Kaido chuckled softly, lowering his bag to the ground.

“Oh… so that’s how you gonna play it?” His smile sharpened. “You want to test me, Rochefort?”

Lili raised her eyebrows elegantly, covered her mouth, playing surprise.

“Mon dieu, how bold…” she whispered, then tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Usually, don’t waste time on those beneath me.”

“Kaido!” Asuka stood in front of him, hands on hips—more serious than he expected.

"What do you think you’re doing?!" Her eyebrows furrowed. "She’s no easy fight."

Kaido tilted his head slightly, a calm smirk still lingering.

“Hey, hey... I know. I'll be careful. I just want to teach her not to underestimate people.”

“Then don't underestimate her either,” Asuka replied. “She’s tricky. Very tricky.”

He nodded, smirk fading into focus. Taking a few steps forward, he faced Lili.
After cracking his neck, he settled into a taekwondo stance—body tilted, back foot ready to spring.

Lili let out a soft, elegant scoff, like she was watching a child perform a play.

“My… this is simply adorable,” she cooed, touching her lips with her fingertips.

“You’ll see just how adorable I am,” Kaido shot back, adjusting his guard.

Asuka folded her arms tightly, eyes locked on them.

“If you go dirty, Lili, I’ll step in.” she warned with a firm voice.

“Bien sûr…” Lili replied sweetly, clearly ignoring her.

The two circled each other, waiting for the first strike.

Kaido moved first—a swift spinning kick cut through the air, aimed at her torso.

WHISH!

Lili slid effortlessly to the side, her hair swaying gently and a bored expression on her face.

“Eh… since when does he move that fast?” she muttered, gritting her teeth. “And yesterday he was slacking…”

Kaido pressed on, launching a string of rapid kicks—front, roundhouse, precise.

THWACK! BAM!

Lili danced through them with infuriating elegance, pivoting lightly, almost teasing the attacks.

“Too slow, mon cher,”

A lightning-fast side kick shot toward Kaido. He barely twisted out of the way, the wind grazing his shirt with a hiss.
Before he could breathe, a spinning kick followed. He jumped back, heart hammering.

SWOOSH!

She flowed forward with grace—short punches, crisp kicks, every movement a flawless blend of elegance and precision. Kaido blocked, backstepped, muscles straining, but her rhythm was razor-sharp, unrelenting.

“Allez, Kaido…” she purred, a teasing edge in her voice. “I thought you wanted to show me something.”

A grazing kick clipped his lip—FWIP!

He staggered back, swiping the blood with his thumb. The playful grin faded, replaced by cold, sharp focus.

Around them, the crowd erupted.

“Holy crap—!”
“She’s actually playing with him!”
“Bro, did you see that?!”

Lili crossed one leg over the other with quiet flourish, dipping into a slow, elegant bow—like a prima ballerina who owned the entire stage.

“I did warn you, mon cher… but you boys never listen.”

Asuka’s hands balled into fists. 
Yabai… she’s not holding back…

Kaido exhaled slowly and stepped forward, shoulders loose, stance open—just enough to look tempting.

Lili caught the gap at once… her smile sharpening in an instant.

She moved instantly. A high kick sliced toward his chest, fast and precise, punishing what she thought was carelessness.

Kaido twisted, catching her leg mid-air with a sharp, fluid grab. Gasps rippled through the courtyard as he yanked her downward—

BAM!

His uppercut fired upward like a cannon blast. She pulled her head back at the last possible heartbeat—his knuckles brushing a strand of her hair.

Shff—

Silence. The courtyard seemed to hold its breath.

Then the audience exploded.

“DID YOU SEE THAT?!”
“He grabbed Lili’s leg—NO WAY?!”
“He almost KO’d her!”

Lili took a step back, regaining her balance, returning to her impeccable posture, but with a smile that was no longer perfect—a small, genuine crack.

“Kaido...” she whispered, with a small smile, proud of what she had just witnessed.

He raised his fist slightly, ready to fight.

“You shouldn't underestimate anyone, Roche... Lili,” he said, taunting her.

Lili adjusted her uniform, slowly running her tongue over her lips, a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

“Très bien,” she murmured. “This might even be fun.”

Before the words had even settled, a whistle buzzed through the air.

FWEEEEET! FWEEEEET! FWEEEEET!

The crowd stopped when the campus guard came running in, his eyes burning with anger.

“What is going on here?!” he barked, forcing his way through the students.

Then he stopped, his eyes scanning the courtyard. Realization hit him like a punch—

“Of course…” He crossed his arms, running a hand down his face.

“Oh, come on, girls… give me a break. Do you have to fight every week?”

Lili raised a single eyebrow, unfazed, that same sly smile playing on her lips.

The guard’s gaze shifted again—and then locked on Kaido, still poised in full fighting stance.

“YOU?!” he barked, stumbling back a step.

A ripple of laughter and whispers spread through the students.

Lili’s eyes stayed locked on Kaido, that sly smile teasing, fingertip brushing her lips. The guard? Completely ignored.

The guard’s gaze darted toward Asuka first—she was just standing near the edge of the crowd, calm and watchful. Then his eyes caught Kaido, still poised in full fighting stance.

“YOU?!” His jaw dropped.

Laughter and whispers rippled through the students.

The guard marched up, a hand on Kaido’s shoulder.

“Do you want to get expelled?!”

“Relax, Mr. Saibo. Just a warm-up,” Kaido said, grin light, playful.l”

Lili stepped forward, every movement dripping elegance.

“Calme. Tell the director,” she said, sweet but commanding.
“From now on, Kaido follows the same rules as Asuka.”

“Yes, Miss Rochefort,” the guard sighed.

Lili closed the distance, her fingers brushing Kaido’s cheek—soft, disarming, almost intimate.

“Ohh… mon dieu,” she whispered, a spark of adrenaline in her voice. “You’re not just a toy after all… you’ve got teeth. How delightful.”

“Hah… unbelievable…” Asuka muttered through gritted teeth, arms crossed tight. “She’s actually enjoying this.”

Lili threw one last look at Asuka, cold and sharp, a subtle smirk playing on her lips. Then, without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Asuka huffed, fists clenched, glaring at Kaido.

“Aho! I can’t believe you actually fell for her tricks!”

Kaido raised his hands defensively.

“I just wanted to teach her a little lesson.”

“A lesson?” Asuka responded, rolling her eyes. “Kono bakemono nante, atashi hitori de juubun da!” (A monster like her? I can handle her alone!)

BRIIIIIIIIING!

The school bell blared.

“Everyone inside! Move along!” shouted the guard.

Students buzzed, dispersing after the fight. Kaido shot Asuka a grin. She sighed, brushing hair from her face, annoyed… but secretly impressed.