I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

"Hm? Why are you giving me that puzzled look?"

Kiichi Hougen asked after noticing the thick layer of confusion in Sara's gaze.

"Well… because…"

Sara's face flushed red. Now that her anger had subsided, she could only reflect on her previous actions with embarrassment. Despite this, her curiosity and unease got the better of her, and she hesitantly asked, "Master… aren't you going to punish us?"

"Hm? Oh, punish? Right, I should punish you, shouldn't I?"

Kiichi tapped her forehead lightly, as though she had just remembered. She turned to Sara and Itto with a pensive expression.

Sara's shoulders stiffened, and she lowered her head, clenching her eyes shut.

After all, she had made a mistake, and there was no excuse to absolve her of blame.

If her master chose to scold her—or worse, to feel disappointed in her—she would have no choice but to accept it.

"...On second thought, let's start with some praise."

Kiichi's sudden words, spoken with a smile, caused Sara to freeze in shock.

"You've both done remarkably well, showcasing the fruits of your recent training."

Kiichi's gaze swept over them with approval. "Itto's agility and resourcefulness, and Sara's mastery of elemental energy—you've both exceeded my expectations. I can see how much effort you've put in, and as your teacher, I'm proud of you."

Both Sara and Itto stood dumbfounded. This was the last thing they had expected to hear.

"Furthermore," Kiichi continued, "you've proven that what I've taught you isn't limited to battlefields alone. You've applied these lessons to everyday situations, just as I hoped you would. That's what teaching is all about."

The tension in Sara's chest loosened ever so slightly as her master's words sank in.

Wait… did she just praise me?

"But!"

Kiichi's tone suddenly shifted to one of stern authority, and both Sara and Itto snapped to attention, hearts pounding.

"Sara," Kiichi addressed her with a sharp gaze, "your last attack was far too heavy-handed."

Sara stiffened, her entire body locking up.

"You focused too much on breaking Itto's shield, and while you succeeded, what about afterward? If I hadn't intervened in time, your strike would have seriously injured him."

Kiichi gestured meaningfully. "Even though you avoided targeting his head, your attack—had it landed on his torso—would still have been incredibly damaging."

"You are peers, not enemies. I'm not saying you shouldn't spar, but you must exercise restraint. Understand?"

Sara bowed her head deeply. After a moment of reflection, she responded, "Disciple understands her mistake."

Seeing that Sara was genuinely remorseful and willing to learn from her error, Kiichi gave a satisfied nod.

"And now… Itto!"

"Yes, Master!"

Hearing his name, Itto immediately straightened his back, standing stiff as a board.

Kiichi folded her arms across her chest, her expression unreadable. "You seem quite energetic. While Gorou is still recovering in his room, here you are, causing a ruckus."

Though her face carried a smile, the aura of authority she exuded weighed heavily on Itto.

"Let me guess," Kiichi began, "you did something to provoke Sara, didn't you? I doubt anyone else could rile her up like this."

Itto's attempts to keep his cool faltered. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"I… uh… I just ate one… no, a few… of her mochi…" he mumbled.

Kiichi stared at him for a long moment before turning to Sara. "Is that true?"

"No, Master!" Sara snapped, her indignation flaring up again. "Those weren't just mochi! I made them specifically for you, as a token of my gratitude! And he—he ate all of them!"

Kiichi tilted her head in understanding. "Ah… so that's what happened."

Both Sara and Itto braced themselves for her reaction, expecting her to be furious.

But instead, Kiichi smiled.

"Itto, were the mochi tasty?"

Caught off guard by the question, Itto hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, they were delicious."

After all, they were made with great care by Sara, and she wouldn't have dared serve anything less than perfect to their revered master.

Kiichi chuckled lightly. "And… did you eat your fill?"

"…No…"

"I see."

Kiichi's grin widened. "Alright then, let's head to the kitchen."

Her sudden suggestion left both Sara and Itto blinking in confusion.

Kiichi turned to Sara. "Even if you pummel Itto into the ground, those mochi aren't coming back. And unless you want to make him cough them up, there's no undoing what's been done."

Sara hesitated, still fuming but unable to refute her master's logic.

"So, can I trouble you to make another batch for me?" Kiichi asked, her tone light. "Itto said they were delicious, and now I'm curious."

Hearing this, Sara's spirits visibly lifted.

"It's no trouble at all, Master!" she exclaimed. "I would be honored to make more for you!"

Satisfied, Kiichi nodded. Then her gaze slid back to Itto.

"You're coming too, Itto," she said with a smirk. "I'm not letting you out of my sight—you'll just sneak another bite if I do."

As she ushered them toward the kitchen, she added, "And if you like Sara's cooking so much, why not learn to make it yourself?"

"That's too much work," Itto grumbled. "Food tastes best when it's won fair and square."

Kiichi arched an eyebrow. "But you just stole those mochi."

"That wasn't stealing!" Itto protested, puffing out his chest. "Sara couldn't catch me, so I won! They were the rightful spoils of my victory!"

Sara froze mid-step, her expression darkening as she processed his words.

Kiichi's lips quirked into a mischievous smile. "Oh, really? So if Sara catches you, then she has the right to decide your punishment, including dragging you into the kitchen to learn?"

"Exactly!" Itto declared, grinning as though he'd scored a point.

"Oh… I see."

In that moment, Itto's instincts screamed at him to run. His right eyelid twitched uncontrollably, a forewarning of impending doom.

Kiichi stepped back, her voice light. "Well then… continue."

"C-Continue what?"

Before Itto could fully grasp her meaning, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.

Turning stiffly, he found himself face-to-face with Sara, her shadowed smile sending a chill down his spine.

"Got you, Itto."

"Wait! That's cheating! I wasn't ready! This doesn't count—"

"No excuses," Sara cut him off smoothly. "If you can use the environment to escape, I can use Master to catch you. Fair's fair."

"Fair my—! You underhanded tengu!"

And just as Itto was about to launch into another rant, his words were abruptly cut off.

"Hmm? Itto," Kiichi's calm yet ominous voice drifted behind him, "I believe I heard something interesting just now… something about an 'underhanded tengu.'"

A hand pressed firmly atop his head, the weight of Kiichi's nonchalant tone chilling him to the bone.

"Care to repeat that?"

Oh no.

Itto swallowed hard, his mind blank as a single thought echoed in his head:

I'm doomed.

---

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