(DRAFT) TDA Chapter 3

Kouh, Miyamoto’s Dojo 

The soft glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the paper doors of the Miyamoto dojo, bathing the polished wooden floors in amber light. The rhythmic sound of thwack—thwack—thwack! echoed through the quiet hall as Zekka Miyamoto, dressed in her white gi and black hakama, swung her bokken with fierce determination.

Each strike was deliberate, each breath steady. Sweat glistened at her temples as the wooden sword sliced the air with crisp precision.

Her grandmother’s lessons rang in her head: “Every swing should reflect your resolve, Zekka. A sword without intent is just a toy.”

She adjusted her stance, exhaled deeply, and raised the bokken again—

(Wow, you’re really going at it today,) Came a mischievous male voice from nowhere.

Zekka froze mid-swing. Her eyes widened. “Wha—!” She yelped, nearly tripping over her own feet as the bokken clattered to the floor. Her heart raced, her face flushing crimson as her gaze darted around the empty dojo.

Then she realized as she traced the sound. Her eyes lowered to her chest. “T-Tensei!” she hissed in embarrassment.

A small golden light shimmered faintly through the fabric of her gi, pulsing in rhythm with the teasing tone of the spirit residing within her Sacred Gear.

(Relax, relax~,) Tensei chuckled, his smooth, slightly smug voice resonating from her chest. (No one’s here, especially not your boytoy.)

Zekka’s blush deepened. “D-don’t call him that!” She stammered, crossing her arms over her chest defensively. “He’s not—! I mean—! Just don’t say things like that!”

The spirit laughed, the golden glow pulsing brighter for a moment. (Oh, come on! You can’t hide it from me. I live right above your heart, remember? That boy’s been the center of your world since you were little. I feel every time you get all fluttery thinking about him. Plus your dreams with him are pretty hot, can’t believe you haven’t pushed him down yet.)

Zekka’s eye twitched as she tried to suppress her embarrassment. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, stooping to pick up her bokken. “And for your information, I’m practicing seriously. Not everything’s about Issei!”

(Sure, sure,) Tensei replied in that lazy, teasing way that only made her blush harder. (But you know, if you really want that boy to notice you, you’ll have to do more than just swing your sword around all day. Take a risk or two! A little flirting never hurt anyone. Why not just tell him the truth already? He’d probably think it’s awesome! I mean, I’d love to meet him, sounds like my kind of guy. A true connoisseur of the female form!)

Zekka spun on her heel, her voice sharp. “No! If he knew anything about my Sacred Gear, or—” she stopped, biting her lip. “If Issei ever learned about the supernatural, he’d… he’d jump straight in without thinking. He’s reckless. He’d probably get himself killed trying to protect someone else. I… I couldn’t stand to see him get hurt because of me.”

For a brief moment, silence filled the dojo.

Tensei sighed, his voice softening slightly. (Yeah, yeah. You’ve got a point. That boy’s got the heart of a dragon and the brains of a goldfish. Still… keeping him in the dark won’t last forever, y’know. Destiny’s got a funny way of kicking down doors.)

Zekka frowned, pouting slightly. “You sound just like Grandma. You both keep saying that ‘destiny this, destiny that’, but you never tell me what it means.”

(Oh, that’s a surprise for later~,) Tensei said slyly. (Wouldn’t want to spoil the story now, would we?)

She groaned, exasperated. “You are the worst partner.”

He chuckled. (I try.)

Zekka sighed, shaking her head with a small, unwilling smile as she picked up her bokken again. The teasing was annoying, yes, but in a strange way… comforting.

(So,) Tensei drawled, (why the sudden extra enthusiasm, huh? You’ve been at it since morning.)

Her expression softened, the edge in her stance melting away. “Because…” She said, a faint smile curling her lips, “I want to finish early so I can go buy something.”

(Oh?) Tensei’s voice perked up with interest. (And what might that be?)

“A gift,” She replied quietly, pausing to tighten her grip on the bokken. “Tomorrow’s Issei’s birthday. I already know what I want to get him.” Her smile grew a little wider, her eyes softening with the thought. “I can already imagine it—how surprised he’ll look, how happy he’ll be… maybe we’ll play games or go out somewhere. Just like old times.”

(Aww,) Tensei cooed mockingly. (You’re such a romantic. Planning to finally confess, huh?)

Zekka froze, color exploding across her cheeks. “Wha—what are you saying!?” She sputtered, her bokken slipping from her grasp again as she turned scarlet.

Tensei’s laughter echoed through the dojo, loud and shameless. (Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you’re not thinking about it. Tomorrow’s perfect—a gift, a quiet moment, maybe under the sunset~)

“Tensei!” She shouted, flustered beyond reason.

(Alright, alright, fine,) He said between chuckles. (No need to shout. Still… I think it’d do you some good. Bottling those feelings up is going to make your swings sloppy.)

Zekka glared down at the faint golden glow on her chest. “You talk too much for a sword.”

(And you blush too much for a warrior.) He shot back playfully.

She sighed deeply, trying to hide her flustered expression as she picked up the bokken again. “I’m going back to practice. And you—you stay quiet.”

(Sure thing, partner,) Tensei said, still clearly amused. (But don’t forget to wrap that gift nicely. Heroes deserve good presents.)

Despite herself, Zekka chuckled under her breath. “You really are a pain,” She muttered, but her voice was softer now.

As she resumed her training, the rhythmic sound of her strikes filled the dojo once more. Each swing felt lighter than before, driven not by duty or expectation—but by a quiet, fluttering warmth. She smiled faintly between strikes, her heart whispering a truth she’d never dare say aloud. ‘Tomorrow… maybe I’ll finally tell him.’

The fading sun painted her in gold, her sword glinting with every movement, as if even destiny itself was watching—and waiting.

—---------------------------------------------