Even though Tsukihi is much stronger than the two, Erika and Dakota have gained the momentum.
For a few seconds, that's what it seemed like at least. Picking up the pace considerably, Tsukihi starts swinging and pouncing on the trees like a monkey. Her trajectory is unpredictable, they can't tell where she's going to go before she moves. Suddenly, she's behind them and swipes two flags off of both of them. They're left in shock as they're left with just one flag, just like that.
Dakota: "Huh?!"
Dakota shouts in confusion, he thought they were about to get the last flag, but the tables were turned on them.
Erika: "Watch out, she's coming!"
Dakota turns his eyes from his missing flags to the beast quickly approaching them. He braces, assuming his swordsmanship pose while sweating. Although he appeared ready for the attack, he wasn't.
Erika: "Dakota!!"
Erika had to jump in and cover for him before Tsukihi snatched his last flag.
Tsukihi: "What's going on, do you want to be left behind after all?"
Dakota bites his lip.
Dakota: "Of course not!"
Another exchange of attacks begins, but Dakota is getting sloppy. He's desperate. At first, he dreaded becoming a Hunter. He never wanted to fight against vampires. But more than anything, he thought he didn't have the skill, or resolve for it. Thinking back on it, he cracks a wry smile.
Dakota: 'What am I trying so hard for?'
The answer was right in front of his face, and even further beyond. He sees Erika, and thinks about Chifuyu. He doesn't want to be left behind. More than that though, he wants to be able to proudly stand by their sides. As he's defending off attacks, he recalls a time from several years ago. It's something he thinks about every now and then. When he does, he can't help but be disappointed in himself. He doesn't think it was anything too grand, but he saved a girl from a couple of bullies. This time, the memory is serving as motivation.
Dakota: 'What if I had a tiny bit of the courage I had that day? The courage Chifuyu always has.'
This last exam was the push in the back that Dakota needed. His movements become sharper. His head is clearer. Just for a few seconds, it was enough to catch Tsukihu off guard. Before her or Erika realized it, he had swiped the last flag away.
Erika: "Dakota, you did it!"
Erika jumps toward him for a double high five. He then looks at his hand and clenches it.
Dakota: "Yes!"
He cleared the hurdle of his training.
Tsukihi: "I saw the resolve in your eyes, Dakota. You pass."
The two can't help but gleefully smile at each other.
Tsukihi: "The training at the Hunter Academy will be tough. But it won't be as intensive as your training was with me. Dakota, work even harder and I'm sure you'll be fine."
Dakota: "Right!"
Tsukihi: "Erika, keep up the good work."
Erika: "Thank you!"
Tsukihi: 'I'm worried about Dakota, if he doesn't give his all to this, he won't be able to graduate. He may not even pass the advancement exam to be a senior. That all depends on him. But there's no mistaking the resolve I saw in his eyes at the end. Erika on the other hand is a true talent. She might be the strongest in her year.'
She walks up to them and puts a hand on both of their heads.
Tsukihi: "Time for some shut-eye. In the morning, you guys are getting your last meal that I'm paying for."
Dakota: "Let's run her pockets for all she's got."
Erika: "Hehehe."
Tsukihi: "Scratch that, no breakfast for Dakota."
Dakota: "I-I was just joking."
Tsukihi smiles.
Erika and Dakota visit their families before the semester starts. They're stepping into a brand new world. They leave together and eagerly find themselves at the doorstep of the Hunter Academy.