Loma and Darok hit the streets, their feet pounding against the asphalt. Each breath came in sharp, burning gasps, lungs aching as their hearts thundered like war drums. The wind whipped past them, carrying the scent of the city at dusk—dust, exhaust, and faint street food smells.
Darok: "Good work, Lomaa."
Loma, chest heaving, wiped sweat from his brow.
Loma: "I… I wanna go to sleep."
Darok: "Yeah, do so."
Loma collapsed into his bed, exhaustion pulling him under immediately, while Darok's hands slammed into the wall beside him. Punch after punch—more than three hundred—the sound of knuckles against plaster echoing like thunder in the quiet house. Each strike made the wall tremble, dust falling in small clouds around him.
Later, Loma awoke, eyelids heavy. He splashed cold water on his face, the shock making him gasp. Sliding into his tracksuit, he was ready for a light jog, feeling his legs protest after the previous day's grind.
Then—the doorbell rang. Its chime sharp against the calm morning.
Loma (thinking): Who could it be…?
He opened the door to see Tsuriki, her eyes wide, a warm smile lighting her face.
Tsuriki: "Lomaaa!?"
Loma: "Eh… what are you doing here?"
Tsuriki: "I promised I'd check on you if you skipped school."
Loma felt his cheeks flush pink.
Loma: "Oh… yeah."
Tsuriki stepped closer, her hand brushing lightly against his shoulder.
Tsuriki: "So, how's your hand, Lomaa?"
Loma glanced at it, shy, but managed a small nod.
Loma: "It's getting better."
Tsuriki: "Good job, Lomaaa."
She held his gaze for a moment, warmth radiating from her presence, before pulling him outside.
Tsuriki: "Come with me. Let's grab some chips."
Loma: "Oh… yeah, sure!"
The streets were quiet, the afternoon sun casting long shadows as they walked. They laughed softly, the crisp crunch of chips echoing with each bite. For a while, nothing else existed—just the simple joy of being outside, together.
Returning home, Loma felt lighter, happier.
Loma: "It was fun."
Tsuriki: "Yeah… well, see you tomorrow, Loma."
Loma: "Yeahhh!!"
Back inside, Darok's eyes gleamed as he watched the interaction.
Darok: "Woahhh… good, good."
Loma, yawning, rubbed his eyes.
Loma: "I wanna rest again."
Darok chuckled, shaking his head.
Darok: "Heh… you're getting lazy, aren't you?"
Loma: "Nooo… just recovering."
Darok: "Fine, fine. Rest up then."
Loma: "Yeahh."
The house settled into quiet again, the sun dipping lower, casting orange and gold across the room. Loma closed his eyes, heart still a little lighter from the visit, while Darok's presence reminded him of the road ahead—pain, training, and the strength he needed to survive.