POV: Kaito
Age (Kaito): 5
Date: April, X770
Season: Spring
Location: Rosemary Village → Forest Loop → Village
---
The days started stacking.
Not drifting. Stacking.
Eat.
Train.
Hunt.
Earn.
Repeat.
Kaito increased his intake again—third bowl, then fourth.
> "Predator"
Caloric surplus accepted.
Muscle adaptation rate increased.
Warning: Extended inactivity will reduce efficiency.
"Relax," Kaito muttered, tying his boots. "We're moving."
Erza was already in her weighted gear.
Already impatient.
"You're slow today," she said.
He glanced her over, eyes sharp. "You're eager."
"Trying to catch you," she shot back. "Hard to do when you keep eating."
He leaned closer, voice low. "Jealous?"
She smirked instantly. "Only if you don't share."
He handed her a protein bar without breaking eye contact.
She took it. Bit into it.
"Good," she said. "Still not slowing."
"Good," he echoed. "Neither am I."
---
They ran the forest loop.
Fast.
Weights on. Weapons live.
Kaito didn't hold pace for her—he set it with her. When she surged, he surged. When she stumbled, he adjusted the terrain instead of stopping.
> "Grate Sage"
Synchronization rate increasing.
Paired combat efficiency +17%.
They hit a pack of beasts mid-run.
No setup. No pause.
Erza took the front—blade snapping out, aggressive and clean. Kaito flanked, strikes landing exactly where her attacks opened space.
Fast.
Hard.
Finished.
They didn't even stop moving.
"You're smiling," Erza said between breaths.
"So are you," he replied.
She laughed—short, breathless, alive. "I like this pace."
"So do I."
They cleared three targets before noon.
Coins hit their hands again. He split them without asking.
She didn't argue anymore.
---
Midday heat. Short rest.
Erza dropped onto a fallen log, pulling off her gloves. "You know," she said casually, "people are starting to stare."
Kaito sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. "Because we're good."
"Because you don't look five," she corrected. Then smirked. "Neither do I anymore."
He glanced sideways. "You grow fast when you stop doubting yourself."
She leaned in. "Is that advice—or flirting?"
"Yes."
She bumped his shoulder. Harder than necessary. "You're getting bold."
"You didn't tell me to stop."
She didn't deny it.
Instead, she said, "Race you back."
She took off.
Kaito laughed and chased—legs burning, Predator-fed energy dumping cleanly into motion. He caught her just before the village edge, tackling her into the grass.
They lay there, breathing hard, faces too close.
She didn't pull away.
"You win," she said.
"Barely," he replied.
Her eyes searched his. Testing.
"Next time, I won't let you."
He smiled. "I'd be disappointed if you did."
---
Evening training was shorter—but sharper.
Weighted strikes. Timed drills. No wasted words.
Erza landed a clean hit on him.
She froze. "…I got you."
Kaito blinked—then grinned wide. "You did."
She straightened, pride blazing. "Say it again."
"You got me," he repeated. "Fair."
She stepped closer, eyes fierce. "Remember that."
He leaned in, voice just as firm. "I am."
---
Night settled.
They sat on the fence again—closer than usual, legs brushing.
Erza broke the silence first. "If you ever pull ahead without telling me—"
"I won't," he said instantly.
She blinked. "…I wasn't done."
"Didn't need to be."
She studied him, then smiled—slow, confident, mutual.
"Good," she said. "Because I'm not chasing shadows."
He met her gaze, unflinching. "Then stay beside me."
She did.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just step for step, growing faster than either of them realized.
---