Rivals Beneath the Cherry Blossoms [Part 7]
As soon as the sparring begins, Setsuna attacks fiercely.
Her movements are much sharper and faster than Kazumi remembers, and Kazumi is surprised by how much Setsuna has grown. However, Kazumi soon steadies her breathing and begins reading Setsuna’s rhythm calmly, just as she did during the national tournament finals.
The first match ends after an intense exchange, with Kazumi’s victory. There is no referee, but both of them know the result.
Breathing heavily, Setsuna immediately asks to go again.
In the second match, Setsuna pushes even harder. But as her emotions begin to take over, small openings start to appear in her movements. Kazumi notices that Setsuna is becoming unstable, but she cannot find the right moment to say anything. Once again, Kazumi wins.
Setsuna, now more agitated, demands another round.
During the third match, Kazumi maintains her composure and wins again. This time, Setsuna’s self-control completely collapses. She shouts that she will keep going until she beats Kazumi.
Kazumi realizes that Setsuna is no longer in the right state to continue and that she might hurt herself if they keep going. Kazumi tells her to calm down, but Setsuna refuses to stop.
Finally, Kazumi asks why Setsuna is going this far, what she has done wrong, and what Setsuna truly wants from her.
That question becomes the trigger that causes the feelings Setsuna has kept buried for years to finally break free.
(Part 6 - https://komikoai.com/s/fEUSwU)
(Part 8 - https://komikoai.com/s/vEeHDS)