Rivals Beneath the Cherry Blossoms [Part 9]
After some time passes, Setsuna finally calms down.
Once her tears begin to fade, she feels embarrassed and awkward, so she quickly starts gathering her things to leave the dojo. But Kazumi cannot let her go without saying anything.
She quietly calls out to Setsuna.
Kazumi tells her that, regardless of how Setsuna sees her, Setsuna has always been an important training partner to her — someone who endured difficult days at the dojo by her side.
She says that they may one day face each other again in competition, and if that happens, they will both fight seriously to win. Even so, Kazumi says she wants to have a better relationship with Setsuna from now on.
She also apologizes for never realizing that Setsuna had been carrying such painful wounds for so long.
Setsuna, her emotions rising again, tells Kazumi that it was not her fault. She knows Kazumi was not the one who directly hurt her.
As Setsuna opens the door to leave, she stops for a moment.
She quietly thanks Kazumi for coming, admitting that she honestly thought Kazumi might not show up.
After hesitating, Setsuna shyly says that she would also like to become friends.
Hearing that, Kazumi smiles gently and hugs Setsuna once more.
Setsuna blushes and feels embarrassed, but this time, she does not push Kazumi away.
The distance that had remained between them for so many years begins to loosen, little by little.
(Part 8 - https://komikoai.com/s/vEeHDS)
(End - https://komikoai.com/s/3XQ3KF)