A Predator Targeting a Predator
As I stepped into the Training Ground, my eyes met Haruna's. She was dressed in her martial arts uniform, glaring at me with a solemn expression. I gave her a polite nod and approached. Uncrossing her arms, she rested her hands on her hips, a faint smile playing on her lips as she spoke.
"You met him, didn't you?"
"Ah, you mean the guy I beat half to death before?"
I had deliberately phrased it harshly to gauge her reaction, but Haruna merely nodded in agreement.
"Yes, him. Did he say anything to you?"
I debated for a moment whether to tell her the truth or keep it to myself. But seeing no reason to protect that bastard's pride, I relayed exactly what he had said.
"Hmm... I see. I apologize. I spoiled him when I was training him back in Tebra Village, and he grew up far too arrogant."
"With your personality, is it even possible for you to spoil anyone?"
"What?"
When I cracked the playful joke, Haruna glared at me with narrowed eyes. I shrugged and quickly added that I was only kidding, which finally coaxed a sharp chuckle and a sigh out of her as she continued.
"He lost his father at a young age and had a difficult time, so I indulged him a bit too much. That is how he ended up like this."
"It was around the time I had to leave my own daughters behind..." she added, her eyes clouding with a touch of sorrow. She looked remarkably lonely in that moment. Even though she had reunited with her daughters, the emotional distance between them hadn't closed yet, and the three of them still acted quite awkward around one another.
"Time will heal it."
I tossed the words out casually, thinking it was better than clumsily taking sides between Haruna and Tsuruka, though I worried it sounded a bit too blunt. Contrary to my concerns, however, she seemed to appreciate the advice. A warm, genuine smile spread across her face as she offered a brief word of thanks.
"I suppose so. Thank you."
"Let's get this over with so we can rest. I've got a rough day ahead of me tomorrow, so I need to save my energy, don't I?"
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject. Haruna let out an amused chuckle at my awkwardness and took a step closer. Dressed in her form-fitting martial arts uniform, she reached out and placed her hand against my abdomen, closing her eyes as she began to channel her mana.
"Ho..."
Just by touching me, she had sensed my progress. Opening her eyes, Haruna stared at me with an expression of pure admiration.
"Impressive. To achieve this much in a mere fortnight..."
"You knew?"
"If you went to see Minerva, there could only be one reason."
Come to think of it, she had mentioned being acquainted with Minerva. That meant from the very first day she realized I had visited the witch, she knew I was learning how to apply my mana.
"You're quite sly, aren't you?"
"Hardly as sly as you."
To think she had played dumb and tested the waters all this time. When I accused her of being devious for keeping quiet despite knowing everything, she gave a wry smile and retorted effortlessly.
"Hmm... Shall we begin our final training session, then?"
Breaking the brief silence, Haruna lightly warmed up her body. I stretched my limbs as well, shedding my outer coat and hanging it nearby.
"I'm in your hands."
"No, I am in yours," she replied.
Glaring at me with the eyes of a predator targeting its prey, Haruna moistened her pink lips with her tongue and lowered her stance. The final training session to tie up the loose ends before my departure had begun.
Thud! Crash!
Haruna's fist slammed into my abdomen, sending me skipping across the ground like a flat stone thrown over water. Even as I desperately clung to consciousness, the sheer absurdity of bouncing off the dirt forced a hollow laugh from my throat. I pushed off the ground and managed to drag myself back up.
"Whew... This is way harder than I thought."
Through the tears in her tattered uniform, glimpses of Haruna's pale, supple skin were revealed, but she paid her exposure no mind. Leaping high into the air, she brought her heel down in a devastating axe kick. Rolling aside to avoid having my skull crushed, I sprang back up and used the momentum to throw a counterpunch—but it didn't even graze her.
Whoosh!
With a sharp gust of wind, Haruna effortlessly slipped the blow and whipped a kick straight into my exposed flank. I threw my arm out to block, but the sheer, heavy force of her kick blew right through my guard. Realizing I couldn't stop it, I closed my eyes and braced for impact.
Crack!
A bone-rattling pain surged through me as I was sent flying once more, tumbling across the Training Ground before finally coming to a halt. I had been beaten so thoroughly that while my mind remained clear, every single muscle in my body screamed in agony. I had explicitly told her not to overdo it, but ever since she found out about Undine's Healing Water, Haruna had completely stopped holding back.
"Good work. I am looking forward to tomorrow."
Haruna must have pushed herself quite hard as well; her sweat-drenched hair clung to her face. Grabbing the collar of her already ruined uniform, she ripped it open with a loud tear. Her toned, muscular abdomen and heavy, bouncing breasts spilled into my field of vision, but I was so utterly exhausted that I couldn't even muster the energy to appreciate the view.
"Huuu...!"
Forcing strength into my trembling arms, I somehow pushed myself up from the dirt. Honestly, I wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep right there, but it was far better to head back to the house, have Undine heal me, and then pass out.
"Well, shall we head back?"
Squish.
Suddenly, I felt a soft, pillowy sensation against my ribs. Looking down, I saw Haruna slipping under my arm to support me, her massive breasts pressing firmly against my side. Feeling a sudden wave of self-consciousness, I tried to pull away, but she held me so securely that it felt as if she were carrying my entire weight. It was incredibly comfortable, so I gave up and leaned into her.
"Aren't I heavy?"
I was both taller and heavier than her, yet she didn't show even a hint of strain.
"You are as light as a feather."
She was likely just hiding her fatigue, but having been beaten to a pulp, a sudden wave of gratitude and guilt washed over me. Fearing I might say something embarrassing if I spoke, I kept my mouth shut, doing my best to take some of the weight onto my own feet as we walked back to the house.
As we walked, the rich, intoxicating scent of a mature female beastman wafted from Haruna. At the same time, she was subtly twitching her nose, inhaling my scent. Sharing a quiet, awkward chuckle as we breathed each other in, we kept walking until Tsuruka came running out to meet us, finally prompting us to separate.
"Seobang-nim...!"
Taking one look at my completely battered state, Tsuruka glared fiercely at Haruna before scooping me up in her arms. Letting out a cute little grunt, she carried me past her mother and ran up the stairs toward my room with heavy, hurried thuds.
Creeeak.
“Casano! You're back?!”
"Goodness! Your duel is tomorrow, so what on earth were you thinking being so reckless?!"
Slap!
"Ow, that hurts..."
I offered a half-hearted response to Tsuruka's gentle scolding and gestured for Undine. Seeing my wretched state, Undine's face fell into a tearful pout as she extended her finger toward me. I took her moist, soft, jelly-like finger into my mouth and nodded.
“Geez, look at you. Just great, simply great.”
"Why do you always go looking for trouble, hm?"
Glancing at the two of them as they took turns nagging me, I kept silent and closed my eyes, swallowing the Healing Water that trickled into my mouth. With every gulp, a refreshing, cool sensation surged through my entire body. I focused on that feeling, drinking until Undine finally pulled her finger away, enduring their double-team lecture for what felt like an eternity.
“There, all done! Hmph!”
Undine turned her back to me, crossing her arms in a huff. Knowing she was only acting like this out of worry, I reached out and pulled her into a hug, using my other arm to wrap around Tsuruka as I pulled them both down onto the bed with me.
"Thanks. It really wasn't that bad, though."
"You came back looking worse than a tattered rag, and you call that 'not bad'?!"
“Exactly! What she said!”
"We were testing each other's true resolve. Today's fight was Haruna at her absolute limit."
No matter how I tried to counter, she was always faster. No matter how I attacked, she effortlessly deflected and struck back. During that brief clash, I hadn't managed to best her even once.
"Then won't tomorrow be exactly the same...?"
Forgetting her usual polite register, Tsuruka knitted her brows in deep concern. Beside her, Undine wore the exact same expression. Chuckling at the synchronized worry of my two companions, I rolled over on the bed.
"It won't be... I'm just really tired right now, so I'm going to sleep. Thanks for helping me out."
Knowing that talking about it further would only make them more anxious, I cut the conversation short and gently dismissed them. Undine puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction, while Tsuruka stared at me with troubled eyes. Eventually giving up, Tsuruka took Undine's hand and reluctantly headed for the door, casting one last worried glance over her shoulder.
"I believe in you, Seobang-nim, but please... be careful..."
“Do your best, Casano!”
Forgetting her pout, Undine gave me an energetic cheer as the door clicked shut. Closing my eyes to mentally replay the battle against Haruna's full strength, I sank into the plush comfort of the bed, slowly drifting into a deep sleep.
Knock, knock.
"Seobang-nim, may I enter?"
Tsuruka's gentle voice instantly snapped me awake. Warm sunlight streamed into the room, accompanied by a crisp morning breeze filtering through the cracked window. Sensing that the promised day had finally arrived, I shook off the tight coil of tension and excitement in my chest and sat up.
"Yeah, I'm awake."
Creeak.
"Oh my, hehe... Breakfast is ready."
Her eyes briefly drifted down to my crotch before darting back up. It was a perfectly natural morning phenomenon, so I didn't pay it any mind. As Tsuruka turned to head downstairs, her tail swaying gently, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"Something smells delicious."
"Hehe, you should be smelling the food, not me."
"They both look equally appetizing."
"Honestly... Seeing you in such high spirits, I suppose I have nothing to worry about."
Giving me a look like a mother admonishing a mischievous child, Tsuruka playfully rubbed her soft, plump bottom against my groin. Inhaling the sweet scent of my woman, I walked down to the dining room, only to notice Haruna's absence. I cast an inquisitive glance at Tsuruka, but it was Eruka who answered.
"Mother is with her subordinates."
"Really? I was hoping to say hello."
"She is likely waiting in the plaza with the key figures of Tebra Village. We need to finish our meal and get ready as well."
"Is there something special to prepare?"
"Good grief..."
Eruka glared at me as if exasperated by my ignorance. Having heard nothing about this, I looked back and forth between Eruka and Tsuruka with an innocent, wronged expression. Resting her cheek on her hand with a helpless smile, Tsuruka offered a brief explanation.
"Since you are currently the Chief of Hinera Village, you must be dressed in proper ceremonial attire. That is what she means."
"You could have just said that from the start..."
When I shot Eruka a teasing glance, her face flushed red, and she barked back defensively.
"I-I cannot speak so gently! Just hurry up and finish your breakfast!"
Having already finished her own meal, Eruka grumbled and pushed the plates of salad and bread toward me, averting her eyes. Finding her tsundere concern endearing, I piled the food onto my plate and ate quickly.
"Your clothes are already prepared, so please, eat at your own pace."
Although Tsuruka gently urged me to take my time, I had already wolfed down the remaining food. Swallowing the last bite, I pushed back my chair and stood up. The moment I did, Eruka sprang up as well, grabbing my arm and dragging me toward Tsuruka's office with heavy, purposeful strides.
Rustle!
Eruka rummaged through the wardrobe, sliding hangers aside. In the process, several pieces of skimpy lingerie and short skirts caught my eye. Seeing Tsuruka flush red, I quickly averted my gaze and pretended not to notice.
“Whoa! This one would show your whole butt!”
"Here, wear this."
Shhh.
With the soft rustle of fabric, Eruka pulled out a black martial arts uniform. It bore a striking resemblance to the Taekwondo doboks I used to see back in my old world. Haruna's uniform was a sleeveless style straight out of an anime, but this one...
Rip!
Eruka suddenly yanked at my shirt as if to strip me herself. Startled by the sudden tug, I quickly pulled my head out of the collar and took it off myself, chiding her for her impatience.
"I can dress myself, you know."
"We must arrive early so no one has any excuse to gossip! New Chief or not, you must show proper decorum! Hurry!"
Chuckling at Eruka's drill-sergeant-like demeanor, I did as I was told and quickly changed. I wasn't entirely sure why this qualified as a Chief's attire, but I figured it was just local tradition. Eruka smoothed out the creases, inspected my appearance, and nodded in satisfaction, giving me her seal of approval. With everything set, I confidently stepped out of the house.
"Good luck!"
"You can do it!"
"Go, Captain's husband!"
With Tsuruka and Eruka flanking me, we made our way toward the plaza. Despite the early hour, the villagers had already gathered, shouting energetic cheers of encouragement. I waved back at them as I walked, scratching Undine under her chin as she chattered excitedly beside me, heading toward where Haruna would be waiting.
Murmur, murmur...
The bustling crowd surrounding the plaza parted as they noticed our approach, carving out a path. Walking down the cleared lane, I basked in the mixture of friendly gazes and hostile glares, slowly approaching Haruna, who stood waiting in the center with her arms crossed.
Dressed in a pristine white, sleeveless martial arts uniform, Haruna stood with a relaxed smile, her gray tail swaying gently. Her tight white trousers beautifully accentuated the curves of her legs, but I forced myself to look away as I took my position opposite her.
"You have arrived."
"Apologies for the wait."
I apologized to Haruna, completely ignoring the glare of the bastard standing behind her—the one who claimed to be the next Chief of Tebra Village.
"There are still twenty minutes left until our scheduled time. Are you prepared?"
"I'm actually quite nervous."
"As am I."
We exchanged brief words, our eyes locked. Having shared each other's bodies countless times, we could read each other's thoughts without a single word. Exchanging faint smiles, we slowly backed away to create some distance. The surrounding crowd retreated further, opening up a wide space in the center.
It was finally time to tie the final knot in my long, winding destiny with Haruna.