Subjugation Battle (2)
Ashu stared blankly at his own hands. “…What the hell did I just do?”
For a split second, his emotions had surged out of control. In his narrowed field of vision, nothing existed but Ideal. The sole obsession sweeping through his mind was that he couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t allow her to be taken away. Ashu had no clue what this feeling even was. All he knew was that it was an unpleasant sensation he never wanted to experience again. He clenched and unclenched his fingers over and over, but the gnawing emptiness refused to fade. It felt like licking the inside of an empty can after guzzling a sweet drink.
“…Ideal.”
Ashu approached the spot where the dolls he’d snatched from Ideal lay piled up. Just in case she might spot them, he’d stashed the dolls carefully inside his locker. He’d even added a padlock—no way she’d ever find out.
Click.
The locker sprang open with the metallic grind of tumblers engaging. A prototype Ashu doll that screamed “thug” at first glance. Even now, it was so absurd that just looking at it made him chuckle.
“Ridiculous.”
Had there ever been anyone like this in his life before? ‘A peculiar person.’
Ashu pulled out his doll and Ideal’s, setting them side by side on the desk. They looked just like they were holding hands, and satisfaction tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“Ahem. Ahem.”
For some reason, even though no one was around, he glanced about the room. Confirming he was alone once more, he was about to savor the dolls in peace—
Knock knock.
[D-Disciple…?]
“!!!!”
Ashu’s body bristled like a startled cat’s.
“Wh-Why…!!”
As he stammered a reply, he frantically swept the dolls into the locker. No time to fret over damaging the paper figures—he shoved them in at lightning speed. Then, in a flash, he yanked out the key and slammed the lock shut.
Click.
The entire frantic sequence took less than three seconds. Ideal would’ve been stunned by the speed.
[Uh, I-I was thinking we could eat together or something—]
“I said no.”
A cold tone slipped out unbidden. Maybe because of it, the pitiful voice beyond the door fell silent for a moment, then started whining again.
[B-But I worked so hard on it…]
“Not hungry today.”
Silence stretched on. Ashu let out a small sigh, figuring Ideal had finally left. At least until the messy emotions from moments ago settled, something told him he couldn’t see her today. Otherwise, those weird, sticky feelings might come bursting out.
He was just starting to relax—
Stab!
A familiar sword blade slipped through the door crack and into the room. The sword Ideal always carried. Unforgettable, since she never even touched a wooden practice blade otherwise. The sword lifted briefly—
[H-Hyah!!!]
With Ideal’s spirited shout, it sliced the door’s lock cleanly in half.
Creeeak.
The sturdy door swung open with a satisfying whoosh. A chill draft brushed his cheek.
Ashu couldn’t process what was happening.
“Y-You…”
Speechless, his mouth hung agape as he froze. Ideal, having bisected the door, looked utterly refreshed as she declared:
“Y-You’ve gotta eat!”
Ashu stared vacantly at his room door, its lock neatly severed in two.
Ah, so refreshing.
For some reason, seeing Ashu’s jaw drop for the first time made all my pent-up grudges melt away. My room door. Revenge served—with interest!
Thrill kept my lips from dropping. Dopamine fireworks exploded in my brain.
“Y-You! What the hell did you just do!!!!”
Ashu finally snapped to and charged at me. But mock battles exist to prepare for the real thing. Through countless spars, I’d grown proficient—if not perfect—at handling Ideal’s body. I sidestepped his blistering rush with ease.
“D-Dodged…?”
“He, hehe.”
Thrilling!! My precious boy looked so frustrated. Ten days of built-up stress evaporating.
At this rate, it’d take Ashu at least five years to catch me with speed alone.
This is the power of Speed S!
Look at that bubbling, furious face. I was absolutely reclaiming my master’s authority. Definitely not revenge for all the past BS!! Okay, I hadn’t expected things to play out like this, but still—not revenge!
‘…Huh, wait.’
Something familiar caught my eye. That rectangular doll rolling on the floor—it looked oddly recognizable.
Ashu’s face twisted in horror, and he tackled me at impossible speed. By the time I blinked, he was panting roughly atop me in full mount position.
“Eh, wha…?”
I squirmed every which way, but he wouldn’t budge. Big trouble.
“E, ehehe… D-Disciple. Wanna talk it out?”
“Too late.”
Crunch!!!!
“Kyaaak!!”
And just like that, my five-minute rebellion curtained to a close.
“Straighten up properly?”
“Huiing…”
Ideal shot her hand up at my words. Her bumped forehead looked downright pitiful. With her arm raised skyward, her massive chest naturally thrust forward for emphasis.
Ashu coughed awkwardly despite himself and looked away.
‘At least that’s a relief.’
He hadn’t expected a doll to tumble onto the floor. He’d snatched it up amid the chaos, but his heart was still racing.
“…Di-Disciple.”
“What.”
“N-No matter what, I’m your master, so this kinda thing…”
“Then is it okay for a master to smash her disciple’s door?”
“Y-You ignored me last time, so I—”
“What?”
“Hiiik!!”
…Fair point.
‘Now that I think about it, I did smash Ideal’s door last time.’
Ashu gazed at Ideal, who was sniffling tears while kneeling on the bed with her hand dutifully raised.
…His heart thudded oddly. Something about it was weirdly arousing…
‘Not the point.’
Ashu cleared his throat and crossed his legs.
“…So, what exactly were you planning to feed me that warranted all this?”
“Ri-Right!”
Ideal’s eyes widened as if she’d just remembered. Absurd, coming from the woman who’d bisected a door over dinner.
“Tomorrow’s the subjugation battle opening ceremony, right?”
“Yeah.”
“An-And we’ll be camping outside for days.”
Right. The toughest part of the monster subjugation battle: roughing it in the brutal north. Delicate noble flowers often tapped out in under a day.
“On a day like today, steak and eggs with fried rice feels off, so…”
Ideal’s fingers fidgeted. Oh yeah—she was still in timeout.
“Down.”
Ideal lowered her hand and dragged in a tray from outside the door.
“What’s… this?”
“Heung.”
Ideal’s nose lifted proudly. Hands on hips, full confidence pose.
“It’s called spicy pork stir-fry.”
“Spi… pork?”
“Just try it.”
Meat tossed in red sauce. A visual Ashu had never seen before.
“Took forever to hunt down the ingredients.”
“…What country’s dish is this?”
“Th-That’s a trade secret…”
She scratched her cheek evasively, and Ashu’s eyes narrowed.
“A-Anyway, it’s delicious—eat up.”
Hesitant, Ashu speared a piece with his fork. It pierced the tender meat smoothly. Dripping juices carried a sweet-spicy aroma, drawing him in mesmerized. He popped it into his mouth.
“…!”
His eyes went wide as he stared at Ideal.
“Hehe, told ya it’s good?”
Ashu nodded and shoveled in mouthful after greedy mouthful.
“Before battle, you gotta eat spicy and salty stuff. Gets the blood pumping.”
A tone loaded with meaning. A face hinting at untold stories. Maybe that’s why her earlier pained expression stuck in his mind.
The plate vanished in seconds. Ashu smacked his lips.
“I’ll make it again after the subjugation battle.”
“…Wasn’t that good.”
“Eh?!”
Ideal’s shocked face made Ashu’s lips quirk faintly.
“…Hey.”
“Yes?”
As Ideal glanced up while clearing plates, her disheveled hair fell aside, revealing her refined features. Good mood brought a slight flush to her cheeks. Pink lips and smooth eyes fixed solely on him.
“…Sorry about earlier.”
“…!!”
Ideal’s face cycled through confusion, fluster, then outright shock.
That irritating reaction made Ashu’s brow twitch.
“D-Disciple. What did you just say??”
“…”
“N-Now, did you just say sorry to me? For real??”
Her hand clamped over her mouth in genuine astonishment—infuriating. Ashu’s brow slanted sharply.
“Never thought the day would come when my disciple apologizes—”
“Bedtime! Take the dishes and get out!!!”
Bang!!
And with that, Ideal was unceremoniously booted out.