Chapter 11 - A Long Night

  Feeling calm and relaxed, I began my morning routine with my family and finished it at school by placing a small, individually wrapped candy on Sakura’s desk. When I noticed her slight frown at the green wrapping, I quickly swapped it for a pink one. The cute giggle and amused smile that followed rewarded my efforts. Operation Candy Drop proved to be an eventful mission, but ultimately, it was a success.

  With that small victory behind me, the rest of the morning settled into a quieter rhythm.

  Leaving Sakura to concentrate on the lesson, I began a new drawing of her gazing over the city from our balcony at home.

  The hours drifted by faster than I expected.

  When the lunch bell rang, I noticed Sakura staring at me with excitement. I wanted to believe it was because she remembered a particularly nice candy. Before I could dwell on it, she called out, “Come on, Vala, let’s go. There’s something I want to talk about.” Then she grabbed my hand, and I realized we were heading toward the clubhouse.

  I chuckled. “Sure, happy to tag along, babe. But I’ve got to admit, I have no idea what’s got you so wound up.”

  She didn’t slow down.

  Once again, walking hand in hand, we pass the same group of girls from yesterday.

  It feels almost inevitable now.

  “Ha, so this too is becoming part of the routine. Sakura-san, is there anything specific you want to train today, or are we just repeating yesterday’s session?” I look into Sakura’s eyes, noticing the excitement there, and decide it’s better to ask than to guess.

  “Oh, is this going to be a rematch?” one of the girls asks her friend, who just shrugs. “Probably. Why else would they be holding hands?”

  The teasing hangs in the air between us.

  Sakura pretends not to hear the chatter, but the pink tips of her ears betray her.

  She stops walking once we’re inside.

  “Vala-san, I want you to listen to me. I spoke to some of the faculty members about you and how I lost yesterday. They understand that you train in various martial arts styles and have given permission for you to use your family’s style, as long as jiu-jitsu remains the core. You’re allowed to represent the school in your preferred style—as long as it’s similar to how we fought yesterday and stays within the rules…”

  Her voice trails off as her enthusiasm fades when she sees that I’m not exactly thrilled. A part of me wants to say yes, especially with those beautiful, hopeful eyes fixed on me, but I also want to stay true to myself.

  There’s no easy way to say this.

  “Sakura-san, I need to be honest with you.”

  She lets go of my hand and takes a step back.

  The distance feels larger than it actually is.

  Suppressing the sigh threatening to escape, I hurry to get the words out. “A part of me does want to train with you, but I’ve already spent most of my life doing exactly that. Coming to this school was meant to be a fresh start. My mother advised me to find something to care about beyond just combat and family. If I’m going to step back into my old life, then I expect to be compensated.”

  As soon as I finish, I realize I probably could have worded that better.

  The effect is immediate.

  The atmosphere in the room shifts, and tension settles over the group. Looking at the girls faces, some seem supportive. Some are clearly unimpressed. Others, I just can’t read.

  The silence doesn’t last long.

  Whispered conversations buzz just out of earshot, but I catch a snippet: “thinks she’s worth it.”

  My mind races—Is she saying she thinks I’m worth it? Or is it more like, does she think she’s worth it? Whether it’s a compliment or an insult, I can’t tell.

  The uncertainty tightens my chest.

  Before anyone can speak louder, Sakura calmly raises her hand.

  Her composure quietens the room.

  “I don’t believe you would ask for something unreasonable. So what would you like in return?”

  She’s taking the polite, professional approach, which makes a part of me wince.

  I owe her a better answer than that.

  I take my time responding, trying to choose my words more carefully this time.

  “I want to have fun. You know, like being invited out for coffee or a movie. I also enjoy shopping at Urban Street…”

  Shit, did I just ask for a date in front of everyone?

  I scramble to clarify.

  “…and not just with you, Sakura. I want to have friends and spend time outside of training.”

  Good, she’s smiling, but she’s also raising her eyebrows at my quick save at the end.

  The tension cracks.

  I could hear a few people laughing, but most just shook their heads.

  “Vala-san, isn’t that just normal? Why did you make such a big deal about this? I won’t call you an idiot, but…”

  Her confusion is fair.

  I see her point, but she misses mine. I turn to the group of smiling girls and give a short bow.

  I need them to understand.

  “I apologize for giving everyone the wrong impression earlier—poor word choice, I know. But, due to circumstances, I haven’t had the chance to do any of those things as myself, with a friend. It’s also why I can fight the way I can, but I had to sacrifice those experiences to achieve it. I’m very serious about my request and genuinely hope to be friends with everyone in the future.”

  The girls start talking among themselves, and I catch bits of conversation like, “she couldn’t be herself and had no friends.”

  Their whispers press in closer than they probably intend.

  Once again, I find myself questioning my choice of words. Why is basic communication so fucking hard?

  Sakura steps in before I can spiral further.

  “I’m sorry, Vala-san. You practically told me you’re from a different kind of family and had to train most of your life. I take it that’s changed, and you want to experience new things?”

  Relief loosens something in my chest.

  “That’s accurate. I’ve never really experienced what a normal girl would, but I want to. That’s what I’m asking for in return.”

  The tension begins to dissolve.

  The vibe in the room shifts to something positive as I glance around at the warm expressions on the girls faces. As glad as I am to have corrected the misunderstanding, I still feel slightly off balance.

  I decide to clarify things properly.

  Taking a deep breath, I try to introduce myself properly.

  “Hi, everyone. Due to personal reasons, I sometimes don’t… ‘people’ well. While I may cause you some trouble, I’m looking forward to joining your club.”

  There’s only one way to move forward now.

  With that, I step into the ring and offer my best, if slightly strained, smile.

  “O Sakura-san, lover of the word ‘idiot,’ please join me.”

  Laughter ripples through the room.

  It’s a playful afternoon. By the time I finish training, I’m happy again.

  The rest of the day goes well, and I enjoy waving to a few familiar faces as I walk with Sakura to our lockers. I move a little closer to her so I can whisper as we walk.

  “Can the first date be just the two of us?”

  She gives a small nod and smiles. “I would like that. What’s your plan?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  She tosses the figurative ball back to me, and I’m glad I prepared an idea in advance.

  “Black Cats Cafe seems like a good spot. It’s close to my place, and there’s a movie theater nearby. It’s only a ten-minute walk from school, and I’ll send you the address later. If you’d prefer somewhere else, or if you’re in the mood for shopping, my mom can drive us to the mall. Take your time to decide, and I’ll call you tonight.”

  She looks a little lost in thought but waves as I leave.

  ***

  “Hello, I’m home…”

  I see my family in the kitchen. Mom is cooking while Grandma helps set the table.

  Their attention shifts to me immediately.

  “Good to see you’re home, honey buns. Did you have a good day?”

  The smile on my face gives it away, earning a knowing look from both of them.

  There’s no point pretending.

  “I’m calling Sakura after dinner to finalize our plans for a date this weekend.”

  They don’t seem surprised. Perhaps that’s one of the advantages of living a long life, but they’re still happy for me.

  Showered and refreshed, I change into cami-style sleepwear. It has an open neckline, but it’s still modest enough that I don’t feel embarrassed. It’s comfortable to sleep in, which gives me a perfectly reasonable excuse for wearing it.

  Nerves flutter quietly beneath the surface.

  I prop my phone up on the table and tap the video chat button next to Sakura’s name. I lean forward slightly when the call connects and watch her eyes lift to my face after briefly drifting lower.

  “Hi, Sakura. I just finished showering and wanted to see you.”

  The faint implication that I may have been thinking about her, paired with the neckline, does a very effective job of making her blush.

  She recovers quickly.

  “Vala, you look cute, and I love your outfit. It’s a different style from what you were wearing last time. I should look at getting something similar.”

  She looks a little unsure about her own sleepwear, which is a light, fitted singlet top as before.

  I don’t want her second-guessing herself.

  “Honestly, I’d only wear this for my girlfriend.”

  Sakura’s soft “oh” makes me chuckle. I take a breath and meet her eyes through the screen.

  “Feeling desired by someone I’m into is important to me, so yeah, I’m trying to impress you. I’ve wanted you since I first saw you. Just go with what feels right, and if you ever feel like showing a little more, that’s okay too.”

  Looking into her eyes, I think she’s happy. She seems more confident now. I was a little worried that saying I wanted her from the moment I saw her would be too much, but the warm look in her eyes tells me I got that one right.

  She lets out a small breath.

  “Thanks, Vala-san. You seem very mature about some things, and I wasn’t sure if you were expecting anything from me. I was a little nervous about it.”

  With a shy smile but otherwise calm, I catch her vibe and initiate Operation Subject Change.

  “So, about the date. I was thinking Saturday at 10 AM at Black Cats Café for breakfast, followed by a movie. The 11 AM showing of Demon Princess. It’s a shoujo-ai anime that even straight girls would watch. If that works, should we meet at the café? Or I can walk you there. I was planning to dress casually in military-style pants and boots with a cute T-shirt. Please don’t think it’s because I’m not taking this seriously. I’m just trying to respect your preference for keeping things low-key.”

  It’s hard to plan when you’re not sure what the other person wants.

  Her response comes easily.

  “Sounds like you’ve put some thought into this. The Demon Princess? Is she the one you’ve been drawing in class lately? I’ll meet you at the café, but can we chat like this before we head out? I’d love to pick an outfit together, depending on how we feel that day. I also like choosing things like movies, but I get that you’re trying to plan everything. It’s sweet, really.”

  Her soft tone and the wink at the end take any sting out of her words.

  I let myself relax.

  “Noted. Honestly, I’d rather you decide because guessing sucks, but it’d be lame not to have a plan, right? We can talk in the morning when you’re free and coordinate what to wear. The character I drew in class on Monday was someone else, but she’s actually pretty similar to the Demon Princess. I guess I’m attracted to girls who know how to fight. Subconsciously, I think I see fights between girls as a little flirty.”

  She laughs. “Consciously, Vala. There’s no ‘sub’ with you. Don’t think I didn’t notice your little moves when we sparred. That might be true for anime and between us, but I don’t think other girls see it that way.”

  I try to think back to our sparring sessions, and yeah, I was a bit playful.

  “I prefer to think girls are having a little fun with it. Are there any other people in the jiu-jitsu club who might be like us?”

  She gives a small smile but shakes her head.

  “There tend to be a few flirty girls in any group, but I can’t tell who’s actually interested. Unless they’re open about it like you are,” she says, winking at me.

  I grin and nod in understanding.

  “Well, it might be different for me, since my mother and grandmother share the same preferences.”

  I see her eyes widen in shock as the bombshell lands.

  “Ah, Vala… Are you saying the women in your family all prefer girls sexually?”

  She seems to be doing her best to process it.

  I answer gently.

  “Yes. It’s one of the reasons my family is so small. I was raised by two Moms, but unfortunately one of them passed away. I have a lot of support from my family, and I probably see things differently because of it. My family has always been made up entirely of women. So it follows that it’s all women doing the fighting and everything else, too.”

  She falls quiet, a slight dazed look on her face.

  We chat for an hour about small things. It’s fun, but the best part is the closeness I feel by the end. We’re truly starting to know each other, and I’m excited for our date tomorrow.

  The call ends too soon.

  Staring at the black screen of my phone, I find I already miss her.

  Reluctantly, I get up and begin my night routine.

  As I close my eyes, I feel myself pulled into the world of dreams. The familiar frozen landscape appears before me, and my gaze settles on the beautiful girl standing beside the pool.

  “My daughter, it is good to see you again. I understand you have been through a lot, and I hope now is a good time to talk.”

  Her voice settles over the frozen landscape like falling snow.

  Before I realize it, I’m held from behind, Mother Riho resting her head on my shoulder. It’s comforting, and I close my eyes to enjoy the moment before responding.

  “There have certainly been some changes to get used to, but it’s all been positive so far, Mother. Being able to meet you like this is a good example of that. I love the new me, my new life, and how my family has grown closer.

  “School is so much better the second time around. Meeting Sakura and the others is letting me experience a different kind of youth. We have our first date tomorrow, and I’m pretty excited about it.”

  The words spill out more easily than I expect.

  Taking comfort in her embrace, I spend a while talking about everything that’s happened so far. I can’t see her face, but I feel that she’s listening and enjoying our time together.

  Eventually, the air around us shifts.

  I feel a kiss on my cheek as Mother lets me go.

  There’s a gentle gravity to her next words.

  “My primary reason for bringing you here tonight was to see you again, but there is another reason as well.

  “During your awakening, I sealed the information from my bloodline and some other techniques I used in the past.

  “In time, all of this will become yours, but I didn’t want to interfere too much with your Valkyrie bloodline during the awakening.

  “There are two techniques I will unlock for you tonight. This will take some time, but time here is shaped by myself rather than real-time.

  “The first is Winter Meditation, which grants you clarity during stressful situations. It will also help you focus and process your thoughts. This will benefit your mental health and decision-making in the future.

  “The second is Blade Dancer, which allows you to fight multiple opponents, even those stronger than you. You will come to understand the strengths and weaknesses of this technique as you train.”

  Her voice becomes the only thing that exists.

  Like a form of hypnosis, I feel my mind drifting deeper as I listen to her. Like water turning to ice, my thoughts still until nothing remains. I simply exist, and everything that is me reflects back with perfect clarity and peace. After what might have been a millennium, my mind thaws and enters a savage winter storm.

  My body moves with the wind and snow, unable to resist its fury. I move with it, not against it, dancing between the gusts and turning with the current. My mana flows through me, pooling at my waist before surging down my legs and up through my arms.

  A katana made of ice forms in my hands at a thought as I cut through the winds and dance with the storm. With each swing, my body moves faster, the sound of tearing air filling my ears. With a crack, the tip of my blade breaks the sound barrier, and everything becomes still once more.

  “Daughter, that shall be enough for one night, and you have done well. Now return to me, as we still have time to talk.”

  The storm dissolves around me.

  I open my eyes to see Mother Riho’s face as I lie on her lap, her fingers running gently through my hair.

  “Mother, how long have I been gone? It feels like a lifetime since I was last here.”

  She smiles faintly at my confusion.

  “That’s hard to say. Part of the meditation was drawn from memories of my own experiences, combined with conceptualized time to give your mind space to adapt and comprehend. From your perspective, it would have been a few hundred years of stilled thought, but from mine, around an hour. In reality, beyond the boundaries of your dreams, it’s even less, if that helps.”

  “Mom, you do realize I’m 20 years old and have now spent many times my actual lifetime inside a single dream.”

  The thought makes my head spin.

  “Yes? You will inherit many thousands of years’ worth of memories, and that doesn’t even account for the regular training time we will do together. You will both enter the Old World eventually, but your strength will be far above the standard. Unfortunately, you will need the power of the Old while you are still young, but that lies in the future.”

  Her words imply ‘future me’ problems, but there’s another part that catches my attention.

  “Mother! You said we would both enter the Old World. I’m only one person, so please explain…”

  Mother gently shushes me.

  “Daughter, have fun on your date tomorrow, and don’t worry about the rest. There is much for us to discuss, but there is no rush. When you have time, I need you to visit the Shrine with your mother Mist. There have been many changes recently, and more are necessary. We will perform a small ritual that will allow your physical body to harness power from the divine pool, which, over time, will make you stronger.”

  “I will, Mother, but is this goodbye until then? I enjoy seeing you and would love to spend more time together soon.”

  I search her expression for answers.

  An almost imperceptible flicker of amusement crosses her eyes before it’s hidden behind a warm smile. Something about the future amuses her.

  “I will have you come here when you are not busy. It will make more sense in time. There are a few things that need to happen, but all will be made clear in the next few weeks. I would tell you more, but I don’t want to influence your decisions, and Freyja is the best choice to handle it.”

  The world fades without another word.

  Waking, I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling. I soon give up on trying to make sense of everything and focus on what I need to do next. A date to prepare for and a Shrine visit sometime soon.

  One problem at a time.

  So, how does one properly prepare for a date?