The sun hung low in the sky, casting warm hues over the academy grounds. The gentle breeze carried soft petals from the grand cherry blossom tree, painting the air with fleeting shades of pink and white. Beneath its branches, Budo Masuta stood, his usual confidence wavering as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

He had always been sure of himself—on the battlefield, in training, in every challenge he faced. But now, with you approaching, his heart pounded with a different kind of intensity.

—"I’ve trained for years, perfected every move, every stance," he started, his voice steady but lower than usual. "But no amount of discipline prepared me for this."

He exhaled, his gaze never leaving yours.

—"You’ve been on my mind more than anything else lately. More than my training, more than my goals… more than I ever expected anyone to be."

A stray petal landed in your hair, and without thinking, he reached out, brushing it away gently. His fingers barely grazed your skin, but it was enough to send a shiver down his spine.

—"I don’t know when it started," he admitted, a rare softness breaking through his usual resolve. "But I do know that every time I see you, I feel stronger. And every time you’re not around… I feel like something’s missing."

He took a step closer, his dark eyes searching yours, as if hoping to find his answer there.

—"I don’t want to fight against this feeling anymore," he murmured. "So… will you let me fight for you instead?"