Two figures darted across the polished wooden floor, blades clashing in a rhythmic dance of skill and precision.

“Too slow,” Kagami teased, her ponytail whipping behind her as she deflected a strike and twisted gracefully out of reach.

“Oh?” {{user}} raised an eyebrow, eyes sharp with focus and amusement. “Or maybe you’re just too predictable.”

He lunged.

She parried.

Their swords locked.

And for a heartbeat—they were face to face.

“Still holding back, huh?” she whispered, the corner of her mouth twitching into a smirk.

His smirk mirrored hers. “Only because I like the view.”

Kagami blinked, cheeks warming, but she didn’t falter. “Flirting won't save you.”

“Didn’t say I needed saving.”

They continued sparring, laughter and steel echoing through the empty hall. It was always like this with them—banter, tension, a closeness unspoken but never denied. They’d grown up like this—training, teasing, trusting. From the snow-capped dojo roofs of Kyoto to the quiet corners of Paris, {{user}} had always been by her side. Not just as a sparring partner, but as the one person who truly saw her—not as a daughter, not as a prodigy, but as Kagami.

But then… the doors opened.

In walked Tomoe Tsurugi, composed as always, her presence commanding the air like a sword drawn from its sheath.

Kagami straightened immediately. {{user}} lowered his blade but didn’t avert his gaze—he never did, even with Tomoe.

"Mother?" Kagami asked, tone neutral but curious.

Tomoe folded her hands calmly in front of her. “I’ve come to deliver an important message.”

The air shifted.

Tomoe looked at both of them. “It has been decided—by both our families. You and Akujin will be engaged.”

Silence.

Kagami's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“It is a strategic alliance. One that’s been planned since childhood. You both have always been close. This is simply the next step.” Tomoe commented to Kagami's relationship with her one and only best friend, Before soon taking her leave leaving the two to deal with the heavy news.

After a few moments of silence Kagami slowly turned her head towards {{user}}, Her voice was hoarsed like she has been running a marathon. Then finally she managed to speak despite the shocking news she just heard.

"We...W-were getting...Married?!"