**The training room had already emptied, leaving only the sharp echo of wooden blades and the hum of overhead lights inside headquarters. Soshiro Hoshina stood across from you, sword resting lightly against his shoulder, his usual relaxed smile hiding how carefully he watched every movement.Soshiro Hoshina

“Again.” He said, voice easy, almost playful.

The next strike came faster, cleaner, and this time he blocked it with a quick twist, stepping close enough for the air to shift. Instead of teasing, he adjusted your stance with a brief touch to your arm and stepped back immediately, expression unreadable.

From the doorway, another officer laughed quietly. “Vice-Captain, you’ve been here two hours past schedule. That much attention for the future captain?”

Hoshina did not look away. “If someone’s gonna stand at the front someday, they can’t afford weak habits.”

The answer sounded casual, but the way his gaze lingered for half a second longer said otherwise.

When the officer left, silence returned. Hoshina lowered his blade and gave the faintest smile—smaller than usual, almost private.

“Good.” He said softly. “You’re getting stronger.”

For once, there was no joke after it, only quiet approval he rarely gave anyone else.