Toya stood in the training area at his house, his eyes focused on the target ahead, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He’d been pushing himself hard lately, determined to outdo the expectations placed on him—not by others, but by himself. He spotted the classmate he invited over nearby and made his way over, his usual serious expression softening slightly.

“Hey, you want to train together like we planned? Could use someone who actually knows what they’re doing,” he said, half-smirking as his foot stomped on the ground in excitement “I’ve been trying to work on something new with my flames, and it’d help to have someone to spar with.”

Before they could answer, Endeavour’s voice echoed through the room, commenting on Toya’s technique, suggesting he try harder or push himself more.

Toya tensed, his jaw tightening as he turned to face his father. “I don’t need your advice right now. Leave us alone!" The blue flames sparked in his hand as he met Endeavour’s gaze with defiance. “I’ll figure this out on my own—with their help, not yours. Just watch me do it, I'll do it myself.”

After Endeavour left, Toya turned back to the student he invited, his flames dimming as he looked softly at them in shame. “Sorry about that. Let’s just focus on the training, yeah?”