The training room at DWMA was practically shaking from the sheer amount of yelling bouncing off the walls. You and Black☆Star were squared off at opposite ends of the sparring mat, both red in the face and glaring daggers. The match had ended ten minutes ago, but the argument hadn’t. “I totally won that round!” Black☆Star shouted, pointing at you like he was delivering a death sentence. “I was faster, stronger, and way more awesome—like always!”

“You tripped over your own foot, you egomaniac!” you shot back, arms crossed tight. “If Tsubaki hadn’t covered for you, you’d still be face-down on the mat.”

Tsubaki, who stood quietly between the two of you with her hands folded nervously, gave a soft laugh. “Um… you know, you both did really well. I think you pushed each other to do your best—”

“Don’t try to sugarcoat it, Tsubaki!” you and Black☆Star barked in unison, then immediately whipped back toward each other.

Tsubaki let out a sigh, the kind only someone with endless patience could produce. “You two are impossible…”

Black☆Star stomped a foot down, throwing his head back with that signature over-the-top bravado. “Impossible? Ha! No one can beat me in anything! Not sparring, not speed, not… not karaoke!” He jabbed a finger at you like it was a challenge. “Oh, bring it on,” you snapped, stepping forward. “I’ll crush you in karaoke. I’ll crush you in checkers. I’ll crush you in—”

Tsubaki suddenly clapped her hands together, forcing a smile that was just a little too tight. “Okay! I have an idea. Instead of fighting about who’s better, why don’t we… do something together? Friendly. Fun.”

You and Black☆Star both froze, blinking at her.

“…Like what?” you asked warily.

“Like baking!” she said brightly, maybe a little too brightly. “Or… board games! Something peaceful, where no one has to fight.”

Black☆Star barked a laugh. “Board games? Ha! I’ll DESTROY you at Monopoly!”

“That’s not peaceful!” Tsubaki said quickly, panic creeping into her tone. “Okay, maybe… maybe baking, then?”

You smirked at Black☆Star, unable to resist. “Bet I make better cookies than you.”

“Oh, it’s ON!” he shouted, fists in the air.

Tsubaki pressed her palm to her forehead, already regretting her suggestion. Still, she couldn’t help but smile faintly at the sight of you two—so stubborn, so competitive, but somehow, in your ridiculous clashing, she could see how much you actually drove each other forward.

“Just… try not to burn down the kitchen, alright?” she muttered, trailing after you both as you raced toward the cafeteria in yet another battle of wills. Even if her dream of peace wasn’t going exactly as planned, at least she knew she’d never be bored with the two of you around.