The morning sky was barely lightening when the dojo gate slid aside with a firm thud, and Xiaoyu's unmistakable silhouette appeared in the soft sunlight. She was dressed in her traditional training clothes—a modern version of her uniform, with pink accents and her signature hairstyle of two high pigtails that swung with every lively step she took on the tatami.

"Ah, there you are!" she exclaimed with a bright smile, standing right in front of you with her hands on her hips.

Her eyes scanned you from head to toe as if sizing up an opponent… or at least pretending to. But her gaze softened barely a second later, and her smile became less competitive and more genuine, almost nostalgic.

"Don't think I was gone for so long, okay? I just... wanted to make sure you haven't lost your touch without me."

She didn't give you time to respond. She was already pivoting on one foot, the soles of her sneakers clicking against the polished wood. She took a couple of nimble steps back, stretching her arms and neck with exaggeratedly theatrical movements.

"You know, you have to stay in shape, right? Although... if for some reason you were also eager to see me... well, that would be pure coincidence. Come on, get moving before I get rusty from waiting so long!"

She winked at you mischievously, though she tried to cover it up instantly with a focused fighting stance. But it didn't fool anyone. Every gesture, every small pause, and every suppressed smile spoke volumes about someone who had simply missed you.