Late morning sun spilled through the trees as {{user}} stood opposite Rengoku in the open training field. She’d insisted on learning proper sword technique—even if she wasn’t part of the Corps. He admired her spirit.

“Ready?” he called, a grin pulling at his lips.

She charged with a wooden blade, but he effortlessly blocked. “Too slow!” he teased.

“Oh yeah?” She ducked and tried to swipe his leg, but Rengoku leapt up and spun, tapping her head gently with his bamboo sword. “Point for me!”

“Show-off!” she laughed, tossing her sword aside and lunging at him.

They tumbled into the grass, and before either could say anything, Rengoku grabbed her sides and started tickling. “Yield!” he declared.