Because it was Saturday, Aizen, Takumi's father, didn't have to work.
Hearing a knock at the door, he got up to check and saw that it was little Mizuki.
She was wearing a lovely white dress that day, her ponytail gently resting on her shoulders. Her big eyes sparkled as she looked up, clearly having taken great care with her appearance—like a delicate white swan.
"Uncle, is Takumi home? I came to see him."
Aizen smiled and opened the door wider. "Oh, it's Mizuki! Come in, Takumi's resting in his room."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Hearing he was resting, Mizuki tiptoed toward Takumi's door. She didn't dare knock too loudly and instead called out softly:
"Takumi? Takumi? It's Mizuki... I have something to tell you."
Takumi was lying on the bed, flipping through a book. "Just come in. Close the door behind you."
"Okay!"
Mizuki gently pushed open the door and, upon seeing him on the bed, closed it carefully behind her.
She walked quietly to his side, standing there with her small hands clasped in front of her, as well-behaved as ever.
Takumi turned his head, looking puzzled.
Mizuki pursed her lips, looking up at him earnestly. "I came today because I have two questions to ask... and one thing to tell you. So... three things in total."
"So many? Go ahead."
Lowering her head, Mizuki finally asked the question that had been lingering in her heart for days, her voice soft and hesitant:
"Last week during Sports Day... I overheard someone say that you and your class's discipline committee girl are... dating... Is it true?"
Takumi's expression didn't change. "Yeah, that rumor's going around. So what?"
His calmness made Mizuki's heart clench. Her eyes reddened instantly, and she almost sobbed as she choked out, "So... it's real? You really have someone you like?"
Tears began to fall one by one.
Takumi silently closed his book, sat up, and gave her a solid flick on the forehead. "Why are you crying?! All you do is cry when you're with me! Of course it's fake. Do you even have to ask?"
Mizuki covered her head where he flicked her. But hearing it was fake, she forgot the pain entirely, her tears stopping at once. Her eyes lit up.
"Eh? It's fake?"
Takumi crossed his arms and sat cross-legged on the bed. "Do I look like the type who'd date little girls?"
He was telling the truth. Before his rebirth, he had been twenty-eight. What kind of twenty-eight-year-old would fall for a seven- or eight-year-old girl? That age gap would've just annoyed him.
"It was just a misunderstanding," he explained. "Something happened, and rumors started. It's fine if others believe it." He glared at her. "But I'm with you almost every day, even teaching you Taekwondo weekly, and you believed it? Do you have a brain?!"
Oddly enough, being scolded made Mizuki feel better. A small smile tugged at her lips, though she didn't dare show it in front of Takumi. She held it in, muttering:
"I didn't really believe it. I thought it was probably just gossip..."
"Then what were the tears for?"
Mizuki's cheeks flushed bright red. She bowed her head and mumbled to herself:
"Because I have no brain. It's empty in there."
Takumi: "…"
Takumi sighed. "At least you're self-aware. So what's the second question?"
With the earlier tension gone, Mizuki grew a little bolder.
"The second question is tied to the third thing I need to tell you… Can I say them together?"
Takumi nodded.
Mizuki began explaining.
"Grandma's been sick lately, and Mom needs to go back to take care of her. So..." Her voice dropped. "I'll be transferring schools next month. The next time I come back... it might be for middle school."
Takumi hadn't expected such serious news, though it didn't completely surprise him. He'd long known Mizuki's grandmother had health issues. Every winter and summer break, her mother would go back home for a month to take care of her. This had always felt inevitable.
It was part of why he'd taught Mizuki to speak up and defend herself from such a young age—because after transferring schools, she'd need it.
He patted the bed beside him. "Come sit."
Mizuki sat carefully beside him, her gaze full of reluctance.
Takumi laughed lightly. "Transferring isn't a bad thing. You've learned Taekwondo, so now no one dares to bully you—except me. Once you're gone, not even I can bother you anymore. Isn't that something to celebrate?"
Mizuki shook her head. "Not happy."She lowered her gaze again, nervously fidgeting with her small hands."I still want you to bully me every day... I like being bullied by you..."
Takumi didn't respond right away. Instead, he flicked her forehead again. Mizuki immediately reached up to cover her head.
"You really have something wrong with your brain. You're not normal!" Takumi scowled, leaning back against the headboard. "Anyway, I'm basically your teacher now—and your childhood friend. When you transfer schools, don't make me look bad. Don't let people push you around."
Mizuki nodded. "I won't. Not many boys can beat me now. I've gotten strong…"
"I know you're strong," Takumi said. "But your real weakness is your personality. You don't know how to get mad when it matters. If someone starts something, don't just take it—get angry. You're not the type to hurt people without reason, so just protect yourself."
Mizuki nodded again, a little too quickly. Her eyes shimmered. She was about to cry—but Takumi's glare stopped her cold.
Then he asked, "So what's the second thing?"
Mizuki replied, "My grandma knows I've been learning Taekwondo. I told her I'd win a championship this year and show it to her during New Year's... but if I transfer schools, I might not have the chance. So I was hoping... can you train me more this month? I want to see if I can win the championship early. The coach said the winner can choose any prize they want... and I want that prize too."
Takumi didn't hesitate. "Alright. Since you're leaving soon, I'll help. I've just made some breakthroughs lately. Helping you win that championship? That's nothing."
He hadn't expected his new insights to be put to use so soon. Honestly, if it weren't for his doubled teaching efficiency, getting Mizuki to win the dojo championship six months early would've been a serious challenge.
But Mizuki didn't doubt him for a second—because if Takumi said he'd do something, he always did.
[Fairy Mizuki has received a letter summoning her back to the sect. Before departing, she not only inquires about your rumored connection with Lady Rias, but also makes a final request: to pass down more of your martial teachings. Though this may bring no immediate benefits, you accept her plea and resolve to pour everything you've learned into this final month.]
Lady Rias... That woman's really something else.
Ever since that quiet conversation in his room, Takumi had begun devoting as much time as possible to training Mizuki before her departure.
After school, during lunch breaks, or on weekends—the two of them were almost always together.
Takumi taught her with full seriousness, analyzing every opponent in the dojo who could potentially beat her. He broke down their fighting styles, habits, and weaknesses.
And Mizuki... Mizuki absorbed it all like a sponge. She listened attentively, practiced diligently, and never slacked off—not even once.
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