As they all gathered around the shoreline, laughter and excitement filling the air, Hajime felt a wave of gratitude. This was a new kind of freedom for him—one that he didn’t often experience. It was moments like these that reminded him that he didn’t have to face everything alone. As Hajime stepped into the water, a sense of relief washed over him. For the first time in a long while, he was able to be in the ocean without the constant burn from his blue flames. The barrier that Amy created was working perfectly, keeping him safe from the water's touch, and he felt a strange sense of freedom.

  Sockoo walked beside him, her expression filled with a hint of excitement. "See? This isn’t so bad, right?"

  Hajime nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face. "Yeah, it’s actually kind of nice."

  But as he waded deeper into the water, he suddenly felt something unfamiliar. The waves began to rise slightly, and Hajime hesitated. His eyes darted around as he realized that he had moved too far from the shore. "Wait a second... I forgot something."

  Sockoo raised an eyebrow. "What?"

  "I can’t swim,"

  Sockoo blinked in surprise, then chuckled. "What do you mean you can’t swim?"

  Hajime shrugged sheepishly, the realization dawning on him that while he was free from his magic restrictions, he had overlooked a basic necessity. "I never really learned. With my powers, swimming wasn’t exactly a priority."

  Sockoo sighed, but there was no trace of annoyance in her voice. Instead, she grabbed his arm and pulled him gently back toward the shallow waters. "Well, you’re not getting stuck in the deep end on my watch."

  Hajime was grateful for Sockoo's quick thinking as she guided him back, and the warm sand beneath his feet began to ground him again. "Thanks,"

  he muttered, feeling a bit silly.

  "Don't worry about it,""Now you know for next time. But seriously, Hajime, you can’t just go running into the water without knowing how to swim."

  As the others laughed and played in the shallows, Hajime stood at the edge, watching them for a moment. "I guess I still have a lot to learn about normal stuff,"

  Sockoo gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "That’s okay. You’re not alone in this. We’ll make sure you learn everything you need to know."

  Hajime couldn’t help but smile, grateful for his friends who were always there to help him through even the most unexpected challenges. Today, it seemed, was going to be a bit more about enjoying the simpler things in life—like getting used to water, learning to swim, and spending time with those who cared about him. Storyshift knelt on the sand, her hands delicately shaping the grains into a crude, oversized sword. She furrowed her brow in concentration, then tilted her head, observing her creation with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. Next to her, Phoenix perched comfortably, his fiery plumage contrasting against the golden sands.

  "I don’t get humans,""What’s so fun about... this?"

  Phoenix blinked, his eyes shimmering with an ancient, knowing light. "Fun isn’t something you ‘get,’""It’s something you feel. Humans enjoy creating memories, even through seemingly simple or meaningless activities like this. It’s their way of bonding and finding joy."

  Storyshift looked at him, her expression skeptical. "Memories? Bonding? I just don’t see the point. If it’s not about fighting or magic, why bother?"

  Phoenix cocked his head, a slight smirk forming on his beak. "That’s because you’ve spent so much time focused on survival and purpose. Humans, especially someone like Hajime, find strength in the connections they make. Those connections fuel them in battle and beyond."

  Storyshift paused, her fingers trailing through the sand as she mulled over his words. "Hajime…""He’s different from others. There’s something about him that I can’t stop thinking about."

  Phoenix regarded her with quiet amusement. "That’s because you’re tied to him in more ways than one. You’re his sword, yes, but you also want to understand him. That curiosity is natural."

  Storyshift glanced out at the water, where Hajime stood at the edge, watching the waves. Her gaze softened slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I do want to understand him,""Not just as his sword... but as him. I want to learn more about Hajime."

  Phoenix chuckled lightly, his fiery wings flaring momentarily as he hopped closer to her. "Then do it. Ask him questions, watch him closely, and spend time with him. Understanding Hajime isn’t about analyzing him like a spell or a fight. It’s about being with him, in all the little moments."

  Storyshift’s eyes lit up with determination. "Then that’s what I’ll do,""And maybe, I’ll even try to understand... this ‘fun’ thing humans talk about."

  Phoenix let out a small laugh, his wings stretching. "Now that’s the spirit. Who knows? You might even enjoy yourself."

  As Storyshift stood, brushing the sand off her swimsuit, she gazed at Hajime once more, her resolve firm. She didn’t fully understand humans yet, but she knew one thing: she was going to figure out Hajime, one way or another. Emily nervously led Daka along the quieter part of the beach, away from the others. The setting sun painted the horizon with shades of orange and pink, casting a serene glow on the waves lapping at the shore. She glanced at Daka, who was carrying a towel over his shoulder, his usual calm demeanor masking the faint blush that had crept onto his cheeks from Emily's earlier compliments.

  "You’re really amazing, Daka,""The way you handle everything—your strength, your kindness... I just wanted to say I admire you."

  Daka's blush deepened, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh, thanks, Emily. That means a lot."

  She took a deep breath, her heart racing as she prepared to confess. "Daka, there's something I—"

  Before she could finish, Makoto came sprinting toward them, flailing his arms. "Hey, lovebirds! What are you two sneaking off to do?"

  Emily jumped, her face turning crimson. "M-Makoto! What are you doing here?"

  Makoto smirked, oblivious to the tension. "What do you think? I was just coming to see if you two were planning something fun without the rest of us!"

  Daka sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Makoto, this isn't—"

  Meanwhile, not far off, Hajime, Sockoo, Storyshift, and Rizra had noticed the commotion.

  "What’s going on over there?"

  Hajime shrugged. "It’s probably Makoto being Makoto."

  Storyshift tilted her head, curious. "Should we check it out? It might be interesting."

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Rizra sighed, crossing her arms. "Knowing Makoto, he’s likely ruining something important. I’m going to drag him back before he causes more trouble."

  As they approached, Emily groaned inwardly, realizing her moment was gone. She glanced at Daka, who gave her a confused but gentle smile.

  "We’ll talk later,"

  Makoto, blissfully unaware of what he had interrupted, continued laughing and joking with the group as they gathered around. Emily sighed, resigning herself to try again another time, while Daka tilted his head, still wondering what she had been about to say. Bondo stood in the dense forest, the sunlight streaming through the canopy as he focused on perfecting his moves. Sweat dripped from his brow as he launched a flurry of punches and kicks, each motion sharp and precise. His training intensity was unmatched, his eyes locked on a makeshift wooden dummy he’d set up earlier.

  Nearby, Amy watched quietly, holding a bottle of water and a towel. She muttered to herself as she shaped her magic to create a glowing figure resembling Hajime. It wasn’t perfect—Hajime’s face looked a bit off, and his stance was exaggerated—but it was enough to serve as a sparring opponent for Bondo.

  "Okay, Bondo,""Here’s your next target. Think you can take down a ‘Hajime’?"

  Bondo stopped mid-punch and turned to see the glowing Hajime mimic. He smirked, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his forearm. "Heh, I’ve always wanted to try sparring against Hajime. Even if it’s a fake, this’ll be good practice."

  Amy crossed her arms, hiding her slight blush. "Don’t get cocky. It’s not the real Hajime, but it’s still a decent challenge!"

  Bondo nodded, then charged at the glowing figure. Each strike landed with precision, his movements growing sharper and more refined as he adjusted to the mimic’s counters. Amy couldn’t help but admire his focus and strength, her gaze lingering on him as he trained.

  After several rounds, Bondo stopped to catch his breath. Amy hurried over, handing him the water and towel. "Here. You’ve earned it,"

  Bondo took the water with a grateful nod. "Thanks, Amy. You didn’t have to do all this."

  Amy shrugged, turning her face away to hide her embarrassment. "It’s no big deal. Someone has to make sure you don’t overwork yourself."

  As Bondo wiped his face with the towel, Amy glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her thoughts racing. "He’s so cool when he’s focused like that,"

  Bondo noticed her distracted look and tilted his head. "Something wrong?"

  Amy flinched, quickly shaking her head. "N-no! Just thinking about how you’re lucky I’m here to help, that’s all."

  Bondo chuckled. "Yeah, I guess I am. Thanks, Amy."

  Her face reddened slightly, but she smiled. "Don’t mention it. Now, get back to training. You’ve got a long way to go if you ever want to catch up to Hajime."

  Bondo smirked. "With your help, I might just get there."

  As Bondo returned to his training, Amy’s smile grew softer. She stayed nearby, ready to assist, secretly enjoying the moments they spent together. Amy stood in the shade of a tree, watching Bondo go through his rigorous training regimen. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he delivered powerful punches to a makeshift training dummy he'd constructed from logs and ropes. She stepped closer, holding out a bottle of water and a towel.

  "Here,""You’ve been at this for a while."

  Bondo paused, his breathing heavy as he took the water and towel. "Thanks, Amy. You didn’t have to."

  Amy shrugged, adjusting her glasses. "It’s fine. Watching you train is... inspiring."

  Bondo raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Inspiring? Me?"

  Amy quickly turned away, pretending to focus on her notebook. "Don’t get the wrong idea. I was just analyzing something about Hajime, and it got me thinking."

  "About Hajime?"

  Amy nodded, flipping through her notes. "You know how unpredictable Hajime is in battle, right? He’s got this insane creativity. He can come up with moves on the spot and make them work flawlessly."

  Bondo leaned forward, listening intently. "Yeah, that sounds like him. It’s hard to know what he’ll do next."

  Amy adjusted her glasses again, a subtle nervous tic. "Exactly. But even someone like Hajime has a weak point. And if anyone could counter him, I think it might be you."

  Bondo blinked in surprise. "Me? Why me?"

  Amy gave a small, knowing smile. "Because you’re the opposite of Hajime. You’re disciplined, methodical, and you stick to fundamentals. Hajime thrives on chaos, but if you stay calm and focus on the basics, you could corner him. His creativity can sometimes be his downfall—it makes him overlook the obvious. If you can spot his patterns and bait him into overcommitting, you could take him down."

  Bondo rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh. I never thought about it that way."

  Amy nodded, closing her notebook. "You’re strong, Bondo. You’ve got the tools to challenge someone like Hajime. I just thought... maybe you should know that."

  Bondo stood up, a determined look in his eyes. "Thanks, Amy. I’ll keep that in mind."

  As he returned to his training, Amy lingered for a moment, watching him with a faint smile. "You’re cooler than you think, As Amy handed Bondo a towel and water during his intense training, her mind began drifting into vivid flashbacks of Hajime's battles.

  First, her thoughts centered on the battle with Ichika, the corrupted foe that had shaken their group. She remembered how Hajime had fought with precision and a strange calm, relying on his signature speed and kicks to dominate. He created friction on the ground with his feet, building up his blue flames until they became a devastating force. His movements weren’t just attacks; they were calculations, each kick forcing Ichika into a vulnerable position.

  Then came the memory of Hajime’s fight with Streetka, where the stakes were equally high. Hajime had adapted mid-battle to Streetka’s erratic movements, crafting a unique spinning kick that seemed impossible to predict. The sheer creativity behind it left Amy stunned. His ability to adjust, improvise, and turn the tide in a battle wasn’t just skill—it was instinct, honed through countless fights.

  Lastly, she reflected on Hajime's sparring matches with Bondo. The battles were less dramatic but equally telling. Hajime's legs were like finely tuned weapons, striking at angles that kept Bondo on edge. Despite Bondo’s raw strength and resilience, Hajime had a knack for exploiting the smallest openings, using speed to create opportunities.

  Amy’s brow furrowed as she pieced everything together. "He never punches," she muttered to herself. Her memories confirmed it—Hajime’s style revolved entirely around his legs. His kicks weren’t just attacks; they were tools for controlling the battlefield.

  She recalled how in every fight, Hajime started by using his speed to generate friction, charging his blue flames. But it wasn’t just about power—Hajime’s strength lay in his creativity, inventing moves in the heat of the moment and executing them flawlessly.

  Bondo noticed her zoning out and tilted his head. "Amy, you okay? You’ve been quiet for a while."

  Amy snapped back to reality, shaking her head slightly. "I was just... thinking about Hajime’s fights."

  Bondo’s curiosity was piqued. "What about them?"

  Amy hesitated, then decided to share her thoughts. "Hajime’s creativity makes him unpredictable. He creates moves on the fly, perfectly suited for the situation. That’s why it’s hard to fight him—he’s always one step ahead, crafting something new."

  She looked at Bondo seriously. "But there’s a weakness, too."

  Bondo raised an eyebrow. "Weakness?"

  Amy nodded. "He relies so much on his legs. If you can find a way to limit his movement or disrupt his speed, you might be able to catch him off guard."

  Bondo thought about it, clenching his fists. "That’s good to know. Thanks, Amy."

  Amy handed him another towel, smiling slightly. "Don’t get overconfident, though. Hajime’s not the type to fall for the same trick twice."As Bondo wiped the sweat from his forehead, Amy’s words lingered in his mind. "He never punches."

  He leaned back against a tree, staring at the fake Hajime Amy had created for his training. It was an uncanny replica, but it was missing something—the fire, the energy, the relentless creativity Hajime brought to every battle.

  "Why doesn’t he punch?" Bondo muttered to himself, frowning. Hajime’s reliance on his legs was obvious, but now that he thought about it, it felt deliberate, almost like a rule Hajime imposed on himself.

  "Is it just his style?" he wondered, replaying the fights he’d seen or been part of in his mind. Hajime’s kicks were more than just attacks; they were expressions of his strategy, his precision, his creativity. But never, not once, had Hajime thrown a punch. Even when close combat seemed like the better option, Hajime found a way to create distance, using his legs to keep control of the fight.

  Bondo rubbed his chin, the gears turning in his head. "Is it... personal? Did something happen to him?"

  He remembered how fiercely Hajime fought, the raw determination in his eyes. It wasn’t the look of someone afraid to engage—it was something deeper. It felt like Hajime was holding back, avoiding punches for a reason only he understood.

  Amy noticed Bondo’s silence and tilted her head. "What’s on your mind, Bondo?"

  Bondo glanced at her, then back at the fake Hajime. "I’m just wondering why Hajime doesn’t punch. I mean, he could probably destroy someone with his fists if he wanted to. So why doesn’t he? It feels... personal."

  Amy paused, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe it is. Hajime’s always been a bit of a mystery. He doesn’t talk about himself much, and when he does, it’s never about his past."

  Bondo’s fists tightened as he looked at the fake Hajime. "I want to ask him," he said quietly. "But I get the feeling it’s not something he’d want to talk about."

  Amy nodded. "Probably not. But maybe one day, he’ll tell us. Until then, just focus on being ready to face him. Whether he punches or not, you know he’ll find a way to keep you on your toes."

  Bondo smirked, his determination returning. "Yeah, you’re right. But still..." He glanced at the fake Hajime one more time. "I want to figure out what’s behind it. There’s always a reason with Hajime."

  Hajime, despite his power, is forced to admit something hilariously human:

  he can’t swim.

  But instead of laughing at him, Sockoo becomes his anchor, guiding him back and showing him that even heroes need help. Hajime realizes how much the “normal stuff” matters — and how much he still has to learn.

  Storyshift begins to awaken something new inside herself.

  Through Phoenix’s guidance, she starts trying to understand humans, memories, and feelings. Her growing curiosity — especially toward Hajime — sparks the beginning of a deeper bond. This chapter becomes the first time she chooses to understand him not as her master… but as a person.

  Emily and Daka almost share their first real romantic moment — until Makoto’s chaotic timing ruins everything. Emily’s frustration, Daka’s confusion, and Makoto’s obliviousness create the perfect comedic heartbreak.

  Bondo and Amy, on the other hand, build quiet chemistry through training.

  Amy analyzes Hajime’s fighting style, uncovering shocking truths about how he fights:

  

  
• 
  
    Hajime’s creativity is unparalleled.
  
    


  
• 
  
    His entire battle style is built around his legs.
  
    


  
• 
  
    He never punches. Ever.
  
    This leads Bondo to wonder why — and for the first time, he realizes Hajime’s style might come from something painful… something personal.
  
    


  

  Why does Hajime refuse to use his fists?

  And what happened to him long before these beach memories?

  One thing is certain:

  Today's peaceful waves stirred something inside everyone — and the next chapter will bring those emotions right back to shore.