The same posture, the same sword angle, and even the degree of force in each muscle.
Kanao's movements were perfectly mirrored by Lock.
"Flower Breathing · Type 5: Fruitless Peony!"
Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang clang!
Nine strikes, no weaker than Kanao's, launched from Lock's wooden sword.
The swords collided, sending up a cloud of dust and smoke.
Kanao fell back, and Lock disappeared in the haze.
Then, a wooden sword suddenly shot out from her side.
Kanao blocked it instinctively!
With a clang, Lock's arm went numb, and both wooden swords flew out of their hands.
Lock stretched out his left hand like lightning. Shadowless Hand activated!
A hand that seemed to leave afterimages shot forward and touched Kanao's chin.
Her pupils dilated—she hadn't even reacted in time.
"Thank you."
Lock's calm voice reached her ears, and Kanao blinked, coming out of her daze.
She had lost—and in reaction speed.
"No way… Kanao actually lost?!" Kanzaki Aoi's eyes widened in disbelief.
The three girls ran to Lock's side.
"Kanao used the breathing technique, but she couldn't beat him!"
"Is Lock really not connected to Lord Shinobu?"
"He's amazing!"
Lock gently touched the girls' heads and then looked at Kanao. "Why did you leave earlier?"
His tone was calm, not forcing her.
Kanao froze. She hadn't expected him to come all this way just to understand her.
She reached for her coin again, but Lock stopped her.
In the sunlight, Lock smiled warmly. "Actually, I want to hear what's in your heart."
"The… voice in my heart?" Kanao blinked.
Lock continued: "I used to have friends who made all decisions with a coin. It didn't end well—she lost all her money to it!"
Kanzaki Aoi, in the attic,cchucklyy.
Kanao didn't understand the joke but realized Lock wanted her to speak.
"I… can't speak…" she murmured, her face turning red.
Lock smiled, picked up the wooden sword, and held it ready.
"Let's play a game. Strike at me again. If I catch it, you tell me what's in your heart. If I don't, we pretend nothing happened."
Kanao's eyes flickered. She recalled his strength and nodded.
She turned for her sword, but Lock handed her her Nichirin blade instead.
"This… my Nichirin sword?" she asked, stunned.
"Yes. You'll use it," Lock said. "If I can't stop it, I'll dodge. I'm faster, right?"
Kanao hesitated briefly, then swung.
Time seemed to slow for Lock. This was their third sparring session, and he had grown significantly from the first two.
Kanao's movements appeared slower in his eyes—not slower, but easier for him to read. He could even track the flutter of her white sleeve.
Lock responded, blocking horizontally and upwards. The wooden sword shattered under Kanao's Sun Wheel Sword.
But Lock's right hand shot out. Shadowless Hand activated.
The swing's momentum was absorbed, and his fingers closed on the blade—he caught Kanao's Nichirin sword barehanded!
Smash! The sword glinted in the sunlight, reflecting Lock's calm smile.
From start to finish, Lock's movements were smooth and uninterrupted. Kanao seemed to cooperate, turning the fight into a training session.
The visual impact was striking; the courtyard fell silent for a moment.
Everyone watched in disbelief as Lock held Kanao's sword with his bare hands.
"This is what the wooden sword can't do—but my hand can. Your sword is powerful, but the real power comes from you. We ourselves are the treasure." Lock smiled.
"Kanao, I won. According to the agreement, tell me something—listen to your heart."
Her face flushed. "I…" she hesitated, trapped between shyness and curiosity.
Lock encouraged her gently. "It's okay. Don't overthink. It doesn't matter."
Sunlight lit Lock's face warmly.
"Besides, Kanao… you're amazing."
Bang—bang—bang.
For the first time in years, something in Kanao's heart stirred.
A fragile string of emotions, broken long ago, began reconnecting, this time guided by a young man.