ALL NOVEL A Storm
The calligraphy was a gift to Shizuka's grandfather by a master calligrapher on the former's birthday, but Shizuka took it since she liked it and wanted to use it to decorate the new dojo built in the backyard of the Tachibana house.
She framed it and placed it prominently on the wall, It was mainly for Yuu to understand the philosophy and principles of the arts he was learning.
Though Yuu would like to say that rather than it being a reminder to him, it was more necessary for Shizuka herself given how she pointed at the calligraphy everything before they started a meditation session so that she doesn't lose the will to meditate.
But there was no need to say these words, Yuu and Shizuka sat in the dojo, in the seiza position, and their backs straight.
The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of their breathing. The faint smell of sandalwood incense wafted through the air, giving the space a sense of peace and serenity.
Yuu closed his eyes, focusing on his breath and the present moment. He let go of his thoughts and worries, allowing his mind to become still and focused.
Normally this was very easy for him, but today he was having some difficulties emptying his mind.
Beside him, Shizuka did the same. She had been practicing meditation for years, and it showed in the calm and collected way she sat. Even though she would grumble at the start but after a few minutes she'll get into the flow.
Together, they sat in silence, lost in their own inner worlds. Time seemed to fade away as they focused on their breath and the present moment. A full hour passed before they even knew it and it was 7:00 A.M. already.
Yuu opened his eyes slowly since he felt something pressed on his right hand. He saw Shizuka sitting right in front of him with his right hand in hers.
"Did you think no one noticed it?" Shizuka asked while pressing an ice pack on his right hand. He had felt it for a while but didn't react to it and continued on with the meditation since somehow his focus increased from before after what Shizuka did.
"…" Yuu really thought no one saw the swelling on his right hand which he got yesterday after punching a baseball bat head-on.
"Oba-san was too worried to notice this at the time, and you hid it from Yuuka very easily, But I saw it the moment you came back," Shizuka smiled while shaking her head at Yuu's behavior.
'He is still a kid, no matter how mature he looks,' Shizuka thought as it was rare to see him this way. The only reason she didn't do any practice today was because of this.
Yuu didn't say anything as the comfortable silence reigned over the dojo once again.
Suddenly, the tranquillity was interrupted by the sound of someone rushing into the room.
"Yu-Chan, are you okay?" Koharu exclaimed, her face filled with worry as she rushed over to Yuu and hugged him tightly.
"Koharu, please calm down," Shizuka said slowly as she saw Yuu's face trapped between Koharu's ample bosom.
Koharu looked at Shizuka with tears threatening to spill out of her big eyes, her face said 'How do you expect me to not worry?'
'I understand that, but I don't think he can speak in this position,' Shizuka smiled wryly, trying to soothe the frenzied girl.
"Koharu, Yuu's hand is swollen. You need to be more careful," Shizuka said softly, trying to get Koharu to take a step back and take a deep breath.
"What? Oh, I see. I'll go get the compression band," Koharu replied, her eyes still watering with worry as she dashed off towards the house at the same speed she had entered the dojo.
"She's like a storm, that one," Shizuka sighed, shaking her head in resignation.
"...She normally isn't that fast," Yuu said after coughing much to Shizuka's amusement.
RING* RING*
But she didn't have much time to tease him as her phone rang.
"Hello, Yeah?... What?..... You should've told me sooner than…. I see," Shizuka ended the phone call and gently massaged her forehead, she felt a headache rising because of what she had just heard.
"Is everything alright, Shizuka-nee?" Yuu asked making her turn towards him.
"Everything is fine, I just need to go early today as well," Shizuka sighed in exasperation, although she didn't tell him the real reason she had to leave earlier today.
'The situation has become a bit of a mess,' Shizuka thought while looking at Yuu who was confused by her gaze.
"Anyway, come on let's go back in the house, if Koharu continues at that speed she'll hurt herself before she can help you," Shizuka laughed while walking out of the Dojo.
Yuu also nodded since Koharu is a little clumsy, it would be better for him to go into the house since that will stop Koharu from running around.
Shizuka went straight into the shower on the first floor as Yuu went to the living room since he could hear the T.V.
[...After many debates there are talks to pass the law given the dire situation our country is facing.] A good-looking man dressed in a suit narrated the news with Kyouka sitting on the sofa dressed in a navy-colored tailored blazer, paired with a matching skirt of mid-length, wearing a crisp white blouse on top tucked into the skirt.
She seemed to be really focused on the news as she didn't notice Yuu walking into the room.
[…For our next news, we will be looking at the incident that took place at Kabuki-Cho a few hours ago, there a fierce fight between two groups took place in the Ichiban restaurant, and the use of firearms with live ammunition has been confirmed with many casualties and people missing from the two groups after the altercation stopped, the restaurant has been heavily damaged by the incident, fortunately, none of the employees and innocent passerby were injured, the police is still finding more on the matter...]
'The gangs are getting more violent lately,' Yuu thought as Kyouka looked at him smiling gently.
"Did you and Shizuka finish your daily training?" Kyouka asked and Yuu nodded.
'She isn't as worried as last night,' Yuu noticed that Kyouka seemed to be far calmer now and seemed to have gotten a good night's rest. He was glad that she didn't lose sleep because of what happened.
"Ah, Yuu-chan show me your hand," Koharu who was about to go back to the dojo came into the living room as she noticed him on her way out.
"Koharu don't shout, my ears are ringing," Yuuka walked into the living room yawning, she had just woken up and came to the living room. She still looked sleepy as she came and sat next to Yuu leaning on him.
"Haru-nee how bout we do it after I take a shower," Yuu said slowly pointing at the compression band in Koharu's hand.
"Koharu, I know you are worried but you should calm down a little, you can see the injury isn't that bad," Kyouka remembered that Koharu ran off in the middle of her telling the latter about what happened last night.
'It would be troublesome if she gets this riled up this easily,' Kyouka could understand Koharu wouldn't react like this normally but all she mentioned was Yuu got in a fight with some people and Koharu was off running to the dojo.
"…Yes," Koharu looked sad at the moment since she realized her mistake.
'It seems like mom knew about it but didn't mention it,' Yuu saw Kyouka shaking her head while looking at him.
"Koharu isn't it about to turn off the stove," Kyouka spoke while looking at the clock.
"Oh! I forgot about that," Koharu ran off to the kitchen in a hurry.
"You two also get ready quickly for the breakfast, alright?" Kyouka sighed while standing up while looking at Yuuka and Yuu.
"Yes," Yuu knew it wouldn't take more than 10 minutes for him to get ready.
"Mmm," Yuuka nodded with her eyes closed. Kyouka shook her head and went to the kitchen first leaving the two in the living room.
"Yuuka-nee I need to go take a shower," Yuu said as Yuuka was still leaning on him fully.
"Just a few more minutes, I slept late last night," Yuuka spoke sleepily.
"...You make the same excuse every morning," Yuu said making Yuuka laugh as he didn't move.
"Do you not like it?" Yuuka asked teasingly.