As Eichi made his way to the P.E. grounds, he found himself walking into a scene of controlled chaos. His classmates were gathered in small groups, chatting, stretching, or nervously pacing as they waited for their teacher to arrive. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that came before a practical exercise—excitement, anxiety, and a touch of competitive energy.
Near the front of the group stood Aiko, the serious and uptight short-haired girl from his class. Her black hair was neatly tied back, and her expression was as focused as ever. She was already stretching. When she spotted Eichi, she gave him a curt nod. "Eichi. You're late."
Eichi didn't respond, simply joining the group with his usual neutral expression. As he approached, he noticed Kenta leaning against a nearby wall, his arms crossed and a cocky grin on his face. "Took you long enough, new guy. You sure you're ready for this? Or are you gonna hide in the corner again?"
Eichi ignored him, his gaze scanning the rest of the group. Haru was standing a little ways off, his arms crossed and his eyes darting nervously toward Eichi before quickly looking away. The black-haired boy was clearly still shaken from their earlier encounter, and Eichi couldn't help but feel a small flicker of satisfaction. At least Haru had gotten the message.
The rest of the class seemed oblivious to the tension, their conversations filled with speculation about what the practical exercise might entail. "I heard it's going to be a team exercise this time," one girl said, her voice tinged with excitement. "Like, rescue simulations or something."
"Rescue? Ugh, I hope not," another boy groaned. "I'm terrible at that stuff. Give me a straight-up fight any day."
As the minutes ticked by, the teacher finally arrived, striding onto the field with a clipboard in hand and a stern expression. "Alright, everyone, listen up!" he barked, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Today's exercise is a rescue simulator. You'll be split into teams of three and tasked with navigating a simulated disaster zone at ground beta to retrieve a target. Speed, strategy, and teamwork will be key. Understood?"
The class murmured their assent, though a few groans could be heard from those who weren't thrilled about the teamwork aspect. Eichi, however, remained silent, his face twitching. Rescue simulations weren't his forte, but he would adapt. He always did.
The teacher began calling out names, assigning teams. When he got to Eichi's name, he paused, glancing at the clipboard before looking up. "Eichi, you're with Aiko and... Haru. Your task is to rescue the hostage under a time limite."
Eichi's eyes flicked toward Haru, who visibly stiffened at the mention of his name. Aiko, on the other hand, gave a small nod, her expression as serious as ever. "Let's make this quick and efficient," she said, her tone all business. "No unnecessary risks."
Eichi didn't respond. Aiko was disciplined and focused, which made her a reliable teammate. Haru, however, was a wildcard. The boy's Quirk and his newfound wariness of Eichi could either be an asset or a liability. Either way, Eichi would have to keep a close eye on him.
As the teams dispersed to prepare, Eichi caught Haru's eye one last time. The black-haired boy quickly looked away, but not before Eichi saw the flicker of fear in his gaze. Good. Fear kept people in line. And if Haru knew what was good for him, he'd stay in line.
Aiko approached Eichi, her arms crossed and her expression as serious as ever. "Listen, I don't know what your deal is, but I expect you to pull your weight in this exercise. No slacking, no grandstanding. Understood?"
Eichi met her gaze, his tone flat. "Yup Yup."
Aiko gave a curt nod, seemingly satisfied with his response. "Good. Let's get this over with."
"Against Kenta, Sakura, and Homura."
Aiko wasted no time gathering the team, her tone brisk and no-nonsense. "We're up against Kenta, Sakura, and Homura. Kenta's Quirk gives him enhanced speed, Sakura's is some kind of plant manipulation, and Homura can manipulate wires. We need a plan to counter them."
She paused, glancing between Eichi and Haru. "Haru, your Quirk lets you see through illusions and detect energy signatures, right? Use that to track their movements and warn us if they're setting up an ambush. Eichi, you're on offense. Your strength should be enough to handle Kenta if he tries to rush us. I'll focus on Sakura and Homura—plant manipulation and wire control are a bad combo if they get too close."
Eichi listened, he didn't care much for strategy or teamwork, but he also didn't like losing because of variables he could control. His gaze shifted to Haru, who was fidgeting nervously under the weight of Aiko's expectations. Eichi's voice cut through the air, calm but direct. "Those eyes. How much can you actually see?"
Haru flinched, his red-ringed eyes widening as he stammered, "I—I can see through and cast illusions and... and sense energy. I can tell where people are and what they're doing, but it's not perfect. I can't see everything."
Eichi's gaze didn't waver. "Can you see through walls?"
Haru hesitated, then shook his head. "No, but I can see energy. It's... it's not easy."
Aiko's eyes flicked between the two, her brow furrowing. She could tell something was off. Haru wasn't just nervous—he was afraid. And it wasn't the usual anxiety that came with a high-pressure exercise. No, this was something deeper, something more personal. Her gaze lingered on Eichi, her suspicion growing.
What's going on here? Aiko thought. Haru's Quirk lets him see through illusions and sense energy, but he's acting like Eichi's some kind of monster. And Eichi... he's too calm.
She crossed her arms, her tone firm. "Eichi, why are you interrogating him? We don't have time for this. We need to focus on the exercise."
Eichi didn't look at her, his focus still on Haru. "If he can see energy, he can track their movements before they get close. That's useful."
Aiko's eyes narrowed. "Useful or not, we don't have time for this. Haru, can you do what he's asking?"
Haru nodded quickly, though his voice was shaky. "Y-yeah, I can try."
"Good," Aiko said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Then do it. Eichi, stick to the plan. We don't have time to improvise."
Eichi's expression twitched, but his tone was calm and measured as he spoke. "I have an objection to this. You know our Quirks, but we don't know yours. Of course, I'm all for your plans, but I couldn't help but notice some flaws in it. Yes, I can manage the blockhead, but what about the other two? They're the real danger. Haru can see energy, but I don't think he has a deep enough understanding of his own Quirk to detect faint energy traces for environmental manipulation. If the girl with plant-based manipulation can alter the landscape, that's a blunt-force strength, while the wires are likely controlled with precision. Together, they complement each other perfectly."
Aiko's brow furrowed, her arms crossing as she considered his words. She wasn't used to being challenged, especially not by someone as reserved as Eichi. But she couldn't deny that he had a point. "Fine," she said after a moment, her tone clipped. "My Quirk is wind manipulation. I can generate and control wind currents, mostly through my hands. It's not flashy, but it's effective for both offense and defense. Happy now?"
Eichi gave a small nod, his expression unchanging. "Good. That changes things. If you can create strong wind currents, you can disrupt Sakura's plants and Homura's wires. Haru can guide us through the gaps in their ambush points, and I'll handle Kenta."
Aiko's eyes narrowed, her suspicion of Eichi growing. He was too calm, too calculating. It was as if he'd done this a hundred times before. But she didn't have time to dwell on it. "Alright," she said, her tone firm. "Here's the revised plan. Haru, you focus on tracking their movements and guiding us through the wires. Eichi, you keep Kenta off our backs. I'll use my wind to disrupt Sakura's plants and Homura's wires. But we need to move fast. If they get the upper hand, we're done for."
Haru nodded, though his hands were still trembling. "I-I'll do my best."
Eichi didn't respond, his attention already on the task at hand. He didn't care about Aiko's suspicion or Haru's nerves. All that mattered was getting through this exercise without unnecessary complications.
As they moved forward, Haru guided them through the maze of the building, his voice trembling as he pointed out the safest paths. Aiko stayed close, her hands glowing faintly as she prepared to unleash her wind Quirk. Eichi followed.
They were halfway through the zone when Haru suddenly froze, his eyes widening. "Wait—Kenta's coming! He's fast—really fast!"
Before anyone could react, Kenta burst into view, his enhanced speed making him a blur as he charged straight at them. Aiko cursed, raising her hands to defend herself, but Eichi was already moving. He stepped forward.
Kenta skidded to a halt, his grin faltering as he realized Eichi wasn't going to be an easy target. "Not bad, new guy. But you're gonna have to do better than that."
Eichi didn't respond, his expression as neutral as ever. But internally, his mind was a storm of curses. Who's the retard that had the brilliant idea to name Kenta's Quirk 'speed'? The braindead idiot who named Raiton-induced movement 'speed' needs to have his position removed. This isn't speed—it's just Raiton-induced movement. If this is what they call speed, then I have a teleportation Quirk.
Outwardly, Eichi remained calm, his voice flat as he spoke to Aiko and Haru. "Go already."
Aiko shot him a look, her suspicion of him growing by the second. "What about you? You can't take Kenta on your own."
Eichi's face crunched into an ugly frown, his patience finally snapping. "Didn't you say I could handle him?" His tone was, his frustration barely concealed. He was already tired of the bullshit in this world—the oversimplified Quirk classifications, the unnecessary drama, and now Aiko's second-guessing.
Aiko blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his demeanor. For a moment, she just stared at him, her usual composure faltering. But she quickly recovered, her expression hardening. "Fine. But if you get taken out, don't come crying to me."
Eichi didn't bother responding. He turned back to Kenta, his frown smoothing back into his usual neutral expression. Kenta, meanwhile, was watching the exchange with a raised eyebrow, his grin returning. He closed his eyes slightly, striking a pose as if he were some kind of wise master or Buddha. "Trouble in paradise, huh? Don't worry, new guy. I'll make this qui—"
He didn't get to finish his sentence. In a flash, Eichi was in front of him, his foot connecting with Kenta's head in a brutal kick that sent the orange-haired boy slamming into the wall beside him. The impact was loud, the sound of Kenta's body hitting the concrete echoing through the area.
"Shut the fuck up already," Eichi said, his voice cold and flat. He didn't raise his voice, but the intensity in his tone was enough to make the irritation.
Kenta groaned, sliding down the wall and collapsing into a heap on the ground. He wasn't unconscious, but he wasn't getting up anytime soon either. His earlier bravado was gone, replaced by dazed confusion and a growing sense of humiliation.
Eichi didn't spare him another glance. He turned away, his expression as neutral as ever, as if he hadn't just kicked someone into a wall with enough force to leave a dent. He didn't care about Kenta's pride or his theatrics. All he cared about was getting this over with.
Aiko, who had been about to leave with Haru, froze mid-step, her eyes wide as she stared at Eichi. She had seen him move before, but this was different. This wasn't just skill or precision—this was raw, unbridled power. And the way he had delivered that kick... it was like he hadn't even been trying.
What the hell is he? Aiko thought, her suspicion of Eichi growing even stronger. Was that the result of strengh quirk?
However, before Eichi could take another step, he felt the shift behind him. The air seemed to crackle with energy, and his instincts screamed at him to move. He turned just in time to block a kick from Kenta, the force of the impact sending a sharp jolt through his arm.
Kenta's grin was back, though it was strained now, his face still pale from the earlier blow. "Not bad, new guy," he said, his voice a little shaky but still cocky. "But you're gonna have to do better than that if you want to take me down."
Eichi's expression didn't change, but his tone was dry and cutting. "Not bad? The fuck you on about? Brother in all that is holy, do you need a mirror to see how pale you are?"
Kenta's grin faltered, his bravado cracking under Eichi's blunt words. He opened his mouth to retort, but Eichi didn't give him the chance.
Kenta was keeping up, his speed Quirk pushing him to his limits, but it wasn't enough. Eichi seemed to match his speed and strength perfectly, his movements fluid and precise, as if he were barely trying.
But Eichi knew he needed to tone it down. He had already shown more than enough, and drawing too much attention to himself was the last thing he wanted. He needed to make it seem like the burst of power from the kick earlier had taken a toll on him, like he was running on fumes now. It was all about maintaining the facade.
As Kenta backed away to catch his breath, his chest heaving and his face pale, Eichi turned to his team. His voice was sharp, his frustration barely concealed. "Fuck off, god damn it."
It was a side of Eichi they hadn't imagined. The calm, Emo boy who barely spoke was now barking orders with a raw intensity that left no room for argument. Aiko and Haru both froze, their eyes wide as they stared at him.
Aiko recovered first, her usual composure snapping back into place. "What's your problem?" she shot back, her tone just as sharp. "We're trying to win this, in case you forgot."
Eichi's gaze locked onto hers, his expression unreadable but his voice cold. "Then stop wasting time. Haru, track their movements. Aiko, disrupt their Quirks. And Kenta—" He glanced at the orange-haired boy, who was still trying to catch his breath. "I am about to hammer the shit out of you."
Kenta's eyes widened, his cocky grin faltering for a moment before he forced a laugh. "Big talk for someone who's already looking tired. You sure you've got enough left in the tank, new guy?"
At that, Eichi groaned, his hand rising to scratch his head as he looked up in exasperation. These people, I swear, he thought, his patience wearing thinner by the second. He turned to his teammates, tilting his head slightly as if to say, Are you seriously still standing here?
Aiko sighed, clearly fed up with the whole situation. She shot Eichi one last glare before grabbing Haru by the arm and dragging him along. "Let's go," she said, her tone clipped. "We'll deal with him later."
Haru stumbled after her, his red-ringed eyes darting nervously between Eichi and Kenta. He didn't say a word, but the fear in his expression was clear. Whatever had just happened, it had shaken him to his core.
As Aiko and Haru disappeared into the maze, Eichi turned his attention back to Kenta. The orange-haired boy was still trying to catch his breath, his earlier bravado replaced by a mix of pain and disbelief. Eichi didn't say anything, his expression as neutral as ever, but the message was clear: Don't push your luck.
Kenta, for all his cockiness, was still a loyal teammate. He wasn't about to give up on his team, especially the girls. So he straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow, and assumed his usual kickboxing stance. "Look, I'm sorry for bothering you, alright? I just—"
However, just like before, all he heard was a curse from Eichi before the fight resumed. Eichi moved in, forcing Kenta into a defensive position. At first, Eichi held the initiative, his strikes precise and efficient. But then, almost imperceptibly, he began to pull back. His attacks slowed, his movements became more defensive, and he started to give ground.
Kenta noticed the shift immediately. He took it as a sign of weakness, a sign that Eichi was finally running out of steam. His confidence surged, and he pressed the attack, throwing punches and kicks with renewed vigor. Blow after blow, kick after kick, Kenta pushed forward, his grin returning as he felt the tide turning in his favor.
Five minutes passed like this, the two of them locked in a relentless exchange. Kenta was breathing heavily, his movements starting to slow, but he was still holding his own. And then, just as he was about to launch another attack, the ground beneath them trembled.
Both fighters froze, their attention snapping to the source of the tremor. Kenta glanced at Eichi, who looked as unbothered as ever, and decided to chuckle to keep up the bluff. "Seems like we're about to win," he said, his tone cocky but his eyes darting nervously toward the direction of the tremor.
Eichi didn't respond, his expression as neutral as ever. But internally, he was on the verge of snapping. The intense surge of energy—no, chakra—spreading through the ground from the direction of his teammates was unmistakable. It was massive, overwhelming, and eerily familiar. It reminded him of Hashirama Senju's chakra, the kind of power that could reshape landscapes and dominate battlefields.
Is the Hashirama of this world... a girl? Eichi thought, his mind already feeling how it felt as a CPU without watercooling. The idea was absurd, but the sheer scale of chakra he was sensing left no room for doubt.
Kenta, meanwhile, was still trying to play it cool. "Guess your team's not doing so hot, huh? Maybe you should've stuck with us instead of going solo."
For now, though, he had to deal with Kenta. The orange-haired boy was still grinning, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes now. He could sense that something was off, even if he didn't fully understand what was happening.
Eichi took a step forward, his voice calm but firm. "We're done here."
Kenta blinked, his grin faltering. "What? You giving up already?"
Eichi didn't respond. Instead, he moved. His speed wasn't as explosive as before, but it was still something the exhausted kenta couldn't handle. He closed the distance between them in mere moments, his fist slamming into Kenta's gut with enough force to knock the wind out of him. Kenta doubled over, gasping for air, but Eichi wasn't done. He grabbed Kenta by the collar, his voice low and cold. "Stay down."
As he placed Kenta down, still coughing and struggling to breathe, Eichi started to walk toward his teammates. The tremor in the ground was growing stronger, and the surge of energy was becoming impossible to ignore. He needed to get to Aiko and Haru before things escalated further.
However, behind him, he heard movement. Eichi sighed, rubbing his eyes in exasperation before turning slowly. "I swear I didn't fucking hear you standing u—"
But when he saw Kenta, bloodied and battered in his orange and green costume—much like the clowns in the Daimyo's court—standing in his usual kickboxing stance, barely conscious, Eichi paused. The boy was swaying left and right, his legs trembling, but he was still standing. Eichi had to give him credit for his tenacity. Not everyone had that kind of determination.
---
Observation room
"Damn, did you see that? Eichi just took Kenta down like it was nothing," one student muttered, his eyes glued to the screen.
"Yeah, but Kenta's still trying to get up. That guy's got guts," another added, shaking his head in disbelief.
The teacher, a tall yellow haired man with a stern expression, crossed his arms as he watched the monitor. His eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Eichi's movements. "Interesting," he murmured under his breath. "Eichi's holding back. He's not even trying."
One of the students, a girl with short hair, leaned closer to the screen. "What do you mean Sensei?"
The teacher shook his head. "No, look at his movements. They're clumsy compared to his first attack. He's not using his full strength. If he wanted to, he could've ended that fight in seconds. But he's dragging it out, making it look like he's struggling. Why?"
The students exchanged uneasy glances, their curiosity piqued. They had all seen Eichi's performance during the entrance exam, but this was different. This was raw, unfiltered skill—and it was clear that Eichi was hiding something.
Back on the monitor, they heard kenta speak ."W-well, I can't l-let a monster l-like you finish them off, c-can I?" his voice weak but defiant.
Eichi stared at him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he walked toward Kenta. Each step seemed to echo in the silence, the weight of Eichi's presence pressing down on the exhausted boy. Kenta closed his eyes, bracing himself for another brutal beatdown.
But what he didn't expect was a single, small push on his chest. Kenta crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the dirt.
Eichi stood over him for a moment, his expression as neutral as ever. Then, almost as an afterthought, he muttered, "Rest easy, soldier. I'm not going to do anything to them gals."
The observation room fell silent as the students and teacher processed what they had just seen. One of the students, a boy with spiky hair, broke the silence by howling with laughter. "To think Kenta's only reason to keep this up was because of the girls!"
The class followed suit, erupting into laughter. Kenta's stubborn determination, even in the face of certain defeat, was both admirable and absurd. But amidst the laughter, the teacher's thoughts were different.
He leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed as he stared at the monitor. His eyes were fixed on Eichi, who was now walking away from Kenta's unconscious form. The teacher's expression was thoughtful, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Rest easy, soldier." The words echoed in his mind. It wasn't just the phrasing that caught his attention—it was the tone. There was a weight to it, a kind of respect that didn't fit the situation. And the way Eichi moved, the precision of his actions, the calmness in his demeanor... it all pointed to something... unnerving.
The teacher had seen plenty of students come through this academy, each with their own quirks and personalities. But Eichi was different. He wasn't just skilled—he was disciplined, almost militaristic in his approach. And that line about not doing anything to "them gals"... it was oddly specific, as if Eichi had a code he was following.
The laughter in the room died down as the students noticed the teacher's serious expression. One of them, a girl with glasses, leaned over to her friend and whispered, "What's with the teacher?"
The teacher, overhearing the comment, shook his head slightly. "Just keep an eye on Eichi,"
The students exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier laughter replaced by a sense of anticipation. Whatever was coming next, they didn't want to miss it.
However, the seriousness didn't last long. When Eichi entered the wide hostage area, he was greeted by a chaotic scene. Scattered roots covered the ground, Haru was lying unconscious in a corner, and Aiko was fighting for dear life against Sakura, whose plant-based Quirk had turned the area into a jungle of vines and thorns.
Aiko was holding her own, her wind Quirk creating gusts to slice through the vines, but it was clear she was struggling. Sweat dripped down her face, and her movements were becoming slower and more desperate. Sakura, on the other hand, looked calm and in control, her hands weaving through the air as she manipulated the plants around her. Meanwhile, Homura, the wire manipulator, was lurking around, ambushing Aiko whenever she saw an opening.
Eichi took in the scene with a single glance, then squatted on the ground, sighing heavily. He muttered under his breath, "Fuck me sideways, cowgirl, cowboy, cow-whatever the fuck. But what in the bloody hell were they thinking?"
Hearing that, all the individuals observing the scene—students and teacher alike—burst into laughter. The contrast between Eichi's usual stoic demeanor and his sudden outburst was too much to handle. One of the girls in the observation room, a brunette with a mischievous grin, leaned back in her chair and said, "Well, well, well. Who knew our resident emo had such a side to him?"
The room erupted into more laughter, the tension of the exercise momentarily forgotten. Even the teacher, who had been watching Eichi with a serious expression, couldn't help but crack a small smile. "Looks like there's more to Eichi than we thought," he said, his tone amused.
Back in the exercise area, Aiko shot Eichi a glare, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Are you just going to sit there and curse, or are you going to help?" she snapped, narrowly dodging another vine.
Eichi sighed again, standing up slowly. "Fine. But next time, try not to turn the place into a botanical garden and a copper spider's nest."
With that, he stepped forward. Sakura noticed him immediately, her eyes narrowing as she redirected some of the vines toward him. "Another one? You're just making this easier for me," she said, her voice confident.
Eichi didn't respond. He simply sidestepped the vines, his movements fluid and precise. He didn't rush, didn't panic—he just walked forward, as if the vines were nothing more than an inconvenience.
Homura, sensing the new threat, emerged from the root beside him, her wires snaking toward Eichi. But he didn't even flinch. With a flick of his wrist, he launched one of his iron balls straight at her head. The impact was enough, and Homura crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Sakura, thinking that Homura could keep Eichi occupied, continued to battle Aiko. She was so focused on her fight that she didn't notice Eichi approaching until it was too late.
Aiko, however, saw him coming and couldn't help but smirk. "Took you long enough," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Eichi didn't respond. He just stepped forward, his presence enough to make Sakura freeze mid-attack. She turned to face him, her confidence wavering as she realized Homura was down and Eichi was now standing between her and Aiko.
Before Sakura could react, the teacher's voice boomed over the intercom. "That's enough! Exercise over. Aiko, haru, and Eichi wins. Eichi successfully rescued the hostage."
The announcement echoed through the area, and Sakura lowered her hands, the vines retreating as she sighed in defeat. Aiko, on the other hand, let out a relieved breath, her shoulders slumping as the tension left her body.
Eichi, however, didn't seem particularly thrilled by the victory. He just stood there, his expression as neutral as ever, as if winning was the least interesting part of the exercise. He turned to Aiko and said, "Next time, try not to get caught in a plant apocalypse."
Aiko rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the save, Mr. Hero."
Eichi didn't respond. He just walked over to Haru, who was still unconscious, and hoisted him over his shoulder. "Let's go," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
As they made their way out of the exercise area, the observation room erupted into chatter. The students were buzzing about Eichi's performance. One of the girls, the same one who had called him "our resident emo," leaned back in her chair and said, "Okay, I take it back. Emo boy's got style."
As the students dispersed, the doors to the exercise grounds slid open, and their instructor, Moriyama-sensei, stepped inside. His sharp gaze swept over the students before settling on Eichi.
"Eichi," Moriyama called, his tone even but firm.
Eichi stopped mid-step, adjusting Haru's weight on his shoulder before glancing over. "It's me."
Moriyama walked toward him, hands in the pockets of his training coat. "Good work out there. But you weren't exactly following the intended teamwork dynamics, were you?"
Aiko, who had been trailing just behind, perked up. "Yeah, seriously! You totally ignored the plan and went off on your own."
Eichi exhaled through his nose, barely reacting. "I followed the plan perfectly. Took care of Kenta, knocked down the other girl, and freed the hostage. Isn't that the goal?"
He turned slightly, his eyes flicking toward Aiko, and for a split second, his usual neutral expression twisted into something like an ugly frown. A sharp, fleeting look, as if he was disgusted by her incompetence. He wasn't, of course. But Aiko wasn't a mind reader.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "And didn't Sensei say it was a rescue mission? Weren't you supposed to fight the two with Haru?"
Moriyama sighed. "Eichi, your efficiency isn't in question. But teamwork isn't just a suggestion. You left your squad behind without so much as a glance."
Eichi adjusted his grip on Haru. "If I didn't agnowledge them as teammates, I would've taken care of it on my own. She was the one who proposed to take care of the two with haru while I took care of their heavy hitter."
Moriyama sighed. "That's not the point."
Aiko crossed her arms, her expression growing more exasperated. "You keep saying you followed the plan, but you barely worked with us. You didn't even check if I needed backup. What if I failed?"
Eichi's tone remained flat. "Then you wouldn't be standing here complaining."
Aiko's fingers curled into her sleeves, her irritation barely contained. "Unbelievable," she muttered.
Moriyama exhaled through his nose, his patience thinning. "Eichi, listen. You're not wrong to take the most efficient route, but efficiency alone doesn't build trust. If your squad can't rely on you, then you might as well be fighting alone."
Eichi remained silent for a beat before shifting Haru's weight slightly. "I never expected them to rely on me."
Aiko blinked. For a moment, it almost sounded like an admission—like he wasn't avoiding teamwork out of arrogance, but something else entirely.
Moriyama caught the shift too, but he didn't press. "Go get cleaned up. Your practical exercise is done for now."
Eichi gave a slight nod, then turned and walked off.
Aiko watched him go, her earlier frustration simmering into something more uncertain. She had always assumed he saw himself above everyone, that he didn't care about working with others. But what if... he just didn't think anyone would ever rely on him in the first place?