ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

The morning air was crisp, carrying the distant echoes of clashing steel through the quiet Hoshimi estate. Ellen stirred, reaching out instinctively for warmth, only to find the futon beside her empty. For a brief moment, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind—had last night been nothing more than a dream?

But the lingering scent of Miyabi told her otherwise.

A rhythmic cadence of metal meeting metal caught Ellen's attention. Pushing herself upright, she followed the sound through the paper walls of the estate, eventually stepping into an open courtyard bathed in the soft hues of dawn.

There, in the center of the training grounds, Miyabi was locked in an intense spar with her father, Hoshimi Souichirou.

Ellen leaned against the wooden pillar, watching as their blades clashed in a beautiful yet deadly dance. Miyabi's movements were graceful, her strikes swift and calculated, yet Souichirou countered each attack with precision that spoke of decades of experience.

"Your stance is solid," Souichirou remarked between strikes, "but you leave too many openings. A skilled opponent will exploit them without hesitation."

Miyabi furrowed her brow, tightening her grip on her blade. She lunged, her yukata flowing with her movement, but her father sidestepped with ease, tapping the flat of his blade against her exposed side.

"You rely too much on skill," he continued. "Sometimes, instinct is the better guide. Remember, even a warrior with no skill can win with sheer force alone."

Miyabi exhaled, nodding as she reset her stance.

The spar continued for a few more exchanges before Souichirou finally stepped back, lowering his sword. "That's enough for now." He turned toward Ellen, his keen eyes settling on her. "Good morning, Ellen."

Ellen straightened up. "Morning."

He studied her for a moment before gesturing toward the training ground. "Why don't you join us?"

Ellen blinked. "Me?"

Souichirou nodded. "Even with one arm, you must learn how to fight properly. Strength alone won't always be enough. If you truly wish to protect yourself and Miyabi, you should learn how to compensate."

Miyabi turned to Ellen, her expression soft with understanding but also carrying an unspoken encouragement.

Ellen hesitated for only a second before stepping forward. "Alright, I'm in."

Souichirou smiled slightly, offering her a wooden practice sword. Ellen took it, gripping it tightly in her one hand, feeling the unfamiliar weight of it.

"Come," he said, stepping back into his stance. "Show me what you can do."

Ellen exhaled and adjusted her footing. The morning was far from over.

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the open training grounds, the cool breeze carrying the faint scent of cherry blossoms. Ellen rolled her shoulders as she stepped onto the field, her sharp eyes focused on Hoshimi Souichirou, who stood calmly before her. His presence was imposing, not just from his stature but from the sheer control and discipline that radiated from him. He held his wooden practice sword with an ease that made it clear he was a master of his craft.

Miyabi stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching intently. Her expression was serious, though there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" Ellen asked, glancing down at the wooden sword in her single hand. The weight felt uneven, awkward. She had always relied on both arms in a fight, and now, faced with a trained swordsman, she felt the absence of her other limb more than ever.

Souichirou gave her a measured look. "Strength is not just in the body but in the mind. Your balance has been disrupted, but that does not mean you cannot find a new center. You must adapt, Ellen. If you cannot wield a blade as you once did, then learn to wield it in a new way."

Ellen exhaled sharply, gripping the wooden weapon tighter. "Alright, let's do this."

The moment the words left her mouth, Souichirou moved. He was fast—far faster than she anticipated. She barely raised her sword in time to block his strike, the force of the impact reverberating through her arm. She staggered back, gritting her teeth.

"Too slow," he remarked. "You are treating the weapon as if you still have two hands. Do not fight against your own body. Use what you have."

Ellen nodded, adjusting her stance. This time, she let go of old habits. Instead of trying to hold the sword with rigid control, she let her movements become more fluid. When Souichirou struck again, she parried, though the force still pushed her back.

For the next hour, their blades clashed in a relentless exchange. Ellen struggled at first, her strikes awkward, her defense full of openings. But with each correction from Miyabi's father, she began to adjust. She learned to pivot her body more, to use her legs to generate momentum rather than relying solely on arm strength. Her swings became sharper, more calculated. When he struck low, she dodged instead of blocking outright. When he tested her defenses, she used her environment, shifting her position rather than standing her ground.

Miyabi watched in silent admiration. The determination in Ellen's eyes, the way she refused to back down, it was... captivating.

After what felt like an eternity, Souichirou stepped back, lowering his sword. He studied Ellen for a long moment before nodding. "You learn quickly. You still have much to improve, but you are adapting. That is what matters."

Ellen let out a breathless laugh, wiping sweat from her forehead. "That was... tough. But I get it now. I'm not the same fighter I was before. I need to fight as I am now."

Souichirou smirked. "Good. Then perhaps tomorrow, we will see just how much you can improve."

Ellen groaned playfully. "Oh great, more training. Just what I needed."

Miyabi finally approached, a small smile on her lips. "You did well. Not many can keep up with my father."

Ellen turned to her, grinning. "Guess that means I'm pretty awesome."

Miyabi rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the fondness in her gaze. "Come on, let's get you something to drink before you pass out."

As Ellen followed Miyabi inside, she felt a sense of pride swelling in her chest. She had struggled, but she hadn't given up. She was growing stronger—not just for herself, but for the people she cared about.

Ellen and Miyabi had agreed to spend the day together, away from the chaos of their usual responsibilities. Knowing that Miyabi was well-known and often recognized in public, they decided on a quiet, secluded area where they could enjoy their time without interruption. Miyabi led Ellen through narrow, winding paths until they reached a serene traditional tea house nestled deep within a bamboo forest.

"I used to come here when I needed a break from time to time," Miyabi admitted as they stepped inside. The quiet hum of nature surrounded them, and the scent of fresh tea filled the air. "It's peaceful."

Ellen smirked, nudging Miyabi lightly with her elbow. "So, you're saying I should feel honored to be here?"

Miyabi gave her an exasperated look before sighing with a small smile. "Maybe a little."

They took their seats by a window overlooking a koi pond, the soft ripples in the water adding to the tranquil ambiance. The owner, an elderly woman who seemed to recognize Miyabi, served them tea with a knowing smile but refrained from commenting, respecting Miyabi's need for privacy.

As they sipped their tea, the conversation flowed effortlessly.

"So, did you always wanted be a hero?" Ellen asked, swirling her tea gently.

Miyabi exhaled softly, gazing at the steam rising from her cup. "I suppose. It was expected of me. My father was a warrior, my family carries a legacy... I didn't really have the luxury of choosing something else. But I don't regret it. Protecting others, keeping order—it's part of who I am."

Ellen hummed thoughtfully. "But do you ever wish for something different? Like, I dunno, a quiet life, running a tea house in the middle of nowhere?"

Miyabi chuckled, a rare sound that made Ellen's chest tighten. "As tempting as that sounds, I think I'd get bored. I need purpose. Even if it's exhausting, it's fulfilling."

Ellen nodded. "Makes sense. But, for the record, if you ever do open a tea house, I'd be your first regular."

Miyabi raised an eyebrow. "You'd actually sit still long enough to enjoy tea every day?"

Ellen scoffed. "Hey, I can be refined when I want to be."

Miyabi gave her a look that clearly said she didn't believe her, but she smiled anyway.

After finishing their tea, they strolled through the surrounding forest, the sunlight filtering through the trees casting golden hues upon them. They walked side by side, sometimes brushing against each other, but neither minded.

Eventually, Miyabi led Ellen to a hill overlooking the city. The sky was painted in warm hues of orange and pink as the sun began its descent.

"This is my favorite spot," Miyabi admitted, voice quieter now. "Whenever things feel overwhelming, I come here to remind myself of the bigger picture."

 As Ellen sat next to Miyabi she turned to her, watching the wind play with Miyabi's hair, the way her eyes reflected the colors of the setting sun. Something about the moment felt too perfect, too fleeting.

Without thinking too much, Ellen leaned in and kissed Miyabi—soft, slow, and full of meaning. Miyabi gasped lightly, caught off guard, but melted into the kiss almost instantly. Ellen took her time, savoring the warmth, the softness, the way Miyabi hesitated before responding, as if grounding herself in the reality of it.

When they parted, Ellen grinned, and before Miyabi could say anything, she pulled her into her lap, wrapping her arm around her waist.

Miyabi, flustered beyond words, attempted to protest. "E-Ellen! What are you—"

"Shhh," Ellen murmured, resting her chin on Miyabi's shoulder. "You're too adorable. Let me have this."

Miyabi huffed but didn't move away. Instead, she sighed and allowed herself to lean into Ellen's warmth. For a while, they simply sat there, feeling the breeze, the quiet rhythm of each other's breathing.

After a long pause, Miyabi finally spoke, her voice soft. "Ellen... what does this mean to you?"

Ellen tightened her hold just slightly. "It means I want more than just liking you. I don't know what that looks like yet, but... I know I don't want to let go."

Miyabi swallowed, her hands resting over Ellen's. "Neither do I."

They sat in comfortable silence, watching the last light of the sun fade into the horizon. For the first time in a long while, Miyabi felt completely at peace. And for Ellen, this moment—holding Miyabi close, feeling her warmth, and knowing they had each other—was enough.