K: Bittersweet Flames

Chapter 5

"Otsukaresama!"

All of the members in the dojo hall bowed their heads down, showing their appreciation and acknowledgement towards their teachers and fellow members for their hard work at today's club practice.

Kaiyo straightened her back and she headed towards the side of the room where everyone else had placed their bags.

"Sakomoto-san!" Someone called from behind her.

Kaiyo stopped her action of picking up her bag and turned to face the person who had called for her. The Captain was the one who had called. He had raised and waved his hand above the air as he stood in the middle of the dojo hall with the instructor, signalling for her to come to their side. She complied and darted towards the direction where the both of them stood, moving through the number of people who was walking towards her to attend to their bags behind her fluidly.

"What is it, Instructor, Captain?"

"Instructor wants to talk to you for a while." The Captain then passed the time over to the instructor before he headed off to have a few short conversations with some other members who have yet to leave.

The instructor eyed Kaiyo up and down. "How are you feeling?" He asked with a frown on his face.

Kaiyo briefly nodded her head. "I'm feeling quite alright. I will be up and running with a few days more of rest."

"Hn." The instructor nodded his head before his stern façade fell and a smile broke upon his face. "That's good. I was afraid that we had to send you off with the rest of the graduating members while you're sick. That would be quite depressing."

"Thank you for your kind consideration, Sensei." Kaiyo bowed her head slightly before looking back up.

"No, it's nothing. We respect each and every member's strength. To part ways with a proper and admirable farewell, that would be the best outcome for all." The instructor gave her a nod of his head with a large grinning smile on his face. With that, he turned around to attend to a few other students he wanted to talk to as well.

Kaiyo stared at his retreating figure. Without knowing, she herself was had a smile growing on her lips, her heart feeling elated from getting the acknowledgement from the instructor himself.

Picking up her bag, she quickly headed towards the nearest changing room in the main school building before rushing her way out of the school grounds since her part time work shift had already started a few minutes ago.

When she took a right turn after the school gates, she stopped in her tracks when she saw a familiar figure.

"Rimu!" Kaiyo called out the person's name. Said person turned his head and delight filled his while face when he saw her. He slung his bag back onto his back before running towards Kaiyo, wrapping his arms around her waist to give her a short hug.

"Nee-chan!" Rimu called out joyfully.

"Why are you here?" Kaiyo asked her little brother. Rimu pulled away and grinned childishly. "I wanted to walk back with you, so I came here myself to surprise you."

A warm smile etched itself onto her face and she ruffled his hair. "Thank you." She then took his outstretched hand and the both of them started their way towards their home. "Did you wait long?"

Rimu shook his head. "Nope." He answered, popping the 'p'. "If it's for nee-chan, I don't mind waiting forever!"

Kaiyo laughed whole heartedly at his statement. She then aggressively rubbed her hand on his head. "It's a good thing I have a little brother who cares so much. But remember, don't stay too long. Something might have happened to me and I wasn't able to contact you. And at that time, you have to?"