Kiraya's dates

You never disappoint me, Leader. You chose to meet at my favorite dojo!

Too bad I can't use my usual sword today.

By the way, do you still remember the name of my sword?

Hahaha! You sure have been watching my battles! That's right, it's Lionheart.

His destructive power is too great. I don't want to damage someone else's dojo.

He's called Lionheart, my favorite weapon!

Every time I hold him, I can feel a surge of lion energy bursting out of my body!

But we're using someone else's dojo, we can't damage it.

We'll use the dojo's wooden swords today.

Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's start sparring!

Hyaaaa!! (Kiraya rushes forward.)

Not bad! You're quick to react!

But you can't win me by guarding alone!

Hah! You can't dodge my attacks that easily!

If I were holding Lionheart, you would have suffered more than a scratch.

Brave as always, that's the Leader I know.

I don't shy away from a challenge, just like you.

Let's carry on!

Good! Your fighting style is very agile, as expected from the battle-seasoned Leader.

Show me what else you've got!

Ahhhh, hah!!

Haa...haa...haa...

Brother?

Nothing... I just...thought of my brother for a moment back there...

You're just like him, brave and determined...

I wish I could see him again.

When we were young, he always trained with me. I got so upset whenever I lost to him!

But thanks to him, I'm who I am now.

I've been dreaming of winning him when I grow up. I wanted him to taste being thrown into the bushes!

Sadly, I don't have the chance anymore...

Nevertheless, I must become stronger in order to walk the path I've chosen!

Phew... I've said more than I planned.

I have so much fun today! Let's go for a drink!

Haha, soda, not beer. Come on!

I'm so looking forward to having a drink with my mentor!

Haha!

Hm, what's the first step again? Let me check my notebook.

The first step in a date is an energetic greeting.

Ah, Leader, you're here! Okay, I can still do the first step!

(Kiraya slaps your shoulder.) Yo! You're early! Here's an energetic greeting! Hehe!

Hi? That's a weak greeting!

You got to greet with energy, Leader! People can't feel your passion with such a weak greeting!

Greet with energy and passion next time round, okay?

Anyway, I think we have a great start!

But I should ask for your opinion, because...well, the girls said our previous date was "the best bad example".

What do you think was wrong with our previous date?

Haha! You saw the real me during the short date? I didn't know you would give politically correct answers.

But it's true that I was following my heart.

Still, I'm glad to hear you say that! I could feel your emotions too!

To think that you would say my shortcoming out loud. You're brave, Leader!

I can take criticism. I'll listen to your advice, but whether I put it into practice, that's up to me. Hahaha!

Now then, what's the second step in a date?

"Get to know each other through communication, and become friends". We can skip that. We're already partners in battle!

We'll move on to step three: get to know each other more!

Leader, let's talk about what we like to do during our free time.

I'll go first! During my free time, I like to go to the zoo to see lions!

Lions are incredible animals, especially those kept in a natural reserve. They are wild, strong, magnificent, and full of life!

They're soft to the touch too.

Hahaha! I'm happy to hear that!

I didn't know I'm such a beautiful creature in Leader's eyes!

But I feel that I've not reached my goal. I got to work harder!

Hahaha! Relax, Leader. What I touched was a specimen!

But don't underestimate me; I'm confident about my abilities!

I might even impress a lion with my strength! Hahaha!

Alright, let's talk about your interests.

What do you like to do in your free time, Leader?

Yup, that's you. Haha!

Do you remember this one time where you handed me the game controller? I didn't even know what all those buttons do. It took me a long time to learn how to use it.

But the fighting game was really fun. I even wanted to learn those skills!

Guess I have a lot to learn from you!

Wonderful! I was worried that you would feel bored talking to me.

I enjoy talking to you too, especially our review after a battle. Checking what we lack in battle is a shortcut to improvement!

Whether it's sparring or chatting, I always gain new inspirations from it.

It makes me really happy to be able to learn alongside Leader.

I'm starting to feel thirsty after our long chat. Shall we get something to drink at a nearby café?

Don't worry, not the alcoholic kind. Hahaha!

Let's race there. The loser pays!

Ready...

Hah! Cheating won't work!

I won't lose!

Come on!

(Is her bright smile due to the race, or that she had an enjoyable date?)

One more glass!

I look like I'm like drinking vodka? Hahaha! What a clever description!

I can drink soda like wine! The important thing is the mood, not the alcohol! Hahaha!

By the way, you were about to say something?

Hm? Not many people write letters nowadays. Why not just call me?

Who is it from?

What? A stalker?

I never noticed. It's likely just an ordinary fella...

Is the letter from the "stalker"?

Who on earth is he?

Hmm... Even Leader doesn't know his name?

Let me see if there's a name in the letter.

Oh? Leader, you should keep your guard up. You can't accept stuff from someone you don't know.

What if they have ill intentions?

But I guess you can handle them without a problem, hahaha!

Okay, let's see what this letter says...

"Beautiful Kiraya, please allow me to express my gratitude. In the recent Nightmare incident, you came to my rescue."

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive right now. The image of your valiant fighting and flowy red hair is engraved in my mind. I can't stop thinking about you."

"As a new Radiant, you are what I strive to be!"

"I hope one day I would be strong enough to fight alongside you. Be your partner, your closest friend."

"I look forward to the day where we greet each other good morning and good night."

Oh, looks like he's another fan of mine.

Confessing his love? Are you sure? Doesn't look that way to me.

Even if it is, I can't reciprocate. A knight on the frontline is always busy!

Besides, I think a reliable partner is more important than a lover.

Yeah, I'm surprised too.

I've been getting such letters since years ago. Instead of spending time writing letters, why not do more combat practice?

But I agree with the first part he wrote.

Man must work hard to improve themselves. Finding a partner you can fight alongside is equally important in an actual battle.

Just like us. Right, Leader?

Hahaha! Thanks for your recognition!

I know we share the same belief. I'm thankful to be your partner!

Me too!

What's that phrase again...

Right. "True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare"!

I won't let go of a partner like Leader. Hahaha!

I don't like writing letters. It's so troublesome!

Ah, I have an idea!

I'll gather all those who wrote to me and we'll have a sparring contest!

Then I'll give them advice on how to train their bodies, and what to take note of in battle.

This is what they lack, and my years of experience would greatly benefit them!

Yeah! I can't wait!

Leader, you can come as a special guest!

Muscles have to be trained every day, or they'll go weak.

Hahaha! Relax, I'll go easy on them.

It's just sparring, I won't go all out.

The aim is to find out what they lack, then tackle the problem with practice.

Okay, enough talk.

I'll get on with the preparations. Come and help me!