Andrew smirked.
"Taai might grab your ass."
Kai blinked.
"...What?"
Andrew burst into laughter.
"I'm kidding!"
"...Probably."
Before Kai could respond—
Andrew was already walking away.
He waved without turning around.
"Good luck!"
Kai watched him disappear.
"...Wacko."
---
Taai continued training.
He hadn't acknowledged Kai once.
Not even a glance.
Punch.
Kick.
Shoulder strike.
Another sandbag burst open.
Kai waited.
Several minutes passed.
Then several more.
Finally—
Taai threw one last punch.
BOOM!
The reinforced training dummy flew across the arena.
It crashed into the far wall.
Silence.
Taai grabbed a towel.
Wiped the sweat from his face.
Then finally looked toward Kai.
"So."
"...Who're you?"
Kai stepped forward.
"I'm Kai."
He reached into his coat.
"I have something for you."
He produced two letters.
The wax seals had already been broken.
Taai noticed immediately.
"...Already read?"
Kai scratched the back of his head.
"They're not addressed to me."
"...But circumstances happened."
Taai shrugged.
"As long as Alice wrote them."
He accepted both letters.
Opened the first.