POV: Erza Scarlet
Age (Kaito): 5
Date: April, X770
Season: Spring
Location: Rosemary Village → Forest Edge
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Erza woke up already annoyed.
Not because she was tired.
Not because anything hurt.
Because she'd dreamed of training—and waking up meant it was real again.
She sat up, fingers flexing, feeling yesterday's soreness settle into something firmer. Stronger. The kind of ache that meant progress, not weakness.
Good, she thought. I'll outdo him today.
Kaito was already outside when she arrived at the yard.
Of course he was.
He stood barefoot on the packed dirt, wooden sword resting against his shoulder, posture relaxed in a way that made her grind her teeth. Not lazy—confident. Like he belonged wherever he stood.
"You're staring," he said without turning.
Erza scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself."
He glanced over his shoulder, ocean-blue eyes bright. "Hard not to, when you look like you're planning to tackle me."
Her pulse jumped.
"…Maybe I am."
That got his full attention.
Good.
They squared off without counting it down. Erza attacked first—fast, aggressive, no hesitation. She'd adjusted her grip like he'd shown her, wrist straight, stance grounded.
Their swords collided—hard.
Kaito slid back half a step, boots scraping. Not retreating. Measuring.
She pressed.
Again.
Again.
Each strike landed closer than yesterday. She could feel it—his parries tightening, his timing shifting to match hers instead of overpowering her.
"You're pushing," he said, voice light. "I like it."
"So do I," Erza shot back. "Try not to fall behind."
He laughed—and then he moved.
Not faster.
Sharper.
Their blades flashed, rhythm accelerating, wood cracking under pressure. Erza felt heat in her arms, breath burning—but she didn't slow. She refused to.
When Kaito leaned in close to lock blades, she didn't flinch.
"Careful," he murmured. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might get distracted."
She smirked, eyes fierce. "Then stop being distracting."
She shoved him back.
This time—he let her.
Not because he had to.
Because he chose to.
That realization hit harder than any strike.
They broke apart, both breathing fast.
Erza wiped her brow. "You didn't hold back just now."
Kaito tilted his head. "Didn't need to."
Her grin was sharp. Satisfied.
"Good."
---
They headed into the forest before noon.
This time, Erza led.
She moved with purpose, senses stretched wide, sword ready. She didn't need him to protect her—and she made sure he knew it by taking point without asking.
A pair of wolves emerged from the brush, low and tense.
Erza didn't wait.
She charged, blade flashing, footwork clean. One wolf lunged—she pivoted, struck the shoulder, disabled it cleanly.
The second turned toward Kaito.
He stepped in—but she was already there.
Steel met fur. The wolf yelped and fled.
Silence.
Erza stood tall, chest rising, sword steady.
She turned to Kaito slowly.
"Well?" she asked.
He looked impressed. Not surprised. Proud.
"Guess I'll have to keep up," he said.
Her cheeks warmed—but she didn't look away this time.
"Try harder, then."
They finished the hunt together—efficient, coordinated, no wasted motion. By the time they returned to the village with their catch, the sun was high and their arms were heavy.
The merchant paid them without argument.
Erza watched the coins drop into Kaito's palm—then held out her hand.
He raised a brow. "Planning to rob me already?"
She snatched half the coins. "Partnership. Don't get used to being in charge."
He laughed. "Bold. Dangerous. I might be into that."
She leaned closer, eyes locked on his.
"Good. Because I don't plan on stopping."
For a second—just a second—he looked genuinely caught off guard.
She counted it as a win.
---
That evening, they sat on the fence again, legs dangling, watching the sky turn orange.
Erza broke the silence first. "When we join Fairy Tail… you're not going to run ahead without me."
Kaito glanced at her. "Wasn't planning to."
She studied him. Then nodded. "Good. Because if you do, I'll chase you down."
A pause.
Then he said quietly, "You'd win."
She smiled—soft, real, unguarded.
The thought settled firmly in her chest:
I won't be left behind.
Not by him.
Not ever.
And for the first time, the future didn't feel frightening.
It felt forged.
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