The next afternoon we met at the train station. Wanko, Momoyo and I were actually the last ones to show up, not that we were late or anything, everyone else was just there early. Now that being said… We WOULD have been there early too, but Momoyo and Wanko made me get up extra early so I could train with them and shower before we left.

Oh, and making sure that I could shower was a request of mine and mine alone by the way. Had it been up to them I would have been riding on the train a sweaty mess. So truly, I'm the saviour of this train ride.

"Good afternoon everyone," I waved as I strolled up, trying to hide the fatigue as best I could.

Yamato gave me a slight nod before scanning my body. "Got some new clothes?" He smirked.

"Hell yeah," I dusted off the shoulders. "They look good right? Fly right? Looking like a modern day casanova, right? You don't gotta tell me, I know."

"I wouldn't say all of that," Yamato teased with an eye roll.

"Looking sharp man!" Capt said, coming out of nowhere as he slapped my back, knocking the breath out of me a little.

"Thanks Capt," I said, slapping his back firmly in return before turning to the rest of the group. "This is gonna be my first bullet train ride, so I'm pretty excited. How long is it going to take?"

"About an hour," Yamato replied. "Speaking of which, we should probably get going if we want to make it there on time."

We all agreed and quickly made our turn towards the boarding ramp.

I took this time to catch up to Miyako, walking beside her. The truth is I had been wanting to talk to her since the other day. But with everything that happened, I decided against it, at least in the moment. Figured it would have been best to let her cool off and talk to her later.

Despite me walking up next to her, she didn't look at me. I had no idea if this was a personal thing or if that was just how she was. It was hard to read her most of the time. "Hey, I just wanted to apologize to you for butting in as much as I did Friday. Of course, I don't regret doing it, but I understand it was probably frustrating hearing me butt in on such a personal matter like that."

"There's nothing to apologize for," I could kind of tell there was more that she wanted to say but in typical Miyako style, she kept it short.

"I just wanted to make sure you didn't hate me or anything… Oh and by the way, I didn't take anything you said about me to heart, if you were worried or anything."

"You're not the one who said the base should be destroyed… You're fine," she was obviously still a bit upset because she didn't even apologize for saying those things about me.

I'll let it go for now, no need to start the day off with too heavy of a conversation.

...

The bullet train wasn't like your average Japanese train. It had comfortable seats to sit in rows of 3. Upon seeing this I was kind of worried that one would have to sit out, but soon after we began to board the train senpai-

"I'ma go pick up girls," She said as she sat next to a group of two girls towards the back of the cabin.

That was senpai for you.

"I wish I had her charisma," Moro laughed sheepishly.

I joined him in laughter. "Right there with you, brother," not that I would have enough time for a girlfriend with all the training and school work that I've been doing.

"Shut up, pretty boy," Gakuto murmured.

Gakuto… I'll chip down at your armor eventually, and one day, we'll be brothers. I'm not sure why I felt so adamant about this, but it had to be done.

We all sat down together in groups. The first group was Yamato, Miyako and Capt. The second group was Moro, Wanko and Gakuto. The third group was me, Mayucchi and Chris, the new guys.

I don't think it was any of their intention to segregate us like this, it just so happened to be the order we got on the train.

"O-Omari-san?" After getting my bags all situated, Mayucchi called out to me.

"Hm? What's up?"

"I-I made rice balls for the group… so if you're hungry," her face kinda contorted when talking to me. I knew that it was just because she was nervous, but to the average looker it probably looks like she's scowling at me.

Truth is, I had eaten before leaving the temple, but since she mustered up the courage and talked to me I decided to take a rice ball. "Thanks for looking out, Mayucchi."

Her face turned red. "D-Don't mention it."

"By the way, you want to make friends right?" I asked. Of course she never told me this, hell, I didn't know if she'd even told the rest of the Kazama family at this point but I figured she wouldn't question it that much.

"A-Ah, yeah… I do."

As I thought.

"Well as long as you're okay with me, I'll be your friend," I said with a smile.

"Wawawawawawa," her face somehow managed to get even more red. "O-Of course Omari-san! It'd be an honor!"

"Honor huh? You sure know how to make a boy feel special."

"Though…" She began to trail off. She seemed to be considering if she should mention something to me or not.

"Hm?" I raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"While I really appreciate the Kazama family for accepting me, having all these new friends at the same time feels…"

Ah, I understand. "Like you didn't earn it?"

"Is that silly?" Her face turned red slightly as she started directly at the seat in front of her.

I shook my head. "Not at all… How about this, for now, we'll stay as acquaintances."

She jolted her head up and looked at me with a face of panic. "T-That's not what I meant, I-"

I put my hand up. "Trust me, I'm not offended or anything. I was just saying, we'll stay as acquaintances for now and then when we truly get to know each other, we can officially become friends."

She grew quiet for a minute, before nodding to herself. She looked up at me with more conviction and confidence than I've personally seen on her face as of yet. "Sure… It's a deal."

I nod my head back at her. "Good, I'm sure by the end of the trip we'll be thick as thieves anyway."

"So," Gakuto started. "What's the plan for Hakone?"

Yamato took out a list. "We'll stick to the plan we made earlier. The first day we get there we'll do whatever we want. The second day we'll do something outdoors, like fishing or swimming and the third day we'll go sightseeing."

"Even if we make a detailed plan, that doesn't mean everyone will do things exactly according to the plan," Moro chimed in.

"Yeah, while I'd like to be with you guys 24/7, Senpai is definitely going to make me train over the weeknd at some point." And I really wasn't looking forward to it.

"It's bad to create disorder in the group," says Miyako, the last person I want to hear that from.

The rest of the ride was rough and rowdy.

…

"I can't believe, I'm running again today!" I said as I trailed behind Wanko and Chris barely being able to keep up with the two as they were racing.

You see, we finally got to Hakone, but right as the group was about to get on the bus towards the resort, Wanko challenged Chris to a race ,and guess what? Yep, your boy got wrapped up into it as always, without fail.

Luckily all of this running had definitely been increasing my endurance level slowly but surely. Oh, and that reminds me, it's been a while since I've gone over my skill points so let me check it out real quick.

[Omari lvl. 16]

[Strength: 29

Endurance: 31

Charm: 19

Intelligence: 19

Perception: 18

Agility: 19

Luck: 10

Ki: 10]

Fighting spirit was something I noticed that got added after I earned my first meditation point. I might want to focus some attention on that if I ever want to compete with the world's strongest.

I shuddered at the thought of going against Momoyo without being able to fire off ki blasts and all of that shit. Or, I might be shuddering over the fact that my brain currently isn't getting enough oxygen, either way I need to watch my breathing.

While I wasn't even taking part in the race, I had a sneaking suspicion that if I end up traveling too far behind the two there will end up being dire consequences. That, or maybe training everyday with Kawakami temple has given me PTSD.

After multiple pain filled moments the top of the mountain finally came into view and I can see the resort though my darkened vision. Along with the top, I can see Yamato, Miyako, Chris and Wanko, of course both the girls beat me, but not by as much as you'd think. Maybe a few minutes.

"You've improved a lot since you started training Mari," Wanko complimented me.

"Thank… You…" I managed to heave in between breaths.

That's when I noticed Yamato giving my body a scan with his eyes. "I can't believe you'd run in your new clothes, Mari," he said.

Wait…

He's right.

Looking down at my clothes I'm filled with horror as I noticed that not only was there dirt all over my pants and shoes, but there were leaves all over me, and twigs stuck in my jacket fabric. "This… What did I do to deserve this?"

I wanted to fall to my knees and punch the ground for such a cruel punishment, but that would just end up getting me dirtier so I decided against it.

"Well we'll all probably end up taking a bath soon anyways," Miyako added. "This resort is supposed to have an amazing hot spring."

"Oooo, I've never been to a hot spring before!" While I'm sure America has them, hot springs always seemed like more of an Asian/Japanese thing.

"You've really been missing out," Wanko said.

"So it seems."

"Alright then, I guess we'll go get ready," Yamato yawned. "C'mon Mari, let's go back to our rooms."

I matched Yamato in his pace as we walked down the hallway. "I hope this place has a washer and dryer," I mumbled under my breath, still feeling slightly defeated by this whole situation.

"I'd be more surprised if there wasn't."

With that, the two of us walked to the room that the guys will be staying in during the trip.

…

Something's been on my mind since I've been associated with the Kazama family. Everyone has been pretty nice to me except for two people. You have Miyako of course who seems indifferent to me, which is understandable. I'm glad we can at least hold a conversation if we have to. On the other hand… There's Gakuto.

Now, I was always a fan of Gakuto in the visual novel. I always thought he was a really funny character and I was always rooting for him as far as his love life went. But ever since I got here he's been nothing but rude towards me.

That's why I'm starting the operation, "Good Gakuto Friends." By the end of this weeknd trip, Gakuto and I are going to be besties. That plan starts with tonight and our visit to the Onsen, where I'll just keep bugging him until he gives in. That'll work out right?

As I was getting my towel and everything ready for the bath, Yamato came out of the locker room with his own towel wrapped around his waist. "You ready?"

I nodded. "Let me just throw my clothes into the locker room real quick and I'll meet you out there." At the moment, Moro and Capt are already in the water. Gakuto is using the bathroom so he'll be the last one out. This gives me a chance to get some alone time with him.

"Alright then, don't be too long, not sure how much longer Capt and Moro will want to be out there," and with that the cool and collected Yamato left, going outside.

Almost as soon as he left Gakuto casually l strolled out of the locker room completely naked, no towel in sight. In fact I don't even think the towel was even a thought to him. He had a smile on his face, maybe it was because he heard Yamato, but as soon as he realized it was me his smile faded away.

"Oh, it's just you," He rolled his eyes. "Where's the rest of them?" His voice was cold, slightly annoyed, and it made it very obvious that he did not want to be alone talking to me right now.

"They already went in. I was just about to hop in too, after I put my clothes in my locker," I point to the bundle of clothes that I had in my hand.

He sighed and walked past me. "Well, see you out there I guess."

This was my chance to act. "Wait a sec, I'll come out with you," I mentally crossed my fingers as I awaited for a response.

"Huh?" I could sense a slight irritation in his voice but he seemed more confused than anything. His right eyebrow was raised high and his mouth opened slightly. Still naked by the way.

"Just a sec," I held out a single finger to him as I disappeared around the corner. I threw my clothes into the locker and ran back out, surprised to see Gakuto still standing there. "Alright, let's hit the water!"

He nodded, still giving me a confused look.

…

"About time the two of you made it out here!" Capt shouted at us from the water. It was strange, I half expected him to be jumping around and splashing everyone, but I guess even Capt can sit down and relax with things like this. "C'mon in, the water's fine!"

"Don't mind if I do," I said as I started to sink down in the hot water. "H-Holy shit, this is hot!" I exclaimed as the water came up to a 'sensitive spot'.

"I thought the water was perfect," Moro said as he leaned back, resting his elbows on the rocks behind him.

"R-Really?" I questioned.

"Hahaha, of course you can't handle it, all Japanese run their baths hot!" Gakuto chuckled as he walked around the hot spring, not getting into the water right away.

"That being what it is, Gakuto, put some clothes on dude, it's grotesque!" Moro yelled, looking utterly disgusted.

"If we're talking in terms of guns then my johnson would be a bazooka," he said, swaying his waist left to right, or at least, that's what I saw in my peripheral vision. I was trying to keep eye contact as much as possible.

"You say that, but I don't think your weapon has ever hit it's intended target," Yamato laughed.

"SHOTS FIRED!" I joined him in laughter.

"Geez, why are we even talking about this?" Moro asked, turned away from Gakuto and the rest of the group.

"There's no reason to hide it because we're all guys," said Capt, who I just noticed also wasn't trying to cover up all that much.

"You two are too open," Yamato noted. "Though… I guess Capt seems like a machine gun."

"Woah, is that your OWN observation there?" I teased him.

"Don't even go there," Yamato splashed water at me.

"AHHHH IT BURNS!" I immediately fell back into spring, causing the rest of my body, which I had specifically kept out of the water, to be completely submerged in the boiling oil known as the onsen water.

Gakuto laughed before turning his attention back to the topic at hand. "So Yamato, what about your johnson?"

Yamato shrugged with a slight smile on his face. "Mine's probably a magnum, it'll shoot a heavy shot."

"That's a far cry from a bazooka," Gakuto gloated.

"Your Bazooka will probably jam when push comes to shove." Yamato shot back.

"And your magnum will probably jam," Gakuto retorted.

I started to crack up from their argument. It's funny cause everything about this seems so real and human, even though I'm positive there was a similar scene from the visual novel. I guess the writers really knew what they were doing when it came to character interactions.

Moro didn't seem to be enjoying the conversation at all. His entire face was red and it didn't look like it was from the heat. "Vulgar, VULGAR!" He yelled at the three of us.

Gakuto laughed once again, now directing his complete attention towards Moro. "You're just saying that because your squirt gun is still in its holster."

Moro's head immediately dropped, seeming completely downcast. "It's not like I'm like that because I want to be."

"Ah, you're talking about foreskin huh? Yeah, I wouldn't be able to say anything, America is circumcision city," yeah, that's a whole different world to me.

"Speaking of which," Yamato started. "What gun are you Mari?"

"I'm probably something like an Anti-tank rifle," I mean, I don't want to brag or anything, but I've never been insecure in that department, thankfully.

"Anti-tank huh? Powerful, and accurate, touche," Yamato praised my improv skills.

Capt nodded his head several times before pointing intensely at me. "Impressive, show it to me!" He commanded.

"No way, Jose," I said, swimming away from him.

"But as the captain I have to know my family at least that much!" He quickly came behind me. SHIT, I forgot how fast Capt was.

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO KNOW ME THAT MUCH! QUIT, BAD TOUCH!" But it was too late, the crazy bastard had already tackled me from behind. "OI, DON'T TACKLE ANOTHER MAN FROM BEHIND WHILE YOU'RE NAKED!"

…

In a far away tree, there were three figures lurking. They kept their heads low and spoke in a hush tone.

"What do you think sis? This would be a perfect time to nab the dude," Ryuhei Itagaki chuckled. "I mean look at him, all defenceless and naked, he'd never see us coming."

"Control yourself," Ami commanded. "Don't let your libido control you, this is the worst time to attack him."

"Libido, what does that have anything to do with it?" He questioned.

"Like you said, he's naked," she stated plainly.

"Damn, caught me," He sighed.

Ami pointed over towards the baths. "What you failed to recognize is that in the female bathing area there are countless warriors that we'd have to deal with, including Kawakami Momoyo."

Ryuhei scratched his head. "Well I mean, they're on a trip together, what're the chances of us capturing him by his lonesome?"

"Well, at the very least let's wait and see. If the info we've gathered is right, we still have a few days before their trip is over."

"Few more days? This shit is boring~" That's when he noticed the snoring coming from the branch below him. "Oi, are you sleeping?" He kicked the branch slightly.

"Mm?" Tatsuko opened her eyes slightly.

"Looks like we're staying a few more days."

"Mmmkay~" She said in a sing-song ton before passing out again.

"God damnit."

And with that, the night ended.

...

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Whether or not that is true, I have no opinion… You see, my mind is occupied with things far more complex and impactful. Like what is the road to Gakuto's heart paved with?

"Women," Yamato said out loud as we walked to the recreation room of the hotel before we started our day.

His reply shocked me to my core. "How in the hell did you just hear my thoughts?"

"I didn't, you were just talking out loud," he replied with a sigh and a small face palm. "Anyways, Gakuto's going to be a hard nut to crack, he's stubborn… But if there's one thing that makes him bend on a whim, it's women."

I nod in response. "I see what you mean, but how am I supposed to become a woman? Is that even possible?" I joked.

Yamato face palmed even harder this time, whether or not he thought I was serious or if he thought my joke was lame, I didn't know. "No, just go pick up girls with him."

"Okay okay, you make a good point; however, what makes you think I know how to pick up girls?"

"I mean, I'd say you're pretty attractive."

"Aw shucks," I blushed.

"Did you not get girls in America?" He questioned.

I shrugged. "Yes and no? I had some girl friends but I wasn't a playboy or anything. Definitely wasn't a pick-up artist. Besides, my knowledge of American women wouldn't help with Japanese women. That's a whole other ball game."

"Well you could always ask Nee-san," Yamato returned my shrug with one of his own.

"Hmm, I guess I could…"

[Ask Momoyo]

[Ask the other girls.]

[Ask Kyojin Usami]

Oh shit, I forgot about this mechanic. Also… is the last choice a joke? Cause if so, it's a bad one.

Well I guess when it comes down to it, Momoyo is the most experienced with getting girls, though the fact that she IS Momoyo Kawakami probably makes it easier to pick up ladies. So I should probably go with…

[Ask Momoyo]

[Ask the other girls.]

[Ask Kyojin Usami]

I guess I should ask the other girls. Who should I ask though? I mean I don't think Wanko would be much help to be honest. Mayucchi could possibly help? I could also ask Miyako and Chris even though… Chris isn't Japanese… Okay maybe not Chris. Mayucchi and Miyako. Yep, at this point I feel like those are my only options.

"I guess I'll go ask the other girls for advice," I mentioned to Yamato.

"Good luck," and with that we parted ways.

…

The morning activity was going down to the river and fishing, maybe swim a bit in the water, who knows? But I decided to take this opportunity to get advice from the girls. The first girl that I planned on asking? Mayucchi of course.

If you ask me, Mayucchi is what a lot of westerners imagine Japanese women are like. I mean, besides the crippling anxiety. She's cute, reserved, carries a katana around with her… Yeah, Japanese. So I guess that's why I decided to ask her first.

Plus I did promise that we'd get to know each other more over the weeknd, so this is the perfect chance.

"Yo, Mayucchi," I called out to her as she was laying down a blanket for our picnic.

"Oh, O-Omari-san?" She seemed to have clammed up a bit as I approached her. I guess she's still a tad shy around me.

I tried my best to give her a reassuring smile before talking. "I need your advice on something."

"M-My advice?" I could practically see the anime swirls in her eyes as she seemed utterly confused and worked up.

"It seems that the foreign boy has come for advice," the horse known as Matsukaze spoke up. "Mayucchi, don't let your guard down around this one. He seems to have a more sinister plan."

"What makes you think that, weird little piñata thing," of course I knew his name, but calling him a pinata thing was way funnier to me.

"Because I know Americans more than I know the back of my hand… Hoove. Just know, I'm always watching…"

"I'll keep that in mind… Anyways. I need your help Mayucchi, real serious matter, life and death."

"I-Is it that serious?" She looked like she was about to pass out.

"Of course it is!" I raised my voice slightly. "I wouldn't lie to you."

"O-Okay then, a-ask away! I'll answer the best way I know how!"

"Okay, so, how do I pick up girls?" I asked the main question pretty bluntly.

"Uwa," her face would be considered a tomato to some. To me, more so an apple of my eye. Ya'll didn't know I was poetic did you? "U-Uwauwauwa."

"Uwa?" I questioned this strange sound.

"W-W-W-What do you mean by that?" She waved her hands out in front of her in a panic.

"Mayucchi, could he perhaps be hitting on you? An American pick-up technique?" Pinata-kun spoke up again.

"O-O-O-Omari-kun?" She questioned.

I shook my head and held my hands out trying to calm her down a bit. "No no no no no, I'm not hitting on you Mayucchi, look-" I explained my situation to her.

"I-I see, well, um," She collected herself some before continuing. "I imagine you'd have to court a l-lady before she-"

"Court? I'm not trying to marry anyone, just tryna pick someone up, go on a date, you know?" Her silence showed me that perhaps she didn't know. "Liiiiiiike what would I have to do to go on a date with you?"

Red as a cherry perhaps? There's a double entendre somewhere there. "Uwawawawawawawa," it was only a matter of time before she passed out.

"Mayucchi, it looks like this was a pick-up technique after all," how many times do I have to tell this horse to SHUT UP.

After a few more minutes of panicking Mayucchi was able to answer my question, though her face was still red. "W-W-Well I guess… If it's only something like dinner, you'd only have to ask. Though a relationship would take a lot more getting to know each other."

"I see, so it's pretty similar to America," I nodded.

"Did you really think it was going to be THAT different?" The horse asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. Honestly, I didn't even know what I expected. I guess I kinda guessed it was different but at the same time… Wait a minute.

"Mayucchi."

"Y-Yes."

"While you've given me critical information on how you'd respond if I asked you out at this moment, what I really should have asked is a hypothetical of a different calibur."

"Your Japanese is very refined," She complimented me.

"Er, thanks," sometimes I forget that we're speaking Japanese. "What I meant was, if I was some random guy on the street, what would it take for me to get your number and take you out."

She thought for a moment before answering. "I don't think there would be anything you could do… Willingly of course."

Damn it, back to square one.

…

Reading a boys love manga under the shade of an umbrella, I found the one and only purple haired girl known as Miyako Shiina. Now I won't lie to you and say that Miyako and I are the best of friends. I mean we hardly know each other, but I feel like… we've grown a lot, y'know… In a way. At the very least, I feel like we've grown enough for me to come bug her while she's reading manga.

"Yo," I greeted her casually as I stood up in front of her.

She looked up at me, her eyes half lidded, kinda in a sassy, 'why are you talking to me?' type of way. But I know that deep down, Miyako's a sweetheart. You just gotta break through the hard tsun-outer-shell in order to enjoy the sweet dere-dere goodness. Kinda like an ice cream candy bar. You know that kind.

She looked back down at her manga before speaking. "Don't feel like fishing?"

"Nah, not really my thing," I said as I sat on the blanket in front of her. "Figured I'd come bug you for a bit," it was a joke that I hoped was going to land.

She rolled her eyes a bit. "At least you acknowledge it," you know, even though she acts like this, I'm almost positive she doesn't hate me as much as Gakuto does.

"Actually, I had something to ask you if you don't mind," while she was still reading her book, she seemed to be listening to me pretty proactively. "Would you say I'm an attractive guy?"

"You're not Yamato so no comment."

Damn, I should have known that this is what it would come to. I mean at least she didn't say no, but at the same time it still kinda hurt.

"What about Gakuto?"

Without missing a beat she answered. "He's not Yamato so no comment."

Damn, foiled once again. Maybe I should change the question up a bit because this is obviously getting nowhere.

"What makes guys attractive over here anyways?"

"Being Yamato."

MOTHER FU- okay okay, Omari, relax. "Being Yamato is easy, check it out." I clear my throat. Be Yamato, you could be Yamato right? I mean, you lived in his head when reading the visual novel so it can't be that hard. "Huur Huur, Hermit crabs. I'm a strategist. I think I'm cool because my phone contacts list has hundreds of people." I do my best Yamato impression.

Miyako dropped her boy's manga to the ground and looked at me with widened eyes the size of plates. "Th-That was surprisingly good."

"Right? That's totally something he'd say," I stick my chest out a bit, proud of my impression skills.

She shook her head. "Not what you said, how you said it, do that again."

Oh, she meant like, the sound of my voice. "You mean like this?" I asked her in the voice I was just doing.

She leaned forward towards me almost slamming her face into mine, luckily I was fast enough to pull back. I guess all that training was actually paying off.

"You sound exactly like him!" Besides her yelling at Chris, this is the most emotion I've heard from her. "Can you say, 'Miyako, I love you?'"

It was kind of embarrassing, but I nodded. "Miyako, I love you."

Her face grew more and more red with every word. "Okay, now say, Miyako I want to **** **** *** ** * ** ** * **" Jesus, might have to change the rating after that one.

After a couple more minutes of me whispering sweet nothings to her it seemed like she finally had her fill.

"Well… If you want my two cents. If you're looking for a girl that Gakuto might like, then picking them up should be pretty easy. Gakuto likes older women and doesn't mind someone easy that you can pick up on the street."

"I think that's the most I've ever heard you talk at one time," besides the other day of course. Still, It's good enough information. "Thanks Miyako."

"Don't mention it," and with that she went back to reading.

...

"Ayy Gakuto, can I talk to you for a sec?" After talking to Miyako I went over to where Gakuto, Moro, and Capt were fishing.

"Oh Mari, come over to fish with us?" Capt shouted at me from knee deep in the river.

"Nah, not really my thing," I called back to him. He just shrugged and went back to fishing. "Like I said, I came to talk to Gakuto real quick."

"What is it?" Well his voice was obviously irritated, at least he didn't call me a pretty boy, or foreigner this time.

"Actually, could we talk about this in private?" I pointed away from the rest of the group, near the woods.

Gakuto looked over to where I pointed before looking back at me. At first it looked like he was going to decline, but after getting a good look at my face I think he saw that I was being serious about this. "Sure, let's go."

After walking a short distance away I, turned to Gakuto and started talking. "Look, Gakuto, I know you hate me."

"Are we really doing this right now?" He seemed slightly irritated, but not as angry as he usually is.

I nodded. "I just, I want us to get along, you know? I mean, I don't plan on leaving the Kazama family anytime soon, and I feel like it'd just be easier for the both of us if you didn't hate my guts."

Gakuto sighed. "Omari… I know," he said my name this time. "I know damn well that the way I've been acting has been harsh. Trust me, the group has spoken to me multiple times about all this."

Really? I didn't know they cared that much.

He continued. "Look dude, I don't hate you. Sure, I might not like you, but I don't hate you either. I guess the truth is," a pained expression began to form on his face.

"I understand bro, look," I interrupted him as it looked like to me he was going to admit something painful. There was no need. "How about tomorrow we go pick up some girls in town or something. We can bond a bit."

He perked up slightly. "Really? You think we could pick up chicks?"

I give him a sly look and a head nod. "I don't think, I know. You see, I've been doing some research, and I've basically got this whole thing down to a science."

Gakuto leaned in closer as if he wanted to learn about my findings. Of course, I was bullshitting. The only thing I really learned is 'If girls want to be picked up, they'll be picked up.' Anyone could have figured that though.

"I'll tell you all about it tomorrow," I pat Gakuto on the shoulder as he nodded enthusiastically.

…

Later that night, I secluded myself in the woods for some alone time. After all, I had some training I needed to do.

Meditation. Controlled breathing. Past that, focus on the life around you. Everything has a presence, some more than others. Feel the ki inside you, bring it to the forefront. Into your upper chakras, or something like that.

I respect Master Tesshin so I'll continue to practice this shit, but god is it boring.

I focused on my breathing, and I could feel my body getting lighter. This is something that comes every time I meditate, though this time it felt stronger. Maybe because my Ki has been leveling up.

That's when I felt a burning sensation in my stomach.

"Your Ki comes from your stomach. When you feel it, you must bring it out." I remembered the words of Master Tesshin.

What did he mean by bringing it out though?

Trying to focus on the burning sensation, I focused on pushing, not deeper into my colon or out into my throat, but outside my stomach, as if it was coming out my belly button. That's when I felt it, the plants around me. I could feel their life energy.

FUCK YES!

I didn't know if it was actually 100 percent real, for all I know I could be placebo effecting myself or whatever. That's when I noticed it.

Ki increased 1 point!

Hell yeah, now I was at 11.

I wonder, if I regulated my Ki more would Momoyo be able to sense me? She'd probably come running and be all like 'Oh man Mari, you're so cool and awesome, can I get a kiss?' and I'll be all like 'the others might sense a distortion in my ki if we do that' and she would be like 'oh I guess that's true, your presence is so pronounced now, you're well on your way to becoming a true master'... or something like that.

I continued to focus on sensing things around me. I sensed the deer off in the distance, the foxes, the bugs – damn there was even a bear close by. Guess I should keep a close eye on it.

But also, that's when I noticed it… Three… Pretty powerful people were sitting in some trees near my position.

I could feel the ill intent oozing out from their bodies.

Oh shit.

..

A/N: Sorry for such a long wait on this chapter ya'll, though this IS the longest chapter I've produced so far. I want to thank Eleventh Crow once again for being my editor.