"So, Hayato-san... can you tell me more about Kokyū-dō?"
Ren asked calmly, still with ice cream in his mouth.
Hayato continued eating his own cone, keeping his hands in his pockets.
"You don't know?"
Ren rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed.
"I've never been very attentive. I always ended up getting distracted."
Hayato snapped his fingers and looked up.
"Right... let me see..."
He spent a few seconds thinking.
Then he quickly turned toward Ren.
"Have you ever watched Kimetsu no Yaiba?"
Ren shook his head.
"Never."
Hayato's eyes widened.
"How have you never watched it?!"
He grabbed Ren by the shoulders.
"It's one of the greatest animated series this country has ever produced!"
Ren stared at him, unable to understand the reaction.
Hayato realized he was overreacting and regained his composure.
"I forgot you grew up in the mountains."
He let go of Ren.
"So I'll show you."
"Where are we going?"
Hayato looked at him with a serious expression.
"I'm going to show you something worth even leaving your girlfriend waiting on your third date for."
Ren's eyes widened.
"Girlfriend?!"
Hayato pointed ahead.
"The cinema."
---
Two hours later...
"Whoa!"
Ren walked out of the cinema completely excited.
"That was incredible! The way they move... those fights... I've never seen anything that exciting!"
Hayato crossed his arms proudly.
"I knew you'd like it."
He looked at Ren.
"So... do you understand the concept of Kokyū-dō?"
Ren became serious.
"I understand."
Hayato smiled.
Ren raised both hands.
"I understood absolutely nothing!"
Hayato remained silent for a few seconds.
Ren then flashed a huge smile.
"But if there's a chance to learn a breathing technique that amazing... I want to learn it!"
Hayato smiled.
"Great."
He raised one finger.
"There's just one small problem."
Ren tilted his head.
"What?"
"Your body will probably want to give up before you do."
Ren's smile disappeared.
"What do you mean?"
Hayato started walking.
"Kokyū-dō isn't magic."
Ren followed him.
"It doesn't create strength out of nowhere. It doesn't summon spirits. And it doesn't depend on some special technique."
Hayato placed a hand over his chest.
"You learn to use what you already possess."
He breathed slowly.
Inhale.
Exhale.
"First: breathing."
Hayato raised one finger.
"You need to control the rhythm, depth, and exact timing of your inhalation and exhalation."
Ren watched attentively.
"Second: the body."
Hayato began moving his arms as he walked.
"Your breathing needs to follow your movements. If your mind tells you to attack, but your body is behind..."
He snapped his fingers.
"You waste energy."
Then he pointed at Ren's head.
"And third..."
His smile disappeared.
"The mind."
Ren became serious.
"Pain. Fear. Anger. Exhaustion."
Hayato touched his own chest.
"All of these things alter your breathing."
He stared directly at Ren.
"If you lose control of your emotions, you lose your rhythm."
A pause.
"And if you lose your rhythm..."
Hayato snapped his fingers.
"Kokyū-dō breaks."
Ren remained silent.
Then he placed a hand on his chin.
"Sounds simple."
Hayato flashed a huge smile.
"It isn't."
He patted Ren on the shoulder.
"Anyone can learn the fundamentals. The real problem is discovering how far you're willing to push your own body to reach the higher levels."
Ren stared at Hayato.
His eyes were different now.
Determination.
"So... what's the first step?"
Hayato pointed at the ground.
"Breathing."
Ren blinked.
"That's it?"
Hayato continued walking.
"For now."
He looked over his shoulder and smiled.
"Let's find out how long you can remain merely human before learning to fight beyond your own limits."
Ren stood still for a few seconds.
Then ran after him.
"Wait! Was that a threat or a lesson?!"
Hayato simply kept walking.
"Figure it out yourself."
---
Later...
The two walked casually through the academy's hallways.
Until a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Where have you two been?"
Ren froze.
So did Hayato.
Takahashi stood in front of them, arms crossed.
"Do you two know what time it is?"
Hayato raised his hands.
"Relax, Takahashi. There's no need to get worked up."
"Worked up?"
Takahashi adjusted his glasses.
"I've had to deal with responsibilities that you were supposed to be handling."
Then he looked at Ren.
"And you..."
Ren straightened his posture.
"Yes?"
"Shouldn't you be in your dorm?"
Ren immediately nodded.
"Yes, sir."
And ran off.
Takahashi watched Ren disappear down the hallway.
Then he turned his attention back to Hayato.
"Honestly..."
He sighed.
"I don't know how this school is still standing."
Hayato placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Because I have you to take care of everything."
Takahashi closed his eyes.
"Sometimes I think I'm looking after a child."
Hayato smiled.
Takahashi then seemed to remember something.
"Oh, I almost forgot..."
Hayato's smile disappeared.
"The government..."
For a few seconds, his demeanor changed.
He looked at the sky through the window.
The stars glittered above the academy.
"Those bitter old men still haven't kicked the bucket?"
Takahashi remained silent.
Hayato smiled again as if nothing had happened.
"Anyway..."
He slapped Takahashi on the back.
"Come on. A new chapter of One Piece just dropped."
Takahashi stood there.
Watching Hayato disappear down the hallway.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then he sighed.
"I really need a vacation."
---
On the other side of the academy, Ren walked alone toward the dormitory.
He looked at his hands.
He slowly inhaled.
Then exhaled.
Once.
Twice.
He still didn't fully understand what Kokyū-dō was.
But for the first time...
Ren had found a path he wanted to follow.
And perhaps that simple breath would be the first step toward discovering just how far his body could go.