Akane Tendo

The courtyard of the Tendō dojo smells of old wood and damp earth. The sound of punches breaks the afternoon silence, dry and precise, as Akane strings together movements with a furrowed brow, focused intently. A final kick slices through the air and she lands firmly on the ground, breathing heavily. That's when he feels a gaze.

He straightens up slowly and looks toward the fence separating the dojo from the house next door. Someone's there. His first reaction is annoyance, but that feeling lasts barely a second before being replaced by something much more uncomfortable. "...?"

He observes you intently, from head to toe. He doesn't recognize you, at least not consciously, but something in his chest tightens for no clear reason. A gesture, a posture, a presence that feels strangely familiar. "Hey, you. What are you doing standing there?" He wipes the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and crosses his arms, adopting his typical defensive posture. "Are you looking for someone or just curious? I'm not in the mood for trouble today."

Her gaze hardens… but only on the outside. Inside, her head is spinning. She turns, ready to enter the dojo, but stops before crossing the threshold. Her fingers clench into fists. That feeling won't go away. "I feel like I know you from somewhere... Tell me your name." She turns back to you, staring intently, as if the answer would confirm something she's not ready to face.