[ACTION]

[kaidont]

[If you are currently near the outskirts of Union, you might hear a bit of a racket.

Or you might outright just find Kaido, Flabébé and Sraggy.

They've set up a set of twin practice dummies (a big one for Kaido, a smaller one for Scraggy) and are practicing kicks and punches with synchromised timing, with Flabébé alternating between checking on the egg they have nearby and pushing a large ball around with Fairy Wind.

They've been at this for a week. Someone stop them.

Or alternatively, complain about the noise]

Comments

[at_too_low]

[Arm-wrestling Ursarings, probably. He wouldn't put it past you.]

Can I ask another question instead, then?

[kaidont]

Yeah?

[at_too_low]

Why do you never use your first name?

[Wherefore art thou Kaido]

[kaidont]

[shrug] I'm used to "Kaido".

[at_too_low]

But miss Mari calls you by your first name. Haven't you known each other since you were kids?

[kaidont]

Yeah and she's the only person who still does.

1/2

[at_too_low]

[... He gets the implication. And it makes him feel weirdly guilty]

... Oh. Sorry.

[A part of him wants to propose he starts calling you Tadashi too, half-jokingly - but that brings its own brand of guilt and fear with it. He doesn't want to make you see your brother in him]

[at_too_low]

[Well, time to move on, he's giving you his brand grin]

Well, I'll keep calling you Kaido then! So, what do we do with the training now?

[kaidont]

[He is not fooled, Atsuro. Buuut he doesn't want to drag this particular conversation either, so. Dropped]

Well, normally, we should do the same thing again until you're completely out of breath.

[at_too_low]

What about not normally?

[kaidont]

Depends. Do you have what it takes to do it or should I go easy on you?

[at_too_low]

[... How is he supposed to know whether he has what it takes or not if he doesn't even know what the training is. Still, he grins at you confidently]

Is that a challenge?

[kaidont]

All right, then. We're gonna do it the normal way... but since you're so enthusiastic, I'm adding a little twist.

[He pauses for dramatic effect]

Every time you miss one, I strike back. Good incentive not to fall out of rhythm, hmm?

[at_too_low]

Wouldn't the motivation depend on how hard you hit? If you go easy on me, I'm out.

[kaidont]

Is that a challenge?

[Be careful, Atsuro, you're going to end up with bruises]

[at_too_low]

[He laughs]

I'm tougher than I look! And you're not fully evolved yet, too.

[kaidont]

Well then. [He's proud of you! But also kind of wants to make you feel for yourself how harsh this can be. Though he does believe you can handle it]

Let's go.

[And he's taking a stance again]

[at_too_low]

[Right! He readies himself too, much more focused than before, but still looking stupidly excited]