A Familiar Shadow

                                    

                                          
The summer heat was relentless, even as the group trained tirelessly in the Richardson family’s yard. 
Pops and Dad watched from the shade of the porch, occasionally offering sarcastic commentary that was more amusing than helpful.  
Fredrick flopped dramatically onto the grass after finishing his set of push-ups. 
“Why can’t we just play video games like normal people?!”  
“Because normal people don’t survive real fights,” Seraphina snapped, spinning her wooden staff with a precision that made Fredrick flinch.  
Hiroki smirked, his shirt soaked with sweat. 
“You could always quit, Fredrick.”  
Fredrick sat up, feigning outrage. 
“And let you surpass me? Never!”  
Their banter was interrupted by Seraphim’s voice. 
“Focus, Hiroki. We’re doing sparring drills next.”  
Hiroki nodded, wiping his face with a towel. 
As grueling as the training was, he could feel himself getting stronger, his movements sharper, his resolve deeper.  
Later that afternoon, after cleaning up, Seraphina decided it was time for a trip to the local ice cream parlor. 
“We deserve a reward,” she declared, grabbing her keys.  
Dad grunted from his spot on the couch. 
“Don’t spoil them too much. They’ll get lazy.”  
Pops waved him off. 
“It’s summer! Let them have fun. Besides, Hiroki needs to learn to enjoy life a little.”  
The group piled into the sleek black car, with Seraphina behind the wheel and Fredrick whining about not getting shotgun.  
The ice cream shop was bustling with activity, the sweet aroma of waffle cones and syrupy toppings filling the air. 
Hiroki felt a pang of nostalgia as he scanned the shop, remembering the times he’d visited places like this with Ayumu and Noa.  
Shaking off the thought, he joined the others in choosing a flavor. 
Fredrick, of course, went overboard with a triple scoop topped with everything imaginable.  
They found a spot outside, the laughter of children playing nearby creating a lively backdrop.  
“You know,” Fredrick began, licking his ice cream, “this is way better than training.”  
“Don’t get used to it,” Seraphina warned, though there was a hint of amusement in her tone.  
Hiroki was halfway through his cone when a familiar voice reached his ears. 
His body stiffened as he turned, spotting Nao standing at a table across the courtyard.  
She was with Kokujin, laughing as if she hadn’t a care in the world.  
Hiroki’s grip on his cone tightened, the sight of them together stirring a mix of anger and pain.  
Fredrick followed his gaze, his cheerful expression fading. 
“That them?” he asked quietly.  
Hiroki nodded.  
Fredrick frowned but said nothing, respecting Hiroki’s silence.  
Seraphina, however, noticed his tense demeanor immediately. 
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her eyes scanning the area.  
“Nothing,” Hiroki muttered, forcing himself to look away. 
“Let’s just go.”  
Seraphina’s sharp gaze landed on Nao and Kokujin, her black coated lips pressing into a thin line. But she didn’t push further, nodding instead. 
“Fine. We’re leaving.”  
The ride home was quiet, the earlier cheer replaced by an unspoken tension. 
Fredrick tried to lighten the mood by telling a ridiculous story about a prank he once pulled, but even his antics couldn’t fully lift Hiroki’s spirits.  
When they arrived back at the house, Hiroki went straight to the training room, not bothering to change out of his casual clothes. 
He picked up a set of gloves and began punching the heavy bag with a ferocity that startled Fredrick.  
“Hey, take it easy,” Fredrick said, standing in the doorway.  
“I’m fine,” Hiroki snapped, not slowing down.  
Fredrick sighed, stepping aside as Seraphina entered the room. 
She didn’t say anything at first, just watched as Hiroki continued to vent his frustration.  
Finally, she spoke. 
“If you keep hitting like that, you’re going to hurt yourself.”  
Hiroki paused, his fists trembling. 
“I’m tired of feeling weak,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.  
Seraphina walked over, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. 
“You’re not weak, Hiroki. You’re angry. And that’s okay. But you need to channel it. Use it. Don’t let it control you.”  
He looked up at her, her words sinking in. 
Slowly, he nodded.  
“Good,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. 
“Now, let’s fix your stance. You’re leaning too far forward.”  
That night, Hiroki lay in bed, his body sore but his mind clearer. 
He couldn’t erase the past, but he could shape his future.