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The Master's cane cracked against Kevin's face for the third time, sending him tumbling to the ground. His head hit the court floor so hard his vision blurred.
"Even the stupidest dog can learn a simple trick," The Master said, voice level in the most terrifying way. He pressed a foot down on Kevin's chest. "So why is it that you can't do something as basic as repeating the answers you were taught?"
"I-" He pressed down harder, making it difficult to breath. "It was stupid, I'm sorry!"
It really was stupid. Kevin had done enough interviews before to manage them in his sleep, and the one today wasn't even hard. It was the same old questions about exy and training and whether he'd join the Ravens one day. All Kevin had to do was say what he'd been told to. But then one of the questions was about the stadium and Kevin couldn't help but mention a related history fact, and the interviewer started asking about school subjects which became 'Why don't you two go to school?', and Kevin felt sick even before he saw the furious glare standing behind the camera.
"Oh?" The Master lifted his foot only to crash it into his side with a brutal kick. "You shamed the Moriyama name today. Do you think your words are enough?"
The cane came down on Kevin's ribs, over and over, and he couldn't breathe. His chest hurt and his throat was tight and, and he knew the answer to that question-
"Please Master, I didn't mean to, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-"
He could barely keep from crying out in pain as the Master struck the cane's handle between two of his ribs, sharp pain flaring up his side. Riko liked to hear his cries but they only made the Master angrier, so Kevin needed to shut his mouth and stay quiet and absolutely not fucking cry-
But his face was wet when the Master dragged him upright by his shirt collar. The man's expression was blurry but Kevin could still feel the contempt.
"I do not care how sorry you are. You will never disgrace your owners like this again."
"Yes, Master."
"At your next interview, you will do as you're told, and prove that you're not too worthless to do even that. Understand?"
The Master grabbed Kevin's head and smashed it into his knee. Kevin reeled back, dizzy and getting his hands bloody as he pressed them to his face, iron dripping from his nose. His whole body felt shaky. Your next interview, but with the damage to his face he wouldn't get that chance for far too long.
The cane clicked against the floor, grabbing Kevin's attention. The Master stood over him, seeming very tall.
"In the meantime," He said, hefting the cane. "I'll remind you of what you've been taught."