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“Again.”
Rodion groaned loudly, but moved into a fighting stance. It had been ten times, already, surely Ishmael was getting tired at this point.
“You ready, Ishy?”
“Yes. Go.”
It went like how all of these mock fights had gone. Ishmael could hold her own for only so long before she was eventually flipped up and fover Rodion’s shoulder. When she heard the thud, Rodion, flicked some soot off her shoulder and turned to smile down at her.
“You wanna go and get some ramen? Ooh, maybe some dumplings– or pan noodles!”
She was suddenly kicked to the ground and when she looked up, she had to immediately block Ishmael’s swing. She grabbed her wrist and grappled her to the ground.
“Dammit!”
“Ishy, what has gotten into you?!”
Ishmael huffed and sat up. “You keep beating me! I get it, you’re the director, but– it’s super frustrating when it feels impossible to beat you!”
Ishmael squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see her face. After a moment, she felt a warm palm settle on her cheek.
“Ishy, open your eyes.”
Ishmael sighed and let her shoulders sag before opening her eyes. Rodion was giving her a kind smile and she relaxed a small amount.
“What’s with that look?”
Rodion patted her head and snickered. “You’re always so uptight about things. You should just let your strength and ability come at you naturally!”
Ishmael huffed. “Easy for you to say…”
“And do!” Rodion stood and pulled Ishmael up along with her. “Come on, Ishy! Being in the Liu Association means we get along, we like each other, and,” She spun her around before bringing her into a dip, “we don’t get down on ourselves when comparing ourselves to others. We just get better.”
“...Yeah…”
“Hmm?” Rodion leaned in close to her face. “I can’t hear you~”
Ishmael turned red and she looked away. “I said, yeah– Yes, ma’am!”
Rodion snickered and kissed her cheek. “You’re too cute. Come on let’s go and get some soba.”
“Director–”
“My treat! Come on, let’s made it a date!”
Ishmael let herself get pulled up and out of the building to go to the restaurant her Director would pick out. As she was dragged, she found herself smiling softly.
“God, what a wonderful woman…”