Hikaru is in his best outfit, prepared with sword at his side. He waits patiently, but he can't resist the smile creeping to his face as the appointed hour draws closer.

Honoka had arrived soon after, a smile on her face. She hadn't worn her court best but it was close.

"Doji-san" she bowed "interesting location you chose. It has a good view though, ne?"

"It seemed a suitable location Ikoma-san. After all, it is where the will of the Heavens was once before." Hikaru rests his palm on the butt of his hilt. "There is a part of what we are that cannot be communicated with words. I would wish to have a true exchange before we depart for now."

Kenji arrived to watch the exhibition and support his cousin. There were a few small spots of ink on his hands and he was feeling rather cramped after hours spent capturing the fine details of what had gone on earlier that day. He bowed to each of the samurai but kept out of their way, it was their moment.

"You're right, it has had the heavens notice a few times this court season. Fitting then" Honoka nodded as she took her place across from HIkaru "one final test of court season before the bigger tests to come following this."

"I" Hikaru pauses, thinking of the words "Don't want this to end. No matter the outsome, I wish for this to be one of many clashes going forward Ikoma-san."

Hikaru settles into his stance. It is a bit cleaner than the last time that they had faced

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D15 Friendly Duel - Assessment - VP spent - Kenjustsu/Awareness | 10k5 ⇒ 49 (TN: 25)

"One chapter ends, another begins" Honoka replied with a grin as she settled into her stance. For now, they seemed even...


D15 ME friendly duel! Assessment - Kenjutsu/Awareness+void+ILS2 | 10k6 ⇒ 49

"You did something for me that I shall never forget Ikoma Honoka: I was satisfied, and then you showed me a gulf that I did not expect to exist. And our time together helped me see gaps. You helped me with a new chapter. Now, let us write fresh ones" Hikaru settles in. No matter what, he is satisfied. This is his best right now but that was always a transient place to be. It was ephemeral. There was only this moment, and for perhaps the first time he accepted it.

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D15 Friendly Duel - Focus - Kenjustu6/Void4 with Master 5 (10k4+6) -> Kakita Bushi Tech 1 (+1k1+3=11k5+8) -> Center Stance +1k1+Void (12k6+12) -> VP spent, becomes +2k1 (14k7+12) -> Modified to 10k9+12 | 10k9+12 ⇒ 83

Honoka had a brief pause at that, the comment perhaps distracting her focus for a moment.

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D15 Friendly Duel - Focus roll. Kenjutsu/void+vp+ILS1+ILS2+centre stance+Kenjutsu 5 bonus | 10k8+9 ⇒ 51 all the 6s I believe you get 10 free raises due to KB3!

There is that moment of faltering and Hikaru strikes, taking advantage of that uncharacteristic lapse to clear his blade first. For a moment, a brief moment, he considers resolving it as a Kharmic Strike...but Honoka would not forgive him for such a thing. Hikaru's blade shallowly scratches Hokona's hand.

Hikaru continues through his strike, and the ribbon holding Honoka's hair back severs and floats away, her bound hair flowing free.

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Duel phase three - first strike - 10 free raises passed | 10k4+50 ⇒ 77 I assume that hits, that's a lot of free raises

Duel phase three - damage | 5k2 ⇒ 2 2 damage

There was the smallest look of surprise for a brief moment, and she then looked at her hand. Her long hair now freed from its hair ending up almost like a curtain to her face.

"Huh."

There was another small moment before a chuckle escaped, and she used her non-cut hand to brush her hair back. Without the ribbon it went well past her shoulders.

"I guess I finally lost huh. Well struck Doji-san, forgive me for not being a good opponent" there was a small bow.

Hikaru bows in return. "With respect Honoka-san, but that's nonsense. You are an excellent opponent. I simply came out on top today."

He eyes a cut and the loose hair and slides his blade against the sleeve of his kimono, cutting a few strands free. He moves to bind the cut on her hand.

"I said before you showed me a new horizon when I first arrived. Perhaps now it's my turn."