A few days later...
Now living in her master's new Estate with Valerie, Tama had finally regained enough strength to stand on her own. Her body was still sluggish compared to its prime—before she'd been wounded by that monstrous blackcat beast she thought was her mother, but at least she could move, train, and breathe freely again. Each day she sparred and stretched under the sun, her movements sharp and confident while sweat traced the contours of her toned form.
And every day, Rin lounged under the same tree, doing absolutely nothing, her mouth constantly full.
"Urgh... Rin misses Master!!" she grumbled, cramming a handful of buttery popcorn into her cheeks like a squirrel.
Tama didn't glance her way. She rolled her wooden staff across the nape of her neck, down over her shoulders, then under her armpit with practiced ease like a true martial artist warming up for the next set. One foot forward, the other planted firm behind her.
