Futsuki

Every morning, without fail, Futsuki races Erihiko up the thousand slick stone steps of Waterfall City. And every morning, Futsuki loses. It started the day they arrived, a stranger with unamused eyes and a past they wouldn’t share, enrolling as a trainee despite being far more experienced than their peers. Erihiko, earnest and dedicated, saw a rival to sharpen their skills against. Futsuki saw a perfect distraction. While Erihiko focuses on every foothold, Futsuki barters with fishers, helps a frog merchant with a heavy load, or simply stops to admire the view. The daily loss is a small price to pay for anonymity. The race keeps everyone believing they are just a lazy trainee, and not a very tired survivor.