Saturday morning arrived quietly.
Sunlight streamed through the curtains of the Ikaragi house, casting warm beams across the living room floor.
For once, the house was peaceful.
On the couch sat a small pillow.
On that pillow…
Stud was sleeping.
The hand-sized poltergeist had wrapped himself inside the pillow like a tiny misty burrito, snoring faintly.
"…zzz… late night drama episode… betrayal arc…"
The television across the room was still on low volume, replaying some morning program.
Everything was calm.
Until—
CLANG!
BANG!
CRASH!
Stud's glowing eyes shot open.
"…What in the afterlife was that?"
Another loud noise echoed from the kitchen.
CLATTER.
Something metallic bounced across the floor.
Stud slowly floated up from the pillow.
"…That sounds expensive."
More sounds followed.
WHACK.
"WHY DOES IT KEEP DOING THAT?!"
Stud blinked.
"…Ah."
He floated toward the kitchen doorway.
What he saw was pure chaos.
A frying pan spun through the air before landing loudly on the counter.
Utensils clattered across the floor.
Flour dust floated through the air like smoke after an explosion.
And in the center of it all—
Serena stood gripping a spatula like she was in combat.
Erika stood beside her calmly.
Aunt Melda observed from the counter with quiet patience.
Stud floated into the room.
"…Humans."
All three women turned toward him.
Stud looked around at the destruction.
"…What's going on?"
Erika smiled politely.
"Serena is learning how to cook."
Stud slowly looked back at Serena.
Then at the burnt pan.
Then at the flour covering half the kitchen.
"…Is this punishment?"
Serena glared at him.
"It's training."
Erika nodded approvingly.
"Yes."
She continued calmly.
"She needs to learn how to be a good wife."
Serena's face turned red instantly.
"MOM!"
She pointed angrily at Stud.
"WHY ARE YOU TELLING HIM THAT?!"
Stud floated closer and crossed his tiny arms.
"…Seriously."
He studied Serena from head to toe.
"I don't know why that boy married you."
Serena's eye twitched.
Stud continued thoughtfully.
"Besides your looks…"
He tilted his head.
"…What are you good for?"
Five knives flew across the room instantly.
THUNK.
THUNK.
THUNK.
THUNK.
THUNK.
Stud exploded into mist five times in rapid succession.
Then reformed again.
"…Violent household."
He looked around again.
"My dear Miss."
He turned toward Aunt Melda.
"Where is the young boy?"
"I wish to see him."
Aunt Melda wiped her hands calmly.
"He's downstairs."
Stud blinked.
"…Downstairs?"
Melda nodded.
"Training."
Stud floated toward the basement door.
"…Ah."
He opened it and drifted down.
Basement Training Ground
The basement of the Ikaragi house was enormous.
Large enough to function as a full training facility.
The floor was reinforced stone.
Training weapons lined the walls.
And in the center—
Yuma stood breathing heavily.
Sweat dripped down his face as he practiced controlled strikes.
Across from him stood Alumna.
Watching carefully.
"Again," Alumna said calmly.
Yuma lunged forward.
His fist struck a reinforced training dummy.
THUD.
Not perfect.
But stronger than before.
Stud floated down the stairs slowly.
"…Oh."
He looked around the training area with mild interest.
"…This is different."
Yuma noticed him.
"Stud?"
The poltergeist floated closer.
"I came to see what you humans were doing."
He gestured upstairs.
"The loud one is attempting culinary warfare."
Yuma sighed.
"…That sounds right."
Stud looked around the basement again.
Then at Yuma.
"…What exactly are you training for?"
Alumna answered.
"To become a Geist."
Stud blinked.
"…Ah."
He looked slightly more interested now.
"So the boy fights spirits."
"Yes."
Stud nodded slowly.
"That explains the terrible life choices."
Alumna stepped closer.
"Stud."
The poltergeist turned toward him.
"Yes, serious man."
Alumna pointed toward Yuma.
"Come here."
Stud floated closer cautiously.
"…Why?"
Alumna crossed his arms.
"You're indestructible."
Stud straightened slightly.
"That is correct."
"So help train him."
Stud froze.
"…Absolutely not."
He shook his head immediately.
"I am a talker."
He floated proudly.
"Not a fighter."
"I have class unlike those brutish spirits."
Alumna remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"I'll get you a bigger TV."
Stud froze midair.
"…Define bigger."
"A large one."
Stud slowly turned toward Yuma.
His expression changed completely.
He dropped into a dramatic fighting stance.
"Let's go, kid."
Yuma blinked.
"That was fast."
Stud cracked his tiny misty knuckles.
"For a larger television…"
He pointed confidently.
"I will endure violence."
Alumna nodded.
"Good."
Yuma raised his fists cautiously.
"…You're really okay with this?"
Stud shrugged.
"I regenerate."
Then he added thoughtfully—
"But try not to aim for the face."
Yuma lunged forward.
THUD.
Stud exploded into mist.
Three seconds later—
He regenerated.
"…Okay maybe don't aim anywhere."
Alumna watched calmly.
"Yes."
He nodded slightly.
"This will work."