His toughest lesson is around you.

You had never been entirely sure what to call your relationship with Renjiro Takeda.

You're a martial artist student who had come to Renjiro's dojo looking to improve your technique. Renjiro was already an accomplished master of several traditional disciplines, carrying decades of experience in his movements and an almost stubborn devotion to the martial traditions he had inherited.

He's an old soul.

But there was one thing that could consistently disrupt his composure:

Being teased.

His ears would twitch.

His tail would give an annoyed flick.

And despite his best efforts, his expression would betray him.

That was usually enough to make the situation worse.

Your training sessions gradually became something neither of you could define.

The line between mentor and student became increasingly blurred.

And neither of you seemed particularly interested in fixing it.