A few days have passed by until I joined the club. I was, at this point, really getting accustomed to my school life as well as spending time with my new-found siblings. Everyday was a new delight. Except...
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Sadashige sensei wasn't lying when he warned me about the upcoming training. It was brutal! The toughest training you could imagine!
I think he was just giving me a hard time considering he is still against the fact that I had joined the club. Or perhaps since I'm human, who knows.
The others trained as well, but they went on outside missions even more than this - making use of their powers, while I was stuck with this intense training. I was kind of starting to regret joining AGAIN...
Here's how it was:
Every day, he would tell me to do 100 push-ups in the hot sand or to do sit-ups without using my hands and stuff. My body was hurting like crazy on the first day; my muscles all crying in pain.
Then, he would order me to run on the hottest days with him throwing fire from his hands and putting other scary obstacles in my way. I honestly felt like I was at a military camp or something!
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As bad as the training was, it actually felt like I made a lot of progress. My thighs, arms, even my waist were as strong as ever. I could actually take a beating or two and still stay standing!
Everyone was proud of me and surprisingly, that included Sadashige sensei! He even once complimented me after I finished the sweat dripping-running exercise.
I thought I would just have this kind of training every day; but boy was I wrong.
Right now was different. This one training had gone a bit too far...
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Me and the others came to the club room after school as usual for the daily routine to begin. Days passed by more than I can count, so I had already adjusted to Sadashige sensei's brutal training, but TODAY was unexpected.
"This time, you will have a little different training so get ready for I know you won't go against me." Sadashige sensei explained after leading us all out to the academy's field at the back.
Once close to the area, a girl's silhouette could be spotted, facing the wall. The moment she heard our footsteps, the girl turned back to face us all - her white hair glistening under the sunlight.
(How... How pretty...!)
From close up, she really looked like a delicate girl with her hair as white as fresh snow. Her emotionless face gave a deep impression of calm and cool headed-ness. She looked just like a life-like doll.
"Wooaahh, who's she?" Natsuno asked with curiosity.
Sadashige sensei stood beside her, and went on, "Everyone, this is Shirayuki, one of my acquaintances. She will be the one leading today's training." Shirayuki bowed deeply in response.
Shirayuki's whole attire looked like that of a ninja, hinting especially from the distinct black mask covering her mouth.
Everyone burst out laughing at how he was the last person to know someone as quiet as Shirayuki. After all, Sadashige sensei was THE sadist - it doesn't match at all! Sadashige sensei had a hard time denying the facts, but he somehow managed to silence us all while boiling with rage.
Throat cleared, he then beckoned Shirayuki, who took out shuriken of different sizes and shapes and got into the 'ready' position.
"Hmm? What's all that for?" Raizo asked curiously.
"It's not for you -- guess, you can help as well, but it is only for her!" Sadashige sensei pointed my way.
"W-What does that mean?!"
I was still confused as to what I should be doing until he explained further, almost mockingly, "Well, you just have to dodge them. Simple, isn't it? If you don't, Shirayuki might accidentally even slice you whole so better be prepared! Dodge them for your life because I won't be responsible for any permanent injury."
"Whoa, now hold on a minute! Asuna may have toughened up, but this is passing the line!" Mizore answered in my place.
"Yeah, this isn't right!" Nikki joined in.
"This is still part of the training. You all just go too easy on her which is a big disadvantage! Asuna must be ready for anything! What will she do if she comes across an enemy ninja, huh?! Run away and hide?!"
Although he was shouting, Sadashige sensei was right. Everything he has said until now is all true. It's just his attitude that isn't...
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"Fine, I'll do it." I replied firmly as I stepped in front.
"Heh. Wise answer."
Sadashige sensei commanded me to step in front of the white wall with only a little space between me and Shirayuki. She readied herself for attacking while I readied myself for dodging her shuriken.
Just a few days ago, I found out that Sadashige sensei was one of the Iga Ninjas, the famous elite team in all of Japan. If he literally meant that Shirayuki was his acquaintance, then it would be no surprise that she was an Iga Ninja too. It made me wonder if all the ninjas of his clan were white heads - like these two.
Sadashige sensei, hence, was hired by this academy to train the students who wished to be future ninjas or for this club I joined in order to become the future saviour, but it was all done secretly from the majority of students. He may be grumpy, but his skills are incredibly sharp and he still has experience in military grounds and its strategies. No wonder all his training made me feel like an army girl!
Plus, he is one of the few ninjas who can wield as well as control the element of fire.
"Get ready!" Sadashige sensei announced.
"Good luck!" Everyone else cheered.
I nodded at them.
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"Begin!"
With that, Shirayuki started shooting the shuriken at me and I dodged them with ease.
(This isn't as hard as I thought!)
Seconds later, Sadashige sensei became irritated and ordered her to speed up. Shirayuki didn't refuse and started shooting them with incredible speed. The shuriken came, furiously hurling towards me. I didn't have time to react and they started cutting through my skin.
"Ugh...!"
But I still kept dodging even after every cut I felt like I was losing more blood, my skin burning.
"Asu-nee!" Nikki and Natsuno shouted apprehensively while the others kept their faith in me as they dared not raise an eyebrow.
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......
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"That will be it." Sadashige sensei spoke as he lifted his hand to halt.
"Well done. You are just a few steps away from finally joining the team and going on missions like the others. Hmhm, I am actually impressed."
Sadashige sensei glanced at me for a brief period.
(He... smiled!)
Hearing that acknowledging comment, my legs finally gave way as I wobbled and fell on the ground, panting. My body was full of scratches and scars which weren't anything serious - but still not used to physical injuries, it was quite stinging.
"You did it..." Raizo congratulated softly as he crouched next to me, putting his hand on my back.
"Yes... I... actually did... it." I smiled faintly.
"...Looks like you aren't a weakling after all." Yuichi's voice came from above me.
"Don't say that! At least she tried." Mizore scolded as she nudged him.
"...It was a compliment." Yuichi replied as he looked away.
I laughed with exhaustion before trying to force myself to get up until a pale hand filled my vision. It belonged to Shirayuki. I gently grabbed her hand, but much to my surprise, she lifted me up swiftly without giving me any warning. The impact made my head spin.
Shirayuki, however oblivious to my dizziness, bowed gracefully before whispering, "Thank you for allowing me to join the company today. I look forward to when we cross paths once more next time."
"Y-Yeah, same here..." I replied while cradling my head.
Shirayuki then disappeared with a poof.
(Even her voice sounds as soft as the wind chimes...)
"In some ways, don't you get the feeling she reminds you of a certain someone~?" Raizo questioned with a wide smirk, as he eyed Yuichi.
"...Huh...?"
"Now that you mention it... I think so too!" Mizore giggled, while the twins also nodded.
Yuichi was left dumbfounded. "...No, she isn't anything... like me..."
He lowered his gaze, almost blushing which just fueled Razio's laughter.
"Hahaha! See?! You being AS oblivious as her, being AS poker-faced as her... She is copy-paste of you!" Raizo slung his arm on Yuichi's shoulder, poking his cheeks.
"...S-Shut up...! ...Ughh, I can't deal with this..."
And so, the rest of the time flew by with us teasing Yuichi who was terrible with comebacks. Looks like I got to see a new side of him!
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At the clinic...
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"I am so proud of you Asuna! Even Sadashige sensei finally saw what you are made of and accepted it." Mizore conversed as she wrapped a bandage around my knee cap after applying a stingy medicine.
"Yeah, I am glad. But like he said, I still have a long way to go before I can join you all on missions."
"You will get there." Mizore patted my head.
I nodded.
The others had already gone back to their dorms, or so I thought, expect of Raizo. He was quietly listening to our happy conversation before smiling to himself and strolling off.
"You are really something... Asuna." He muttered to himself.
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"God, why do we have Maths the first?! I am so tired..!" Inori complained as we walked to class.
"Tell me about it! I was so busy with the club, I didn't get a wink of sleep! Not to mention, I am hurt all over!" I continued as I rolled my sleeve upwards, revealing the rows of bandages.
"Wow, must be hard! But you know, Sadashige sensei should learn to take better care of his students, although he's known for the fear... I mean, it is ONLY a club, not a job! I've heard there are even promotions for it, which is quite weird to me," Inori narrowed her eyes as she continued,
"I told you that you could have joined my club instead but, nooo! You just HAD to join the Action club and get hurt every day!"
Inori kept on ranting as she looked my way to the point of walking backwards.
"I still don't regret it though... To be honest, it is actually kind of fun, I mean, it did help me build up my stamina and posture. I still like being with the others, you know?" I replied with a shy smile.
"Whatever. I was just worried you wouldn't be able to handle the pressure, but guess you are doing well! If you are happy, then I am happy Asuna-chii~"
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After the end of the study periods, it was finally time for the clubs. I eagerly ran towards the club room.
As soon as I entered, I was greeted by Sadashige sensei with his usual serious expression. The others were also obviously present as well.
"As you are aware of, it is time for your usual training except this one could be a little challenging..." He stated with an evil grin.
"Whatever it is, I am not scared. I am ready actually." I answered with a teaser grin.
"Why you...! *clears throat* Whatever, let's see if you can actually pull it off. Outside, NOW!"
I did as I was told.
Once we reached outside with Raizo and the others following us, Sadashige sensei spoke, "Today, you will learn how to manipulate your body energy to create an energy blast. Every single being on Earth has energy within them that they can bring out in the shape of, like I said, energy blasts. The type depends from person to person though.
Easy? Not at all! Especially for a puny human like you. It's needs a whole lot of mental strength! I would like... hmm... Yuichi to demonstrate since that is all what he can do..."
Yuichi gave a small glare his way before coming in front of me with a small sigh.
"..."
He cupped his hands together and right before my eyes, a big, blue, fiery ball appeared in between his hands.
"Whoa!" I was taken aback.
It definitely looked like a convincing magic. I didn't know we all had this in us like Sadashige sensei mentioned.
"...Your turn." He said.
(I don't even know how to do it if you don't explain it!)
Seeing him looking like the type who's mostly mute, I wondered if I should ask him to explain the procedure of doing it. Would he feel comfortable to explain the details...?
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(Should I? I guess I should...)