I finally mustered up my speck of courage to ask Yuichi about these so called 'energy' that reside within people.
"Um... if you don't mind, can you explain how you just did that?"
Deafening silence sank in the air.
At first, Yuichi looked slightly confused.
"...I'm not too good with explanations. ...And this doesn't really have any solid phenomenon that you can understand..." Yuichi muttered, close to a whisper.
"Oh..." I looked down with a frown.
(I guess I was right...)
Yuichi, too, looked uncomfortable as he kept shifting his gaze.
But he soon gave an awkward sigh before opening his mouth, "...You put your hands a little close to each other like this... and just concentrate on pouring the energy at one point which flows inside you to make a small ball in between them... ...In my case, it will be a blue flame, but it depends... from person to person."
In no time at all, the same ball appeared in between Yuichi's hands. I was so impressed once again - I leaned in close for a better look.
I saw Yuichi's hands shake the minute I did that. He then cleared his throat, and pulled his hands apart, letting streams of the light dissolve in the air.
"...You try." He urged.
"O-Okay..."
I did the same move as Yuichi showed me and concentrated really hard, but nothing came out. Not even a tiny bit.
"Just concentrate Asuna." Raizo advised from behind.
I tried and tried, but the ball just didn't seem to form.
(Ugh! This is so frustrating...! He made it look so easy!)
"...It needs practice actually. ...Just stay calm and you might pull this off."
My hands started twitching with anger as I tried which felt like a never-ending loop.
"Ugh! I can't do this! Why?! Come on, COME ON!" I started yelling as I kept trying.
"Whoa, Asuna. Take it easy! You won't get it right if you are upset like that." Raizo snapped me back as he touched my shoulder which was shaking.
"Yeah, this is actually a high level technique. Most people don't get it at their first try so there's nothing to be ashamed about." Mizore continued.
"Heh, I told you that you wouldn't be able to do it. You should have seen your face! You looked so confident and look at you now! Foolish human, thinking such juvenile fantasies..."
Sadashige sensei scoffed. I couldn't hold it in anymore.
Like a trigger flipping the switch which was holding up my tolerance level.
"Fine, if it hurts you THAT much to be happy with me even a little, then fine! You have been doing nothing but giving me a tough time! I thought I would have been able to bear with it all, but enough now! No matter what I try to do, I always get the same response...! Insults upon insults!
And to top it off, I still can't even believe you - of all people, are a teacher not to mention, an Iga ninja! If you can't tolerate other non magical beings then you don't even deserve to CALL yourself a teacher!"
With that, I dashed off even if the others were calling my name. Clear tears found their way out of my eyes and flew with the wind as I decided to run home and skip the rest of the day.
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I was broken. I never noticed it, but I was severely shaken inside. Sadashige sensei's pressure was choking all this time. But my mind never once stopped to think about this feeling that was resonating within my heart... Probably because my siblings were there to cheer me up the entire time...
I fell on my bed as I let it all out. The tears that is. My dad was out at work while my mom was asleep so it was easier to go to my room straight away.
Normally in this kind of circumstance, if my mom were to ask me what happened, I would have answered halfheartedly before going to my room.
I held the pillow close to my face as I sat there thinking deep.
(He is so unfair... From the first day until today, I was stupid to think he would accept me. It's ending out quite the opposite... Inori was right. I shouldn't have joined this club, and now there is no turning back...)
I have never been good with short-tempered people. It just hits me so hard everytime someone makes me feel inferior OR guilty. So, in the end, Sadashige sensei was my worst weakness - one that may get me crumbling down by breaking my life's 'integrity'.
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Just then, I heard a doorbell.
(I am so not in a mood to check...)
I waited for the person to give up and leave, but the ringing started bugging me. I drowsily got up, went downstairs, and peeked through the door hole.
(Raizo...? Should have known.)
Didn't I tell you? Raizo and the others live in a separate apartment and not with me and our parents. Most of them are grown up so it was okay.
Also, another reason was to prevent me from finding out that I wasn't an only child, but guess it just wasn't enough considering we all accidentally went to the same academy.
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I slowly opened the door after making sure I looked recognizable.
"Hey..." I muttered.
"Asuna... I know you must be really down after all that." Raizo spoke softly as he stepped in.
"But please don't think of quitting the club. We all need you."
"Doesn't seem like that to me..." I answered as I looked down.
"That's where you're wrong. See, Sadashige sensei is the type to make fun of you, but trust me, he made fun of us all when we joined the club. He uhh... just doesn't have a good history with humans I should say. But I don't know the details about his past, so just try to bear with him for now."
(Huh? Did Sadashige sensei have a bad past...? And from humans? I didn't know that... Seems like a curious thing.)
I, too, had my questions, but I didn't want to ask at the moment, so I let Raizo speak instead.
After a little while, Raizo continued, "He just says all those cruel stuff so that you would push yourself harder and by having the thought to impress him, you would never give up and just make yourself stronger and capable with the rest.
I know I am not explaining it properly, but we just want you to break that barrier between you and your incredible power. I guess he thinks that's the only way..."
Raizo stopped as he scratched his cheek.
"...If what you said is true, then maybe... Sadashige sensei must have been hurting too, right? Though I don't know what humans ever did to him, but I guess I should show that humans aren't all the same... Even if he's so annoying, I should deal with it I guess... I just need to do what I think is best for us both."
Raizo nodded enthusiastically at my words. I smiled slightly.
"Yeah, now that's the face we all missed today!"
"Heh, was I that angry?" I asked shyly.
"Yeah! You were so out of it, even I got scared!"
"That's not true! I can never scare you!"
"What? I am part human too, not a robot that I wouldn't have emotions! Even I can get scared from little things, especially balloons..."
"Hah?! Balloons - really?!" I was shocked to hear his phobia.
"Their loud popping sound scares me. And I feel so uncomfortable seeing someone else playing with it and knowing it could pop anytime that I just have to run away!" Raizo confessed it out straight.
"Pfft... Hahahaha!" I burst out laughing uncontrollably at his honesty.
"H-Hey! Stop laughing! Asuna, come on!" Raizo blushed.
"Okay, okay... hehe... Sorry, but I just didn't expect you to have such a silly weakness, I mean, you are a reaper."
"S-So? Even reapers can have the most unexpected weaknesses!"
I giggled one more time before asking him the purpose of coming here.
"Oh right. I was just wondering, maybe I can teach you how to make energy balls?"
"Really?! You will? That's really helpful Raizo!"
I accepted with a smile.
"But, I thought only Yuichi could make the fire balls..." I wondered.
"Oh, he is the only one who can make fire balls, but almost every one of us can make the energy balls."
"Huh..."
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We both went on the roof, thinking that it would be the perfect place to train. It is spacious and quiet, so what more can you ask for?
I never noticed it was night until I brought drinks for us as it would take a long time for me to make the balls.
"Okay, so you know already how to make them, but, I think the only problem was that you were forcing to do it. You should relax and imagine the way you want the ball to come out, meaning the size especially. Just take a deep breath, relax, concentrate, and imagine."
Raizo explained as he took a sip from his drink. I nodded and did as I was told.
And our little session began.
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After many failed attempts, I was starting to get impatient, but remembering that I shouldn't be forceful, I relaxed and took my time. Finally, on like the 100th try, I managed to get a small spark.
"Whoa!" My eyes sparkled.
"Concentrate Asuna!" Raizo warned.
"Oh, whoops!"
I started pouring my energy as I closed my eyes and within no time, I felt something warm in between my hands. I looked to see...
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"Wow Asuna, you ACTUALLY managed to create one!" Raizo beamed as he got up from almost snoozing off.
My energy ball was coloured a dark turquoise, which seemed so pretty in my eyes. I didn't know what colors the others had, but seeing mine, I was fully satisfied. Turquoise has always been one of my favorite colors.
"I did it... I did it! Oooh, thanks Raizo!" I cheered as I got up and hugged Raizo tight.
"Y-Your welcome...! I-I can't breathe...!"
I quickly parted, but still couldn't contain my happiness, feeling really bouncy.
"You know, that was actually a really rare colour. It is, in fact, the first time I saw it actually."
"Really?"
(That's weird. I thought it looked normal at this point considering I've seen people with abilities living among us all.)
Replaying back at my achievement, I really couldn't believe I finally did it. Also, I was really grateful that Raizo took out most of his time to teach me instead.
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(Thanks once again...)