"Are you that new kid Team Phoenix is taking in?" Is the first thing someone says to Shuu in his first-ever martial arts class. The person is, he assumes, a Garuda - though the Shaolin-style uniform for this wushu class does not include the badge of each person's team affiliation. The guy is, as a lot of The Garudas, in his late teens or early 20's with medium-length brown hair and a curious glint in his eyes.
"Uhh," Shuu turns left and right to check if the guy was really speaking to him.
"Oh, sorry for pointing fingers at you but you're, like, the youngest person here and the only one I haven't seen before so I figured," the guy chuckles good-naturedly, "Narukami, isn't it?"
"Narukami Shuu," Shuu nods before bowing, "I'll be in your care, Senpai".
"Woah," the guy is taken aback, "THAT I did not expect. Just call me Takao, kid. And no need to be so formal, we're all like a very large family in this team".
"Right, Takao-senpai".
"Ha."
There are 12 of them in this mixed Chinese martial arts class - a class they all refer to as wushu or kung fu, most of them ranging from their late teens to their early twenties, with Shuu being the outlier. They're using Studio 2 for the practice today; a medium-sized studio with racks of weapons and equipment in the back and a mirrored wall at the front. The trainer, a Chinese man they call Laoshi, stands facing them with his back to the mirror, his posture straight as he gives them a short talk.
"Today we're learning taolu," the man announces. He tips his toe near a pair of twin swords at his feet, before giving the weapons a little kick, sending both twirling to the air before the man catches them. "With these dao swords - or daggers, whatever you fancy," Laoshi adds.
Shuu dumbly blinks at the kung fu master, wondering how he does that. There is an identical pair of dao swords not far from his own feet. He wonders if he could give them a little kick for them to jump gracefully into the air and back to his hands. That would be dumb, Narukami Shuu, he internally reminds himself. Considering his lack of experience in the art, he would absolutely make a fool out of himself if he ever tried it without following proper instructions.
In the meantime, the Laoshi explains to them a little more about taolu. It is more a performative sort of martial arts than it is combative. The Laoshi goes on to say that while taolu may not be practical in combat, it teaches one coordination, flexibility, and balance.
Shuu fails to see the point. Katsu is the one to suggest kung fu to Shuu. He said it might help him with energy channeling. They have covered some of the basics in Shuu's private training, but today is Shuu's first kung fu lesson in a regular class with other people. Honestly, he doesn't know how he compares to them. He won't be surprised if he turns out to be the least performing. Katsu has said as much about his poor postures.
They are then told to grab the twin dao swords from their spot next to their feet on the floor. They all stand side-by-side, forming a straight line in front of the Laoshi as the kung fu master as the man explains how to handle the weapon correctly. And then, the man spins one sword with one hand.
Shuu is somewhat speechless. He looks down at his two swords, trying to figure out the movements, and notices a swish of movements to his left.
It is Takao, spinning his twin swords in both hands effortlessly. He must be staring hard because the guy stops himself to address Shuu, "You must be new to this class huh?"
Shuu is slack-jawed when he nods. Takao does not seem to have any difficulties swinging those swords around. The guy even does a little flawless spin. "Well, I've been taking this class for 2 years," Takao throws one spinning sword into the air and, without a drop of sweat, captures it with the same hand. Shuu mouths a 'Woah' as he unblinkingly follows the movement of the sword. "You should try doing them yourself," Takao encourages.
Shuu licks his lips. He pictures the movements displayed by the Laoshi just now and tries it on his own hands. He, of course, fails miserably. Takao snickers.
"It's okay, kid. It takes a couple more times before you have a better grasp. Try putting less force and flow together with the swords. You'll get a better feel that way. Here let me show you".
"Yes! Please, Senpai!"
Clangs of swords can be heard throughout the room as people drop their swords mid-try. Shuu drops his a couple of times, but with Takao's help, he manages to spin the swords in no time. The Laoshi then calls their attention again to add more movements; some steps and twists, and a couple of forms. A lot more people fail at this part, but Takao does all of them without breaking a single sweat.
"Let's do it one more time, this time, faster, with more flow!" The Laoshi instructs as they all return to position. This time there are fewer errors, but even Shuu still struggles to keep up.
"Yo, Narukami-kun, you need to relax," Takao reminds him as the Laoshi goes to give further instruction to a couple of male students who are struggling with their forms. "You're swinging too hard, you're bound to hurt yourself if you don't relax". The guy spins his swords, "You do need to put power into it, but never too much. Just enough. Let it flow through you. Yes. Just like that," Takao explains as Shuu follows his tips. Soon enough, Shuu comfortably spins both swords in both hands. "See, you're a quick learner. Soon enough you can put your elements to it".
"Elements?"
"Yeah, like this," soon, two small balls of fire circle around Takao's swords, lighting them on fire, before the fireballs twirl around Takao as he does his taolu routine with perfect posture. He ends his routine in good form. When his foot lands on the floor, it blankets the floor under him with a thin layer of fire.
"Oi, Takao, you showing off to the new kid?" Retorts one guy to Takao's left. Takao flushes.
"Oh, shut up. I'm just making friends! Something you should try, dumbass!" The two guys snicker as though they just shared an inside joke Shuu is clueless about. Then again, he is too distracted by Takao's forms to properly pay attention to his surroundings. "Senpai, can you please show me how you do that again?"
Takao looks even more flustered now, "Now, now, kid, you're embarrassing me. I'm sure with a little training you can do even better than that. You're an S-class, aren't you?"
"Oh, well, about that," Shuu looks down at the two swords he's still holding, "Katsu-sensei said I had the potential in me, but I had poor control of my ability. I don't have the martial arts basics mastered just yet. He said I better get myself mastering the basics before I take on to the next step".
"You get trained by Katsu?" Takao looks impressed, "That's insane. You're one lucky bastard, you know that? A lot of us here would kill for a chance to be trained by him privately. The guy's a maestro in his own right on the elements. Anyhow," Takao absently plays with his swords, "He's right. There's a lot more to elements than just summoning and using them to attack someone. To truly master the elements, one needs to have a good idea of their own body and soul. But the good news is," he throws the daos and catches them, "Channeling one's energy while improving one's physical prowess is something you'll learn in Wushu. I don't know about you, but I can speak for all the elementals in this room that they're here to control their elements better".
Shuu takes a better look around the room. He notices then that a lot of the other participants of the class are using their elements as they perform their taolu. "Are you saying that everyone here is an elemental?"
"So far? Yeah. Wushu is a popular lesson among elemental espers. Isn't that also why you're here?"
Is he? Shuu did not consider Chinese martial arts at all until Katsu suggested it to him. But after hearing this from Takao, Katsu must have had a good idea of what kind of lessons would suit Shuu.
As if knowing Shuu's line of thought from his silence, Takao adds, "You won't regret doing wushu, or kung fu, same thing. You should also take the qigong lesson complimentary to this class, it will help you tremendously with your elements". Shuu made a mental note to talk to Katsu about it. He has heard a little about qigong, though he isn't sure if it's the same as tai chi or is a whole different activity. He knows they're meditative in nature and has a lot to do with energy channeling. "Ah, here comes Laoshi. You better get to position," Takao alerts him.
True enough, the middle-aged man returns to his station in front of them and calls their attention to do the routine all over again. "One more time!" the Laoshi orders. It is probably their fifth round of the routine when someone enters the room and joins them.
Shuu hasn't paid any mind to the person as he's starting to break a sweat - a lot of them in fact. "Ah, you've finally joined us," the Laoshi addresses the newcomer. Shuu has to twist his neck a little to see who it is over the heads of people who are standing to his right.
"It's him," he hears Takao muttering.
"Who?" Shuu asks. Takao lets out a heavy sigh.
"You know who it is".
"Sorry I'm late," Shuu hears the newcomer saying.
"If you're sorry, demonstrate for all of us," the Laoshi, without any warning, throws the dao daggers in the direction of the newcomer. Shuu watches those daggers swinging to the end of the line through the mirror, where he sees the person who catches them. Tall, dark-haired, and handsome; that is Segawa Hide.
He's not wearing the full uniform, instead only wearing the pants and the shoes while donning a plain white t-shirt as a top. The guy is eyeing the two daggers now in his hands like he's lost what to do with it. "What's this?" Segawa Hide asks bluntly.
"What do you mean 'what is this'? Those are the daos, and you know very well how to use them".
"Yeah, but what do you want me to do with it".
The Laoshi sighs, "We're doing taolu".
Through the mirrored wall in front of them, Shuu sees Segawa Hide twirling the swords in his hands, "I much prefer the Qiang".
"Stop complaining and just show your friends your daoshu," the Laoshi points his palm to the spot between himself and the rest of the students. His voice maintains its zen and calm tone, yet it is stern.
"Friends," Shuu hears Takao grumbling as Segawa Hide walks to a wide rectangular mat between the Laoshi and the rest of them. Shuu can't help but notice his own thumping heart. This will be the first time ever he sees Team Phoenix's frontman displaying his abilities up close. He's not oblivious to the words said about this guy so he knows what to expect; sheer power.
Segawa Hide takes his spot in one corner of the mat. His pose is calm and collected, as silent as a tall mountain, just waiting.
And then he moves.
**
"That was insane. He created a slash mark on the opposite wall, bro. Like, what was that? Laoshi is putting our lives on the line here because we were just sitting there literally next to him as he did his thing!!" One guy exclaims as they change to a fresh set of clothing in the locker room. The guy walks past Shuu, who is sitting on one of the benches to put on his shoes. He keeps his head down to not attract much attention to himself, but he keeps his ears open.
The lesson finished half an hour ago and people are still buzzing about Segawa Hide's taolu. To be honest, Shuu initially considered the performance rather underwhelming as Segawa Hide has always been described as an absolute brute when fighting. His taolu, however, is full of grace. That is until Segawa Hide starts swinging his daos. Each slashing motion created a whiplash in the air. At one point, when he was swinging the sword while facing the wall, the wall even cracked and everyone could see the large slash mark etched on its brick surface. At that point they realized, Segawa Hide was not just performing the slashing motions of the dao; he was literally slicing the air.
"That's Segawa Hide for ya. I mean, the class has helped him a lot," Someone mentions. Shuu perks a little at the insinuation. Takao, who is sitting next to him the whole time, simply explains.
"What? You're surprised? Segawa Hide joined our class to control his ability better; to soften its rough edge or something, that's how Laoshi put it".
"So, he didn't do it by choice?" Shuu asks.
"No. Totally not. It's not really his style if you know what I mean".
"What I don't get is," a random guy who is in the middle of putting on a clean shirt joins their conversation, "why he has to join our class. Don't you Team Phoenix have your own private lesson or something?"
"It's because of Laoshi, bro. Laoshi doesn't like teaching one student. He prefers larger classes. I don't mind, by the way. This way I get to practice on Level 4," Takao answers idly as he too puts on a clean shirt. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Takao sends Shuu a questioning look.
"But Senpai, why won't you practice on Level 4 otherwise? Aren't you...," Shuu's brows meet, "a Garuda?"
There is a moment of silence as Takao, along with some guys, just stares at him. "Oh! You thought we were Garuda's! Of course, you do, I mean, we're training here," Takao exchanges glances with his friends, "We're from Team Falcon, kid. We only get to practice on Level 4 whenever we have lessons with Laoshi because Segawa Hide is joining the class, too, so...," he shrugs, "I guess it's too much for him to just go to Level 1 or Level 3 to practice with us, so we're the ones who have to move to a different floor". He eyes Shuu carefully, "Does that surprise you?"
"Yeah," Shuu blinks, "I don't think I ever spoke to a Falcon before".
"Oh. Does that... bother you? Like... do you want to stop speaking to us or whatever?"
Shuu frowns, "Uh, no? Why?"
Takao looks glad, "Good". Takao then puts on his light gray hoodie. "Because we never get to speak to any of the Phoenix. You're technically not one of them yet, but it's nice to get to know one personally I guess".
"They don't... speak to you?" Shuu repeats, "Why not?"
One of Takao's friends, Bunta, chuckles from behind Takao, "I suppose we're not good enough or something".
"Hey, don't make the kid misunderstand!" Takao scolds, "It's more like, uhh... The Phoenixes don't really mingle with us -"
"The peasants," Bunta disrupts, but Takao continues.
"It's not necessarily because they don't want to, it's just that... they're so much ahead of everyone else that they can't find common grounds with everyone, I guess".
"Oh, come on! That Felix brat would absolutely call us a bunch of losers," Bunta chimes in, "He did just that to other Falcons and a lot of the Garudas and refuses to speak to anyone below his level. And you forgot that Hide joined the class saying shit like, 'I'm not here to socialize' and shit. He's really only nice to the higher-ups of Team Garuda and treats everyone like they don't exist. Can't see how he would treat us any differently".
"How about Abe-senpai? or Takenouchi-senpai or Kikuya-senpai?" Shuu has no idea about Kikuya-senpai, but she is a fan-favorite, especially among males. Takenouchi Sora is known for his childlike personality and friendliness. And Abe? Well, so far he has been very kind to Shuu and treats Shuu like he is his own little brother. "They all seem nice".
"You mean, they're nice to you, kid. You're going to be a part of them. To us though," Takao chuckles awkwardly, "It's like, they're so nice that there's this wall between you and them. You know how some people are nice just to avoid getting too involved with others? That. That is how I feel with Koukichi and Sora. Then again, those two are so ahead of us in so many ways that I can't imagine sitting down with them and talking about, I don't know, going to the mall and going shopping".
"Or doing the karaoke," Bunta adds.
"Yeah. Like, I don't think those two even know what that is. Koukichi, Sora, and Rika are the original 3 of not only Team Phoenix but the whole YES foundation. They don't spend their time just doing normal teenage stuff. Rika, though..., have you ever spoken to her?" Takao turns to Bunta, who shrugs.
"Meh, I have seen her a couple of times. She gets along with a lot of the Garuda's, but when it comes to speaking to her myself, it's.... difficult. She's hard to approach without having to come across as a creep, y'know what I mean?"
"Yeah, like - but that applies to all of the Phoenixes".
"Yeah, they're all hard to approach. And they make you feel like you don't belong in their personal bubble if you get too close. The way I see it, you'll only be let in their inner circle once you have proven your worth".
Takao claps his hands and points at his friend, "Yes! That. They mingle with someone they consider to be at their level".
Shuu lets that sink, but Takao hurriedly ceases his line of thought. "Don't you worry kid. They have opened the door to you; that means they have given you their stamp of approval. I would rather you join Team Phoenix so that we have one down-to-earth guy finally being part of the team".
"I think you're good enough, Senpai," Shuu states.
Takao laughs. "First time hearing that from a Phoenix. I was in doubt when The Garuda's gush about you left and right, but they're right. You are one of those Good Kids". Shuu doesn't fully understand what he means by that but his mind quickly latches to another question.
"Senpai, have you ever seen someone with short brown hair with Team Phoenix?"
"Who?"
Shuu then describes the person he saw in the parking space for Team Phoenix weeks ago, from the boyish face down to the school uniform he was wearing. Because there is this mystery that has been itching in the back of his head; if Team Phoenix cares only about someone's worth in terms of their abilities, then why do they have someone with no aura at all?
At the moment Shuu is interacting with Team Falcon, and each and every one of them are oozing with powerful auras. They are all Class A; that is pretty clear. Yet none of the Phoenixes are interested in them.
Shuu watches Takao and Bunta exchanging a look. "You mean Hinata-san?" Bunta blurts.
"Ah, yeah," Shuu responds, though he isn't sure if that is the person's name.
"What about it?"
"Uhh," that's a good question. What about this person that bothers Shuu so much? Perhaps he is just curious. It is interesting how someone with no aura can exist, let alone roam this building where only the young and powerful walk.
"If you're wondering if he's mean, he's not. Hinata-san is different," Takao states. The tone he's using is different from the one he used when speaking about the Phoenixes. His speech has a final note to it like he refuses to elaborate further, but it lacks the urgency of someone who is hiding an important information.
"Yeah. We don't talk poorly about Hinata-san," this time it's Bunta.
"Yup. We don't," Takao says before standing up to put his foot on the bench and putting on his shoes. At that moment, the locker room opens to reveal Abe; smile on and his airy voice technically singing.
"Sorry, is Narukami Shuu here?"
Perhaps it was the conversation he just had with Takao and Bunta, but now Shuu realizes that Abe's smile is a little too wide, his voice a little too saccharine sweet, as though he's 'trying' hard to appear nice. "He's here," Takao answers while pointing at Shuu.
In a flash, Shuu watches Abe's expression turning lax; more open, less forced. "Oh, there you are!" This time the smile feels more genuine and his voice takes on its normal deeper pitch, "Come on, Katsu is waiting for you".
"Right," Shuu stands up and takes his duffel bag. Before leaving, he bows to both Takao and Bunta, "Thank you for the conversation, Senpai. It's nice meeting you. I'll see you next week". Both older teens wave at him. Bunta is saying, "Bye, kid. See ya around," when Abe closes the door behind them.
Soon, he and Abe arrive in Studio 19, where Katsu stands waiting with crossed arms. Shuu is doing another warm-up next to Abe, who is busy tapping on his mobile phone, when curiosity gets to Shuu, "Abe-senpai, who is Hinata-san?"
The tapping ceases immediately after he asks the question. Slowly, Abe's gaze is directed to him minus its usual friendliness. Shuu has never seen this side of Abe outside of their sparring that he falters in his stretching. "Uhh," he squeaks, trying to fill the silence that Abe has never given him.
But all Abe does is return his gaze to his phone, resuming his texting to someone. "He's a friend," is the answer he gives Shuu. Shuu can't help but look at Katsu, his trainer, who, to his puzzlement, is smirking knowingly at Abe. The trainer's shoulders move as he silently snorts at them, or maybe at Abe, Shuu isn't sure.
Shuu, however, can't help but feel like he has done something wrong.
"Did you hear about him from the Falcons?" Abe asks. His voice sounds casual, but Shuu knows better. There's an edge to his voice. It doesn't take on its usual friendly tone.
"Uh, um, no, not really. They did, but it's more because I asked," Shuu hurriedly answers. he doesn't want the Falcons to get into trouble because of this. He has a feeling that Abe is not too pleased for some reason.
"Oh, then, if that's the case, he's a friend," Abe puts his phone back in the pocket of his ripped jeans, "Anyhow, I need to go to the washroom".
He leaves without further words, leaving Shuu feeling guilty. "It's not your problem, it's a Koukichi problem, or a Phoenix problem if you ask me," Katsu says unprompted, "But if you want to save yourself the trouble, next time, try not to mention Ren-tan when you're not officially a Phoenix yet".
Shuu is even more confused, "... Ren-tan?"
"Yeah, the person you just asked about to that idiot," Katsu yawns, then continues, "Hinata Ren".
When Abe returns, it is almost as if nothing was wrong and they continue with Shuu's training.
However, the next day on his way to Studio 19 for his training, Shuu is cornered by Segawa Hide. If one says Segawa Hide is a lone wolf simply by the fact that he picks who he affiliates with, well, they're wrong, because he has a small group of guys from Team Garuda trailing behind him. He has Shuu by the collar of his shirt, growling, "I'm only holding back because that shit Koukichi told me not to mess with you, but if I ever hear you sniffing around other teams to say anything about me or Ren again, I won't ever hold back, punk".
And so Shuu learns not to mention that name.
**
To be Continued.