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Post by Hinode Yuuyake on May 1, 2012 1:40:47 GMT -5
Hinode's hands clutched the orb of water, sending a constant stream of chakra into it, maintaining its shape and size, but more importantly, its containment of Kyomu. It was only a moment before he released it however. The goal here wasn't to drown them as it was used for normally, but just to show that he had indeed ended the encounter. Kyomu fell to the ground, and at the Jounin's direction, followed him to meet the other two Genin, near the treeline where they first met.
Once they had assembled, he surveyed the three he took a moment and announced. "You chose to betray each other," at this he shot a glance toward Mitsuko, "and fight alone, using the tactic of elminating the competition. A risky but potentially rewarding endeavor, but clearly the most dangerous. Why have three enemies when you need only one? Yet, in your individual struggles, you have shown yourself not completely hopeless."
He glanced over toward Akemi before he continued, "And yet your strategy proved to have only one victor. Akemi, as the victor..." Hinode paused before he stepped back from the group and finished his statement, "...you may pick the other passing Genin." Hinode nearly chuckled to himself outloud, he couldn't wait to see the reaction.
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Post by Akemi Izayoi on May 1, 2012 3:02:52 GMT -5
Akemi sighed in relief, basking a breeze that gently drifted across her sensitive skin. The cool ground did wonders for easing the pain her body was feeling. The adrenaline was fading rapidly, leaving only the throbbing pains and aches that she'd gained. The girl felt far from the berserk warrior that had stood toe to toe with Hinode-sensei's water doppelganger. Her clothing was still charred and stiff from the flame's heat and if one looked closely enough the light would play tricks around her form, giving off the faint shimmer that came with heat. The girl was still thankful that she wasn't outright on fire.
Her mouth was still parched and dry. Her breathing was still uneven. The girl's body felt like a dead weight too in addition to the pain. However, Akemi was content with her achievement and allowed herself to relish in it. Who would she be not that she'd gained such a place after solidifying her spot as a genin under Yuuyake? Would she become a different person? What awaited her now? She was always different and in being different she was always alone. And her teammates...her teammates! She'd been so preoccupied with herself, she'd forgotten about thier outcome! If she passed they passed right? Or was it a separate exercise?
Giving a subtle glance at Mitsuko, Akemi noticed that he didn't seemed pleased at all. Should she feels sorry for him? He did get in a cheap shot, but there had to be a reason why right? Her parents once said that the enemy is anybody who's going to get you killed, no matter which side he's on. Mitsuko fit that, but why did she still feel sorry for him at the thought of him failing? He seemed too much like her in that instant. Not in control and just dealt a cruddy hand. He had still tried...he must have...
The kunoichi's thoughts were cut short by the arrival of the jounin and their wayward third teammate. As much as she tried, the girl couldn't force her body to pick itself up from the ground. They all looked worse for wear, but Akemi had trouble thinking. The battle mindset was difficult to let go even without the blood and adrenaline fueling its intensity. The stern dressing down that Yuuyake was giving each of them wasn't helping matters either. She knew it wasn't her fault. She knew she blamed and was still very angry with Mitsuko for just deciding the cut throat course of action in their test. Any yet, it still hurt for the jounin to point out that fundamental flaw. His words were merciless and they hit hard. The girl felt that if Mitsuko didn't feel shame for what he did, she felt enough for them both.
Then her brain stalled from being put on the spot. "I was the only victor?" The girl would have likened it to the feel of being the only person to get an A plus on a test while everyone else did mediocre. However, that never happened in the academy. Sure, she'd daydreamed of it, but it never actually occurred. The feel it gave was uncomfortable to say the very least. Singled out as a better when she knew and was reminded of so many of her flaws for years. Her breath suddenly caught under the jounin's eyes. She had to choose the genin? Why give her the choice? She slowly sat up and stared at her teammates, mind in turmoil.
Akemi could choose herself to be the sole apprentice to Yuuyake-sensei. He'd have to dedicate all his effort into training her if she did so. But...Kyomu had never wronged her. In fact, she new that it had been the last thing on his mind. He was too gentle of a soul. Akemi could pick him. What was one more genin? And yet, if she chose him and not Mitsuko, wouldn't he be furious? Sad? She didn't even try to understand him, she just knew that he looked as depressed as her when she couldn't catch up with the rest of the class.
"Uhm..." she stalled. "I..." What should she do? What could she do? This was so hard. A team was supposed to be the people you relied on even at the ends of your career as a ninja. These were bonds that never broke among the ranks. These two, even if they weren't so well known to her, could become her friends. More than anything else Akemi wanted friends. The girl was tired of being alone and different. If she could fix one, why not try? "I pick Kyomu and Mitsuko as the other passing genin," she said, voice wavering in fear. Would he even accept that as an answer?
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Post by Mitsuko Subeki on May 1, 2012 13:31:09 GMT -5
The boy's head tilted down as his soaking wet hair hair drooped down to his chin, like a shaggy dog, to cover his face. He had seen Akemi coming through the thickets and had made sure to avoid looking at her at all. It seemed likely that she would gloat and laugh in his face, especially considering he had antagonized both her and Kyomu by attacking them while they were both unaware and unprepared. While an unexpected attack may have been a great technique for killing ninja, it was also an even more effective way to commit social suicide.
She didn't come gallivanting in, however. She trudged much as he did...he knew, because he was only looking at the floor and her feet at that point. Mitsuko hardly took notice of her physical condition and only noticed the smell of burnt skin, hair, and clothing because it was so strong and unusual it was impossible to ignore. The girl sat next to him, and as the seconds went by, he wondered what he should say. Apologize? Maybe, but what would that be worth? I don't even need to look at her to know I put the two of them through hell. They already hate me, I'm sure...
The role of social pariah was not unknown to the Subeki. He spent all of his youth preparing to prepare to become a ninja, and so when it came to interactions he had no social or conversational tools; when it came to games, he had no knowledge of rules. It was all too easy to remember his father telling him that he'd only earn the respect of his peers when he became a legendary ninja. But he didn't want respect. Or did he? He wanted to be happy, whatever that entailed. All he knew was that he had never been so miserable in life.
Kyomu finally wandered back to the clearing, dripping water as Mitsuko was. All hatred gathering from the Subeki's end had faded away. There just wasn't room for it right now. Perhaps it was a situation that needed monitoring or had to be addressed, but this wasn't the time for that. The genjutsu prodigy had likely suffered his share of torment and emotional beating. The boy was often insensitive to the feelings of others because of his inability to relate, but this was a time when they were all in the same boat. No glory to be gained, no pride to recapture. Just pain.
And then the most terrifying person walked through: Yuuyake-sensei. Mitsuko looked sheepishly up at the man who towered over them, and grit his teeth as the jounin shot a stern look over to the boy. He had made a quick decision based solely on battle logic rather than considering his fledgling relationships with his teammates. It was good to know that his move made no sense on any front. Obviously the boy had made the wrong decision, and Hindoe's criticism was just salt on the wound.
Mitsuko hardly had the time to process how Akemi had won and Kyomu had not, and what that meant for him. That surprise was immediately eclipsed by the fact that Akemi wasn't the sole victor, she had just earned the right to choose the other. His heart sank. It was clear from this exercise that Hinode valued teamwork over a single person's ability, as noted by the decision he handed to Akemi. If she liked her teammate then they were likely to work well together, protect each other...it was cruel, really. It seemed that the move that was best for social and team chemistry was also the best move as a ninja. Mitsuko never stood a chance.
He felt Akemi's eyes on him, but dared not look to see how much hatred had filled them. He'd seen enough of those looks, he didn't need to see another one to know what her face probably looked like. Face contorted, eyes shaking with fury, a murderous scowl...he knew them all too well. The girl's stuttering seemed like it was just a postponement of the inevitable. And soon enough, she spat out "Kyomu..." and the Subeki fell straight through what he thought was rock bottom. Back to the academy, if his family would even believe in him enough to send him there. Why should they hold out hope for the boy? He didn't.
"...and Mitsuko..." What? Is she serious? Hinode had told her that she could only pick one, so it made no sense on that front. But he didn't even consider that side to it. She considered him as worthy as Kyomu to be her teammate? Was it pity? Had she seen his talent? She didn't hate him! Did she like him? Were they now "friends!?" The boy lit up from behind his hairy curtain, an involuntary smile painted from cheek to cheek but hopefully hidden from sight. He had never been so happy in his life. Why? I don't deserve this...I betrayed her, Kyomu...I failed and I indirectly hurt them. So why? Curious as he was, it didn't matter. He could mourn being sent back to the academy later, when it would be the only thing he could think about.
He did't know what to say. He could hardly speak. Against everything he had been taught, the boy turned his head slightly towards Akemi, still hiding behind his hair and spoke with a warmth that he had never spoken with prior, a warmth that matched his joy. "Th-thank you, Akemi-san..." Perhaps Kyomu had also not hated him. He wanted to know that so badly as well. Rival or not, it mattered so much to Mitsuko and he didn't know why. What he did know was right then, in that moment...
He was truly happy.
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Post by Kyomu Kagami on May 2, 2012 16:07:43 GMT -5
Kyomu fell flailing to the floor in a shower of water as his sensei released his imprisonment jutsu. There was a spray of water from his face as Kyomu's body couldn't quite figure out whether to take its first gasp of fresh air or purge the water which had replaced his land, after a touch of coughing he seemed to have got the balance right and stood back up to his sensei already walking away, back towards the place at which they'd first made contact he reckoned. This made him incredibly anxious over his performance. He had expected an evaluation, a criticism, perhaps even a word of encouragement, something, anything at all but all that he received was his teacher's seeming indifference. Sheathing his blade, he thrust his hands into his pockets and strode to catch up with Yuuyake-sensei's longer gait, he only once took his eyes off of the ground to look to his teacher, the word 'sensei' on the tip of his tongue as he ached and agonised over his showing. In the end he thought the better of it and cast his eyes back to his feet, so they proceeded in absolute silence until arriving at the spot where his team mates awaited. Did that mean that they had failed as well? Of course they had.
Mitsuko was just as drenched as he was and Akemi looked a little worse the wear for her part, he guessed that she'd tasted their sensei's Katon techniques just as he had. Their sensei truly was an amazing ninja, he must have been fighting the other two with clones while he was punishing Kyomu for his poor judgement. Poor judgement? I made the right call didn't I? There was no way we could have beat him alone. Their teacher then gave a quick wrap up of their progress, their multiple failings and yet though he addressed the other two near directly he sort of glossed over Kyomu's, the implication clearly being that he hadn't done as well as either of them so when he suggested Akemi choose the other passing Genin his heart sank. Surely, betrayal or not, she would opt for the stronger of the two who was more likely to keep her alive and safe. She had after all been forced to save his skin once already and he guessed that has she not been there that his fight with the Missing-nin would have run very much in a different direction. Why would she ever want to drag him around when she could have the year's top Genin backing her up? Sighing as he crossed his arms, his head and shoulders slumped forward.
It was with some surprise then that he heard his name announced first, only to be accompanied by Mitsuko's. His head whipped up and over to Akemi, would Yuuyake-sensei even allow such a thing? He seemed pretty adamant that someone's ninja career was hitting the rocks here, but then that would leave them with only a three man cell, confusion welling up inside and over Kyomu's face he finally spoke up. 'Izayoi-san, are you... does that mean--?' He paused and refocussed his attention on his teacher. 'Would you allow something like that, Sensei?'
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Post by Hinode Yuuyake on May 2, 2012 18:27:10 GMT -5
Hinode let the statement sink in for a moment. The three really looked terrible, two of them soaked, and the other scorched. A perfect representation of his nature manipulations, fire and water. He nearly let out another chuckle at the thought before he realized it would break the silence that had hung in the air. Surely the weight of the decision was heavy on Akemi's shoulders, but that's how he wanted it to be. He needed to see how she'd think in a stressful situation, with other ninja's futures in her hands. She needed to make the right decision.
"I pick Kyomu and Mitsuko as the other passing genin,"
A flare sparked up in Hinode's eyes, and a smirk crawled across his previously tight-lipped scowl. He remained silent for another moment to allow the other two genin to register the thought. Mitsuko had shown true happiness, allowing his real character to show for just a moment, and Kyomu showed similar hope, yet an air of caution about his words. Hinode lifted an arm and took a step toward Akemi before a stern slap that could surely buckle the knees of someone weaker landed upon her back, and a knuckle from his other hand landed upon her head, giving her a powerful noogie.
"Correct!" Finally, the traces of a smile burst into a full hearty laugh before he continued on, "You had me worried there for a moment! You've all shown great promise as ninja. This entire test was rigged, surely you realize, you had no hope of defeating a jounin. And while I didn't enjoy some of the tactics you used, you all proved yourself as competent individual ninja. We'll work on 'playing nice' later." Finally the Jounin released the young kunoichi from his grasp and gestured to them all.
"Congratulations on officially becoming Genin, you now serve Kirigakure under my supervision. I'll get in contact with you soon to start your training, but until then, go home and get some rest, you've all earned it." One final smile and a wave was all he left them with, vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
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Post by Akemi Izayoi on May 3, 2012 14:01:26 GMT -5
The silence that followed her voice was deafening in its intensity. What ever the consequences of her choice, she'd have to follow it through to the end now. The kunoichi knew she wouldn't be able to do this by herself. Akemi glanced from each of the two boys and then to the man as they processed her words. Shock, disbelief, and a bit of hope seem to spread through the other two genin. What if she had lost her test as well, would they ever have gotten this chance? What if one of them had won, would they have done the same? She didn't know them that well to give an honest answer. However, if she showed that she wanted to be teammates...Friends with them. Maybe that was all it would take to start them on the road to getting to know each other better. To becoming legends together.
The girl's head whipped to Mitsuko, the proud hotshot of the class, not believing what she heard. He thanked her. He thanked her and it wasn't sarcastic or biting. His voiced sounded different, deeper, than when he spoke to them earlier. She could only offer him a shy smile, not the confident toothy smile she normally used, slightly unsure of herself. People didn't often thank her so sincerely. They were always empty thanks at the restaurant even if constant, more of an offhand comment. It was said out of habit, but not with meaning. Akemi really looked at Mitsuko for one of the first times at that moment and felt like she was looking at a whole new person. Her small smile turned to Kyomu next, wondering if she'd see him differently too. However, he smile fell when Kyomu reminded her of an important fact.
Would Yuuyake-sensei allow it? Her heart hammered in her chest as she looked towards the man. Then the organ seemed to jump in her throat as the man cracked a grin. The girl stiffened in utter horror as he stepped closer to her and her mind raced. Was she wrong? Did she fail? What was he going to do to her!? Honestly, she wanted to run, but her thoughts felt so jumbled that her body couldn't process anything enough for movement. Then the man's hand knocked her heart back into her chest with a heavy hand on her back. She reeled from it, clenching teeth as her sensitive skin flared in protest. Still, she caught herself in stubborn determination not to fall over. Her efforts were rewarded by an assault on her scalp that made the burning on her back unnoticable. She only chuckled and let a small "Ow, sensei..." escape her lips, but within her mind she shouted "MOTHER OF ALL WEAPONS, IT BURNS!"
Everything was falling into place. Not even her beat up body could stay on her mind for long. She did it. Akemi Izayoi, official ninja of Kirigakure. Yuuyake-sensei finally let her go and she had to subtly pinch herself to make sure this was still happening. In hindsight, it was really dumb when not even moments before that noogie should have proven this was very real. But Akemi just felt dumbfounded. The girl didn't know how to react to it really. A light smile of relief made its way onto her face and a deep breath of exhaustion escaped her. "We did it..." she muttered more to herself than the other two remaining. Then a chuckle came out as her throat tightened uncomfortably.
She wasn't a failure...
"Man, you two seemed really worried for a second." She didn't even know what she was doing. Her eyes were getting clouded and her voiced cracked as she continued to ramble. "As if I'd just up and drop you...We're gonna be legends, right?" She sniffed audibly. "Shit, now I have something in my eye," she said rubbing furiously as they started to water. It did nothing to quell the happy tears running down her cheeks. She was just so happy and so overwhelmed by the events of today. The girl shuttered and racked with a couple of more sobs, but merely laughed through them in false bravo. "Damnit, I'm not crying..."
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Post by Mitsuko Subeki on May 4, 2012 1:28:42 GMT -5
Why can't I take this ridiculous grin off my face? Definitely not cool... It was no use. Will it away as he would, Mitsuko couldn't regain his signature, patented douche-smirk. The whole thing was rather jarring; he had been so in control of most emotions for so very long that it seemed impossible that any of them could be beyond his power to contain. Though true happiness was hard to come by, so it was excusable. But there just had to be a cooler way to do it than the way the Subeki was. Didn't wanna become known as the ninja with the clown smile.
Kyomu did him a favor, however, as he noted that their sensei had said to pick just one other graduating ninja. The boy swept his hair back away from his face to reveal a stern expression of regret. The happiness was short lived, and he couldn't believe he'd let it bring him so much joy in the light of the greatest disappointment of his life. Was their sensei really cruel enough to go through with it? Would he think so much of Mitsuko or Kyomu as to spare the worst of them from the disgrace of the academy?
The events that followed was...odd. Yuuyake-sensei affirmed Akemi's decision as correct, then seemingly tried to break her spine, and followed that my ruffling her hair. Where did THAT come from? The man had been so serious for so long that it all came as quite a shock. He had a compassionate side. Best of all, Akemi had aced yet another test, but for his own sake. She was having a pretty good day. It was good to know that the test was supposed to be impossible and that they had all impressed in their individual performances.
And there it was. Official genin...soldiers, fighters, ninja. Serving Kirigakure and protecting our own...it's finally time to make an impact. It was a historic moment. Mitsuko took the time to savor his accomplishment and accept the gravity of it. The pressure was just piling on, but at least his efforts had been validated. He watched Hinode poof away and looked to his two teammates to see their reactions. He made sure to keep himself cool, as the Subeki had likely blown his cover to his teammates already.
We did it? SHE did it... That was the truth of the matter: she saved his ass, and that couldn't become the norm. What she said next almost made him laugh, but he managed to consolidate it into a "tch" and a smirk, albeit a happier grin than usual. Her words were moving, if a little melodramatic. Then she started to cry and he didn't really know what to do. Should he console her? Pat her on the back? Was she crying as a result of her recent spine realignment or out of joy?
"Come on, get a hold of yourself." He quipped, as he brought himself to his feet.and stretched his right side and legs. Why was it so preposterous for her to just 'drop' them, as Mitsuko had done just minutes prior? What made her so faithful, so trusting? What was the nature of their relationship, or his relationship with Kyomu? What did they think of him as a person or a ninja? "Yeah." He said strongly, nodding at each of his teammates. "We're already on our way."
What the HELL was that? He didn't even know what he was saying anymore. He had to get out of there to try to solve all of his queries and to compose himself before he did anything more embarrassing. "Guess I'll see you guys around..." Mitsuko shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to walk away and back home. "Oh, and get that eye cleaned out." He continued on his path, back home, a place that didn't sound to pleasant. They truly were on their way though, and perhaps they would all become legends...maybe even together.
The epic was just beginning, after all.
~(Exit)~
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Post by Kyomu Kagami on May 5, 2012 17:08:01 GMT -5
Kyomu's anxiety peaked as Yuuyake-sensei approached and then... burst like a soap bubble when he half embraced/assaulted his student, the first thing the young Kagami did was let out a heavy sigh of relief, along with a slight chuckle at Hinode's admission of the test being something of a sham. He'd an inkling that something had been off from the first word, but now that the truth stared him in the face it was all he could do to not outright laugh at himself. His mouth was by this time turned up in an uncontrollable smile, relief, pride and happiness had mixed into a dizzying concoction which had overrode all else in his body. He didn't even feel one of his injuries in the afterglow of victory... well, 'victory,' but whatever the case they'd pulled it off somehow and were gazetted as true Genin by their sensei's acknowledgement. Furthermore, the seemingly grave and seious man had actually seen fit to pay them a pretty heavy compliment even if it was only referring to their potential ability it meant that they had all acquitted themselves well.
Legends, eh? I suppose that's what's expected. Still... I dunno, better not to think about it.
Kyomu's smile shifted to a contemplative little smirk as he properly looked at his team mates for the first time, but after this first shared trial, first shared happiness, he felt as thought they were really his and he was theirs. More of this, yeah, he could get used to more of this certainly and to top it all off it turned out that Yuuyake-sensei had his brighter side after all. He couldn't help but snicker at Akemi's attempts to cover her tears of joy and Mitsuko's subsequent insistence that she get her eye cleaned out. Watching Mitsuko's back as he strode off back to the village, Kyomu couldn't help but wonder what was going on in his head. With any luck Akemi's act of kindness and clemency would greatly aid in his warming to them, or at least reduce his quite evident hostility towards them.
Honestly, Kyomu didn't know that he would have made the same decision. He didn't begrudge the act itself so much as what it implied, Kyomu had been raised to adhere to humility and put himself second to the village and the clan, he wouldn't have known that he could work with someone who thought more of personal glory than the objective at hand. But then if the decision had come down to him and he had refused Mitsuko then they would have failed, funny really that he could only have passed by failing. Akemi had saved him yet again, Academy grades be damned, she was proving more and more dependable all the time.
'Well then,' he finally said, rising from where he'd been sat and moving to Akemi to offer her a hand up. 'Looks like we should be getting back too. And I guess I owe you again, Izayoi-san-- no – I guess it's Akemi-san now that we're team mates for real, right?'
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Post by Akemi Izayoi on May 6, 2012 23:23:56 GMT -5
Akemi felt so girly, crying for nearly no reason. The two guys better not pick on her or she'd have to knock them around a bit. Just because they were official teammates, her teammates, didn't mean she'd cut them a lot of slack. They were going to become legends. She'd keep them in line if she had to. Push them further if they tried to give up. So what if she wasn't some prodigy like them? She had just proved herself during this test. If that wasn't enough to show them that she could keep up with them then what was?
Odd, Akemi felt so full of energy again. The girl could go for another full out battle with one of Yuuyake-sensei's doppelgangers. Her body was still a bit sensitive to the air, but the ache had faded from her mind. Even her clothes had stopped smoking. They still had that burnt smell around them and a bit stiff, but they no longer sizzled with lingering heat. With no worries of failing, she could fight all out once more without fear fueling her rush. First thing was first. Stop her girly crying. Akemi was pretty sure grown ninja didn't cry. Right now, she should be in a dramatic victory pose along with her teammates. Maybe while the sun set in the background behind them.
Or maybe she'd set up a big explosion and they could walk away all badass like without looking back or flinching. But no, she was just now gaining a bit of control over the waterworks as Mitsuko spoke up. Get a hold of herself...she was trying, so much so that she couldn't come up with a comeback. However, the tears started to fade a bit and she let herself laugh through a few lingering sobs. At least Mitsuko wasn't being a jerk about it. Or maybe he was and she was just too happy to care. Akemi still owed him payback for the cheap shot, but with him being a teammate and all there was plenty of chances for weapon training in the future.
"Thanks, but I think I got it," the girl called out to his back as he walked away. Then she let out a deep sigh, finally pulling herself back together. A broad smile crossed her face as she glanced at the approaching Kyomu. It turned into a sly grin that would send a shiver down a man's spine when Kyomu said he owed her not once but twice. She wasn't quite sure how the roleplaying game with him and that girl counted, but she would be sure to milk it for all it was worth.
She took his hand and quickly pulled herself into a stand before grabbing him in headlock. "Quit being so damn formal, Kyomu. Drop the "san", were teammates now~" She started animatedly, channeling the excitement from earlier. Already Akemi was listing the things she could cash in on from his favors. Business talk could come later though. Maybe she should just drag him back to the restaruant and force him to tell exaggerated tales of how awesome they, well mostly Akemi, had been. Because it wasn't bragging if he did it. It was just him praising how amazing she was.
Then again that may be awkward if it was just him. Her family could be a bit on the relentless or maybe the right word was merciless with their teasing. Akemi would have to save that as a team thing for later when Yuuyake-sensei and Mitsuko didn't up and rush off. "Hrm, you owe me one...Ah, we can talk business later." The girl said waving it off as she let him out of her headlock. "Lets meet here tomorrow if Yuuyake-sensei doesn't get to us, we can start training after we come up with cool titles for you," it was supposed to be formed as a question, but Akemi practically demanded it from the boy. She didn't even wait for a response as she was already rushing off with a frantic wave. Kyomu would surely deal with hell itself if he dared ditch her. "See you, Kyomu," she didn't leave any room for argument.
She couldn't wait to tell her family the good news. Especially, her part in it.
(Exit, stage left~)
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