If you were to have been present during that battle and someone had later asked you to recount it for them you'd only have to recount about three seconds. A proper description of what had occurred would be, 'the underclassman got her ass kicked through a tree by Shizuru-sama.'
Natsuki had stood with a prepared dignity raising the metal rod used as a weapon by coral class otomes. Shizuru had simply stood there, not even looking ready for battle, much less appearing that she was taking any of this seriously. Natsuki charged and swiped her weapon hitting only air, shocked, she meant to look at her target but soon found herself distracted by the elbow that struck her vertebrate with painful accuracy. Flying forward several feet, she hit the ground, somersaulted once then smashed head first into a tree.
Mai instantly ran to where her friend was struggling to get up, body still intact thanks to the helpful nanomachines that coursed through her veins. On hands and knees she coughed up a small bit of blood, more from her split lip than any internal complications. A teacher ran over to assist Mai in her attempt to help Natsuki to her feet. Shizuru reached her first though and pulled her up with one arm.
Apparently, for the wounded otome, the fight wasn't over and such chivalrous actions as helping her to her feet did not merit forgiveness for a humiliating defeat. Natsuki's fist flew through the air, but met only Shizuru's palm. Her attempts were as useless as trying to beat up a wall made of uncut diamond.
"Maybe you should try a kick this time Natsuki-chan, my lower body is weaker than my upper half."
Though she hated taking an enemies advice she aimed a leg sweep at her attacker, Shizuru simply jumped to avoid it. Shizuru just blinked at her, surprised.
"Ara, I guess I was wrong."
Her mocking words were only met with a scornful scowl, "Bitch."
"That's enough both of you."
A teacher came between them, Shizuru simply put up both her hands in a sign of surrender.
Mai was laughing hysterically at a battered Natsuki; she got out a few words between gasps for air.
"Your luck can not possibly be this bad."
Natsuki simply clenched her fist and grit her teeth hoping to whatever god existed in this twisted world that the impact in her last class had knocked her out and this was some comatose nightmare.
Shizuru stood smiling at her from her teacher's side. Mai was still in hysterics as she stay stationary, fuming.
Not that life skills had ever been her favorite class in the first place, in fact had it not been for her injuries she would've easily skipped it, but now it was hell.
"Excuse me sensei am I allowed to ask how ballroom dancing falls under the scope of life skills?"
Natsuki attempted to use words that didn't sound laced with cyanide almost failed.
"Well, it was a special request from Viola-san."
Ah, the perks of being one of the best fighters this side of the country.
Hearing this, Natsuki snagged Mai by the back of her uniform just in case the teacher announced a free for all partner grabbing.
Shizuru smiled and whispered something to the teacher, who listened intently nodding a few times then telling Shizuru she had a wonderful idea which only succeeded in making Natsuki's stomach drop a level lower in her intestines.
"Viola-san had pointed out to me that pairing according to ability will teach you all more."
Now her stomach dropped clear to her ankles. She already knew what was going to happen.
"Now the bottom of the class would be-" Natsuki squeezed her eyes shut, "Krueger-san, and the top would be-" Shizuru put her hand gently on the teachers shoulder and smiled, "Sensei, may I request tutoring Krueger-san in this matter."
The teacher nodded, apparently ecstatic about such an innovative idea. "That sounds perfect; maybe Krueger-san will actually learn something." The emphasis on learn made her wince.
After the assignment of the other pairs gentle mocking music squeezed out of someplace or another as Natsuki did anything but look at Shizuru. Though everyone else had already started their attempts at a graceful dance she completely ignored her tormentor's existence.
"So does Natuski-chan know any waltz steps?"
She just crossed her arms and looked at the ceiling moodily.
"Oh I think I get it, Natsuki-chan probably prefers tango."
In an eased fluid motion the upper classman grabbed her wrist spun her in a tight surprised circle and leaned her over backwards in perfect mimicry of a tango. Natsuki's eyes were wide and jaw close to unhinged until she realized her position and pushed away from Shizuru which earned an express trip to the floor. The wind left her lungs as it often does when you land suddenly on your back, and she stared helplessly to the ceiling. Shizuru entered her vision and before she could manage to mutter a string of prepared curses using airless vocal chords the upperclassman said with a certain amount of sharpness, "Ole"
Struggling to her feet all she could do was ask, "What the hell is your problem?"
"Krueger-san! How dare you address Viola-san in such a way! Leave my classroom immediately."
"Can't believe you have the gall to show up here after how much trouble you got me in."
Despite her anger Natsuki had a certain amount of dignity, which was why she was still sitting on the bench instead of making useless attempts at pounding Shizuru into the floor. She kept her eyes focused on the occurring sunset. Shizuru had the good sense not to sit down next to her or maybe there was some kind of force field of palpable hatred around her.
"I just wanted to see Natsuki-chan."
They both faced the sunset but she wondered if they were actually seeing the same thing. She stood, this thought clinging to her mind, and turned to Shizuru.
"Viola-sama, I swear to defeat you before you graduate."
A dramatic wind seemed to blow between then whipping her hair behind her as Shizuru turned and smiled between blown autumn leaves.
"I'm looking forward to it Natsuki-chan."
She turned on a heel and left Natsuki choking on her prideful words.
