Training
Previously: Satoshi couldn't go to practice so Yasuchika and Haruhi trained without him. She learned a few new exercises and discussed karate a little bit with Yasuchika.
Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran.
Chapter 6: The real training begins
The next day of training was similar to the first day of training. Satoshi yelled a lot. He was telling Yasuchika that he wanted to train Haruhi Monday and Wednesday the next week so he could have the first scheduled non exercise training days. Yasuchika wasn't fighting but Satoshi felt that it was necessary to explain why he should train her first in a very loud voice. By the end of the training, Satoshi was finally satisfied that he could help Haruhi train first. Friday's training went without incident and over the weekend, Haruhi prepared for her first kendo lessons with Satoshi.
When she went to training on Monday, Satoshi was a little calmer without Yasuchika. Satoshi said that at the beginning and ending of training that they should bow, as they would before and after a kendo match. Haruhi bowed respectfully then they began her training. Although they still did a few exercises, the first part of training mostly concentrated on meditating and self-control techniques. Haruhi had to admit that she liked meditating a lot because it didn't involve all the exercises she had done last week. After finishing the last of the meditating, Haruhi stood up and looked at Satoshi who was holding two shinai (the wooden sword used in kendo)
"Satoshi senpai am I really going to start using a shinai today? Chances are I won't have one to defend myself when I need it." Haruhi said bluntly. Satoshi just smiled.
"I already know that Haruhi, but learning to use it can teach more skills then just how to swing a shinai. It will help teach you control and balance." He said professionally. Haruhi looked at him for a moment and he saw that she was a little surprised at how he had said that.
"I can be professional sometimes. Yasuchika told me I had to be more professional if I wanted you to call me your senpai." he said with a smile. Haruhi smiled back as Satoshi handed him one of the Shinai. After stretching, he started to teach her the first few basic stances and swings. She had to get her footwork right and she was a little off balance.
"When you swing down and move you left foot, make sure you step down with enough pressure to keep yourself steady." Satoshi said and she swung a few more times. After a few swings and a few more tips from Satoshi, she finally landed in the right stance, with her arms and legs in the correct manner. Satoshi had her do it a few more times to make sure that she could maintain the correct foot placement without losing her balance. Haruhi smiled. She felt a little proud that she had done the stance and swing correctly. She knew it was just a simple downward swing but it still made her feel a little accomplished.
"Good job Haruhi. You should keep on working on that. Do a few stance changes without the shinai." Satoshi said. Haruhi did one and was almost put off balance without the movement of the shinai to stabilize her. "You should be able to do everything separately without its various parts and be able to put it together. You should be able to swing with or without changing stances and you should be able to do the stances without the shinai." Satoshi said. The rest of the training she spent doing everything by itself then together. She still needed more practice but she was getting there. She was proud for her first day of learning kendo techniques. "You did very well for your first day of kendo training" Satoshi said as they bowed to each other.
"Thank you senpai. Should I do anything at home?" she asked.
"Yes. Do some of the balance exercises if you can and meditate. That shinai is yours to keep. Here's a protective case to keep it in." he said and handed her back the shinai she had returned. She accepted it happily.
"Thank you senpai." She said. She put the shinai in the bag.
"Now, did you have fun?" he asked, going back to the normal Satoshi.
"Yes Satoshi senpai I did. You are a lot more laid back and it's a little funny when you try to act more serious. It's okay if you don't want to act so professional, I'll still call you senpai." she said with a smile. He smiled in return and she went into the changing room and grabbed her things and changed. She walked to the gate. She realized that she had gotten out a little later than the rest of her training days. She started to head home but the sidewalks were busier at that time so it was going to take a longer time. She was walking and she had just crossed the street when she saw a sale flier in the window of a store that was going to close before she could drop her stuff off and come back. She went into the store and got a few things. She stepped out with an extra two bags added to her load.
"I probably could have skipped one sale." she thought to herself. She walked out and saw Aki's boyfriend with someone else walking towards her.
"Oh Fujioka, the commoner making the most of a sale." he said and approached her.
"Hiroshi leave the commoner to his grocery shopping." said his friend he was with. Haruhi walked past the two of them without starting anything. As she passed, Hiroshi called after her.
"If you don't do something to make her leave the host club early tomorrow I'll be sure to make sure that you won't be able to host anymore." he threatened and they walked away. Haruhi went home and put everything away, knowing that she was not going to anything to cause Ami to leave early.