Thursday, September 4th, 3:45pm. Shizune practically dragged me to the dojo after classes ended for the day. I'm a little agitated with her because I kind of wanted to talk to Hanako or Kaori for a while. I don't even recall agreeing for definite.

She swiftly writes something on her notebook and hands it to me

[Just go in for a little taster session, I have some stuff to take care of. See you soon!]

I sigh and give a small nod. Let's just get this over with. I'm not exactly excited about this but if I can learn to protect myself and others, I may be of some use to Kaori and Hanako.

I step through the sliding doors of the dojo and I'm suddenly frozen to the spot. Boys and girls ranging from first to third years are all practicing kicking and punching and grapples. Some are practicing on punching bags and others are doing some sparring in small arenas. None of them really pay me any attention but that's a little expected.

I must look a little dumb at the minute. All I'm doing is staring at all the different students.

"Hey, you look lost kid, or are you interested in joining?" A slightly gruff and menacing voice rattles out behind me. It sends a shiver up my spine as I see a shadow looms over me. I don't want to turn around… ever… I can even feel the intimidating aura rising from behind me. I have to turn around and address him.

(This was a mistake…)

I sort of jolt and twist as I turn to face the person who addressed me and what I see is the physical embodiment of the word intimidating. His face is toned and sharp like it was carved out of a rock. The mane of black hair reminds me of a character from a manga I've read. Although his left eye was slightly discoloured and unfocused he leers at me with his right, his left eye also has a scar. His massive tree trunk arms are folded and his legs are shoulder width apart, it's a generic pose for someone to use if they want to look scary. I'm not easily scared but this guy… frightens me.

I gulp loudly and try to speak but words just won't come. Suddenly he throws his head back and he lets out a bellowing laugh. Did I do something to amuse him?

"BWAHAHAHA! The look on your face, kid… priceless!" He bellows and a massive hand lands on my left shoulder. He must have considered the sling at least. My nerves return and I calm down. "What's your name, kid?"

"Uh, Tomoya Okazaki, it's nice to meet you!" I bow quickly and I receive another bellow of laughter. This guy likes to laugh at people. I don't like it… and I probably won't like him…

"Oh don't be so formal kid. The name's Takeo Sahashi, I'm the captain and founder of this Kickboxing club. So what's a kid like you doing here?" He resumes the pose of folded arms but instead of a leering face it almost looks kind and welcoming.

"Shizune, my class representative, forced me here. I just came for a small taster session"

As soon as I mention Shizune's name, Takeo suddenly freezes up and then darts his head around the room. It's like he's being possessed or something…

"Wait… what, where… is she here?" he says becoming more and more anxious… wait… is this guy scared of her?

(Heh… maybe I can have a little fun with this…)

I grin slightly… time to shine

"I think she said something about a conspiracy… I think I recall her mentioning your name though…"

Takeo suddenly freezes and looks at me. His left eye is still off putting to me, I wonder what's wrong with it. His face tells me he's extremely scared…

(What the hell did she do to make him this afraid of her?)

"Please tell me you're joking… that She-Devil will never take me alive!"

I can't hold in the laughter… this is just too much for any man to cope with! This guy is at least six foot seven and he's scared of my class representative? No matter how you look at it… that's just absolutely absurd!

I suddenly burst out laughing. Takeo looks at me with a blank expression and I instantly notice that everyone in the room has gone silent. I stop laughing and become very self-aware. "Sorry, I had to get payback" I say but I'm still resisting laughing outbursts.

A moment of silence... maybe that was an extremely bad idea. I definitely don't need a pissed off, overly masculine power house chasing me around a campus that I'm not even familiar with... that would be bad

(Also not good for life expectancy...)

"BWAHAHAHA! You have a real set of big brass ones, don't you! I like that, means you can take crap and return it in kind! So, you said something about a taster session?" He catches me off guard by the sudden explosion of laughter. He then pauses to look at me, mostly with his right eye. His face becomes analytical and then he closes his eyes, revealing the scar on his left eye in its full glory... I wonder if his disability has anything to do with that scar...

"Is something the matter, Sahashi?"

He shakes his head but still looks somewhat serious.

"What's with the sling? Kickboxing involves punching and grapping y'know" I knew this would come up, I guess it'd be best if I'm just straight up and honest with him...

"It's dead weight because a shard of glass destroyed my muscles and tendons... I'm not here to learn to fight with punches, I want to learn how to fight with kicks"

Takeo thinks for a second and puts fingers on his chin. He then grins again

"I once sparred with someone who only fights with her feet. The legendary Delinquent-Basher of Hikarizaka!"

(He's from Hikarizaka? I wonder why I haven't seen him before)

I think I might have heard about something like that before. A rumour about a middle-school girl going around some of the worst areas of Hikarizaka and beating the snot out of the thugs and Delinquents there. Scary stuff if you ask me... and this guy has sparred with her...

(I definitely don't want to get this guy mad...)

"Alright, enough chit-chat, let's see what you're made of... Yamada! We need that bag for a sec, go spar with Takashi for a while!" He orders a boy who was practicing on a kicking bag. He looks a little annoyed at being interrupted from practice but obeys anyway. "Leave your bag and shoes here please" he tells me and I immediately obey.

"All I want you to do is kick this bag as hard as you can..."

(What's he up to?)

I sigh, let's just get this over and done with. I bring my right foot behind me, focus all my strength into it and launch it forward into the padded kicking bag. The chain that holds it to the railing on the roof rattles and the bag makes a satisfying thwack. I think I did pretty good but my foot hurts like hell after that. Takeo nods his head in a sensei like manner

"Not bad for a first timer, but your form needs vast improvement. Here let me show you how it's done!" Takeo steps up to the bag. I see everyone near us clear the area immediately… what am I about to witness?

Takeo puts his feet shoulder width apart and brings his clenched fists up to his face in a fashion that resembles a boxer guarding his face. He then suddenly unleashes an almighty kick with the finesse of a professional martial artist. What happens next is something that can only be described as jaw-dropping. The metal chain snaps clean off and the bag is launched all the way across to the other side of the room. It hits the wall with a resounding boom and then flops to the floor…

(Did that really just happen?)

This… beast has the strength to kick a kicking bag so hard it actually snaps the chain and has enough power left in it to hurl it across the room… I don't think I'd survive the consequences of pissing this guy off… in fact I probably wouldn't survive standing near this guy when he's pissed off…

(Note to self, keep Shizune at arm's reach when Takeo is pissed off…)

The ability to speak seems to have left me completely as I look at the bag, now rolling from side to side, on the opposite side of the room. Takeo lets out yet another thunderous laugh.

"Years of practice, kid, I could only manage a few inches at first!"

(Over confident much?)

"That was… different…" I manage to get out. Takeo suddenly turns serious.

"Ok, getting serious. Let me teach you some basics. First, the Centre Position. The Centre Position was the stance that I took just then. In your case though, you'll have to make do with only one hand in guard position. Do you remember it?"

I nod and try to mimic the stance he demonstrated. Takeo looks me over and steps up to me. He straightens up my back and gently moves my left arm into the correct position. It seems to be a little more complex than it looks. He steps back and gives me another once-over. He seems satisfied as he nods in that sensei manner again.

"Good, let's try a simple Forward Kick. I'll show you it in a slow pace then I'll speed it up" Takeo takes the same stance and rises his knee up so his thigh is parallel to the floor and foot pointing downwards. He then throws the rest of the leg upwards in a sort of Spartan kick style. He then returns to Centre Position. He then repeats it at a much faster rate. He gestures me to copy and I try my best but I lose my balance.

"BWAHAHA! Unlucky, many newbies make that mistake, it's fine if you don't give up after one fault!"

I get up from the floor and chuckle to myself "I rarely give up, just ask my team mates back at Hikarizaka!"

*Scene Break*

It's after the club session. My legs are killing me, it's like someone set them on fire, put them out then stamped on them with concrete boots. I'm sitting on the ground lent next to the wall of the Dojo whilst Takeo tidy's up the room. The rest of the club members have already dispersed and gone to dinner. I wish I could join them, but the simple task of walking seems impossible at the minute.

"The first few sessions always takes it out of the best of people, it's a common thing." Takeo says. I've heard that first times are always painful for stuff like this… but I never knew it was this bad.

"Thanks… I'll be fine in a few minutes"

"I heard you say Hikarizaka, you live there?"

"Yeah, born and raised… well… if you can call it raised"

Takeo must have ignored that last part because he moves the conversation on with the flow. I'm glad he didn't dwell on it

"That's the same for me too. Not exactly the best place to grow up in, especially the area I grew up in. Plenty of good for nothing thugs hanging around" Takeo stops after unhooking the last kicking bag and then sits on it. "I was born blind in my left eye, so you can guess I was targeted a lot as a little kid. Thankfully I have good genes" he thumps his chest at that

"I got to ask… what's with the scar?" he grins

"I fought a wild boar…"

(Liar)

"Interesting…" I contradict my own thoughts, it was probably something mundane and boring like a cat scratched him… or Shizune scared him so much he was physically scarred.

(I still find that absurd)

"Yeah, I won't ask how you got that glass wound, sounds a little complicated for a first meeting conversation" that's most definitely true, but it was like that with Kaori… guess Takeo is more tactful when it comes to painful histories.

I feel strength return to my legs but it's not quite enough to get up. Talking a little longer should do the trick. "So what was sparring with the legendary Delinquent-Basher like?"

"Heated, and that's the understatement of the century. Her mastery of the 64-hit combo almost did me in if it wasn't for my absolute defence mechanism…"

(What does he do? Turn to iron?)

"Which is…"

"Skirt flipping!"

(And that's when I found out Takeo was a pervert…)

"What's with the underwhelmed look? Girls are really sensitive about their panties… it's a wonder why they wear skirts all the time… once I flipped her skirt she got really mad and that caused her to become clumsy and easy to counter. I learned it from a manga!"

"That explains it…"

"It's thanks to my quick thinking that I'm still here in this reality. That 64-hit combo is nothing to be toyed with, it can be fatal!"

"What is it? I've never really heard of something like that before"

"It's basically a chain of 64 consecutive kicks at a machine gun quick pace. You can make anyone fly with it. I've only ever known two people to have completely mastered it. The Delinquent-Basher and my old Kickboxing sensei" his face looks nostalgic as he tells me this.

"So how did you get into a sparring match with her in the first place?"

"Well, I used to be a Delinquent-Basher too so… I guess she took an interest and wanted to test her skill on someone else at a somewhat similar level. She's a demon… but she's still a girl. She has her weakness and so do I"

I grin

"You mean Shizune"

"Never say that again"

"That took 0.5 seconds flat!"

We share a laugh. That's when I spot the distinct dark blue-black hair of the very girl I'm talking about appearing right behind Takeo. I grin manically

"Speak of the devil…"

Takeo slowly turns his head and I can actually see the beads of sweat pouring down his face. He launches himself upwards and almost shrieks her name. Shizune merely stands there with her hands behind her back and an innocent wondering look on her face. This is almost shameful to watch. After that badass show he gave me in the club session.

Shizune suddenly starts making what I assume are sign language signals… I can't understand one bit of it… Takeo, on the other hand, looks very discomforted

"I think she's trying to say she was wondering where you were…" he says

(Hold on a second!)

"You understand sign language?"

"Only the basics, I'm not fluent at all" he's surprisingly talented. I wonder where he took lessons. Shizune signs faster and Takeo gets more and more anxious. He slowly signs something back and Shizune drops her shoulders. Out comes her notepad and she quickly writes something onto it. She hands the pad to me

[You didn't come to dinner so I haven't eaten either. How about we go to the Student Council room and order takeout?]

That's a strange request, I wonder why she hasn't eaten, was she waiting for me? I turn to Takeo

"Want to get some take out with us?" I ask

"Oh… well… um… no thanks… I'm not really hungry"

*Grumble*

"It sounds like your stomach disagrees with your mouth! Come on, we have to eat"

Takeo sighs and then agrees reluctantly. I then quickly write my reply

[Sounds great, if you don't mind the scaredy-cat over there joining us]

Shizune seems to silently giggle behind her hand at my reply. She then nods her reply. I try to get up and manage to keep my balance just enough to begin a slow walk to my shoes and bag. Takeo still seems very anxious and almost submissive.

*Scene Break*

After finishing our meals in a somewhat awkward silence, Takeo I and part ways with Shizune as we head into the boys dorm. Takeo stops me as I'm about to climb the stairs to the second floor and has the makings of a serious face.

"Listen, kid, you're actually a pretty good beginner. Better than most of the whelps that join the club. You pick up techniques quite quickly and you can carry them out almost perfectly after a few tries. I just want to say you should join permanently, you could become a great fighter if you keep at it."

I can almost see the passion in his eyes as he tells me this. What is he getting at?

"Thanks, I'm glad I didn't seem like a complete waste of time, but maybe Kickboxing isn't my kind of thing..."

"Don't talk stupid, after my first real session of it I felt like hell too. It happens to everyone! All you have to do is keep chipping away at it and soon you'll get used to it as your legs and fists toughen up... well, in your case, your legs. You boasted that you never give up, didn't you?"

I guess all he wants is for me to stay...

"I'll... think about it... if I don't feel like it's right for me I won't show up next week..."

Takeo sighs but he still nods. I guess he's satisfied with my answer. He says his goodbyes and heads off to his room. I don't really know why I'm doubting it... I guess it'll probably be something to do with learning an entirely new sport from scratch...

I sigh and head up to the second floor. I've learnt that my hall mate, Kenji, doesn't really sleep so if I make to much noise... I'll be caught by him and no doubt be exposed to another rant about Feminist Conspiracies. It's not like I hate him, he's just a little... hard to handle to say the least.

(I may have gone and condemned myself...)

As I was just about to unlock my door I feel the presence I don't want to feel... it's him...

"Hey, man, can I borrow some money?"

(Money? Why does he want money?)

I turn around and face him. He's fingering his scarf at quite an alarming rate. He's nervous... or at least impatient. "Why should I part with my cash for you?" I ask and lift me left hand above my head with my palm facing the ceiling.

"It's for a project I'm working on..." he trails off and then his face turns somewhat angry "I don't need to explain myself to you, I still don't trust you!" Ugh... this again...

"Well, if you want me to lend you money, I just want to know where it's going"

It's a logical argument... in normal standards anyway. Instead of considering the point, Kenji starts to become more agitated and shows this by fingering his red and gold scarf faster and faster... he's going to start a fire at this rate...

"It's... secret."

(Guess that's all I'm going to get out of him...)

I've pinned Kenji as the type to bug someone until he gets what he wants, in other words... persistent... I sigh yet again.

"How much?..."

"8000 yen will do..."

If I was drinking something right now... I'm sure it would be all over Kenji's face right now... what the hell he wants with 8000 yen!? I simply open the door to my room and walk inside only to find Kenji has followed me... definitely persistent.

"8000 yen please..."

I ignore him and sit down at my desk. I pull out my laptop and begin the homework we were set today. I here Kenji grunt with impatience and I can't help but grin.

"I'm growing impatient..."

I still ignore him and start to get on with the mathematics homework. I'll have to cut him loose soon, I really need to concentrate...

"Just go, I don't have any money with me at the minute"

A disgruntled growl is all I receive and I hear him mutter as he makes his way out

"I knew he was a feminist spy, just wants to find out my plans..."

(Peace at last)

I then realise what I'm doing... I HATE MATHEMATICS!

*Scene Break*

I was hoping I'd be spending my free time today, Saturday, goofing off and maybe wasting time sleeping in the library… so why am I trapped in this room, the student council room according to Shizune. She's sat on the opposite side of the table from me writing on pieces of paper at lightning quick speeds. That speed is just not human…

I've been forced into helping Shizune, along with a very nervous Takeo, with some Student Council work as a way of repaying her for the Takeout we ordered on Thursday.

(I can tell she planned this from the start, the fact of me going to Kickboxing and not being able to make it to dinner… and quite possibly the fact that Takeo would tag along… crafty, isn't she?)

I've been tasked with digitally typing up the paperwork that needed to be precise and sorted. Takeo was stuck with sorting and filing but he actually looks at home whilst doing it… does he enjoy tedious, repetitive tasks?

Soon, the workload dwindles and we're all done for the day. I sigh with relief as I finish my last piece and lean back in my chair. Shizune signs something as slow as she can towards Takeo who flusters and then clears his throat.

"Shizune wants to thank us for the work… I think…" he looks at Shizune with a wary look on his face. It's drastic how much his personality changes when in the presence of Shizune. When she isn't around, he's full of himself and comes off as a little perverted but he goes into anxious and submissive mode as soon as he even hears Shizune's name…

(Just what is their history? Did they date or something?)

I frantically shake my head at that thought. That's a pretty bad thought, these two would never be right together no matter how you look at it!

After saying goodbye to Shizune, Takeo taps me on the shoulder to get my attention.

"Let's go to the dojo, I feel like training…"

Why does he want me to go? I guess he just want's someone to talk to… or he wants a training partner… which I'm not suited for…

We head out of the main building of the school and down towards where the sports clubs are usually held and where the Dojo stands. The sky burns a bright orange… how long were we in that room for!? We finished school at midday today and it was a pretty decent day outside too! Well, I can't exactly complain… I was just going to waste it sleeping anyway.

We set up to bags in the dojo and Takeo more or less instantly starts to punch the bag into a pulp. Is he angry? Or is he always like this when he's training? How do I go about this? Does he want to talk?

Takeo begins to chain together kicks on the bag and the rhythmic thwacking and rattling sound deafening. His face has a look of total concentration… I guess he doesn't want to be interrupted by anything.

I form the Centre position and start to practice the basic kicks I learnt today starting with the Forward Kick and the Round-House kick. My legs sting a little each time they make contact with the bag but at least I have the right form and posture now… that means I won't fall over on my arse like an idiot.

Takeo is still chaining together a perfect flow of kicks… it almost looks like it's all one attack, one kick following into the next like a master swordsman would with his swings. For the oversized monster he is… watching him like this is… breath taking. His skill level is probably impossible for me to reach.

After a few more minutes he finishes his chain with one powerful right hook and then sits down on the ground crossing his legs in a way that makes him look like he's meditating. His eyes are closed and his hands are planted on his knees. His breathing is a little accelerated but it soon calms down and he's almost completely silent. He's so serious when it comes to stuff like this I guess… he must have quite a history.

"You're probably wondering why I seem so afraid of the Deaf Mute…"

He remains in the same position and his eyes are still shut… he takes me off guard and I don't know how to respond. I'm very curious but I can't just say that out right…

"It's nothing to do with physical ability. She's a born dictator that one is, she's a force to be reckoned with. I was in the student council myself in the first semester of this year but that was only for a short time…"

While he explains this to me, he remains in his meditating pose… he would definitely suit being an old Sensei in a Dojo in the Edo period.

"Halfway through the semester she kind of exploded into the council and almost forced her way to become a high ranking officer… I would be surprised if she isn't president by the end of the year. Her analytical stare and forceful nature make one hell of a combination. She has a pure aura of control. I joined the council because I wanted to help the student body and make Yamaku even better for the future… that girl just wants to turn it into a form of dictatorship"

That sounds like Shizune all right. She's my class rep and she pressures us pretty hard to do better, it's a little annoying really. I've noticed he tries to avoid using her name… does he see it as Taboo or something?

"So you developed a fear of her because she seems like a born dictator?"

"I sound like a sissy when you say it like that… but yeah, that's pretty much it. Changing subject!"

I know already what's coming next

"Have you thought anymore about joining us?"

(Knew it…)

"Yeah… I guess I don't really have a choice, I'll assume you'll pester me until I agree…"

This school is full of persistent people huh… Takeo opens his eyes and the great big scary grin appears on his face.

"Excellent! You're right, if you said no I'd find a way to get you to joins… I never give up on a potential recruit! BWAHAHA! That's just the kind of guy I am!"

He has reverted back to his original self… I guess he's out of exposition mode and back to over-the-top masculinity mode… great…

A/N

Hope I've nailed Tomoya's sense of humor correctly in this one. This Petal is basically a little bit of character development so I apologise if it seems like it drags a bit. Also if you enjoyed Takeo, let me know. If you have any suggestions for me just drop a review, I'll be happy to consider it! Thanks for reading!