Chapter 25: Aunty Mio's Apprentice Part 1

It went by as usual: Guys working on the changing rooms, Jyuumonji ignoring her (like last time except SHE DOESN'T KNOW THE REASON WHY!), training rounds, Hiruma being a bastard to everyone, the construction guy giving her weird looks from time to time (ew, is he a pedo?), and taking lessons from Junko.

"Today, we will be going through types of strikes: the palm, elbow, and shoulder strikes," Junko announced. "With this, you'll know how to deflect an attack or make an offense."

Sena blinked. "But why would I need to?"

Junko made a scowl, and, as always, directed her hatred at the blonde. "He made me watch tons of football games and make analysis. I had to determine the best way to help you get touchdowns easier."

"Oh," was what she could only say.

"Anyway, a player could interject your, uh, jogging by stealing the ball away from you. Here, hold this as if you're on your way to make a goal." Junko handed Sena a football, and Sena tucked it as told. "Now look, here is an opening and here too. A player could easily knock it off your grip." The younger girl pointed to the vulnerable areas.

Sena nodded. "So this is, um, martial arts?"

"I guess." Junko shrugged noncommittally. "Anyway, let's start with the palm strike." She flattened her hand and made her fingers point vertically, the base of her palm sticking out more. "While there are those who would use fists, this part of the palm, linked closely to the wrist, has more effect than the knuckle. Additionally, the palm strike doesn't hurt as much as the knuckle when taking impact. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. You can use that when you see an opponent coming up at you with an attack. Now, there is way for you to strike down a player's arm when his arm is lunging for the ball." Junko stretched out her arm. "You'll have to drive your wrist downwards." Palm perpendicular to the forearm again, but this time the base of the palm was positioned pointing down. "I'll do a demo. Stick out your arm."

Junko did as she demonstrated, and when her wrist made sharp impact on Sena's upper wrist, her whole arm fell.

"Ow!" Her eyes widened at the outcome. "Wow, it really works!"

"It's more successful when you go for the wrist than the forearm; otherwise, you'd need to hit harder in case to knock out the whole arm."

"Because of the closer link with the hand and the wrist or because the arm has a thicker bone?" Sena inquired.

"Mostly the hand and wrist link. If you go for the arm, not only will you have to exert more energy, but the chances that the player can withdraw his hand and make another attempt."

The two girls worked on tactics and strikes until they were both sweating (and Sena hated sweating). On occasions, Sena would trip on air or need to rework on the positioning. The smaller girl wasn't exactly a fast learner, and she was a little frightened if she was causing Junko impatience and irritation. But after one look at her teacher, Sena was relieved to see that the younger girl was mildly frustrated. Mildly. At least the girl wasn't going to blow a fuse or anything.

Except when Hiruma came along…

Well, not physically came along as in walk up to them, but using a megaphone and shouting profanities and urging her to hurry up, in which ignited blazing ire.

Sena was scared now.

"Why is it always me?" Junko hissed underneath her breath before going on in one of her usual rants about her abhorrence for Hiruma and how she was the only one who suffered the most.

Sena sometimes wondered if Junko ever considered how she felt. After all, Sena was in this as much as Junko was; maybe even more than her. But then again, it sounds as if she had known Hiruma a lot longer, so Sena passed on her empathy to the younger girl. Seriously, who could stay sane when knowing him for years (excluding Kurita)? Not that Sena was sure Junko knew Hiruma for years…but who knows?

When they finished up, they said their goodbyes and departed. Sena came to where the others where and noticed that a pair of eyes were boring behind her head. She turned around and only saw the old construction guy. 'Okay, I'm getting a bit freaked out here. Ignorance, Sena, just play and accept ignorance. Do. Not. Get. Paranoid.'

Strangely, no one even noticed that the construction guy was shooting her looks—well, maybe Hiruma had noticed. He kept giving her his trademark grins (and catch her unexpected with his gun shootings).

After training, Sena had to wait until all the guys left so that she could have the clubroom to herself to change. Just so that Mamori wouldn't know about her secret, Sena worked out in her Eyeshield garb every time. It's dreadful and annoying. What's more, Yukimitsu went on with his never-ending compliments to Eyeshield 21, and frankly, it was getting out of hand! Sena felt as though she didn't deserve the second-year's praise and admiration, but what can she do? If she told him not to hold her high with respect, he'll refuse and insist that she have every right to deserve it.

Oh brother.

Anyway, she quickly changed and kept her weapons close (just in case the construction guy was at close at bay). It irked her how stinky, uncomfortable, and warm she was in her uniform after the exercise, but she didn't want to shower. She couldn't risk it. 'Great. Now I am paranoid. Great.'

Peering out the door, she saw no one there. Sena gave a sigh of relief and hurried to get out of the area.

'Alrighty, I'll just turn from here and behind the school. That geezer might be there—AUGH! Shut up, Sena! There's no way that you can have a pedo after you! I mean, why me when there's Mamo-nee? Well, it's a good thing he wasn't checking out her, but why me? Unless I'm being delusional for some odd reason. That must be it. I'm delusional. Who in the right mind would find plain Kobayakawa Sena someone worth ravishing?'

"Oi, little girl."

Sena jinxed herself. Again.

'GAH! What is with this new jinxing ability? WHY CAN'T I STOP?'

But rather seeing the construction guy, in his stead was a handsome young man with a smart suit and a charming smile. "Hey there," he said, tilting his head to one side.

One thought ran through her mind: 'Someone from the mafia.'

"Hi," she replied.

"You a student from Deimon?" he asked curiously (FAKE curiously-ness).

'Definitely someone from the mafia.' Sena inwardly frowned. 'Ally or enemy?' "That's right," she said, folding her arms, discreetly pulling out her shock-gun. Pepper-spray wouldn't work since he was wearing glasses (Sena knew that they were fake).

"Cool. A coworker of mine has a daughter who attends here. You know her?"

'Definitely a trainee. Honestly, what's with the mafias nowadays sending TRAINEES to approach me? Are they teasing me or something? They must think I'm a weakling after spending time outside of Japan, I bet.' Sena didn't even bother noting aloud the vagueness of the man's question. "I don't think so."

He frowned playfully. "Is that so? Hmmmmm, and here I was so sure you were."

"Nope."

"Are you a first-year?"

'Going for that, are we?' Sena would have sighed if she could. 'Fine then, I'll play along, Assassin-san.' "What do you think?"

"I'm not sure. You could be a second-year…Maybe a third-year." He tapped his chin and smirked. "I don't know; kids nowadays look the same to me."

"Maybe I'm not a kid," she retorted. "Maybe I'm a woman in disguise."

At this, the man threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, you really are a funny one!" He wiped away a tear. "No, you're definitely a kid."

"Is that so?"

"Yup." He made a quick glance at his watch. "Oh, look at the time! And I didn't even have lunch!" He took a step closer to her, his smirk becoming a little more devious for her liking. "Hey, how about you and I get something to eat? My treat since I laughed at you."

Sena made a thoughtful expression. "Well, I'm not really hungry…"

"You can get a parfait. I know a nice little restaurant that makes these great parfaits."

The girl knew that this guy was trying to get her alone, to kill her or abduct her (possibly rape); however, reluctance got a grip on her. A memory flashed before her eyes, reminding her the time when she tazed an innocent boy due to her paranoia. Why now? Why did she have to remember this horrible memory NOW? This didn't happen when she tazed Togano (although she was barely awake and he did happen to steal her phone).

'C'mon! He's the enemy! Defend yourself!'

But that memory kept playing and playing…

'He is NOT a citizen! He is NOT a classmate from school! He is NOT him!'

Sena couldn't bring herself. And this out of all times? Seriously?

And before her very eyes, the man in the suit fell unconscious. 'What the heck—OH! It's the construction guy!'

The construction guy, wielding a hammer, stared down at Sena steadily. The cigar danced on his lips as he propped the tool against his shoulder. "You okay?"

"U-uh, yes. Yes," she stammered, shocked. She looked down at the body. "But why…?"

"He's a gunman for an enemy mafia." The construction guy booted the man's thigh, and out came a gun.

Her eyes widened. "Wait! Th-that means—"

"I'm a shadow."

'Oh. Wow.'

"Why didn't you take him out?"

Sena licked her lips nervously. "I wanted to make sure."

He raised an eyebrow. "Of what? You knew that he was an enemy, right?"

She nodded. "But, well…" Sena looked away, sheepish. "Well, back then I was…incredibly paranoid. Still am, but I'm working on managing that."

"You should be paranoid. You have killers after your hide."

"No, when I said I was incredibly paranoid, I mean incredibly paranoid." She wrung her hands out of embarrassment. "Uh, you see, back when I was being taught outside of Japan, I had this urge to taze everyone, thinking that he or she was an enemy. I even tazed this guy in America because I thought he was suspiciously friendly. And then I was expelled," she muttered the last sentence.

"He wasn't affiliated with the mafia?"

"No, just an innocent citizen."

"I see."

"This doesn't happen normally," she grumbled.

"Hmm." He gave her a sidelong look after hoisting the man over his shoulder. "Well, take care then."

Sena nodded and quickly walked away.

'I cannot believe this!' If Sena could, she'd be full on running back home. 'That geezer—he's a shadow! UNBELIEVABLE!'

She wasn't sure if she wanted to believe it.

'And here I thought he was a pedo. Maybe those looks he kept throwing at me were looks of concern…that I might get killed off or something.'

Sena stopped.

'I DON'T KNOW!'

A few people tried not to stare at the girl who was pounding her fist on the pavement.

'Well, whatever. I need to get home.' Continuing to walk, she realized that these parts of the neighborhood were strangely vacant. Sena was getting a BAAAD feeling about this. And it was just so her luck happened to show when a masked man was running towards her, swinging around a chainsaw.

"Hiii!"

Coming from her behind was another man with a chainsaw. She paled, knowing how messy things will turn out.

This had NEVER happened to her. Ever. Sure, there were the occasional guns and knives and bombs, but chainsaws? Those things are much more suited for mad men who should be strapped tightly in straight-jackets! Also it makes the results unnecessarily bloody, much to her dislike.

The man before her swung the chainsaw high as the one behind her swung low. Did they think this tactic could trap her? Silly fools! Sena threw herself to the side and watched as the two men nearly slashed at one another. Avoiding rather maladroitly, they turned their heads at the girl and charged. Sena gritted her teeth in a mixture of frustration and fear. What the hell was she going to do now? She considered using her shock-pistol, but it was obvious that these men put a lot of layering on their persons.

Right then. Her last option: avoid getting sliced.

The two men fell down, unconscious.

'What the whiz wham?'

The construction guy! The construction guy was here!

He knelt down and shut off the chainsaws, then turning to her. Sena stood up and dusted herself. "Okay, now I am convinced of what Pappy said." She hung her head in shame. "I really am inexperienced compared."

"That's why you have shadows backing you up."

Sena looked at him quizzically. "Who are you?"

"Should you really ask a shadow that?" He looked amused though.

"If Aunty Mio hired you, I can trust you."

He barked a laugh. "You call her that? Aunty Mio?"

She frowned. "Yes. She is my aunt, after all."

"I'm sorry," he said, smothering his chuckles. "I just—You know, imagining Mio to be called that just seems so…"

"Unlike her? Destroys her dangerous and sadistic image?"

"Yes, exactly." He smirked. "Takekura Gen."

"You know who I am." She rested her hands on her hips. "So, are you, like, Aunty Mio's colleague?"

"Something like that."

"What do you mean?"

"Hmm?"

Usually, Sena wasn't a curious person by nature. If someone gave her an ambiguous answer, she'll leave it at that. However, there was something about this man that pressured her into stubborn prying. "You're something more than a colleague, aren't you?" She furrowed her brows. "And I don't think any of her colleagues would refer her so familiarly. You called her Mio."

"You're not going to give this up, are you?"

"Nope."

"Fine. I'm her apprentice."

"Pardon?"

"I'm her apprentice."

"…"

Takekura Gen arched a brow.

"You mean her student?"

"No. Apprentice."

"There's a difference?"

"I think so." He scratched his head. "Mio took two of us as apprentices and had a couple students."

"Students?"

"Those who she taught briefly compared to the many years of teaching to her apprentices."

Her eyes widened. "So what Aunty Mio was talking about former students…was actually former apprentices," she murmured, more likely to herself.

The construction guy, who was still not used to his teacher being called AUNTY Mio, was smirking. "That's right."

'Was Kid-san briefly taught by Aunty Mio? Perhaps he was taken as an apprentice like Takekura-san.'

Sena gasped. "Wait a minute…She said that her apprentices were about my…" She looked at him, a bit unsure. "How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

'Holy moley.' She blinked slowly. "Seventeen?"

"Seventeen."

"Why did you keep looking at me at school?" she asked abruptly.

"That was random," he stated calmly.

"Well?"

He paused, thought, and sighed. "When…Mio told me that I was to be looking out for you, I was…excited." Judging by his expression after looking at her expression, Sena guessed that she appeared surprised. "I know, strange, right? But you were Mio's niece. Her precious niece who Mio talked about a lot. I was very curious, and it was to my luck that Hiruma called me to Deimon before the week I was assigned to my post."

"Hiruma and you are pretty close. Are you two friends?"

"One question at a time."

"Okay."

"Mio told me that you were part of the American football club. When I made it to Deimon, I only saw two girls in the club. I assumed that the tall one was you, but she didn't quite fit Mio's descriptions."

"What?" Sena frowned. "What about me?"

"I didn't consider you, to be truthful. Mio and you don't even look alike."

"Understandable." Aunty Mio was very pretty and so was Mamori. Very, very understandable.

"You don't seem so put off," he commented airily.

Sena shrugged. "Go on."

"Anyway, as I was waiting for the 'real niece' to show up, I heard that other girl call you Sena. To be truthful once again, I was shocked. I suspected Kobayakawa Sena to be not as innocent-looking."

"Appearances can be very deceiving." Especially how she thought that this guy right here was an old geezer, not a seventeen-year-old!

"Now I know."

"Huh, so that's why you kept looking at me?"

He rubbed his neck. "Sorry about that. I just couldn't help myself, knowing that you're Mio's niece and all. I wasn't very subtle, was I?"

"To be honest, I thought you were some creepy pedophile," came the sudden prompt. No thinking, just being straight-forward.

He winced. "Okay…The not-so subtle glances I understand…but why a pedophile?"

This time, Sena hesitated, but she shrugged and said, "No offence, but you look really old."

"I blame my old man. It's genetic."

"Maybe you should stop smoking. That makes you age faster, I think." She wrinkled her nose like how Junko would do. "Plus it would get rid of that nasty smell."

"I actually am trying to quit thanks to Mio's berating." At that, he visibly shuddered and grimaced. "She hated the smell too."

"But I saw you smoking once at school! You know, when you knocked that guy unconscious."

"I had an urge and gave in to it."

"That's not good."

"No it isn't."

After a minute scrutinizing under Takekura's eyes (and matured face), Sena squirmed. "Wh-what is it?" she blurted out.

A bit taken aback, he blinked and then apologized. "Sorry, was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About how you and Mio are definitely related."

She made a face. "Why would you say that?" 'I'm not crazy! I'm perfectly sane!'

He looked amused by her reaction. "You two share something in common."

"Like what?" Sena demanded.

"Both of you are direct with your answers, and sometimes it's painful to hear such honesty."

Sena paused. "I'm a terrible liar, and Aunty Mio actually has a knack for fibbing."

"I guess you're right on that one. Sometimes I have trouble distinguishing whether she's telling the truth or not."

"Even though being her apprentice for years?"

"Even though."

"Okay." She looked down at the men. "Do you know how they made the neighborhood so empty?"

"A group of men from the other side of the street are performing circus tricks. Wanna watch?"

"Meh. Sure."

It was a start of a beautiful friendship.

A/N: From Chapter 8, the thought from Sena 'I knew someone who had this number when he played football. Too bad I sent him to the hospital' is applied to a part of this chapter. If you found out how it does apply, hooray for you!

Next chapter: Some people just want to prove something…