One afternoon at a high school somewhere in Japan, school had been dismissed for the day, and all the students were leaving to go home, but Makoto, the tomboy Rindo-Kan Karate practitioner, was in the computer lab using the printer, when her friends, teenage ninja-in-training Ibuki and Kenyan exchange student Elena walked inside.
"Makoto, what are you still doing here", Ibuki asked, "school's over."
"That's right", Elena said, "we were hoping you wanted to come with us to get some ice cream."
"Maybe later", Makoto said, "I'm busy right now."
"What are you doing", Ibuki asked.
"I've been working on a flyer to promote my Daddy's Rindo-Kan Karate dojo", Makoto said, "it took a week to put together, but I've finally got it."
"That's nice", Elena said, "what are you going to do with it?"
"I'm printing out copies of it that I'm going to hang up all over town", Makoto said, "I'm hoping it'll help bring in some new students."
"How many of these are you planning on printing out, anyway", Ibuki asked.
"Oh, not many", Makoto said, "just a few hundred."
"A few hundred", Elena asked, "that sounds like a lot."
"It is", Makoto said, "it'll probably take all night to hang them up in every corner of the town, but if it helps spread the word, it's worth it."
"All night", Ibuki asked, "are you sure there isn't an easier way?"
"I know it's not very practical", Makoto said, "but what else am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know", Ibuki said, "maybe a commercial?"
"A commercial", Makoto asked.
"That's right", Ibuki said, "maybe you could make a commercial for your dojo that you can air on TV for everyone to see."
Makoto thought to herself about Ibuki's suggestion.
"I guess a commercial would be good publicity for the dojo", Makoto said, "but I've never made anything like that before."
"We can help you", Ibuki said, "right, Elena?"
"Oh, yes", Elena said, "this sounds like it could be fun."
"Well", Makoto said, "if you guys really want to help me."
"Trust me", Ibuki said, "once we're done, your dojo will be crawling with people who want to learn all about your fighting style."
"Alright then", Makoto said, "let's do it."
"Great", Ibuki said, "when do we start?"
"Tomorrow", Makoto said, "meet me at the dojo at noon."
"Got it", Ibuki said, "we'll be there."
"You can count on us, Makoto", Elena said.
"I'm happy to hear that", Makoto said.
Ibuki and Elena both left the computer lab, and Makoto stopped the printer she was using to print her flyers off of.
"But now it looks like I printed out all these flyers for nothing", Makoto said, "what am I gonna do with them now?"
The next day, Ibuki and Elena arrived at the Dojo of Rindo-Kan, where Makoto was waiting for them.
"Here we are, Makoto", Ibuki said.
"Ibuki, Elena", Makoto said, "you're just in time."
"So, what's the plan", Elena asked.
"Well, I talked to my brother, and he said I could borrow his video camera to shoot the commercial", Makoto said, "let me show you what the plan is for it."
Makoto took out some sheets of paper that had the scenes for the commercial drawn out and showed them to her friends.
"As you can see, my plan to make people interested in Rindo-Kan Karate is to show how powerful it is by showing me fighting a powerful opponent", Makoto said.
"Wow", Elena said, "who are you going to fight?"
"Who better than a warrior trained in the legendary Glade of Ninjas", Makoto said, "Ibuki."
"Me", Ibuki asked.
"Sure", Makoto said, "you do have amazing fighting skills."
"Oh, thank you", Ibuki said.
"Besides, a fight like that will look great on TV", Makoto said.
"I bet it will", Ibuki said, "I can hardly wait for it."
"Then let's get this show on the road", Makoto said.
The three friends got to work getting everything ready for filming, and soon, they were ready, with Elena holding the video camera.
"You ready to start filming, Elena", Makoto asked.
Elena gave a thumbs up to signal that she was.
"Great", Makoto said, "so, in this scene, Ibuki, you and I are going to jump in the air and do a flying kick, fly past each other, land on the ground, and get ready to fight."
"Sounds good to me", Ibuki said.
"Great", Makoto said, "alright Elena, it's time."
"Okay", Elena said, "action!"
Makoto and Ibuki ran towards each other and jumped into the air in an air kick position and flew past each other, and while Makoto landed on the ground, Ibuki crashed into something.
"I'm okay", Ibuki said.
"Cut", Makoto said.
Elena stopped filming, and Makoto went over to Ibuki, who had crashed into a garbage can.
"Sorry about that", Ibuki said, "guess I need to watch my landing."
"I'll say", Makoto said, "let's just try it again."
Makoto helped Ibuki up, and they went back to where Elena was.
"Okay, take two", Elena said, "action!"
Makoto and Ibuki ran and jumped in the air and performed flying kicks again, but this time, Ibuki accidentally kicked Makoto in the face.
"Cut", Makoto said.
Elena stopped filming, and Ibuki helped Makoto up.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, Makoto", Ibuki said.
"You're supposed to start fighting me after we've landed", Makoto said.
"I know", Ibuki said, "but on the bright side, at least I landed on my feet this time."
"That's nice, I guess", Makoto said, "but we need to get this scene right."
The two teenage fighters kept trying the scene over and over again, but each attempt went wrong, such as the two not jumping at the same time or Ibuki landing on her rear, but eventually, they managed to execute it just like Makoto was wanting it.
"And cut", Makoto said.
Elena stopped filming.
"Great work, you two", Elena said.
"Thanks", Ibuki said.
"Let me take a look at the footage", Makoto said.
Elena handed Makoto the video camera so she could view the scene she had filmed, but she couldn't see anything but darkness on the viewer.
"Why isn't it showing the video", Makoto asked.
"I don't know", Elena said, "maybe there's something wrong with the camera."
Makoto then began inspecting the camera to see what was wrong with it.
"What's the matter with this thing", Makoto asked.
Then, she noticed something on it that made an annoyed expression appear on her face.
"Elena", Makoto said.
"Yes", Elena asked.
Makoto removed the lens cap from the camera's lens.
"Why didn't to take the lens cap off the camera", Makoto asked.
"You didn't tell me it was on", Elena said.
"That's because it was clearly on", Makoto said, "how could you not see it?"
"I'm not used to using devices like these", Elena said.
Makoto just facepalmed in exasperation.
"Oh, never mind that", Makoto said, "let's just try this again."
Makoto walked back near Ibuki and got into her position.
"Get in position, Ibuki", Makoto said, "you know what to do."
"Here we go again", Ibuki said.
Elena began filming the same scene Makoto and Ibuki had been attempting previously, and after successfully filming it again following several more failed takes, they were ready to film the next scene.
"Okay, this part of the commercial is where the people see how powerful Rindo-Kan Karate is", Makoto said, "as I mentioned before, to do that, I'll be fighting against Ibuki."
Ibuki did an air flip and landed in her position.
"Ibuki on the scene", Ibuki said.
"Are you ready with the camera, Elena", Makoto asked, "this time without the lens cap on?"
"I'm ready", Elena said.
"Good", Makoto said, "then let's begin."
Makoto got into her position, and Elena starting filming.
"Action", Elena said.
Makoto began approaching Ibuki, but the latter ran up to her and used her Shinten attack on the former, much to her irritation.
"Cut", Makoto said.
Ibuki was annoyed by Makoto ordering Elena to stop filming.
"What's wrong", Ibuki asked.
"You weren't supposed to attack first", Makoto said.
"What", Ibuki asked.
"The whole point of this commercial is to display the power of my fighting style", Makoto said, "it would help if I was the one who attacked first."
"What", Ibuki asked, "that's ridiculous."
"Well, this is my commercial, and I decide how we do things", Makoto said.
Ibuki groaned in annoyance.
"Fine", Ibuki said, "I'll let you attack first."
"That's more like it", Makoto said, "okay Elena, get ready."
Makoto and Ibuki got back into their positions, and Elena turned the camera back on.
"Action", Elena said.
Makoto got closer to Ibuki, and then used her Hayate attack, followed by an Oroshi attack, but Ibuki used her Tsuijigoe move to jump out of her way, and then attacked Makoto using her Kazekiri, followed by a Kunai attack, and then finally, her Tsumuji attack, and as the two fighters fought, Makoto was getting more and more frustrated, until finally, she'd had enough.
"Cut", Makoto said.
Ibuki stopped fighting upon hearing that.
"What now", Ibuki asked.
"It's this fight", Makoto said.
"What about it", Ibuki asked.
"You're too powerful", Makoto said.
"Hey, I'm just using the moves I was taught", Ibuki said, "you said fighting someone from the Glade of Ninjas would make your dojo look good."
"Yes, fighting them, not losing to them", Makoto said, "why don't you just fight using punches and kicks."
"Why, so I can let you beat me easily", Ibuki asked.
"I'm not asking you to let me win", Makoto said, "I'm just asking you to maybe take it a little easier."
"No way", Ibuki said, "I'm not going to fight you in a fight that isn't fair."
"Fine, then", Makoto said, "I'll just find someone else to fight against."
Makoto walked over to Elena.
"Elena, how'd you like to be in the commercial", Makoto asked.
"Who, me", Elena asked.
"That's right", Makoto said, "you'll be on TV once I find a station to air it on."
"Really", Elena asked, "that sounds exciting."
"Excellent", Makoto said, "right this way."
Makoto led Elena over to where the scene was being filmed, then handed the camera over to Ibuki.
"Here you go, Ibuki", Makoto said, "you are now the camerawoman for this commercial."
Ibuki groaned in annoyance and walked away, and Makoto and Elena got ready to fight.
"Hopefully a fight against a capoeira fighter from Kenya will make my dojo look good", Makoto thought.
"Okay", Ibuki said, "three, two, one, and action!"
Ibuki started filming, and the fight between Makoto and Elena began, with the former attacking using her Hayate, followed by a Kuroshio, but Elena soon began to block her attacks, and then used Handstand Kick to attack Makoto, who tried to attack her back, but Elena used her focus attack, resulting in Makoto crumpling, and when she came to, she was madder than ever.
"Cut", Makoto said.
Ibuki stopped filming, and Elena helped Makoto up on her feet.
"Did I do something wrong", Elena asked.
"Yes", Makoto said, "it's your fighting."
"What about it", Elena asked.
"You're making it almost impossible to attack you", Makoto said.
"I'm only trying to put up a good fight", Elena said.
"Well, it's not making Rindo-Kan look good", Makoto said, "if I want new students at my Daddy's dojo, then I need them to see how powerful my fighting style is."
"But it might not look good if it's up against an opponent who's easy to defeat", Elena said.
"I don't care", Makoto said, "now, let's do another take."
"No", Ibuki said.
Makoto turned to her friend, who had turned off the camera.
"What", Makoto asked.
"I said no", Ibuki said, "we're done helping you with this."
"What do mean", Makoto asked.
"We're tired of you and your stupid commercial", Ibuki said, "you're only focused on it going the way you want it to."
"That's right", Elena said, "and you get mad at us whenever we do something that isn't a part of your plan."
"I just want my commercial to be perfect", Makoto said, "it's not my fault you guys are doing everything wrong."
"Okay, that's it", Ibuki said, "come on Elena, let's go do something fun together."
"Right behind you, Ibuki", Elena said.
Ibuki and Elena both left, leaving Makoto on her own.
"Well who needs you ingrates anyway", Makoto asked, "I'll make a commercial for my Daddy's dojo all by myself!"
Makoto sat down on the steps of the dojo and began thinking to herself.
"What would be a good way to showcase Rindo-Kan Karate", Makoto asked.
Later that night, Makoto was on her computer watching various videos she had filmed of herself using her fighting skills to break all sorts of objects from tiles to wooden barrels, and she wasn't happy with what she was watching.
"What was I thinking", Makoto asked, "this is nothing but me smashing stuff."
She closed her computer and buried her face in her arms.
"Even I wouldn't enroll at my Daddy's dojo after watching a commercial like that", Makoto thought.
Then, Makoto's grandfather walked by and noticed his granddaughter looking miserable.
"Makoto", Makoto's grandfather asked, "is everything okay?"
"Oh, hi, Grandpa", Makoto said, "yeah, everything's fine."
But he could tell that wasn't the case.
"Did something happen today", Makoto's grandfather asked, "would you like to talk about it?"
"It's nothing", Makoto said, "really, it is."
"It's okay if there's something troubling you", Makoto's grandfather said, "if you tell me, maybe we can solve the problem together."
"Well", Makoto said, "okay, here's what happened."
Makoto told her grandfather about her attempt to shoot a commercial for her late father's dojo, and also how she had gotten mad at Ibuki and Elena because it wasn't going the way she wanted it to.
"Oh dear", Makoto's grandfather said, "that does sound like a problem."
"I know", Makoto said, "and now I feel awful about how I acted towards them."
"Maybe you ought make amends with them", Makoto's grandfather said, "let them know that you're sorry for the way you acted."
"I don't know", Makoto said, "they're probably really upset with me right now."
"I'm sure they'll forgive you if you show them that you are truly sorry", Makoto's grandfather said, "trust me."
"Well, alright", Makoto said, "I guess I could give it a try."
"That's my girl", Makoto's grandfather said.
The next day, Makoto went into town in search of Ibuki and Elena, and saw them sitting at a table outside a café.
"Okay", Makoto thought, "here goes nothing."
She walked over to the café and sat down at the table her two friends were sitting at.
"Hey, girls", Makoto said, "how you doing?"
Ibuki and Elena said nothing and ignored her.
"Look, you guys", Makoto said, "I wanna talk to you about what happened yesterday."
"Did your commercial end up being the way you wanted it to be without us around", Ibuki asked.
"Yeah", Elena said, "I hope it was easier for you to work without us doing everything wrong."
"About that", Makoto said, "I wanted to tell you guys I'm sorry for what I said yesterday."
"You are", Ibuki asked.
"Yes", Makoto said, "I was so focused on making the perfect commercial for my dojo that I ended up acting like a complete jerk towards you two."
"We were trying to help you with making your commercial", Elena said.
"I know, and I shouldn't have acted that way", Makoto said, "you guys spared the time to help me make a good commercial, and in return, I only treated you like dirt."
Ibuki and Elena both looked at each other.
"I really am sorry for what happened", Makoto said, "I don't know if you can forgive me or not, and if you can't, well, I don't blame you."
Ibuki placed her hand on Makoto's shoulder, and the latter turned her head to see her two friends smiling at her.
"Of course we forgive you, Makoto", Ibuki said, "we understand you were just trying to make a good commercial."
"That's right", Elena said, "we all get that way sometimes when we want something to go our way."
"Thanks, you guys", Makoto said.
The three teenage fighters then got together in a group hug.
"So, do you girls want to help me make a new commercial", Makoto asked, "of course, if you don't want to, I'm fine with that."
"We'd love to", Ibuki said, "right, Elena?"
"Yes, we would", Elena said.
"Great", Makoto said, "and don't worry, this time things will be different."
A few days later, when the three friends got out of school, they all went to Makoto's house and sat down on the couch.
"I can't wait to see our commercial", Ibuki said.
"Me neither", Makoto said, "it was hard work getting it on TV, but I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the end."
Makoto turned on the TV and changed the channel to the one the commercial was on.
"Here it is", Makoto said.
The commercial showed a shot of the dojo, with Makoto's voice narrating.
"There are many different fighting styles across the world", Makoto narrated, "some more powerful than others."
Ibuki jumped into view and landed on her feet.
"But none of them can compare to the might of Rindo-Kan Karate", Makoto narrated.
Makoto walked into view and got into her fighting position.
"C'mon and fight me", Makoto said.
The two girls began fighting each other, with Ibuki attacking Makoto using a few kicks followed by a Raida attack, and Makoto retaliated using a Hayate attack followed by some punches and kicks.
"At the Dojo of Rindo-Kan, you'll learn everything you need to know about being a powerful warrior", Makoto narrated, "but most importantly..."
Makoto managed to defeat Ibuki using her Seichusen Godanzuki, and then walked over to her friend, extended her hand, and helped her back up to her feet.
"You'll come to appreciate the value of companionship", Makoto narrated.
Elena walked into the scene to join her two friends, and the address for the dojo appeared at the bottom of the screen.
"Stop by the address on your screen to enroll today", Makoto said, "we'd love to have you with us."
The commercial ended, and all three girls were amazed by how it turned out.
"That was amazing", Ibuki said.
"I was on TV", Elena said, "I wonder how many people saw it."
"I couldn't have made such an awesome commercial without you two helping me", Makoto said, "thanks, you guys."
"Anytime, Makoto", Ibuki said, "it's what friends are for."
"Yeah", Makoto said, "and I couldn't be happier to have ones like you two."
And with that, the three young fighters proceeded to watch TV together as friends.