First Day of Training: Heisuke Todo
Scenario: It's your first day of training, and the one who found you is the one responsible for your instruction. What will it be like to train with him as your mentor?
"Um, don't worry! You'll get better… I think…" Heisuke-kun looks at me with a perplexed expression on his face. I feel my spirits drop and I look down at the sword in my hand.
"I knew I'd be a failure" I say sadly. "I'm just too weak and too inexperienced."
"Aw! (y/n), don't say things like that!"
"But it's true!" I look at him in earnest, and finally, he seems to understand the pain that I'm feeling.
"Hey" Heisuke-kun says kindly, coming to my side and placing a hand on my shoulder. "All of us in the Shinsengumi have had to train to get to where we are now, right?" I nod, fighting back tears.
"Then all you have to do is to train too!" He picks up his katana and swiftly points it at me.
"Ah! Don't hurt me!" I scream, immediately raising my own blade in self-defense.
"That's it; you've got the first move down" he says excitedly.
"Huh?" It's my turn to be perplexed.
"You've mastered impulsive self-defense." He grins at me. "Now let's start with some basic moves." He suddenly thrusts the point of his katana towards my face, and I instinctively raise mine own to block it.
"See? You've mastered another defensive move."
Heisuke-kun continues to teach me in this fashion; he attacks me, and I block him out of sheer instinct. He yells an insult at me, and once again, I act out of instinct.
Before long, two hours of hard training have passed. I set the katana down on the grass and place my hands on my knees, breathing hard.
"Tired?" He asks, handing me a cup of water. I nod as I accept it, grateful for his insight.
"Thanks a ton" I say before downing the entire cup.
"Better?"
"Definitely."
He places a hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. "Ready to continue?"
"Uh, sure." I bend down to pick up my katana.
"What's with the hesitation?"
"Hesitation?"
"You seemed a bit unsure about continuing." I sigh; apparently, it was impossible to keep things hidden from him.
"In all honesty Heisuke-kun, I don't know if I can keep going." A troubled look passes over his face.
"That's not good. Maybe you should rest some more." He guides me to the shade of a large tree, and we sit down. After a long pause, I look at him.
"Thank you." He looks back at me in surprise.
"For what?"
"For being patient and encouraging; I'm really no good." He jumps to his feet at this statement.
"That's not true! Don't say things like that, (y/n). You're going to be great after some practice!"
I pout. "Don't lie."
"I'm not!" He comes to stand in front of me, placing his hands firmly on my shoulders as he looks me squarely in the eye.
"Listen; if I didn't think you could do it, then I'd stop teaching you. But you have the heart and potential to become a skilled member of the Shinsengumi, so I'll do my best to encourage you and help you along. But, you've gotta have faith in yourself. If you don't, then you'll never achieve your goal!"
I blink up at him, startled by this invigorating speech. He has such passion and such faith in me; how can I put myself down now? Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath before looking up at him with hope taking root deep in my heart.
"You know what? You're absolutely right!"
"I'm glad you agree with me!" He holds out a hand towards me. "Then let's get started on your goal!"