First Day of Training: Hajime Saito
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?
With so many targets being expertly set in front of me at lightning speed, I feel my trigger finger begin to give way with the aid of Saito-san's ruthless training. Since I first rose from my bed this morning, I've been shooting at targets under the direction of Hajime Saito; the man who saved me and the man who now seems hellbent on destroying my means of self-defense.
"A few more rounds" I say under my breath, my teeth clenched in pain. I can practically feel the blister starting to form. I'd have to wrap my hand after this…
"Come on, (y/n)! Stay strong!" He yells. I know he probably meant it as encouragement, but at the moment, it sounds more like criticism. Pressing my lips firmly together, I continue to reload my pistol and shoot rapid fire at the multiple targets as his men quickly set new ones up.
I feel my strength begin to flag. Crap, this isn't good, I think to myself. If I failed this tyrannical man now, I'd never hear the end of it. In fact, I may go numb from the beating I'd most likely receive.
"(y/n)! Stop zoning out!" I jump at the sound of my voice and notice that I've missed the past four targets and that my pistol is out of ammo.
"Sorry!" I yell, moving to reload my pistol. A firm hand stops me, and I look up to see my whip-cracking trainer standing before me.
"Are you okay, (y/n)?" He asks abruptly, looking straight into my eyes. "I want you to tell me the truth, and that's an order" he adds.
I sigh in resignation. "No, I'm not fine; I think my trigger finger may be getting a blister." Without warning, he takes my hand in his and examines it carefully.
"You're right" he comments bluntly. "We should get your hand wrapped." He takes the gun out of my hands and gives it to one of his men, instructing him to clean it and put it away. Saito-san guides me towards the medical room and away from the training field.
"You should have said something sooner" he says, a bit gruffly.
"And risk the wrath that is my trainer? No thanks."
"Are you trying to be funny, young lady?" He looks at me and raises an eyebrow, causing me to blush.
"Uh, no." We continue to walk in silence for a minute or so before he speaks again.
"I don't want you to be scared of me."
"Huh?"
"You are intimidated by me, are you not?"
"Well, I -"
"And I noticed that you haven't called me by name yet."
"Ah…" He stops walking altogether and moves to stand in front of me.
"(y/n), I want you to become as strong as possible. In order for this to happen, we need to be able to communicate. Is that clear?" His voice is serious. I bite my lower lip and nod.
"Yes" I say softly.
"Yes…?" He waits for me to correct myself.
"Yes, Saito-san. It's crystal clear."