"Just like that?"
"Yep, that's pretty much the gist of it."
She had the opportunity to be trained under the guidance of Gojo Satoru. She was proud of herself that the strongest sorcerer saw in her something that he could help enhance.
A special technique only one sorcerer could ever do, was now being passed down to her.
Natsume's innate ability to manipulate shadows to her will has given her the advantage to gather all her energy and concentrate it at point of aim.
Targeting the site of impact, Gojo assured her that what she needed most was focus. But how can she when her teacher was a man she was so fond of?
The cursed energy in her hands faltered, Gojo instructed her to maintain the surge before releasing it.
She remembered her solo training in the dojo. Her taijutsu was mastered, her technique and agility unrivaled, but she always lacked power. But power was not what she needed, and her current teacher told her that.
Endurance.
The high concentration of cursed energy alone required endurance, but to gather it all in one place required something else, and she had a feeling it was different. Something that always went unmentioned.
She gathered more of her innate cursed energy and breathed.
Yes, that was it.
She needed to breathe. Her breath alone would lead her body into a state of calm and groundedness, which was the other entity she missed.
At the ready, Natsume moved in a way that resembled a wave. Her hands expanding and closing in to gather what she needed.
With the proper hand gestures set, she released, directing the force with a push of her hand. And just like that, the ball of cursed energy shot through her fingers and impacted the stone in front of her, causing it to erupt into rubble and dust.
She took a moment to realize what she had just done.
Before her teacher could say anything, she rejoiced.
"I did it!"
Her teacher clapped for her, a proud smile on his face that soon softened when the girl embraced him, the happiest of features he had seen in a while across her face.
He was proud of this one.
He was also affectionate towards her.
But he thought it was best to tell her after their training, at the candy store they both liked to visit so much.
"Okay, Natsume. Let's try that again."
Megumi was never the jealous type; he was too proud to admit it anyway. But the sight of this girl being praised for a performance that even he thought was impressive, made him sick.
He was always good at what he did. Always the better performer among his teams, the calmest, etc.
So, how in seven hells did this girl manage to best him at almost everything?
"Megumi, what's wrong?"
The young sorcerer brushed it off and claimed that he was only tired. It was unlike him to behave this way and it was noticeable. He didn't like that very much.
He inherited the ten shadows technique, known among sorcerers to be one of the most powerful cursed techniques to exist. Megumi walked down the streets of Tokyo, wondering how a mere shadow of hers that danced and pranced as she did, could defeat his.
His teacher had once told him that his only setback was his mentality, but Megumi was past that.
What was he missing?
He had all the essential traits any curse wielder required and excelled at them with ease.
His innate technique, his domain- heck, even his barriers were solid.
So, what did he need?
"Megumi."
His thoughts were interrupted at the sound of the girl who triggered his shame, his body halting momentarily before resuming its stroll- away from her.
"What do you want? I'm busy."
"You're just walking.."
But he wasn't just walking; he was sulking. The sound of her footsteps shadowing his tugged on his nerves and would soon cave to a snap.
Megumi did not intend to disrespect her, but he was surprised to see that she only smiled her usual delightful smile.
Oh, how he hated her for that. He hated how every time she did, his stomach would churn, and butterflies would dance.
He despised how she managed to make him relax in times of high stress.
But most of all, he hated how much he loved her.
"Do you want to go the training field with me? I have something I think might help."
Megumi took a moment to consider her offer and agreed.
They walked together, conversing lightheartedly as they made their way back to school.
Their teacher had watched them leave next to each other. He was a respectful man, but even he could get possessive.
And Gojo wasn't about to let her slip into the hands of a teenager.