Disclaimer: I don't own Majikoi or its respective content and creators. I only have my OC.
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Review Shoutouts
The Storyteller993 – I can't spoil and tell; you know me. But yeah that's been their dynamic so far since Nagamasa's been living at the Temple.
The embodiment of weirdness – Yeah, that's the plan going forward with this series. One route at a time.
Yeah, it's been one of my favorites and remembering a specific scene in this route in particular made me think about it for a while.
Hope you'll enjoy it along the way.
Majikoi – Love Me Seriously - Kazuko Route
Daughter of Kawakami – Part 2
A Great Dream…
May 13th, 2009, Wednesday
"I'm always so envious of how white and smooth your skin is, Chris." Chika complimented the transfer.
"I-Is that so?" Chris seemed a little surprised by the compliment.
"Though I totally can't see you having any muscle." Chika then said.
"Fencing's all about speed, so of course Chris wouldn't bulk up." Haguro said getting into their conversation.
"That is rather prejudiced. Shall we arm wrestle and prove it?" Chris replied feeling challenged.
Haguro was more than willing, "Now you're talking. You ain't got no idea what I can do."
"Haguro's work involves manual labor, after all." Chika pointed out.
Mayo, the class rep held their hands and counted them off, "Ready… go!"
"Raaaahhh! Take this!" Haguro went for the immediate takedown.
"Wawawa! She's really getting into this." Mayo replied seeing Haguro go out the gate.
"But Chris didn't budge at all." They saw that Chris hadn't moved at all and wasn't holding back Haguro easily.
"You'll need more than that to beat me." She then tapped out Haguro in an instant. "See?"
Haguro accepted her defeat, "Whoa, you totally wiped the floor with me… You're way too strong girlfriend."
"Isn't she the strongest girl in our class?" Chika declared, but a certain mascot had words for that.
"I've got something to say about that!" Kazuko protested.
"Oh, right. Wanko, sorry I forgot about you." Chika corrected.
"But Wanko-chan, when you dueled her…" Mayo remembers the duel the two had during Chris' first day here.
"I might've lost then; but not this time Kuri!" Kazuko was ready for a rematch.
"An arm wrestling match, then?" Chris inquired.
Kazuko nodded as the two set-up, "Yeah. Raw strength's a part of power too."
Mayo once again readied them up, "Ready… set… Go!"
Kazuko immediately came out the game at full blast, "Fight's on! Seyah!" And to Chris's surprise she found herself struggling.
"Gh! You have strength, I will give you that!" Chris said as she tried to stay in the game.
"Wow, this is really intense." Chika and the others watched on.
"They're both taking this seriously." Mayo said.
Chris started to pick up some momentum, "Nnngh…"
But Kazuko fought back, "Mmnnnghh…!" But eventually Kazuko's strength faltered, "Gh…Ugh!"
Chris started to overpower her, "And yet… Victory is mine!" Kazuko's hand banged against the desk.
"Ow…" That probably stung a bit.
"Wow, Chris-chan won. Since you're so string, have a caramel." She gave Chris a treat.
"What is one supposed to say in Japanese at a moment like this? Something like… ah yes! Thank you!" Chris said in a strange voice.
"Kh… I-I'm not done yet!" Kazuko wasn't finished yet. "I'm more about speed than strength. You can't tell how powerful I am from just this."
""But you said raw strength is a part of power." Chris said.
"I do believe the important part of that Chris is the PART OF section in that sentence." I retorted.
"Well… I suppose." Chris replied.
"Well stop sweating all those small details and let's have a match! A second match! I declare rematch!" Kazuko was raring to go again.
"If you're that insistent, I suppose I will accept." Chris acquiesced.
"We arm-wrestled empty-handedly, so let's fight empty-handed, too?" Kazuko offered.
"Yes, that sounds fine. I will not lose regardless." Chris stated almost like a matter-of-fact.
"Heheh. I'll shatter that confidence of yours. And if we're gonna do this we might as well have a crowd. This time, I know I'll win. And everyone's going to see it." Kazuko said proudly.
"Hey, Kazuko…" I called her over just as the others were heading out.
"Hmm, what is it Naga?"
"Here's a few pointers…" I beckon her to come closer as I whisper to her where no one can hear us as well walk behind the group.
Just as we reach the banks of the Tama River; the two begin to square u, "Hehehe. You're about to lose in front of all your friends, Kuri."
"I could say much the same thing to you, Dog." Chris declared.
"It's strange, but they both seem happy." Mayucchi points out.
"Yeah, they really hit it off." Momoyo agreed. "How about you, Mayu-Mayu? Want to fight me?"
Mayucchi's taken aback, "M-Me? F-Fight you? But you're so… No, I could never be a match for you."
"You're sure? Well, let's leave it at that." Momoyo seems to give up on her request for now.
"Moro Shonosuke will be your referee." Gakuto says.
"Mmm, I don't know if I can… but I'll try." Moro seems nervous, but with his friend by his side he seems to get through it. "Okay. You two will be participating in unarmed combat! No time limit, first clean blow wins!"
"Shrah!" Kazuko was her usual energetic self.
"I am ready when you are." Chris, the ever-ready warrior stands by.
"Then get ready. Stand tall and fight fair. Begin!" He dropped his arm.
The two charged.
Kazuko first, "First come…!"
Then Chris, "First served!"
Then just as they seem to come to blows… "Psyche!" Kazuko dodged Chris's fist putting the fencer on unequal footing.
"What?!" Tripped up, Kazuko had slid right under her using her speed, and with a quick flip, "Haaah!"
Only for Chris to be met with a foot to the face, as Kazuko kicked her hard! With said kick and with it's surprise Chris fell to the floor.
Nearly everyone except two in the group were in shock at the win by Kazuko; even the referee for the match, Moro was stunned he had to be elbowed by Gakuto to get it together.
"Dude…" Gakuto warned him.
"Oh, yeah… Point! Winner, Kazuko!... That's everything. Sorry, Momo-senpai." Moro apologized.
"No prob, even I was a bit surprised by her win. I half expected her to go in full cocked, but I was wrong." Momoyo was even a little shook by the win of her sister.
"Yay! Yay! That's my win!" Kazuko cheered. "How was that Nagamasa!?"
"I-Impressive, Dog… I lost. And you won fair and square." Chris was holding her jaw, it didn't look like Wanko's kick was especially hard, but given it was in the face I'm sure she felt it somewhat no matter her level.
"You really did it, Wanko!" I cheered for her as she came in to hug me.
"Ho, ho… so you gave her advice, Naga?" Momoyo came over.
"Yeah, speed's Kazuko's thing so I reminded her of a few pointers." As I replied I patted her head.
"Fwee…" Kazuko whined happily at the doting affection.
"But geez man, you two really have become close in a flash." Gakuto said about Chris and Wanko.
"I wish I could make friends that fast." Mayucchi wondered.
"Mayucchi, girl, you gotta be bold this summer." Matsukaze told her.
"Bold?" Mayucchi asked.
"Damn straight! Unleash those Hokuriku instincts!" Matsukaze encouraged her.
"That's a rather big channel to cross…" Mayucchi seemed unsure as always.
"Maybe stop talking to Matsukaze while you're hear with us?" Moro suggested.
Mayucchi was taken aback, "Haaau! I-I'm sorry about Matsukaze…"
"But you were right Nagamasa, speed really is my thing." Kazuko said.
"Yeah, among the rest of us you're the fast one, so use that. Sometimes strength isn't everything. Unless you're the Goddess of War and you're a jack of all trades, specializing in nothing." I tell her.
"But still, I wish I could be taller, and have longer limbs…Damn European arms; then maybe I could be able to fight you evenly." Kazuko grumbled.
"But lately, Japanese women are starting to have more glamorous figures." Miyako tried to 'cheer her up.'
"Haha, so being Japanese has nothing to do with that? Seems your just tiny, Wanko." Gakuto jabs seemed to have gotten to Kazuko as she starts rolling around in the dirt.
"Gaaaagghh! Yeagh! Ragh!"
"Wow, she's literally turning and tossing in anger."
Chris then caught her and patted her head, "So even when you when you pout and get upset? There, there…"
"I win and this is how I'm treated… Well, even so I', fine, because I beat you Chris!" Kazuko said proudly.
"Yes, you did. What you did was brilliant, Dog… no, Kazuko." Chris used her proper name.
"Chris…" Seemed the two had a newfound respect for each other.
"But like Nagamasa said, speed's your main technique. Work on that and that's how you'll win in your own way." Momoyo told her sister.
"Yeah, make your own style and don't base it off of others; make it for you." I told her.
"For me, huh?" Kazuko says to herself. "Alright, you got it!"
"I can already feel an imminent rematch." Chris stated.
"Kuri! And even then I promise I'll beat you again!" Kazuko declared.
"Yes! Same here! That will be your only win! I'll strip all of that cheer right from under you!" Chris declared back.
"Wait, Chris you're going to strip Kazuko… or was it Wanko stripping Chris? Whatever, just make sure I'm there." Gakuto said, his perverted thoughts for all to hear.
Momoyo then flew and tackled Gakuto putting him in a hold, "Backbreaker! Take this, and this and this!"
Under Momoyo's vice grip he was helpless, "Yeouch! You're supposed to go easy on a friend!"
Miyako stated the obvious, "She wasn't going to hold back, not after what you said. But well, Nagamasa… Do you want to do any stripping?"
"Momoyo, Flying Mare on Miyako now!" And after having tortured Gakuto, Momoyo leaps onto Miyako and now she's down for the count.
"Even so, back to training! Push-ups!" Kazuko then hit the ground, "1, 2, 3, 4…"
Then a rather mellow Capt lays on the grass, "It's getting crazy out here. Sometimes, even the wind's gotta take it slow."
"Wow, Capt's actually too tired to do anything. That never happens." Moro said a bit surprised.
Then Capt slowly fell asleep, "There's a time for everything… Zzz…"
I guess life couldn't be more peaceful…
Friendship with Kazuko – [82% out of 100]
May 14th, 2009, Thursday
While in class one day, I could hear Wanko audibly yawn loudly.
"You okay Wanko, that was a pretty big yawn. Were you still working on the new move you were doing yesterday?" I asked her.
"Mngh… Yeah, I was and even after all the help you did with me it still took a while to get it right, so… Aaaah…" Wanko yawned again.
"Oh, but you got it done?" Yamato you was near her desk asked.
"Mm-hm. I'm calling it Kawakami Roasted Chestunuts." Wanko said.
"Just from the name, I can already guess who that moves intended for." As if by the name itself wasn't making it obvious. "But still don't fall asleep in homeroom, okay?"
"I know. I'm not stupid enough to fall asleep during one of Ms. Ume's classes." Famous last words.
Then a few minutes later, Ms. Ume arrived, "Now, for today's homeroom…"
"Zzz…" I heard Kazuko's light snoring next to me. Good thing I had my desk next to hers and moved it a bit closer. I then grabbed her ponytail, hard and yanked a bit.
"Wah!?" She squealed from the force, but it woke her up.
"Don't fall asleep, Ume-sensei just walked in." I told her in a whisper.
"Whoops, I-I'm sorry… I was just so sleepy." She whispered back.
But despite our efforts Ume-sensei spotted us, "What's going on, Azai and Kawakami? I hope you're not having a private conversation."
"Apologies sensei, we were wondering what's going on outside." I could actually hear something going on outside in the courtyard.
"Oh, I was just about to tell you about that. Kawakami Dance Festival 2009 is happening right now." Huh, a dance festival in the middle of the day? Well, it's not like it's unheard of around the world.
"Oh, you've piqued my curiosity." Chris was now interested.
"To be concise, it's a dance contest." Umeko clarified. "The principal tells me there are many TV stations covering the event this year. Anyone is welcome to join, so those interested should go participate and try to stand out."
"So it's PR work for the school in a way?" I ask Ume-sensei.
"Well, yes. He specifically said to stand out and prove our worth." Ume-sensei replied.
"Wow, that sounds fun!" Wanko was more than hyped.
Chris was excited too, "Dancing, you say? Very good. I am not opposed to dancing."
"Hmm, me neither. Sounds like fun." I said. While it was fun singing every once in a while, and besides training at the Temple, I hadn't done anything physically fun in a while.
"But just joining in is embarrassing. We haven't even practiced." Chika wasn't so keen.
"Well sometimes dancing is a spontaneous thing at times Chika. You know? Go with the flow." I told her.
"Umm… Oh, Ms. Ume, I have a question!" Wanko raised her hand.
"Kawakami, I give you permission to speak." Umeko allowed her to ask.
"Can I bring one of the replica weapons to go dance with?" Wanko asked. "I'll figure out how I'll pull it off, with my soul!"
Being careful our teacher asks her, "Swear to me that you won't use the weapon for any other purpose."
"I'll swear, in the name of the Kawakami Temple!" And with that, she took the replica naginata.
"Then I can be certain of your word." Ume-sensei was convinced. "Then go and prove yourselves!"
"Yay! Come on, Kuri, Naga! You're on!" Wanko looked at us.
"We're having a match? Over this?" Chris seemed a bit on the fence.
"The winner's the one who can dance more passionately!" Wanko said.
"Or I suppose the one who gets the most attention." I clarify.
"A contest of popularity with dancing? I accept your challenge then!" Chris took the replica rapier with her, while I traded my katana for a replica one on the wall.
"I see you three are in the spirit. Dance to your heart's content." Umeko-sensei let us go.
"Haga, this is going to be so different and fun! Let's go already!" And with that the three of us head out to the Italian district where the event is being held.
We eventually reach the district and after talking to the coordinator of the event the three of us are sent into our own little corners away from the crowd for their safety and we begin our shows.
Eventually a few minutes pass, and even though we're in the middle of our performances, I can see some of the others arrive to watch us from my peripheral vision.
"Seyah!" I could hear Wanko.
Chris just nearby, "Hah!"
"Tah!" Still in the moment, I continue my own katana dance.
With the others they were amazed at us, "Hot damn, they're all standing out. Nice!" Capt said.
But so was another soul watching, a "hero" as he called himself, "Mwahaha! Such fortune, to be here this day! Such wonders behold! Kazuko-dono! My support is yours!"
"Would you like to dance as well, Hideo-sama?" Azami, his ever faithful maid asked him.
"Indeed, how I would love to take the stage, to be showered with applause. Yet presently, I am captivated by the performance of her naginata." Hideo did not want to outshine Kazuko it seems.
"Do you feel that strongly about Wan—I mean Kazuko-san?" Azami asked.
"Indeed…" Hideo confessed.
However, a certain maid was none to happy in reality, "Damn you, Wanko! You thieving bitch!"
Sheesh I can feel Azami's anger from here, it's practically radiating. But still I stay in time and continue my dance.
"We can but hope her dreams become reality." Hideo said. "For naught could be more beautiful than the smile that would adorn her visage in that moment. My sole desire is to be by her side when that moment comes. Perhaps then the ache in my arm will finally cease."
"Hideo-sama…" Azami was taken aback a little at his passionate affection for Kazuko. But lurking elsewhere in the crowd, was Tadakatsu Minamoto.
Tadakatsu had been one of Kazuko's friends since they were kids living at the same orphanage. He'd been with her since she was as he put it "the little crybaby" that needed to be looked after.
I still remember our encounter on the Tama River, I knew in that scene it was only meant to be those two, but my presence there made things a bit imbalanced for him to be more affectionate.
But like most people, they saw the two as brother and sister; yet even still he cared for… and in time came to have feelings for her.
Hideo Kuki…
Tadakatsu Minamoto…
Heck, even Yamato was here… but it didn't seem like he was looking at Wanko necessarily.
But back to the performance, it seems the few guys that had been trying to stand out seem to wilt away as some of their fans left little by little to see mine. Everyone watched the performance as it continued on.
Even the individual dances ended and there were calls for pair or group performances.
"Hah, hah… That was certainly different, but fun!" I said trying to catch my breath.
"Yeah, that was so much fun! I wonder which one of us got the most time?" Kazuko wondered.
"I still don't feel the need for this to be a match, but that was really fun indeed." Chris seemed more than happy.
"Oh, looks like they're doing group performances. We still got time, do one of you want to go try it?" I ask them.
"Group dances? Yeah, me! Let's do it, Nagamasa!" Wanko was all for it.
"While I'd love to dance more, I'm a little tired so I'll sit this one out." Chris retired.
"Alright, let's go Wanko!"
"Yeah!"
With that the two of us approached the DJ that was at the event playing the music, apparently you could make a request for music to go with your performance. We decided to go with a Chinese-themed tune.
(AN: For reference watch the video on YouTube from The Greatest Dancer China about Fang Yang Fei and his sword dance but listen to the music for context. And no, while I'm decent with fight scenes; I'm not gonna try dance moves.)
We got into position, "Ready?"
"Ready!" Wanko said.
And so the music began. It started with a soft, but exotic flute tone. Our weapons just a little ways away from us. But just as it got louder, the two of us danced in time. Grabbing and holding our replica weapons letting the music guide us.
With a few twirls, we made sure to keep our distance, but already the crowd was mesmerized by our synchronization. Then just as the flute began to drop away…
A loud bang of drums heralded the real start of our dance, as I drew my sword and she raised her naginata. As the music picked up, our dance grew more and more intense.
During the song all we could focus on was each other, most as if the world had been washed away and it was just the two of us. The students were amazed.
"Woah… I didn't think those two were so coordinated. It's almost majestic." Capt said in amazement.
"Yeah, it's almost passionate…" Yamato said.
"You said it, just look at them. They haven't practiced any of this and to be so in tune really shows how close they are." Moro said.
"Looks like everyone's enjoying it. Some people are even using their phones to take photos and video them."
Just as the song was hitting it's climax, the two of us were dancing more passionately, and despite how close we were it felt like we were never in any danger of bumping into each other.
It was just me and her… Wanko and I…
And just as the last note hit; we crossed our blades as they were raised to the sky.
We heard everyone's applause for us as we looked around brought out of our dancing stupor to see everyone cheering for us, even our friends.
"Wow, that was so much fun, Naga!" Wanko cheered.
"Yeah, tiring, but fun and I enjoyed it to Wanko." I smiled at her.
Yeah, all of this just felt… natural.
Friendship with Kazuko – [85% out of 100]
May 19th, 2009, Tuesday
I'd just finished my sprints for the day, and I was timing Wanko's now.
"Rahhh!" She'd just crossed the finish line just as I hit the stopwatch.
"Wow, you shaved off a whole five seconds off your past time!" I cheered for her.
"Oh, I see both you and Kazuko are hard at work. Good, good." Just then Lu-sensei was next tome.
"Oh, Lu-sensei how are you?" I greeted him.
"I can see the both of you are doing well. Here, Azai-kun, here is some protein-enriched milk." Lu-sensei handed me a bottle of milk.
"That's quite the thing to offer. Must be something from the Temple itself." I take a swig of it and it is a bit different than your average 2%.
"I see that Kazuko continues to do her best every single day." Lu comments.
"It's almost like she's addicted to training at this point. But she's showing it, little by little." I said.
"Haha, but that is the only way."
"To make her dream of being Assistant Master come true? I know it's… hard to achieve." I knew just how hard it was meant to be. How tough a trial it was going to be.
"The role is a simple one really. We teach martial arts and give the opportunity to train." Lu answered. "Other than that, we are a support to the representative of the Temple themselves."
"And being that support is what she strives to and looks forward to."
"True it is as you say, but like before it is a grueling path to becoming an Assistant Master. There are many trials one must face. Many try, but just as many do not pass." Lu explains.
"I've heard as it stands there are no fewer than a handful of potential candidates, and that's all they are candidates." I told him.
"Yes. Only those of immense talent and great drive can hope to eventually succeed."
"And to think one of those was you Lu-sensei."
He was modest, "All I know is martial arts. The rest of my skills are below average. But that is fine. Having something, even one thing, to be proud of can strengthen one's spirit."
"I feel the same way. I feel like her devotion to martial arts is what drives her." I tell him in agreement.
"Kazuko is like me. She wants her martial arts to be a thing of pride." Lu-sensei says.
"Being adopted into the Kawakami family I think also was a driving factor to want to be an Assistant Master. Training side by side with Momoyo, and being the Assistant Master is her own way of repaying everything and everyone at the temple has done for her." I said.
"Haha, I know. And I like to think you have been an impact on her as well young Azai." Lu-sensei tells me.
"Me? An influence on her? Not at all. I've barely been in her life to do such a thing." I said with a nod.
"Oh? Do not sell yourself short, after your duel with her someone who has been doing martial arts at Kawakami for some time lost to someone like you who may come from martial arts but has had that drive before; I believe spurred her to do better. If anything, I think that one event connected you two in a sense." Lu-sensei tells me.
"I see…" Really? Had I made such an impact on Kazuko that much? I mean that duel wasn't anything grand by any sense of the imagination.
"I believe you will understand in time. I hear you and her have been working much more diligently at the Temple together, yes?" He inquires.
"Well yes, I've been helping her with her techniques, and I've been giving her advice despite my own lack of experience in the ways of Kawakami martial arts. I know deep down this is what she wants to achieve." But I'm still reminded of the grueling tasks ahead of her and even if she proved to be worthy, she still had many, many opponents to overcome.
It was a hurdle, but above all I wanted her to succeed. Such sadness of not being able to achieve one's dream… is heart-crushing, soul-crushing even. When one devotes so much time and energy only to be shown they can't do it… It's something that would drive people mad.
"If I remember correctly, both Momoyo's parents were joint Assistant masters before you defeated both of them correct?" I asked him.
"Yes, that is why her parents are currently on a training journey after their defeat, to find themselves once more. Defeat sometimes is the greatest teacher one can have, it is not an end, but a beginning." Lu-sensei says.
Coming from a martial arts family I knew they were probably quite skilled, but for both of them to lose to Lu-sensei just went to show how much more talent, skill and tenacity he had.
Kazuko was tenacious, and she definitely had skill, but… was talent truly the only thing that held her back from her potential?
"But that is why they aren't here. But the dragon's grandchild proved to be a dragon herself… Momoyo will surely succeed Tesshin-dono."
"There is not denying that she is strong, but…" I couldn't find the strength to say it but I knew deep down that not even someone like Momoyo was invincible. A dragon, yes she was. But not even dragons are invincible creatures.
And as a Goddess of War, sure she was strong. Stronger than any normal person, but many people have had that moniker for centuries, only to have them be reminded of how mortal they are as well.
"But about Kazuko…I'm sure you know being family offers any advantage to her in becoming Assistant Master." Lu-sensei says.
"I think that would be common sense. The world of martial arts is a world of meritocracy; you go so far based on your own training and abilities. I'm sure Wanko knows that. And yet even so she's chosen that path." I said.
"Yes, and it is a rugged one indeed."
"Yes… and her dream…" I know her dream has a greater chance of not coming true… but just that sliver of hope… I want to see her succeed. To see her give it every little bit right until the very end.
"As you said this is a meritocracy, how she fares is up to her."
"Yeah, it is severe. But as the saying goes; 'the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step' and she's been going along all that time. I know you're doing all you can to help her, but just as much I want to as well." I tell Lu-sensei.
"I am doing all I can. But perhaps… just as you have driven her, perhaps it will also be you that helps her unleash her true potential? And from there, who knows?" Lu-sensei spoke a bit cryptically.
But then I felt a presence, "You know last I checked, voyeurism is against the law you know."
"Hmm, so you felt my presence. I just thought I heard someone spilling the beans on the Temple's inner operations." Momoyo appeared.
"Everything I have told him is common knowledge. Besides he is a student of ours now, it's fine." Lu-sensei replied. I had no doubt that Lu-sensei already knew she'd been nearby listening to us.
"Yeah, I guess. Not like I keep it a secret either. So I don't really care about that, but Assistant Master, don't you have a schedule to keep up?" Momoyo asked him. "I'll watch over Wanko today."
"Okay. Then take care Momoyo. Try to stay out of debt." And with that Lu-sensei left swiftly.
"Heh, he's such a softy…" Momoyo said softly.
"So Momoyo, how much of that did you hear?" I asked her.
"Well I heard your talk about being an Assistant Master obviously. We get applicants from people all over the world."
"I know you'd love nothing but for Kazuko to succeed, but we both know doing anything 'special' for her would spit in the face of not just her, but the Kawakami Temple as well." I say.
"You got it. I want her to succeed, but I want it to be someone I can fully trust being my support. You know, have you ever given it some thought?" She asks me.
"What?" I point to myself, "Me, being Assistant Master to the Kawakami Temple?" I'd never given that idea a thought before.
Well… I know that there was also that goal that Tesshin gave me. To somehow beat Momoyo, that I somehow had a latent potential like hers, and sure I was making progress, but was it enough to beat her?
"I… don't know really." I replied unsurely.
"Well even so, it's not an easy decision to make. You'll have plenty of time. I know Lu-sensei was 37 when he became Assistant Master, and that was a little over a year before he beat my parents." Momoyo told me.
Yeah, the world of martial arts was truly one that was a hard climb, it was like climbing the tallest mountains all at once in one climb, without stopping.
"You know, you've been worried over Wanko for a while, something wrong?" She asked me.
"Of course I am." I then turned back to seeing Kazuko doing the last of her sprints.
"Huff, huff, huff… Last one!" She exclaimed as she rain full speed.
I smiled, "With all the work she puts in day in and day out… I really hope she makes it through."
"Yeah… you said it." I could hear Momoyo say softly, I knew already though. The truth was she and even Tesshin-dono thought she didn't have the talent for martial arts, that they'd been watching her progress, but in the end…
No! Even though the competition would be severe. I knew Wanko had to have known the challenges that she'd face. I wasn't a fool, I wasn't gong to try and convince her family. Even if it took one year or twenty… I'd help Wanko reach the peak of that freakish mountaintop!
Wanko finally finished her last sprint and stopped, "Huff, huff, huff! All done!"
"Good job, Wanko!" I cheered her.
"Mm-hm, good job!" Momoyo said too.
"Onee-sama! You're here!" Wanko was happy to see her sister.
"I'm always watching over you." Wanko then hugged her sister.
"Seriously though, good job." I tell her.
"Thanks! And thanks for doing this with me and timing me!" Wanko said with a smile. Seeing that smile sent me a jolt of happiness, but also pain through my heart.
"I always wonder how you do it…" I say.
"Hm?" She seemed confused at what I said.
Always smiling despite the harsh journey ahead of her…
"Tell me, tell me… what's up?" She asked me again.
"Haha, I was just marveling at how much of a carefree smile you have." I saw with my own.
"What's that all about? I'm not giving you anything if you're just buttering me up." She said with a smirk.
"I was just talking with Lu-sensei and Momo-senpai. The road to becoming an Assistant Master is one steeped in difficulty and hardship. I know it's dumb to ask, but I'm sure you're worried aren't you?"
"Well yeah, of course I'm worried. But you know, my favorite word is 'courage.' No matter what happens, I just need the courage to throwing myself at it!" With that Wanko struck a fighting pose.
"I see…"
"Besides, 'Keep pushing forward' is the Kazama family's way…"
"Yeah, you're right." And just like that again, my heart hurt a little more even though I was smiling.
As I look up into the blue sky above, I think for a moment. In this new world I've found myself in, do I have a dream in it? One for myself?
Back in the real world, I'd planned on going to school and learning economics. I wanted to help my country pull itself from the brink. Heck, I even proclaimed that at one point I'd be working with the President one day.
I remembered how some of my friends would laugh at me, call it impossible and that I was living in a fantasy. But when I really think about it…
Dreams for some are what keep them going forward. Through hard work, blood, sweat and tears some would achieve their dreams. Others… weren't so lucky. Told that no amount of hard work or effort would help them achieve "the impossible."
But was that true? Sure, some dreams weren't in some people's reaches, but did that mean nothing was open to them then. No, obviously not. People find new paths and explore new opportunities.
While for some the impossible is possible and after so long, they do by some miracle achieve that dream of theirs; no matter what it may be. So in a way, I don't think there's necessarily failure, I think it's more a sense of reorienting your efforts.
The "impossible is possible" is just like that. Going along that hilly, bumpy path regardless of what heartache comes your way. It makes you who you are, it doesn't take away from it.
But in this world… dreams are possible…
"You really are dazzling… Wanko." I say as I look back to her as I patted her head affectionately.
"Oh?" She seemed confused at my sudden affection. "What is it? What's going on?"
"It's nothing, really." I merely reassured her with more head pats.
"Aww… come on, tell me. You've never been like this." Wanko points out.
"I said you can be a big dummy sometimes." I said to poke at her.
"Hey, that's mean! And this is my after-practice rest, too!" Yep, she was easy to poke fun at. "I'll get you! Deyah!"
"Whoa, hey! Don't tackle… gah!" She came running at me and knocked me to the ground.
Momoyo merely watched on, "Heheh… You two are adorable together. It's almost summer. We're going to have to tell her soon. The plan said to wait for another year, but… the earlier, the better ."
Momoyo then approached us, "Wanko…"
"Hm, what?" She asked her sister with a smile.
"Mind if I help you mess with Nagamasa?" Her mischievous side came out.
"Hey, what the hell!?" I exclaimed now being ganged up on.
"Okay, let's pin him!" Both sisters advanced on me.
"No, back off… what'd I'd do to deserve this?! Don't either of you have any shame?" I accuse them.
"Heh, thanks for the compliment." Momoyo only smiled.
"Hah… and now you're mad. Great…"
"I think I'll tickle your sides." Momoyo said.
"And maybe I'll tickle the soles of your feet." The both of them pile on me from both sides leaving me defenseless.
"How did this happen!? This wasn't it how it was supposed to turn out!" I struggle with no sense of progress.
"Then maybe you'll think next time before getting sentimental." Momoyo tells me.
"He's weak! Get him!" Wanko cheers.
"How lucky you are Nagamasa. You're the meat in a Kawakami sandwich." Momoyo tries to rosy all this.
"Liar! That is not what this is, and you know it!" I object.
And so the Kawakami sisters proceeded to tease me nearly to death on the banks of the Tama River.
June 7th, 2009, Sunday
Today was June 7th. It had been a bit over one month since I, Mayucchi and Chris had joined the Kazama Family.
Ever since joining them, I've found life to be livelier than ever before in my past one. But there was more to it then just the usual chaos of school life and martial arts.
There was a girl that I was interested in…
Kazuko Kawakami, the younger of the two Kawakami sisters I was living with during my stay at the Temple.
She'd been the one to challenge me to a duel during my first day at the Academy. In a way, we'd been linked from that event ever since.
She was a partner and friend… And our family's cute mascot. She could be a bit of an airhead but was loveable all the same.
Even though I didn't have the same past as she did with the others, I remember all the days of training we've had. I could feel her emotions in our training exercises and when our blades would clash.
I know when she was younger, she was the helpless crybaby. But now, like I'd seen personally she was so full of happiness and energy thanks to her new family.
Slowly but surely she became what my mind thought of… lately we'd been practicing and talking a lot sometimes into the night.
"My dream is to become an assistant master at Kawakami Temple!" I respected her lofty goals and her hard work.
In a way she was someone who encouraged me in my own training. I wanted to bel like her. Maybe it wasn't too late. For now, we were friends.
But deep down… I… Did I...?
No matter what the future might hold. I'd help Wanko's dream bear fruit and make her strong. And so for the first time in a while, I prayed.
And with that… the summer of 2009 began…
Friendship with Kazuko – [90% of 100]
AN#1 – Well here's the second part of the Kazuko Route – "The Daughter of Kawakami" to my Majikoi story, I'm NOT a Samurai, Seriously.
Nagamasa and Kazuko's bond has grown slowly but surely. And now he wants to help her achieve that dream no matter how long it takes for it to come.
But sometimes it's possible to do the impossible. Let's see how their journey goes, shall we?
What's up next for our hero, Nagamasa? Stay tuned for Kazuko Route – Part 3 – Chasing Dreams…
AN#2 – I hope you guys are enjoying this rewrite. So please don't forget to leave reviews and also follow and favorite as well too!
AN#3 – Remember I wouldn't be here without you guys! Remember to Favorite, Follow and Review! :) Despite the current issues with the Stats on FF.