As Ayano walked up the stairs, she drifted deep into her thoughts. It wouldn't be a bad idea to join the Martial Arts club. I'd practice sparring, maybe get a little stronger, and I can build rapport with the strongest people in school. I can learn their fighting patterns, so if they catch me doing anything… unsavory I'd be able to fight them off. Now that is certainly an attractive thought. It wasn't long before she reached the doors to the club room.
There were several students in the room, some sparring and some sitting off to the side, waiting for their turn. The room was decorated in a traditional Japanese style, with a tatami floor, decorative folding screens, potted bamboo, and traditional artwork adorning the walls. There were two wooden fixtures that looked to be training dummies, but they were in such good condition that it seemed like they had rarely been used. After taking stock of her surroundings, Ayano strode directly up to Budo, who was overseeing a sparring match.
"Excuse me, are you the leader of the martial arts club?" Ayano said after tapping Budo on the shoulder to get his attention. Budo smiled enthusiastically.
"I am the leader!" He puffed up proudly, "Are you looking to join our club and learn the noble and strong way of the martial artist?"
Ayano nodded. "Yes, I'd like to join. Are there any papers I need to fill out?"
"Oh, don't worry about the paperwork. I'd be more than happy to fill out the papers for you if you're really interested in joining!" Budo waved his hand enthusiastically, as if trying to swat away the entire notion of Ayano filling out a form.
"Oh, thank you! I'm very excited to join, but I'm a little nervous." Ayano decided to put on a little show. If he thinks I'm nervous and defenseless, he'll make that much more effort to befriend me and defend me.
"Don't be nervous! All of us here in the martial arts club are super welcoming of newcomers! You'll feel right at home in no time!" Budo was beaming like a second sun. It was easy to see why his disciples liked him so much. The guy was just about the nicest, cheeriest guy in the school. Ayano was snapped out of her thoughts by Budo's excited handshake.
"I know you're a little nervous, so how about you start tomorrow!" Budo shook Ayano's hand so enthusiastically that Ayano's whole arm shook with it. Ayano put her other hand on top of his and stopped the violent handshake.
"Would it be okay if I watched today, then? I think martial arts are really cool!" Ayano laid it on thick, smiling up at Budo earnestly and clasping his hand in both of hers.
Budo's megawatt smile didn't falter, but he struggled to get out a word of agreement. After a few false starts, he just nodded and gestured to one of the large floor pillows lined up next to the mat. "You can uh, sit on one of those to watch if you want." Ayano nodded and sat down, ready to watch the martial arts club spar. Her grey eyes were unusually intense – she was excited to see what these kids could do, and how her own strength might measure up. After a few moments, the students began to spar.
Ayano frowned. They were stronger than she'd first assumed. At least half of the club would be able to take her in a one-on-one fight, and she figured a few of them could take her down before she even threw a single strike. She chewed on a fingernail, lost in thought, her brow furrowed and eyes serious.
"You alright?" A sudden tap on her shoulder startled Ayano, and her body sprung into action instinctively, capturing the arm that tapped her in a vise-like grip. She blinked in surprise, finally registering who the hand and voice belonged to. It was only Budo, who had taken a seat next to her. She looked around, a bit taken aback by just how empty the club room was now. Everyone had changed back into their uniforms and gone home, and only a few stragglers were still packing their bags. Ayano glanced back up to Budo's face, his eyes full of worry. He's pretty nosy for a perfect stranger. I guess he does need me to leave soon so he can lock up the club room, though.
"Fine. Just thinking," Ayano said absently, looking Budo up and down. It was harder to see his musculature when he was in his uniform, but seeing him spar only confirmed Ayano's suspicions that he was the strongest in the martial arts club, if not the strongest in the whole school. It was only a quick glance, but when her gaze settled back on his face she realized it hadn't gone unnoticed. "Ah. Sorry, I just-" Ayano needed an excuse, fast. "How'd you get so strong? I mean, I exercise as much as anyone else, but…" She trailed off, hoping to god he bought it. It wasn't exactly a lie either, but she really didn't need to be thought of as some creep that just stares at boys all day.
"Oh!" Budo broke into an excited smile, "Sparring's definitely part of it…" He launched into a detailed breakdown of the muscles he grew through martial arts, his weightlifting routine, calisthenics, nutrition, etc. Ayano could tell this was something he was incredibly passionate about – he still hadn't realized that they were the only two left in the clubroom.
"Um, I hate to interrupt, but it's pretty late…" Ayano gently brushed his arm in an attempt to break him out of his lengthy monologue. "I really should be getting home soon." Budo gave a small jolt at her touch, not expecting the sudden contact.
"I'll walk you!" He flushed a bit, realizing how that sounded. "I mean! Because I still have some questions to ask you about your club application!" Ayano considered his offer for a moment. On one hand, it would be way faster if I were to take the form and fill it out myself. On the other hand, It'd be nice to have some protection if the delinquents were still skulking out by the front gate for me.
"Okay." Ayano agreed, standing up and moving to grab her bag. Before she could, Budo was already picking up both of their bags and slinging them over his shoulder. What the hell? "I'm strong enough to carry my own bag, Budo. I know I didn't spar today, but I'm not that weak."