Master Hibiki said it was impossible. He said that I was far from even understanding the concept of ki, let alone using it. Someway, somehow… I pulled it off, though! How's that humble pie taste, Mr. Hibiki?! I did control my ki! I threw a Hadoken! Granted, it was only a cute, little, fun-sized fireball, but still!... And, yeah, he's technically right – I'll admit that I don't really understand much about ki. (It's super abstract!) Right now, if I tried to replicate what I did, I'd likely fail… but who cares about that?! I threw a Hadoken, and no one can take that away from me!
Despite my breakthrough, I'm forced to take it easy for a few days. I managed to control and release my ki, but I exhausted myself in the process. I… blacked out to put it simply… After I came to, Mr. Hibiki gave me an earful about practicing restraint and being responsible with oneself.
"…Ooohhh… W-What happened? Is that you, Ryu?"
"Ah! You're awake, kid! Thank every divine being in the cosmos! I did not wanna have to explain this scene to the authorities... Wait, did you just mistake me for that clown of a fighter you adore? Man, you gotta get your eyes checked! I'm way more attractive than that hobo!
"M-My bad… I'm still sorta… dazed…"
"Yeah, you better be sorry! You went way over your limits and nearly gave me a heart attack! The body is a temple, young Sakura! Keep it clean, look after it, and never put it through unnecessary risks! Now, promise me you won't do something so stupidly reckless like that again!"
"…Sorry, Master… I promise…"
"What the hell came over you anyway? I kept tellin' you to knock it off, but you wouldn't stop pushing ahead! The student is supposed to listen to the master! Did you miss that memo?"
"I-I know that, but… Rrrgh! You were ticking me off, Mr. Hibiki! 'You can't do this', 'you're not strong enough', 'you need to give up because you aren't ready'… When people say stuff like that to me, I transform from a headstrong teenage girl into this rebellious monster that can't be reasoned with. It's… not a side of me that I'm always proud of."
*sigh* "While you did succeed in using your ki – and I have NO idea how that happened, by the way! – you clearly overdid it. Had you been patient and listened to my full lecture, you would have learned about how releasing ki from the body takes a heavy toll on the user."
"…Ah… Whoops…"
"You can become used to this exertion, of course, but you are woefully inexperienced! So, in response to this irresponsible action, I order you to go home and stay there for the next three days! No training! And don't show your face around here until you've healed! Your body needs time to build up all that lost ki, you got that, kid?
"Awww! Three whole days?!"
"No whining, my student! Save that for when some blatantly inferior fighter steals a victory from you! Happens to me all the time, and the reason's always the same – They got lucky! That's when your crying is justified!
"Alright, alright! I'll listen!... But hey, don't you owe me an apology, Master? You said I couldn't utilize my ki, and I just proved you wrong! That'll show you not to underestimate me, huh?"
"Heh! The ignorance of the younger generation is on full display! Sakura, I never doubted you."
"What do you mean 'you never doubted me'?! Think back to all those things you said! When I threw a Hadoken, you were more surprised than I was!"
"Wrong! I only said all that stuff to motivate you! And it worked splendidly! Haha! I told you I'm an expert of ki, and now I've backed it up. In fact, I've never failed to help a student of mine reach this point. When it comes to teaching ki control and application, I have a one hundred percent success rate!"
"Oh? You've never spoken about your old students before. How many have you taught?"
"Just a single one… You, Sakura! My first disciple! You should feel supremely honored."
"I'm the only one?! But you said you have a one hundred percent-"
"My record is one for one, and that factors out to a perfect one hundred percent! Perfection!"
"…Good grief…"
Reluctantly, I did as my master asked. It was a real bore, but I let my body heal up. I didn't want to make Mr. Hibiki upset again, so I didn't really have a choice. He's got a big ego, and he's cowardly at times, and he's kinda embarrassing… I can tell he cares about me, though. Underneath the bluster and comical pride, he's happy to see me improve. So, I'll keep listening to him. He got me this far, hasn't he?
After my days of rest had passed, I picked up right where I left off. Rigorous training, disciplined dieting, combat studying… I wasn't allowed to try throwing more Hadokens, but Master supervised while I learned to better direct my ki. I want to do more, but… *sigh*… baby steps, Sakura. I've already proven that my goal can be realized, I just have to do it the right way this time – by building the necessary skills first before reaching for the finish line.
Master also gave me some great advice and a brand-new path to explore. "Your biggest weakness is a lack of experience. Get out in the world and test yourself!" he said. And that's exactly what I did! Though my connections are limited, I decided to branch out and search for other fighters (or at least some delinquents willing to spar with me) at Tamagawa Minami High. However… I didn't find anyone on my level. Turns out the majority of high school students aren't interested in martial arts. Sure, there's the occasional school bully, but putting those idiots in their place doesn't pose any challenge for me now. They're just big fishes in a small pond. A bully isn't concerned with skill or technique, they only care about taking their aggression out on kids who are too weak to fight back. Point is, I'm not getting the kind of experience I need at school.
So, since I wasn't finding strong opponents here, I figured it was time to broaden my search. I reached out to two of my childhood friends who I hadn't talked to in a while; Hinata Wakaba who goes to Taiyo High, and Natsu Ayuhara of Gorin High. As luck would have it, the two of them are interested in fighting too! (How awesome is that?!) The three of us agreed to meet and catch up.
Hinata reminds me a lot of myself. She's a cute, smaller girl with overflowing energy. Just like I remembered her, it's not easy for her to sit still, so I totally get why she's so drawn to sports and physical stuff. She's just like me in that way, and we get along so easily because of it. I joke that she must be my long, lost sister! When it comes to martial arts, she's very new to it all. She was inspired by her friend Batsu, another young fighter from her school, to start training and 'become strong enough the protect her friends!' That's just like her…
Natsu, on the other hand, is a tall, dark-haired leader-type. Captain of the Gorin High volleyball team, she's confident and composed but isn't afraid to speak out when needed. (so cool!) With a desire to gain strength and lead her teammates to greater heights, she's incorporated her sport's techniques into her fighting style. In one moment, she's throwing punches, and in the next, she's spiking volleyballs at me! How wild is that?
I don't mean any disrespect by saying this, but they're both obviously newbies. Though they keep in shape and are used to pushing themselves, I've done a lot more research into actual martial arts. And even if I defeat them handily on most days, it's such a blessing to have friends who share my interests! When I showed them one of Ryu's fights, they agreed that he was so cool! As much I love Kei (she'll always be my bestie!), she just doesn't understand my passion…
A couple times a week after school, the three of us would gather, taking turns sparring with each other, leveling up, and getting more of that experience that I oh-so needed. Eventually, those two brought even more of their friends into our little group, like Batsu, Kyosuke, Shoma, and Roberto. Between all the practice I was getting with my new friends and keeping up my training with Master Hibiki, I was seeing lots of improvement in a short period of time. As the most skilled student among us all, I started to gain a reputation that slowly made its way throughout the area…
"Attention, class. Before we review last night's homework, I have an announcement to make… A new student is joining us! Please allow me to introduce you all to Karin Kanzuki, the newest addition to our classroom. I expect you all to welcome her with kindness and open arms!"
…Kanzuki, huh? That sounds familiar… And wow, she's pretty! The curly, golden blonde hair, the shiny blue bow, that striking, red outfit…I can't help but notice that she's got some muscle on her too… In a word, she looks… exceptional, but maybe I'm just a little taken in by her appearance. She definitely stands out, at the very least.
"Yes, my name is Karin Kanzuki. I'm certain you all recognize the name, but know that I will not allow any unwanted advances to be made towards myself or my family steward, Shibasaki. If I have need of you, as unlikely that possibility may be, I will make my wishes unmistakably clear."
That guy's her steward? I thought he was an employee of the school or something… And he's gonna be following her around all day? I didn't even know that was allowed.
"Though it is surely bizarre to see an individual of such stature mingling amongst you commoners in an institution that is very much beneath her, I have my reasons for being here, and I intend to make the most of my time with you all."
I might be imagining it, but… is she staring me down? Those intense, brown eyes of her… I'm starting to feel a bit uncomfortable… Huh? Kei? Why's she tapping my arm?
"Pssst!... Sakura, what's the deal? Did you make her mad or something? Why would mess with someone like her?"
I try to keep my voice down, and whisper (without getting caught but with as much sass as I can afford) back to my friend who is chastising me for some reason!
"Wh-What are you talking about? 'Mess with her?' I don't know her! I've never even heard of her! And why are you assuming this is my fault?!"
"Kanzuki? You've never heard the name Kanzuki before? Like… the Kanzuki Zaibatsu? She's the daughter of Daigenjuro Kanzuki! She's the heiress to the Zaibatsu!"
Oh… Gosh… That's why it sounded familiar…
"Well, okay, yeah, fine… you're right, I have heard that name, but I've still never met her before. Maybe she's looking at the boy behind me?"
That's what I try to convince myself of, anyway. Deep inside, though, I can tell I'm the one who has caught her attention. As for why? That question wasn't answered for me until after class, while I was standing outside my locker.
"Sakura Kasugano. A pleasure to finally meet you."
Oh boy… I had a feeling this conversation was coming… Don't be intimidated by her, Sakura! Stand up tall and with spirit! She may be rude, and super confident, and the daughter of a huge, ultra-wealthy family, and yeah, she probably has enough power and influence at her fingertips to have me effortlessly wiped out and ensure that all evidence of my life is erased from the planet… but right, here, right now? We're just two high school students (two teenage girls, even!), and I should treat her like everyone else.
"Oh, hi there! Yep, that's me! It's nice to meet you too. You're… Karin, right?"
"Hah! I like that! Spoken so casually… I applaud your bravery, Sakura. All other commoners stutter and stammer over themselves, trying so intentionally to treat me like the royalty that I am… You, however, are different! You've piqued my interest, you see, and I'm quite certain now that you won't disappoint me!"
"Uh… 'disappoint' you? Are you, like… evaluating my manners?"
"Oh, nothing so inconsequential as that! No, what I seek from you is much more worthy of my time… I, Karin Kanzuki, challenge you to a duel, Sakura Kasugano! You will join me after school, in the gymnasium. There, we will clash and see who is superior! Though my victory is a foregone conclusion, I wish to see your fighting spirit for myself as well as to see how far you will struggle before inevitably submitting yourself to an undignified defeat… And you will show. If you have any pride as a martial artist, you understand that you cannot back down from this."
Before I can even respond, she walks away with the posture and attitude befitting that giant ego of hers. Well… I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm getting really excited! Here I thought she was mad at me for… I don't know… ignoring her, or something? Rich people are like that, I bet. Always so full of themselves that they freak out when someone doesn't treat them like the savior of the entire human race. That's where I figured our talk was headed, but no. She just wants to fight me! Talk about a lucky break! I've been trying so hard to find others to duke it out with, I forgot that they might come to me! Guess my name's starting to travel, little by little.
"Miss Kasugano? A moment, please."
"Oh! Sorry, mister servant, sir, I forgot you were there. Ahhh… What was your name again?"
"I am Shibasaki, the Kanzuki family steward. Before your bout with Miss Kanzuki, I'd like to offer my card. If you have any questions about the nature of the upcoming competition, do not hesitate to contact me. I will assist you however I can."
"Oh, really? Wow, that's super nice of you! Thanks, Mr. Shibasaki!"
"No thanks necessary, Miss Kasugano. All that I ask in return is for you to give it your all when clashing with Miss Kanzuki. She is desperate for a challenge and believes you may provide what she seeks. Best of luck."