802 Posts
1 EP
EXP
Total
17 Years
Female
"Steelheart"
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Tetsuko Shindou on Sept 12, 2018 9:30:40 GMT -4
At what point would she really be able to consider herself 'strong enough'?
After a day of sparring and training with all manner of people, from battle-hardened soldiers to skilled Quirk-wielding peers, Tetsuko found herself asking this question. In all her combat, she'd tasted both victory and defeat, yet she continued to find the bitter taste of the latter entirely overwhelming. After all, what was the point of any 'wins' if the real world stakes of a 'loss' were so high? It only took one of the latter to entirely undo the former... That was something Tetsuko knew deep in her core.
Sitting down just outside the combat quarters, Tetsuko would lament this continued failure of hers as she wrapped her hand in bandages. She'd been using her Quirk all day, and the damage wrought on her body had gotten to a point where her natural regeneration likely wasn't going to cut it. At least, not without a bit of assistance. Covering her hand in the bandages, Tetsuko would wince slightly at the pain as she continued to toil over her own struggles.
A dull blade was useless. Those were the motivating words that had driven Tetsuko down this path, and it was a mantra she held to be undoubtedly true. She was the blade of those she honoured, so there was no point to her if she couldn’t fulfil that duty, if she was helpless and weak and shattered so easily… In many ways, Tetsuko had always felt that way, but these thoughts and feelings were only exacerbated by recent events.
It went without saying that Tetsuko was affected by the ordeal with Thunder Shock, in particular, Elise’s meeting with him. It was deeply unsettling, wildly infuriating to know what a cruel being that creature was, yet at the same time not entirely unsurprising… Tetsuko had already determined that the scum who ended the lives of Elise’s parents was inhuman, now all she had was the confirmation that supported her hypotheses. That villains like Thunder Shock were best off being cut down where they stood by a righteous blade.
In this mindset, Tetsuko found no internal conflict. These were the values she’d held for a long time, values she’d been raised with in the Shindou family. The values of righteous blade, wielded for justice. No, it wasn’t with this intent that Tetsuko struggled, but instead in her ability to carry it out… She’d known for far too long how weak she was, and it was beginning to seem impossible that she could ever become strong enough to honor and protect those she served.
Breathing out a sigh, Tetsuko finished bandaging up her hand and found somewhere to seat near the training grounds, leaning back and gazing skyward. Now, more than ever, she needed to reach it, the highest point of her art, the pinnacle of her ability. But that ‘point’, the one defined within Jikishinkage-ryuu, seemed farther away than ever from the Shindou girl. Could any amount of pain and struggle hone a blade that was useless from the start?
Was that even a question she could answer by herself?
|
|
457 Posts
EP
EXP
Total
16 Years
Male
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Akio Hirotaka on Sept 28, 2018 13:55:03 GMT -4
Akio had a lot of things to think about after his talk with Elise. He was really worried about her, the things that she was saying were really disturbing, he wished he could just chalk it up to the fact that she'd just talked with the man who killed her parents and maybe part of it was because of that but, the things she said, there was actual feeling behind those words, he had a feeling she was being 100% serious about what she said Could Elise really kill someone? I can't see it happening but, then again I haven't known her for that long, Tetsuko might be able to answer that but I don't know if I should betray Elise's trust and tell Tetsuko, even though I told Elise I wouldn't tell her Akio thought to himself as he passed by the combat area he happened to see the exact person he was thinking of, there was Tetsuko, bandaging her hands. He walked over to her and waved as he called out to her "Yo Tetsuko, getting some training in?" he asked as he walked over and got a better look at her hands "Are your hands ok? Do you want to go to the infirmary or anything?" he asked.
|
|
802 Posts
1 EP
EXP
Total
17 Years
Female
"Steelheart"
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Tetsuko Shindou on Oct 10, 2018 7:08:14 GMT -4
The voice that called out to Tetsuko was not at all an unfamiliar one, belonging to a friend of her's and Elise's, and a fellow clubmate within the cooking club. It was, however, nonetheless a surprising voice to hear. She hadn't at all been expecting to run into the young lad here outside of cooking club activities, but she supposed she shouldn't be too shocked to see him here. Plenty of UA students had decided to attend the special military camp thanks to all the training on offer, not to mention the advanced facilities that loaned themselves to all manner of research and experimentation.
Putting aside her surprise, Tetsuko would wave back to Akio, smiling lightly as she replied. "Hey, nice to see you here Akio-san. Yeah, I've been using the combat quarters." She explained as she finished wrapping up her hands in those bandages, opening and closing her fist to make sure they fit tightly enough without causing her any more pain. It wasn't the first time she'd wrapped her hands like this, thanks to what had always been a strict training regimen, but fortunately the damage was mitigated nowadays thanks to her healing factor handling the smaller, more annoying cuts.
Though, the sight of bandages covering her hands was still concerning, she understood that much, so it didn't surprise her to see Akio question if she was OK. "I'm fine, just a result of using my Quirk. It's nothing Eli can't heal up." She said with a dissmissive wave of the hand, cheeks reddening slightly as she smiled at the thought of Elise quite literally kissing these small cuts better. There was nothing she'd done to herself that couldn't be healed by her lover's healing abilities, after all.
Deciding it was only fair to keep conversation here, Tetsuko decided to turn the question back to Akio, and sate her own curiosity. "So what are you doing here? Training as well, or checking out some of the other facilities?" She inquired, leaning back and raising a brow. Though her first guess was the most likely option, Tetsuko had heard a variety of different responses to that question, whether it be for the combat training, learning about ones Quirk functions via the medical facilities, or even checking out the armory for the vast array of weaponry and technology they had present. The last example was, perhaps, the only place Tetsuko had been to as much as the combat quarters, thanks to a certain gun bunny who she'd been happily tagging along with.
|
|
457 Posts
EP
EXP
Total
16 Years
Male
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Akio Hirotaka on Oct 12, 2018 5:16:03 GMT -4
Tetsuko greeted Akio back and mentioned that she'd just been using the combat quarters. When Akio inquired about her hands she replied that it was just a result of using her quirk and that it's nothing Elise couldn't fix, he noticed that a bit of a blush had appeared on her cheeks, Akio sat down and smirked at her "I guess Elise can literally kiss your booboos better can't she?" Akio said with a chuckle "Sorry, sorry, I can't resist the slight tease," he said to her as he calmed down his laughing. She asked if he was here training or looking at the facilities "Yeah I was sparring with a classmate earlier and I actually just got done talking with Elise, I ran into her and she uh, she told me about what happened...to her parents," he said his voice becoming more solemn "How are you holding up? I know it must be hard for you as well as her, seeing her go through this," he said to her sympathetically "I told her this as well but, if either of you need anything, you can always rely on me if you want to," he said to her with a reassuring smile "If you need to talk or need help with anything at all, don't hesitate to ask me," he continued, wanting to help his friends in whatever way he could
|
|
802 Posts
1 EP
EXP
Total
17 Years
Female
"Steelheart"
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Tetsuko Shindou on Oct 16, 2018 10:57:09 GMT -4
The poor Shindou girl really was receiving her fare share of teasing when it came to her relationship with Elise, wasn't she? Akio's smirk earned a harder blush from the poor swordswoman, as she pouted at his statements. "Geeze... Dammit, I wish I could think of I way to tease you back for Miku-san... But she's way too innocent for that..." Tetsuko sighed, before giving a friendly smirk at his apologies. Although she'd initially found herself a bit too reserved in the presence of such teasing, over time it had become a much warmer thing to her. Like an acknowledgement of faith and support from the few friends she could truly call her allies.
Unsurprisingly, Akio had been using the facilities to train, though when he revealed he knew about what happened with Elise, Tetsuko was stunned for a moment, her expression evidently shocked. There were very few people Elise had actually told about the whole... Situation... So having it brought up so suddenly was a bit of whiplash for the swordswoman. What he said was a true, it had been difficult for her to watch Elise go through all that, but the out of the blue awkwardness has Tetsuko merely nodding in response, her face holding a solemn yet resolute expression. For all Akio’s promises of reliability and and loyalty, she could only respond at the end of it.
”Thank you, Akio-san… We need all the allies we can get, I’m glad to here you have her back.” She said quietly, bowing slightly out of gratitude as she gulped down the lump in her throat. This had gotten rather awkward very quickly, and she didn’t want to linger on the subject for much longer, yet, it was all that seemed to be on her mind. ”It really does feel like all I’ve done is thank you for being there for her. If there’s anything I can do to return the favour, just let me know.” She affirmed, looking genuinely eager to be helpful in return for once.
|
|
457 Posts
EP
EXP
Total
16 Years
Male
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Akio Hirotaka on Oct 16, 2018 11:28:10 GMT -4
After Akio teased her Tetsuko just pouted and said she wished she could get back at him and tease him back for Miku but she's too innocent for that, prompting Akio to chuckle "I'm sure I'll do or say something embarassing you can use to tease me, eventually," he said. When he said he knew about what happened to Elise's parents she looked visibly shocked I guess she didn't expect that Akio thought to himself, he then sighed "She said not to tell anyone about our conversation because she doesn't want us from worrying about her too much but, I can't help but be worried, some of the stuff she was saying was....disturbing," he told Tetsuko "I get that she's going to be thinking of some disturbing things after going through that trauma, I know that feeling well but.....she seemed so serious, so determined to....to kill ThunderShock," he said it, he might've promised Elise but, he couldn't keep that promise "I'm just worried that right now she's letting her emotions overwhelm her and she'll end up doing something she regrets, you know?" Akio said, hoping Tetsuko would understand what he means. She then thanked him for having Elise's back and that she feels all she's done is thank him for being there for her and offered her help if he ever needed it "Of course, we're friends, we have each others backs, just look out for Miku for me, that's all I need," he said to her with a smile
|
|
802 Posts
1 EP
EXP
Total
17 Years
Female
"Steelheart"
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Tetsuko Shindou on Oct 18, 2018 22:41:12 GMT -4
Tetsuko smirked at Akio's assurance she'd get the chance to tease him, unconvinced given how openly sappy he was at many times, from what she'd seen he'd no problem being so cheesy around Miku! "I think it's more a matter of how to embarrass you, you better give me the chance some time..." Tetsuko teased, knowing it'd take a fair bit to fluster the boy who was almost as difficult to embarrass as Elise. He had, after all, been behind the idea for the Germanic girl to loudly shout her love for Tetsuko...
That single event, incredible as it had been, seemed so distant now. The Elise from then... So distant now, after everything that had happened with her parents and the vile criminal known as Thunder Shock. Tetsuko's surprise only grew when Akio mentioned having talked about something rather secretive with Elise, and how she'd said some... disturbing things. Though, when he revealed what they were, Tetsuko felt almost a bit... Relieved. As far as 'disturbing' went, wanting to kill the man who'd ended the lives of your own parents was something that Tetsuko didn't consider to be too unbelievable. Though, that wasn't to say that Akio's concerns weren't founded. "I... I know what you mean. I don't want her putting herself at risk, and I've always known... I've always thought it would only be natural to want to get revenge on Thunder Shock. Even... Even for her." A resolute and quiet look on her face, Tetsuko sighed for a moment before speaking up again.
"I promise I won't let her do anything that might hurt her. Even if I... Honestly, I agree with what she wants. Thunder Shock deserves justice, I just hope they give it to him, and that Eli doesn't suffer anymore..." Though she wasn't clear in her words, her expression made the sentiment clear. She wanted nothing more than for Thunder Shock to receive the death penalty for his actions. "I want to hurt him too, y'know? For killing innocent people, I just... I don't want Elise to be at risk." Tetsuko Shindou did not object to the idea of this absolute justice, only the possibility it would hurt the people she loved. Otherwise, the swordswoman did not look like she cared for Thunder Shock's survival.
Voicing these thoughts was good, however, and hearing Akio had been there for Elise had the Shindou girl grateful to the lad of Brobdingnagian proportions. She sought to return the favor, and he offered a way for her to do that. "Then you have my word, I won't let any harm come to her when she's within my sight." Tetsuko swore sincerely, bowing her head to accept this task as a warrior. A noble samurai paying off her debts, is all she viewed it as.
|
|
457 Posts
EP
EXP
Total
16 Years
Male
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Akio Hirotaka on Oct 21, 2018 8:16:34 GMT -4
Tetsuko said it was a matter of HOW to embarrass him and that he better give her a chance sometime, Akio chuckled and nodded "Alright, you got it, I'll give you the opportunity to tease me sometime soon," he said to her with a cheeky grin on his face.
When Akio said he was worried about Elise, Tetsuko gets what he means, that she doesn't want Elise putting herself at risk, even if she agrees with what she wants and that ThunderShock deserves justice, that she wants him to hurt for hurting all those innocent people, she just doesn't want Elise to be at risk, Akio nodded "I want him to die as well, what he was terrible and he deserves to die, I just don't want Elise to go through that, the emotional and mental strain of taking a life not to mention the legal ramifications that would result from it, I just don't want her to put herself through that," he told her "Taking the life of another person, even one who killed your loved ones, I can't imagine what that would to do someone mentally," he said to her. When Akio asked her to look out for Miku she said that he had her word, she won't let any harm come to her when she's within her sight, Akio nodded "Thanks Tetsuko, I appreciate it," he said to her smiling It's good to have friends you can count on Akio thought to himself, still smiling
|
|
802 Posts
1 EP
EXP
Total
17 Years
Female
"Steelheart"
Student-Rank Quirk:
|
Post by Tetsuko Shindou on Oct 21, 2018 11:31:42 GMT -4
Akio really wasn't the kind of guy to be flustered or teased easily, Tetsuko thought, as he so readily offered to give the Shindou girl the chance to tease him some time. Perhaps he simply wasn't burdened with the excessive pride many of them were, regardless, Akio remained something of a mystery to Tetsuko Shindou, a cheeky and naive boy who seemed to always be nonetheless vigilant and reliable. An ally she trusted, but didn't quite understand, in many ways.
The parts she did understand about him mostly revolved around their mutual understanding of the feelings they held toward the ones they loved. It was perhaps for that reason that Akio so readily understood what Tetsuko was feeling, about the risks that came with taking a life. Though, Tetsuko could not help but hang her head a little, wondering about everything Akio said about the strain of killing. These were not things Tetsuko had considered, and only made firm a particular belief she had. That if it ever came to that, she would certainly try to be the one to kill Thunder Shock if needed, rather than letting Elise do so...
"I can't imagine it either... It's not something I want her to go through... Honestly, maybe it would bring her peace. Not that I'd risk it, but maybe it would. Yet even in spite of that... I won't let Eli take that step." She wouldn't let the childhood friend she loved change even more because of this... Tetsuko already had seen the signs, her clear and dangerous intent, that made Tetsuko wonder if the past really was slipping through her fingers. If Elise took a life, would that change everything once and for all? It wasn't something Tetsuko wanted to risk. Even if she had to change herself...
Among all these gears and concerns, Tetsuko also found hope and trust, in the form of another reaffirmed ally. Between Haruto, Kirk and now Akio, Tetsuko was building a circle of trust that she would hold dear. It was something she'd been sorely missing a few months ago, when she'd been so anxious and distrusting, her security centric mindset preying on her so fiercely. Now here she was, slowly but surely letting people in, letting herself trust and enjoy the company of others.
"It's what friends are for." Tetsuko would affirm in response to Akio's expression of gratitude, smiling widely at him as she felt her spirit bolstered. Every warrior needed comrades, and Tetsuko was glad to have hers. Maybe... Just maybe... This was the key she'd been looking for. Glancing down at her bandaged hands again, Tetsuko would soon find a buzzing from her pocket, retrieving it to find it was none other than Elise, looking to meet up with her again within the special military camp.
"Well, looks like I should get going." Tetsuko would tell Akio, giving him a bow before she departed to meet with her girlfriend. "I'll see you around, Akio-san. Keep well, and keep Miku well too."
|
|
|
|
Post by Esperia on Oct 25, 2018 8:12:55 GMT -4
Tetsuko 21x2=42
Akio 8x2=16
Bad boy Aki, horrible at keeping secrets~
|
|
