This Is Fine || Shouko/Katsumi

"Eh? Someone was here?" A voice would interrupt the pinkette's training routine. A brown-haired girl would step into the room, her question denoting surprise. However, it seemed that this was only a momentary thing, as the newcomer's tack would swiftly change. "I haven't seen you around much! I'm Shouko, nice to meet you!" Would come the eternally cheerful voice of UA's resident battle analyst. Perhaps the other would recognize the name, if not the face- Shouko and Katsumi had previously interacted on the school's communal chat room. Well, perhaps it would be for the best if Katsumi did not remember how infuriated she was by Shouko's insistence on using a nickname for her- And everyone else in their year, really. But even if she didn't, she would almost certainly be reminded as soon as she told the brunette her name.

As far as the newcomer's appearance went, she would stand out quite a bit. She may not have the unusual hair color of Katsumi- But her signature exploded twin tails stood out in their own way. It was as if she had started tying them up, and given up halfway through, leaving several clumps of long hair spreading out from each other- Of course, the lack of organization may well be due to the fact that her hair ties are made of stone. Aside from being one of few clues as to her quirk, they were also really not the ideal tools for the job- But we all must make sacrifices for thematic appropriateness!

However, even more notable than that... Was her outfit! By any way of looking at it, it failed to meet the school's dress code! The teachers were occasionally lax about this sort of thing, but this was on a whole new level of flaunting the rules! Critically thinking, to be allowed she would have had to apply for quirk accommodation in order to be allowed to use it... Either that, or she just had worn it anyways. As for the outfit itself- A brown robe wrapped around her body, folded into a sleeveless fascimile of more traditional dress. A sash tied it together at the waist, emphasizing the similarities to traditional garb- However, being sleeveless, and with such a short skirt, meant that similarities ended there! Altogether, the effect was akin to a tunic, covering nearly to her knees- And apparently, that was treated as enough to not wear pants beneath.

However, one thing it was above all else, was easy to move around in! Which Shouko would immediately display to it's fullest, happily joining her new friend(?) in her warm up exercises. "If you need any help, just let me know!" She happily offered to the training girl, ulterior motives hidden behind a smile wide enough to eat the sky. What? Ulterior motives? Of course she doesn't have such a thing! Anyone who knows Iwasaka Shouko knew that her desire to know her classmate's capabilities was always first and foremost! And helping them train was an easy way to find out exactly that!

A blank stare would meet the other's fabulously fantastic flop. "Eh?" This was not the response hse had been expecting. What had she been expecting? Dot. Dot. Dot. Okay, so it wouldn't be Iwasaka Shouko if she was thinking that far ahead! However, she was able to take it in stride, pausing appropriately while the other rose to her feet. It was almost cute. You know, like a cat stumbling, then licking itself casually as though to say, "Yes, I meant to do that." The only polite thing was to ignore it! "Hmm? You know me?" Came the natural question. Was this someone she had met before? But she thought she would recognize that pink hair! However, the only pinkette she could think of was... Koutoto! Was this...

Okay no that was stupid. But that meant she still had no answer to the question of who this was! Not that Shouko would linger on such a thing, immediately switching tack as the other commented on her garb. "Oh, this? It's to accomodate my quirk, you know! My quirk!" Came the explanation. As to what that quirk was, and why it needed accommodation... Well, given the scenario, it seemed Katsumi would find out sooner or later. Whether she wanted to or not. "Don't worry! The paperwork is 100% in order!" The followup explanation came- It seemed she had felt the need to explain this point a lot. As odd as her outfit was, it wasn't against the rules! She had an exception!

And following this exchange, the mystery of the other's identity would solve itself. "Oh! So it was Katsun!" The girl would declare... Proving that the other had not been so successful as intended in truncating her nickname. That explained how the other knew her when they had never met! "Ahhh, man! That was forever ago! Chase, huh? Oh, my hero name is going to be Mithra-hi... Mithra! Just Mithra!" As though caught saying something she shouldn't, Shouko covered her mouth and rapidly backtracked. Whatever could she have been about to say? Surely it had nothing to do with her favored online screen-name, "Mithra-hime" from which she had long wished to truncate the honorific? Seriously, what had she been thinking!

In the very act of graciousness, Shouko would look away while whistling... Completely off-key of course. Nor was she a good actor, despite her heart being in the right place. "Eh? See? Me? I saw.. Nothing. of course." The brunette would reply in a stiff monotobe. Well, her inability to lie aside, it was as good as accepting the other's offer. See? What was there to see? She saw nothing! Except that cute way you licked your paw and brushed your ears! Ah, that was the wrong one. Anyways!

The other swiftly rescued her from the internal confusion, by bringing up Shouko's favorite topic. With each discarded topic, her ears would perk up... Seriously, why wasn't her quirk a dog? She wore her heart on her sleeve in that exact manner! Mobility, was her specialty! Fitness, also her specialty! Combat exercises? If Shouko claimed to be second, who in the school dared accept first place! Perhaps Katsun also knew of Shouko's reputation in making this her suggestion.

"Nyahaha, of course! Fitness? Mobility? Combat takes both of them, and puts them to work to boot! It's no good to just have things if you can't use'em, right Katsun?" Was her final word on the matter. Speaking of which, it had been so long ago... Had Katsun mentioned her quirk on the chatroom? Eh, whatever, she'd figure it out on the fly! "Eto, since it's a spar..." Her hand would reach into the fold of her robe, rummaging around. "This one!" She declared, withdrawing a form. It seemed there was a reason for her reputation. However, to her, it was only natural! She'd put so much into this school, she wasn't about to get kicked out for failure to report her spars properly! Well, except that one time... But that was a fluke!

Anyways, it wouldn't take long for the papers to process, and Shouko would be raring to go! To the degree that the other may already be regretting her choice... But it was too late for regrets, as Shouko's signature outfit dropped to the floor! Cast aside to the corner where it would not be damaged by the match, the girl's bare body was revealed in it's full glory! Not. What was actually revealed was her stone armor... For what it could be called armor. As far as protection went... It was a band of stone which wrapped around the chest and seemed more dedicated to preserving modesty than actual defense, with a long stone kilt extending below her knees. It was pretty clear it was made by her quirk... It was just that the style opened up quite a few more questions to ask before the spar began in earnest!

Eh? Had they agreed on something like that? Shouko tilted her head to the side in confusion... She certainly didn't recall giving a name like that. "Ehhh, was there such a thing?" It certainly didn't sound like her. "It's so short! And where's the character, you know?" Sure, it shared the 'tsu' character, but that was all! It had none of the personality of Katsun's name! You'll make your parents sad if you reject it that desparately, you know! Thought the one attempting to discard the name Katsun's parents gave her. "If it's just Tsun, it's, you know? It's just Tsun! There's no dere!" As though she had said something profound, Shouko raised her head and snorted. That's right. Tsun was no good without dere! As expected, Katsun was the right name for this creature. Hmph hmph.

It could be worse. She had at least shed Shouko's initial nickname of Katsumin! That was even longer than her name was on its own! In fact, of all the nicknames Shouko had distributed, Katsun should be honored- hers was the only one shorter than the full name! After all, the purpose of a nickname was... Eh? What was it again? Shouko just thought they were cute!

As the other succesfully finished her incomplete word, Shouko's face froze. Oh no! Her dark history had come to light! Did the other know her online handle? Oh no, how much did she know? Had she posted anything incriminating lately? Ah, no, in the first place... Would it be a fellow battle enthusiast? After all, Shouko most frequently frequented that type of site! Her stiff face began to warm as a glimmer of hope rose- Only to be crushed back to death. Secretly royalty? What was thaaaaaaat? "Eh. No. That's. Not. It. At. All." She spoke, but her frozen face and stiff voice proved a poor act. "It was. Just. A. Hiccup." She lied through her teeth. Oh, curse her vocal muscle memory! And curse her dark history! Eight year old Shouko, whyyyyyyy?

Tears nearly rose in her eyes at the other's misunderstanding. her family was normal! Normal! But her protests were so stiff as to have the opposite effect, her embarrassment about her childish online name mixing with the blatantly incorrect conclusion the other had drawn.

In the end, the other chose not to question Shouko's armor. It was disappointing to lose a chance to explain herself, given the appearance of her defenses, but... Oh well! "Of course! Yaogun style, Iwasaka Shouko. Please treat me well!" Introducing herself in a style stereotypical of martial artists, Shouko would fall into one of her default stances. The other's stance was interesting- Hands in pockets? Some sort of iai inspired technique? Or was she just that confident that she could win without using her hands? Either way... It was enough for Shouko to decide her starting stance. When you didn't know what the opponent could do... Defensive it was! Her entire body sank as her knees bent- Not so far as a true horse stance, but enough to lower her center of gravity.

Come, Katsun! Were the unspoken words which hung in the air.

Head tilt intensifies. Doesn't that hurt her neck? But her freakish flexibility aside, the action only serves to emphasize the current confusion. "Eh, is that what's important?" Clearly she didn't get it. "But there's no affection in it! And where's the Ka, tsun? What's the point of a nickname if it doesn't have any of the person in it?" Came the query of the girl who apparently denied the existence of every Bob (Robert) and Dick (Richard) in the world. But... That didn't seem right at all! "That's not the point of a nickname at all!" Came the vehement rejection of Katsun's philosophy! "A nickname is! It's a feeling! You know!" Alas, her own viewpoint... Was as scattered as the girl's own brain. It was no surprise that Katsun would refuse to acknowledge it.

Even so, Katsun was Katsun! Shouko was determined! One day, she would accept Shouko's love!

As Katsun accepted Shouko's mechanical rejection, the girl could finally breathe easily... And if she pumped her fist a little in victory... Well, people didn't usually believe her, you know! She didn't know why! It was like they could read her mind! Or maybe she just wore her heart on her sleeve... But if she was capable of acknowledging that, she wouldn't be nearly so bad at lying in the first place. Self awareness, that was something Iwasaka Shouko was incapable of!

Ah, but never mind that! The spar, that was what was important! "Nyahaha, so we are! I mean, it's only common sense to figure out what your opponent can do before showing them what you can!" A common sense it seemed Katsun understood! But, such a standstill, wouldn't go anywhere. If Katsun wasn't going to- Oh, no, wait. The pinkette was patting her pockets- "Eh? What are you looking for?" Shouko would ask curiously... But she would soon learn anyways! "A coin? Are we going to decide who moves first based on a fl-" The chattermouth continued to speak even as the coin rose into the air, only to cut off suddenly as the coin... Shot forward!

Her eyes gleamed at the sight of the high speed coin, even as she reacted to the projectile! The hands which had not left their defensive posture swiftly shot into the path of the coin, which slammed into her palm with it's full force... But far from grimacing at the pain, the stone clad girl would return a massive grin. "Nyahaha, that's strong! Ow!" But her voice didn't sound like someone who was hurt at all. Was she hurt, or was she not? The impression of the coin left behind when it fell to the ground certainly suggested the former... But if anything, taking Katsun's power head on in such a stupid manner... Only raised her enthusiasm! "But what else can you do, Katsuuuuun!?"

It was no good. She was totally in her battle maniac mode. To consider what she knew- Katsun was capable of shooting coins at high speeds like a railgun! Hey, hadn't Yumi-senpai mentioned that manga too? Nyahaha! But... "When it comes to range... The answer is, to close the gap!"

And suddenly, not all that much slower than Katsumi's own projectile, Shouko would dart forward towards the pinkette. How would Katsun respond to a melee fighter coming in close? Was firing coins all her quirk could do? There was only one way to find out! As she approached, Shouko's open palm would curl into a fist, and strike forward!

One convenient thing about her quirk mostly being based in her physical body- Shouko was never at a loss for a weapon! The question of if Katsun even had more projectiles to use only crossed her mind as the other matched her charge- With the two closing in on each other, the gap was closed in an instant! The brunette's fist slipped past the pinkette's nonexistent guard- Warning bells immediately triggered in Shouko's mind! After all, Katsun had charged, which meant that she had plenty of time to prepare a guard... Shouko was many things, but she was not so conceited as to think she was just too fast to be guarded against!

However, she was unable to find the truth, even as her fist connected with her opponent- Or rather, her opponent's clothes, which burst back with force! Shouko's eyes widened at the unexpected pain... But would not be so easily deterred! Her feet fell flat on the ground, her stance lowering in an instant, resisting Katsun's quirk with the weight of her battle dress! For while she certainly was injured by this unexpected counter... She knew well her own strength, and Katsun would be no less harmed by taking the fist on her chest!

"Eh, interesting! Nyahaha, was that your quirk, too!? So cool!" An odd response for a girl who had just been injured, but that was Shouko! "You'll have to tell me about it when we're done!" She nodded emphatically, even as she continued into her next move! She retracted her arm, restoring her guard- Even as her entire right side lifted off the floor, aiming a high kick towards her opponent's head! "Ah, but not before then! It's more fun that way!" Added the girl who enjoyed figuring things out for herself!

They say that talking is a free action, but is it really appropriate to hold a conversation while you're attempting to kick someone in the temple?

It was a double edged sword. A counterattack that forced her to eat Shouko's impact, but attacked Shouko in return! "Hen! Cross counters are good... But only if you're strong enough to make use of it!" Shouko would advise. Against an opponent who was stronger and sturdier than her, taking a hit head on in return for making one of her own, was inadvisable! However, as well intentioned as this advice was, it would certainly not help the other's impression of how much she talked!

But as Shouko's foot nearly connected with Katsun's head, the other girl suddenly jerked backwards. An unnatural manner, to be sure, but not an unfamiliar one. "Ah! It's like Darren-senpai's quirk! You can grant instant acceleration in any direction, right? But unlike senpai, you can use it on things other than yourself!" It was a breakthrough! And it made a lot of sense! However, she misunderstood one thing. It wasn't that Katsun could use it on things other than herself 'as well,' but that she could 'only use it on things other than herself.' But then, the difference was not immediately obvious- Being able to use it on her own clothes meant that Katsun could still act in much the same way.

But if it was like Darren... "But! How long can you keep it up?" Shouko challenged as she stepped forwward, not quite keeping pace with the other's quirk... But not falling behind by much, either. Darren-senpai's weakness! He wasn't immune to the pain of suddenly getting thrown around by his own quirk! Even Shouko would be hurt when forcing herslef to change direction through entirely physical means, after all! In short! Keep the pressure on!

As such, she hardly paid attention to the coin which rose from the ground, shooting back towards the combat zone. However, she did note that her opponent could manipulate it from at least that far away! But as for defensive maneuvers... She would weave guarding against the impact, into her own offensive play! The girl rushed forward, arms splayed out to the sides- And suddenly, she would begin to twirl. Her feet turning as she stepped forward, somehow not losing speed as she rotated with increasing frequency. A human version of her often enjoyed spinning toy.

And as she approached the zone the coin patrolled... There would be a sudden change. Her quirk activated, liquid stone erupting from her arms, and nearly instantly hardening into the stone clubs which were her most powerful tool! Were they to clash with the coin, the latter may well become deeply embedded in the stone. But whether Katsun manipulated it skillfully enough to dodge her defenses or not... It would not change that the stone-clad Shouko was bearing down on her with a terrifying level of force!