You crawl, then walk, then run. So, you learn to use marital arts before you wield a sword. 

Enjoy.

~~~~~

It was a day after classes were over and right away Maya and Chifuyu were in an office going over notes. There was lesson plans, review, going over current events with the world, the academy, and the student body. Never a boring or relaxed day at work. Especially for these two. Not only that but there was all hands on deck for constant ongoing research from the student body. While one was trying to get used to things and was in the going home club from school with perfect attendance, his cousin was in the dojo. Houki practicing kendo and he was working on making sure his form was good. 

Houki looked over to her friend holding his stance. Closing his eyes and controlling his breathing. Though when he opened his eyes, he was finished and talking a short rest. "What are you practicing?"

"First Form. The Unarmed Technique. If your guard isn't on top of your game and uncomfortable then it is doomed to failure. I check to make sure I'm not off my game today. Otherwise I need to adjust and go on from there." He eyed Houki in her uniform and kendo in hand. "You never stopped. Right?"

"Never stopped. I've crossed a wrong path with it at one point, but never stopped." She smiled. "Something on your mind? You still got it?"

"I've been practicing. How's that. But better yet, question for you." He smiled.

"You want a duel now? Are you sure?" She pondered.

"Well, kinda. I need a little practice with First Form. So, think you can help with some light strikes against me?" That is just crazy. Why would he have someone with a kendo straight up smack him around?

"You're unarmed. I couldn't do that." Houki insisted that this was a horrible idea. 

"Don't worry." (FN) knelt down and pulled up his pants just a little to show padding. Then his sleeve to show more protection. "I'm armored. Just not wielding a weapon. So, light attacks?"

"If you say so. Although," Houki looked at her old friend up and down. "How much padding do you have on?"

"If I took it off I'd be faster then you know it. Not anime fast but enough to suffice."

"You trying to play still?" Houki smirked while taking her stance with the kendo in hand firmly. 

"Hero? No. One of the good guys? Yeah. Hero? That's a title I really don't want to get into. The mister save the day is a lot of pressure. I'm still trying to fly an I.S. unit. I'm just training in body before I hop in my unit. Trying not to crash land and such."

"Alright Good Guy. Ready?"

He took his guard. "Ready. Remember, I can't strike. I'm just defending. Give it a go or so."

"Begin." Houki said firmly. She started with a basic over the head chop. Blocked by his left forearm. Shaking a little, but holding up.

"Not bad." Houki smirked. Then moved swiftly with a left swing. Downward. While in mid-swing she could see where he was going to use his right leg to turn and block the kendo. Impressive. But there's a weak point. She swung the kendo over her head and sliced down towards the other leg. But raised the angle. The second strike hit the skin and calf area. This third strike was more up. A loud whack could be heard throughout the dojo. 

"Youch!" That sent him to the ground. On one knee and then right to his back. That hit made direct contact on the left knee. "Ou that's painful. Ah man."

Houki got into a guard position. "You may have your guards on, but you have nothing there on or above the knee. The wise fighters determine the weak point."

"Gathered intel." (FN) groaned. 

"Yeah, that's going to need ice. You didn't have the adrenaline hit yet. Try again later." Houki bowed. "We will rematch another time."

"Damn. Alright I guess. Yeah, ice. Good idea." He started to regret this decision to a point. A veteran finding my weak spot in three hits. What an idiot. Well, I deserve that. I guess I'll find a good set of knee pads for training. Then I can try again. Arms, skins, and then the knees. Chest would be too much. All in all though not a bad day's work. Considering Houki is now the official kick your ass and bake you a cake. Oh Cuz. Really now Ichika I hope you can date her like I always had hoped.

~~~~~

Back to the office Maya thought about about the relatives of her friend as she was going through a few files. "So, what are the boys doing?"

"From what I'm told Ichika is studying and (FN) is doing hand to hand exercises. I think a few more classes and he will try to pilot Chevalier. He's dreadfully nervous." Replied Chifuyu.

"Why's that?"

"He wants to get everything done on land in his body before attempting in his I.S. unit. Although, how he's going to shoot besides an arcade video game is beyond me." Chifuyu shook her head with a smirk. "At least he's trying."

"So Chevalier is equipped with a sword. It can shoot too?"

"It is equipped with a shotgun that is really only meant for close distance. I mean you can try from close range but it would be hard to aim. But I've done it a number of times."

"Well that's because you just had a knack for it. Your skills make me think you were born in an I.S. unit." Sighed Maya.

"Family issues are a big thing on our end. Mommy and Daddy issues and had sibling issues. Then add my aunt that want my cousin married off to a dumb broad. It's beyond dysfunctional. But at least I can keep an eye on them to a point."

"Where does Sarashiki come in? Isn't she a little too strong for Ichika and (FN)?"

"She's the strongest. It's in her title." Chifuyu put a stack of papers down. "Now trying to look into that girl's I.S. unit. Don't know why she didn't enroll either. Something is wrong."

~~~~~

I didn't know at the time, but an enemy no only to me, but to him as well. Why was all of this going on? I look back and there is something that lies deep in the family issues. 

~~~~~

Who is it?

-Rel