The venerable master offered the faintest of nods before shifting his attention back to the class.
"Now then, pair up," he commanded, gesturing to the open floor. "We're going to review Tsurugi's three earlier transitions: the yokogiri counter, the kote feint, and the left stance. This time, pay meticulous attention to your breathing. Move like water. No reliance on brute force."
The students promptly shuffled into motion, forming pairs. The polished wooden floor responded with a soft rustle as bare feet slid into designated positions.
"Man, I totally missed that kote feint," one boy whispered, adjusting his shinai with a perplexed look. "I blinked, and suddenly Park Jimin was on the ground."
"Jin's movements are insane," another student commented, eyes wide with awe. "It was like he could read Park Jimin's every move, predicting each strike."
Meanwhile, Jin found himself at the fringe of the circle, striving to blend into the background. He absentmindedly scratched the back of his neck, feeling the weight of attention as he contemplated the unfolding dynamics. Sensei Makoto's hands came together with a sharp clap that resonated through the dojo, breaking the stillness.
"Listen up! Focus!" he commanded, voice echoing with authority. "Pay close attention to your timing, spacing, and maai. Jin excelled because he skillfully managed the fight's tempo. You all need to learn to emulate that strategy."
As the words hung in the air, several students turned toward Jin, expressions a mix of admiration and skepticism; some looked on with respect while others seemed doubtful of his abilities.
In response to their gazes, Jin offered a small, confident smile. "The technique is something anyone can master with practice. It's about awareness, not special ability."
Makoto let out a rare, almost amused huff, a sound indicating approval.
"Let's see if the rest of you can catch up to his level," he challenged, glancing around the room with a scrutinizing eye.
With that, the atmosphere shifted as the class sprang into action, a low hum of voices rising as they began engaging in quiet discussions and preparing to practice. Jin stepped aside from the bustling group, taking a moment to wipe sweat from his brow with his gi's sleeve. His heart continued to race, pulsing with the adrenaline of being in the spotlight.
Quietly, he made his way out of the dojo, the gentle clicking of his sandals against the smooth, polished floor breaking the otherwise tranquil soundscape.
As he walked through the Yamashiro Institute's hallway, the soft glow of ambient lighting gave a warm shine to the floors, highlighting the sleek design. The walls were made of smart glass panels that could switch from clear to frosted with a swipe of a hand, a cool tech feature adding a modern touch to the building.
Looking out a nearby window, Jin admired Neo-Tokyo glowing under the sunrise. Vertical gardens climbed elegantly up the tall buildings, their greenery slightly illuminated by artificial lights, creating a nice contrast with the surrounding concrete and steel.
Having changed out of his dojo gi, he now sported the Institute's sharp dark-blue uniform, trimmed with gold and featuring the school crest on the collar. The temperature-regulating fabric was comfortable and stylish, but he still felt a bit out of place in the formal look.
As he walked down the hallway, he noticed his classmate Nakamura Ayane struggling to carry several items in her arms. When she spotted Jin, she attempted to wave, but in her clumsiness, ended up tossing the glass tablet into the air as she stumbled.
"A-Ah! Got it!" he exclaimed, catching one tablet just before it plummeted to the floor. He returned it carefully, holding it between both hands with palms facing upward, treating it as if it were a delicate artifact. "That was close… Nakamura-san, let me help you with these." Without waiting for a response, he gently took two of the heavier data pads from her precarious stack.
Ayane looked at him in surprise, eyes widening briefly before a soft laugh escaped her lips, cheeks coloring slightly pink.
"T-thank you, Tsurugi-kun. I was really hoping to avoid a quantum catastrophe!" she replied, voice tinged with both gratitude and humor. "I'm always juggling too many things at once. Professor Tanaka assigned three new research projects today, and I still haven't finished analyzing the neural mapping data from yesterday's simulation."
Jin fell into step beside her as they continued down the corridor. "Neural mapping? That sounds complex. I'm afraid I don't know much about that field of study."
Ayane's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "It's fascinating! We're working on mapping synaptic responses during combat simulations to better understand how soldiers process high-stress situations. The goal is to develop better training protocols that can reduce combat-related trauma."
Jin nodded, genuinely interested. "That sounds important work. Helping people cope with difficult situations is admirable."
Ayane's cheeks flushed deeper at his sincere compliment. "Well, it's still in the early stages. We've had some breakthroughs, but there's so much more to learn." She glanced at him curiously. "I heard about your match with Park-senpai. Everyone's talking about it."
Jin gave a small shrug. "It was just practice. Park-senpai has excellent technique."
"Maybe," Ayane said thoughtfully, "but several students said they've never seen anyone move like you did. Like you were anticipating his every move before he made it."
Jin paused at a junction in the hallway where their paths would diverge. "I just focused on his breathing and posture. They revealed his intentions before his body moved." He handed her the data pads he'd been carrying. "Here you go. Try not to juggle too many things at once."
Ayane accepted them with a grateful smile. "Thank you again, Tsurugi-kun. Maybe... maybe we could have lunch sometime? I could tell you more about the neural mapping research if you're interested."
Jin's expression brightened. "I'd like that. I'll see you in the cafeteria tomorrow?"
Ayane nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Tomorrow then!" She hurried away, casting one last smile over her shoulder before disappearing around the corner.
Jin watched her go, then continued toward his own destination, a small smile playing on his lips. The morning's encounter in the dojo had left him feeling unsettled, but this brief conversation with Ayane had lifted his spirits. Perhaps today wouldn't be so challenging after all.