I only witnessed his superhuman swordsmanship once, but it left an indelible mark on my soul. If someone smaller than me could reach those heights of martial prowess, it was the ideal style for a girl whose physical growth remained… stunted.
Of course, I won't deny that every Jedi harbors a secret longing to emulate the Grand Master.
To supplement Ataru's weaknesses, I decided to study Form III: Soresu, the ultimate defensive style, as my secondary form. I would use Ataru for offense and Soresu for protection, with the basics of Shii-Cho and the versatility of Niman serving as the foundation beneath them.
As for Anakin's favorite, Form V: Shien, I had to abandon it. It requires sheer physical strength and a certain reach that I simply do not possess. It is not a form for the small.
By the end of April, a certain rhythm had established itself.
"Koto-chaaan!"
"Ah, welcome. It's a bit cluttered, but make yourself at home."
Toga had come to the Masue house to play, as had become her habit. Lately, her urge to drink blood had stabilized. She seemed more fascinated by my saber training, watching me with a grin. Since Anakin is only visible to the Force-sensitive, to her eyes, I must look like I'm practicing katas against the air, talking to myself, and occasionally being hurled backward by an invisible force.
For the past month, our routine consisted of me being tossed around by Anakin while Toga watched with inexplicable glee. With the weather warming up, we usually stayed outdoors.
Today, however, I was inside, poring over documents that had arrived from a high school I was considering. My father, a licensed hero himself, sat with me in the living room as we reviewed the materials. They were from UA High School—the pinnacle of hero education in Japan.
We paused our discussion when Toga arrived. I began tidying the papers while my father checked his phone. Toga blinked at the documents on the table, then looked at me.
"Koto-chan, are you already thinking about entrance exams? Isn't it a bit early?"
"I thought so too, but the school was rather insistent."
"Ah, right. You're a genius, Koto-chan. So impressive!"
"The faculty is quite eager for our school to produce a UA student. Personally, I find their enthusiasm a bit misplaced."
"That's just how schools are," Toga said. There was a weight of lived experience in her voice; after all, no one at her old school had ever truly "seen" her.
"…Wait," she continued. "Isn't UA in Shizuoka? That's far, isn't it?"
"That is exactly the problem," I admitted with a wry smile. "It's too far for a daily commute, but I'm a bit young to be living on my own."
Distance and age—two physical realities I couldn't simply meditate away. Yet, for my future, UA was the objective choice. Shiketsu was another option, but that was in Western Japan, making it even further out of the question.
My parents were divided. My mother was relatively permissive, suggesting I could handle the independence, but my father was being protective. As a hero, he understood the dangers of the profession better than anyone. I've never been a parent, but I know it is the nature of fathers to worry.
"Sounds tough," Toga mused.
"Yes. But no one is 'wrong' in this argument. We'll find a compromise eventually. The ability to resolve conflict through dialogue is one of the things that makes us sentient beings."
Toga just grinned, her index finger pressed to her lip. She looked as though she had an idea, her eyes drifting upward. I wondered what she was cooking up.
"Hm?"
My father let out a small sound of surprise. We both looked over as a breaking news report flashed onto his screen. It seemed a particularly nasty criminal had appeared nearby. This planet is truly a volatile place.
But something was wrong. Several heroes were visible on the screen, yet none of them were moving. What were they waiting for?