Shinigami Academy: Kendo grounds

See: First steps in the Academy


Here it is! Our very first lesson for today!
I can barely contain my excitement.

What's more, we start with kendo, the way of the sword.
I have so much to learn in this field that I can't help but feeling a bit nervous.

The dojo master shortly arrives. He is tall, broad-shouldered, and proudly wears a spiky white mustache while being bald.
"Welcome, students! This dojo was first created by our revered Commander Yamamoto-dono, hence I hope you shall honor its teachings and carry on its name! I am Shimura Genji, your kendo teacher. Pleased to meet you!"

Such a loud voice...well he oughta impress us brats though...

While he keeps on talking, our kendo master brings forth several rags of bokuto from which we all pick a wooden sword.

"All of you form lines! We shall start with the basics. Everyone, handle your sword firmly and slash forward as I show you! Ich! Nii! San!"

As we all count along with him, he regularly checks on us, correcting a stance here or a grip there.
I can sense Sumiko-chan's presence next to me. Her way of handling the sword shows no sign of hesitation, and even though she barely mumbles the numbers, her slashes display some fearful strength.

So she was waiting for action, huh?
On the other hand...

I try my best to slash in a straight line, yet my wooden blade always drifts on the left.
After a good dozens of moves, I lose my grip, accidently hitting the guy on my left in the line before me.

"Ouch! What was that for, you bastard!? Wanna fight, huh?"
The guy I bruised is tall, slend, and his head is...completely shaven. He also looks way older than most of us.

"I'm sorry man, chill I... er...you OK?" jeez Hiro, stop messin up!

"Heh? You askin' me if I'm OK? No way this weak hit is ever gonna hurt me, Madarame Ikkaku!"

He grabs me by the collar of my kimono with a beastly look on his face. I reflexively grab his forearm with my left hand, ready to set some armlock in motion. "Hey, come on man!" I whisper angrily.

"Brats, cut it out! This practice is not meant to turn into barbaric brawls!" shouts Shimura-sensei.
"Madarame, you better calm down and improve your concentration! ...as for you...Yowaiseishin, is it? Watch what I show you! We've been over this for two hours now! Put some dedication into my training!"
He walks away visibly angry, his mustache spikier than ever.

Madarame looses his grip as I do the same, and eventually goes back to his line while grumping. Next to me, Sumiko-chan hasn't changed her pace in the slightest. Such concentration...is she a demon or what?

After a few more moves and talks about slashing with our spirit, our teacher eventually calls it a day, letting us go back to our class. He promised to set up duels next time. Now I wonder how this will go...

On the way back, I can't help but putting on a grumpy face, clenching my jaw and my fists in the pockets of my hakama. Madarame is not in sight, but I don't exactly wanna bump into him again for the next hours.
Sumiko is still silently walking by my side. Good thing she ain't talkative, cause I'm not in the mood right now.

Our next class should be...Hakuda?
...If that's so...there's no way I'll fail at fist-fighting!

Next: Hakuda grounds. Time to shine?