Chapter 4: small interaction

Inside a traditional Japanese dojo, the atmosphere is serene, with tatami mats covering the floor, providing a soft and stable surface for practicing martial arts. The walls are adorned with calligraphy and weapons, symbolizing the discipline and history of the art form. Two people stood facing each other. On one side was Takumi, wearing a white jacket and pants tied with a thick white cloth belt. The jacket is long and loose-fitting, with wide sleeves that allow for ease of movement. The pants are straight-leg and reach just above the ankle, with white Tabi socks. On the other side is a tall older woman. She wore the same outfit as Takumi, with the only difference is in the belt that she has is black belt instead of a white one. She has long grey hair tied into a bun and brown amber eyes that shone with experience. Both combatants stand ready, waiting for the first chance to make a move. *Fwoosh* Takumi quickly threw jabs first. His strike was deflected by the palm of an older lady's right hand. She countered with a left jab of her own, which Takumi narrowly dodged out of the way. Takumi threw a flurry of punches, all of which were evaded easily. She quickly dodged them all and counterattacked with punches of her own. *BAM* *BAM* *BAM* Both begin to trade blows with Takumi being the more aggressive, throwing long overhooks from left and right. Trying to land a hit, but it was all evaded or blocked by the older lady. She was calmer and was taking her time to strike throughout the fight. Every so when Takumi would make a mistake by throwing over-extended his hook, she used that moment to counter. Ducking under the hook, she hit him with an uppercut. Recovering quickly, he tries to mix in some kicks as well to increase the chance of winning. He threw a faint shot to create a distraction. As the lady ducked under his fist, Takumi threw a blow by kicking his knees up. *BAM* Seeing this opening, he would charge in for a quick take-down. But as he made a single step forward, he was elbowed in the stomach, causing him to stagger back a step. Using the opportunity, the older lady rushed in and knocked him out. By grabbing the hem of his shirt, she threw him over her shoulder. Takumi's eyes widen as he feels himself being lifted from the ground. In the next moment, Takumi's whole body was slammed onto the floor mat. *SLAM* The sound of his body slamming onto the floor echoed throughout the dojo, as he looked at the ceiling. Lying sprawl across the floor, with heavy breath, sweat covered his forehead. "You did well." The lady praised him. She offered a hand, which Takumi lazily grabbed to help him get up. "Thank you again, master Tomoe." Ms. Tomoe is an elder lady in her late 40s, he first met Takumi 2nd was going shopping. She helped him from being harassed by a delinquent. By 'help', he meant beating them all senseless. It would be like seeing a skilled and buff old man beating up some brats in his old world. After seeing how she was able to fend off those delinquents, he wanted to ask her to teach him in hand-to-hand combat. At first, she was hesitant, but with some begging and "puppy eyes," he was able to convince her to train him. "No problem, kiddo. You're been growing these past few months, this old hag is glad to help you out. And I told you, just call me, Miss Tomoe is fine." She saiđ, ruffling his hair. Getting up, he walked over to use the public shower that the dojo has. Looking at himself in the mirror, he was no longer the flimsy-looking boy. Visible abs can be seen on him, while the rest of his body has gained more muscle. It wasn't as defined as he could hide it under his shirt, and no one could tell he trained in martial arts or that he was strong enough to spin kick the average person. But he was still considered petite when compared to the women who are quite the female version of Sam Sulek. [Daily quest: training martial arts (completed)] [User gains 2 stat points] [ +0.1 to strength] [+0.1 to endurance] 'Stats' [User status] Name: Takumi Nejima Level 2 (22 points) Strength: 18.2 Perception: 22.2 Agility: 13.0 Endurance: 18.4 Energy: 23.0 Luck: 11 (+10 ) The blessing of the gacha goddess. He had been training with Tomoe as his master for a couple of months as of now. By doing so, Takumi had been able to raise his strength and dexterity, along with learning how to fight properly. Plus, the free stats point when he completed his daily [Quest]. All of which he is saving. Walking out, Takumi had changed to his normal clothing, with a wet towel on his head. "So, how am I doing? Is it good enough to learn sword fighting yet ?" "Hahaha, kid, I have told you before. The day I teach you how to use a blade is when you could beat me." "Ugh, so you're saying that you'll never teach me." His response causes Ms Tomoe a hearty laugh. Takumi could have won if used any curse technique or activated any of his skills. He could beat her. But he just wasn't comfortable doing so, it would be like cheating. And because of the way he was raised, Takumi has trouble hitting a woman in the face. Not that he can't, but unless the person deserved it or if he has to. Takumi would try to avoid hitting them in the face. And he guessed ms Tomoe wouldn't want a boy to use a sword either. "You know, kiddo. You're the only boy I've ever met who's so into training martial arts." "More than the other guys ?" Tomoe Dojo is where she taught many students martial arts, and Takumi was among the students who came here often. A few of them are also male, training for self-defense. "Yeah, but the difference is those kids lack the determination like yours." "Plus, they don't get to learn after class like me, right ?" "Yeah, that too." His carefree, open,e,n and gentle personality, which comes to talking with girls, made him quite popular among them. To the girls at the dojo, he was the equivalent of a tomboy. Or.....is it Tomgirl? "Ah, it's time already. Sorry, ma ster, I gotta go now, see you again tomorrow." He said, looking at the time displayed on his wristwatch. He would hug Ms. ToMo before exiting the dojo. "Be safe out there, kiddo!" Tomoe reminded him even as he left. "I will, goodbye." Heading outside to the crowded street, he started walking to the next place he had in mind. Living in this world for a long time, Takumi gradually adapted to this new world. And interacting with people here made him feel...real. Reading from the manga, the world of JJK is not about normal people. As the story is focused on the cast and the curses. The normal folks are usually left out, but after living among the so-called normal people, Takumi realized this world is just as real as he is. Socializing, making bonds with them, to the main cast, these people might as well be background characters. But he felt real, to Takumi, all of them felt real. That's why he wants to grow to become stronger. Not only to survive, but to keep what he values safe. Remembering Takumi's first [Quest], it was the day that he met Tojiko. When he touches her hand. The system notifies him of his first [Quest]. [Questline started: She who left it all behind.] By completing each quest mark in the questline, users can gain rewards that are related to the corresponding character in the questline.. *Each decision the user makes will affect that character's fate*