flowers bloom 。

          a hum of confirmation was all the girl received in return to her inquiry, though gold irises did not stray once from her form even in a blink. takehiko watched her process the hypothetical posed, and could sense the acknowledgement of what a benefit it could bring her. it went without saying: were nobara to discover the key to reverse-cursed techniques, she would become an asset in a capacity greater than a sorcerer of semi-first grade or higher … to such a degree that her value would be unquantifiable.

          much as it would be an undeniable benefit to the woman directly, takehiko would swear she feels a headache blooming with the politics that could surround the young woman from the elders scrabling overtop one another at the genesis of her unlocking such an ability.

          no power was gained without a hurdle, after all.                – there would be time to contemplate particulars at a later date.

          “good.” nobara’s consideration of the requirement for her technique, and how she tended to act upon finding her back closer to a wall than not was beneficial. at the very least, she was aware of herself / her preferences… it brought her the ability to think before moving. “it sounds as though you would take readily to jiu-jitsu.” ironically, one of the koryuu she was limited to simply knowledge of, rather than in. “it may prove to be beneficial for you in the future as well, in addition to your apparent predisposition for similar methodology.”

          there was a pause. “let me explain: do you expect you’ll get much bigger?” it was not a question meant to insult, though it conveyed the special grade’s expectation that the teen would not. “jiu-jitsu’s philosophy is to yield to the force of your opponent rather than attempting to overwhelm them with your own. in doing so it enables you to manipulate your opponent’s force and turn it against them, bringing their balance to your mercy, as well as their ability to resist your counterattack.” for one who became evasive or defensive, and could generate less force than her male counterparts (without any party using cursed energy), the reason for the elder’s suggestion seemed self-explanatory.

          “this koryuu builds upon movements you described … takedowns, throwing, joint-locks, chokeholds, leg-sweeps, etcetera. it was initially developed for unarmed individuals to combat samurai of feudal japan. i believe it would allow you to build upon the skills you already have … polish and shape an uncut gemstone, if you will.”

   If she would have been the more gullible and naïve girl as she was before, Nobara would have argued, just like how she would have bickered with her grandmother whilst she passed on her technique. Many lessons never truly stuck back then, as once, she would have thought her abilities enough. Some of the stronger curses her little village presented were somewhat challenging, but she had always pulled through, - and Nobara was never the kind who thought humbly of herself. Technique or no technique, she would simply quash anything that would hinder her, whether she’d live through or not, it never truly mattered. 

   After all, her reason for enrolling wasn’t to be stronger (or at the very least, it wasn’t her priority). The younger sorceress knew she was capable, and she knew well to focus on what she can adapt to to enhance her abilities. However, Tokyo gave her an ice-cold realization of much larger threats she’d have to face. Whilst meeting the people who she now would take as ‘friends’ came as the greatest turn-about in her way of thinking. Protecting her own is in all intents futile given her technique, but protecting the people significant to her had set the bar higher. 

    — and so she takes in every point made by the special grade attentively, and sometimes, confusingly. 

    ❛ Jiu-jitsu, huh? ❜ She echoed amusingly. It was something she heard, knew, and apparently, unknowingly practiced. ❛ I know what I do is some form of it but I’m not sure if it’s proper. ❜ The student admits. It was something that she just.. do. 

   She’d almost frown when Takehiko pointed her size. ❛ I’m still growing — ❜ she muttered, voice lowered as the younger grumbled to her own pettily. Despite the fact, she couldn’t imagine toppling anyone like Kyoto’s pineapple gorilla. Reflecting on the thought, Nobara nods. This time, with more enthusiasm, - a fervour that surprised her. Never has she craved to train for something this much. ❛ I — I want to learn it Takehiko-san! ❜ She stutters shyly, putting herself under anyone’s guidance wasn’t her forte.