What Rules Cannot Hold (A Naekusaba story)

Chapter 3

The bell finally rung. Makoto encountered Mukuro earlier and told her that he would be in the gym for the training. He did some stretching beforehand, unsure what else he could do to prepare for his training, but he was willing to experiment with anything that would lessen the chance of him disappointing his new short-term coach. An odd change distinguished Mukuro from her former self; ever since they spoke in the canteen about Nagito's idea, the girl became a continuous presence in his life and each time fortune found a way of bringing them together. Makoto did have brief conversations with her before, but things between them never grasped their current state. He mused whether Junko could've been a cause of this, but he didn't have any leads to substantiate his suspicion. 

Only Sakura and Nekomaru were in the gym, training avidly, almost unaware of Makoto's presence after they greeted each other. Makoto sat on a bench and waited, rubbing the back of his head and hands interchangeably, stressed that he would embarrass himself in front of Mukuro or that she wouldn't come. Thankfully, it was not too long after these thoughts that he heard someone enter the gym, greeting Sakura and Nekomaru with great courtesy. 

''Hello! Thank you once again for coming!'' Makoto said, nearly tripping up on his untied shoelace. ''Oh well, that's not a good start.'' 

Mukuro giggled, shaking her head. ''It's fine, but promise me that you'll be more careful. I've got some weapons here, after all.'' She said, lying down the two large cases, one much longer than the other, and opening them up. Makoto froze, unsure if he was surprised or terrified. The shorter case was brimming with a great selection of knives - many of which he was seeing for the first time in his life; the longer case contained a carbine and a pistol. It was an impressive assortment for a teenage girl to have, notwithstanding the fact that she was an ultimate soldier. 

''Are these weapons really necessary?'' Makoto asked, most of his concern resting on the carbine, fearing that it would be too unsafe for him to even grasp the weapon. 

''It's your choice. I brought the guns because they'd guarantee you the most safety,'' Mukuro said, her former liveliness giving way to shyness that tinted her face with a blush. She looked adorable. Makoto looked back at the weapons to prevent a similar redness from affecting him. 

''Why don't we start with the knives? I'll probably get the hang of using them more quickly than with the guns,'' he said. 

''Which one would you like to start with?'' Mukuro asked, kneeling by the case. 

''Let's try this one.'' Makoto pointed at the largest knife. Its blade was very wide and long, so he thought that it must be the deadliest of them all. 

''This is a bayonet knife,'' Mukuro said, moving the knife at different angles after taking it out to show Makoto means of using it when defending oneself. ''They're usually attached to rifles and are a good last resort when you want to defend yourself in close combat. I think this one might be more useful.'' She took out a knife that looked similar, although its quillon was more refined and the blade was sloped. 

''Why is this one better?'' 

''I prefer it. The clipped ending of the knife makes dealing with your opponent easier.'' Mukuro said, further explaining the functions and utility of the remaining knives. Makoto was impressed by her descriptions that distinguished the most minute details between blades that to him looked the same, moreover how these small differences were to be accounted for in combat.