𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗔𝗚𝗘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍 - INTRODUCTIONS

"Hi my name is (L/N) (Y/N)." Awkwardness hung in my nervous tone, my eyes strictly averted as I faced the four — two of familiarity. My voice was low and I spoke very quick, hoping to get this introduction over with soon. I didn't want to humiliate myself more than I have already. My hesitation taking a big part in that.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Kelp."

"I'm glad your doing better."

"I thought you didn't want to be apart of this."

I looked down and cleared my throat. "Yeah..." I swallowed harshly, humiliation already sinking in as my head tilted towards the ground — shame written all over my body language. "I'm sorry." My tone was real and truthful, I looked guilty and shameful — exactly how I had felt at that very moment. I was bowing my head when I spoke with an apologetic undertone. "I'm sorry for doubting you." I began quietly looking intensely at the ground. I knew what I did wrong, I just needed to take ownership of my faults and correct them. "I realize it was my own insecurity — my own fear and doubt. I probably deserved the consequences I was given. It was wrong of me to think you were crazy — I was wrong."

My confession was followed by a silence, my head still turned down as I spoke. I kept my eyes trained on the ground waiting for something — anything — to flinch at from the harshness; I was prepared to be scolded.

"I wouldn't blame you... it's a complicated concept." A hum finally caught my attention, I slowly intended my body and lifted my head a little. The Okkotsu boy wore a soft smile, just barely there but I could see it. "Yeah, I agree, this shaman stuff can get really complex..." The black and white bear — who I still can't believe is speaking — commented with a simple shrug, adding to the obsidian-haired boys words. "The only thing you should feel ashamed of is the part where you called us insane." The green haired Zen'in, leaned her face into the palm of her hand, carelessly sinking into the seat. "Salmon." I looked at the last student, pale blonde hair that puffed up. The students were distinctive...

I glanced to the side, standing alone and against the wall was the ivory haired man, a smile on his face as he sent a thumbs up my way.

"That's not really important anyways... what do you know?" The Zen'in girl spoke leaning off her palm to eye my skeptically. "What...?" I quietly murmured, innocent confusion in my expression and the slight head tilt I held. "I know he didn't tell you anything so what do you know about this work of jujustu, we can start there at the very least..." She shrugged with a bored look on her face, I could, however, tell she was studying me. "I... I don't know anything." Embarrassment settled on my tense shoulders and I averted my eyes.

"Figured."

"Why don't you guys start with a simple spar and then go from there..." Gojo added from the side, his suggestion making the green haired student — now my classmate — sit up a little taller. "That's fine with me." She pushed up her glasses slightly.

"Of course it is, you always leave your opponent on the ground." Panda added pointing out with his paw. The girl addressed crossed her arms sternly and sent a strict glance in his direction. "It's not my fault Okkotsu can't get his steps right." She sent a look to the boy who straightened his posture with a nervous smile.

"Well..." The panda hummed in amusement her glare was sharp and threatening — I'd prefer to avoid that at all costs. Breaking into a soft snicker the Panda stood tall practically unaffected by the girls dense stare. I could only stand silently my demeanor shifting to something more light and calm — just how I liked it to be, though nowadays it was almost rare to have a serene moment. "Don't worry, (Y/N), she won't hit you too hard." Panda sent a thumbs up on my direction. "I'm not sure I'm any more relieved..."

"You have to get stronger somehow." The green-haired girl said blankly. She spoke simply and justified her harshness well, a simple shrug as she looked away unbothered. I thought a little further on her words, I got distracted as they spoke a little more between each other. How would I get stronger? Not just physically but mentally — I know I'm more pessimistic so how can I change that? I want to, at least. What can I do to strengthen myself...?

"Alright! I'm pretty sure (Y/N)'s introduction is over so split into groups and whoever is with (Y/N) won't have to go on an assignment for the rest of the week!" I broke from my trance looking out to the four who glanced at each other. It took a moment for someone to speak up. "I'll stay..."

————

"And... out... again. You really don't know anything." Maki stood over me with a loose posture. She looked down with a huff in her words, she didn't seem tired — I suppose she just wasn't impressed. "Ouch." I slowly pushed myself off the ground with a slight shake in my legs — they hurt from endless attempts in combat, dodging and defending for what felt like all day. "You know what I mean." She simply said stepping back as I rubbed my arm, slightly slouched.

"But, seriously, we've gotta fix that, (L/N)." She added calmly, turning around to retreat to her starting position. I nodded before mumbling out a few words. "(Y/N) is fine..."

She raised a brow turning her head back to me "Well, (Y/N), you're gonna have to work hard if you still want to be standing at the end of a fight." I nodded with a bit of determination in my furrowed brows. I finally opened my mouth to respond when she stood relaxed a little distant. "What's it like... on the field or whatever... fighting and stuff." I specified, curiosity lingering in my words. "Exorcising? It's not very difficult, it depends on the scenario, the grade, and the shaman." She explained with a blunt voice eyeing me without an expression. "Oh..."

"Speaking of which, what grade are you?" She Carrie don the small talk with her own curiosity. "It's not official, but Gojo said I was a grade one — "

"Seriously!?" She interrupted making me nod quickly as she relaxed from her fighting stance.
"Yeah! Is that good? It sounds bad...?" I sweat dropped looking at her with confusion — I couldn't figure out what the title meant. "Right, you don't know anything."