The evening came like a warm caress. The practice room had transformed into something that looked more like an improvised reception room. Little lights suspended above like little artificial stars, a couple of speakers blasting lo-fi music, and a few snacks scattered on the rough wooden tables.
Everything seemed to say: "we really get to know each other here."
I was sitting next to Maki, legs crossed, while Panda returned with a bowl of popcorn almost bigger than him. Yuta was fiddling with a projector to show an old anime and... there, silent in the corner, was Toge, with his sweatshirt still up and his eyes slightly closed.
<< Ok, now that our Rebecca is officially one of us... we have to put her through the wringer! >> Panda exclaimed, chewing.
<< I'm ready. >> I replied, crossing my arms with a proud smile.
The questions came like a river in flood.
<< How does the European school work in Europe? >>
<< What kind of curses do you deal with there? >>
<< Have you ever seen a vampire? Like... A real one? >>
<< Have you ever ridden a Vespa? >>
<< Have you ever made homemade pizza? >>
<< Do Italian ghosts speak Latin? >>
We all burst out laughing, even Maki, who usually kept the most serious look of the group.
<< No, no ghosts in Latin. But yes, I made pizza. Badly, though. >>
<< What are the teachers like there? >> Yuta asked.
<< Very formal. Principal Viviani looks like he stepped out of a Fellini movie. >>
Panda nodded, deeply impressed.
<< I don't know who Fellini is, but I trust him. >>
Smiles.
<< What shocked you the most when you arrived in Japan? >> Panda continued.
<< The amount of vending machines. And the fact that there's a talking Panda in my classroom. >>
<< Touchè. >> Panda said, with a pat on the thigh.
<< But is it true that you use techniques based on natural elements? >> Maki asked, sternly.
<< Yes, we have techniques that are very much based on ancient symbolism. Each school has its own tradition: some are linked to fire, others to ice. I... use light and pressure. I manipulate energy to channel it with direct impact. More or less. >>
Panda raised a paw.
<< Translated for normal pandas? >>
<< I make things explode. >> I said, smiling. General laughter.
The voice of the music filled the spaces between the bars. Suddenly, I heard a small tap next to me. I turned around.
Toge was handing me a can of cold green tea, still closed. His eyes were not looking for anything, but offering everything. I took it with a small bow.
<< Thank you, Toge. >>
<< Tuna mayo. >>
It was a "prego", perhaps. Or something more intimate.
There was an exchange of glances. Brief. Restrained. But heavy.
His gaze rested on me like a light weight. I smiled. And he, without moving anything but his eyes, seemed to smile inside me.
<< He's studying you, you know? >> Maki murmured, leaning towards me.
<< Him? >> I said, feigning surprise.
<< Yes. With the calm of someone who reads an interesting book. And doesn't want to get to the last page too quickly. >>
I blushed slightly, looking down at the can.
<< Do you fancy a duel of honor? >> asked Maki, raising a bamboo stick.
<< Now? >>
<< Now. So we can see if you really are the best in Europe. >>
I stood up, stretching my arms.
<< So, let's see if you really are the most stubborn in Japan. >>
The boys whistled in unison. Panda exclaimed: << The bets are on! >>
As I walked away with Maki towards the training tatami, I turned around once more. Toge was still there, standing. His eyes fixed on me.
No words. Just presence.
And I, without really understanding why, began to think that his silence was becoming one of my favorite sounds.
---- Desires under the skin...-------
The training room was bathed in a soft light, as if even the building knew we were just... playing. Maki had thrown me a shinai – bamboo sword – with a look that didn't leave much room for refusal. And I had caught it in mid-air, smiling.
<< No cursed techniques. Just body and stick. >> she said.
<< Perfect. I don't want to traumatize you right away. >>
Yuta and Panda had positioned themselves at the edge of the tatami, ready to act as unofficial judges. Toge was standing, silent next to the wall, his hands behind his back. He was observing. Always attentive. Always present.
Maki attacked first, her thrust firm and precise. Her shinai was an extension of her body, aimed at my side. I dodged with a twist, my left foot sliding into the grass to absorb the momentum. My open palm created a pulse of air that deflected the attack just in time.
<< Faster. >> Maki muttered, charging again.
She threw three consecutive blows at me: high, low, medium. I dodged the first two, blocked the third by crossing my wrists. I felt my bones vibrate. But I held on.
I hit her with a side kick: fast, precise, but Maki grazed it and reacted immediately, grabbing my leg and spinning me to the ground. I used the momentum to do a back flip and land on my feet. The ground shook with our footsteps. The lights flickered.
Toge was tense. I could see him out of the corner of my eye. Every time she hit me, she tensed a little. Panda stood up, cheering.
<< YES!! Come on Rebecca! Go Maki! Break everything! >>
Yuta smiled slightly.
<< It would be like watching two hurricanes slap each other. Beautiful. >> he said.
Maki and I stared at each other again. Her breath was short. Mine too. But neither of us wanted to stop. She made a fake side attack. I fell into the trap for a moment, her shinai was about to strike. But.... With a fluid and instinctive movement, I grabbed her weapon with both hands, spinning on myself to take advantage of her own momentum. Maki lost her balance for a second.
That second was enough.
I pushed her with a twist of my hips. A sharp, concentrated movement. She stepped back, stumbled. She fell on her back. I positioned myself on top of her, with her shinai aimed directly at her throat.
Silence.
Maki snorted.
She slipped from under my legs and with a split and a somersault, managed to free herself from my grip. She launched herself like an arrow, precise, ruthless, with her bare hands. I blocked her by a hair's breadth. Her arms grew heavy, her knees tense. The rhythm increased, rapid movements, short breaths, feet sliding on the floor.
I had fought in Europe. A lot.
But this was another dance.
She was powerful, but elegant. I was fluid, but sharp.
The minutes passed quickly, but neither of us gave in. There were no falls from that moment on. Only sweat and shortness of breath. And a subtle, vibrant energy that made those who watched us smile.
Finally, Panda raised her hands.
<< Tie! >>
<< Tsk... you're tough. >> said Maki, rubbing her shoulder.
<< You too. I like you. >>
We shook hands respectfully. Tiredness on our bones, fire in our eyes.
It was Panda who broke the silence.
<< And now... it's time for the stars! >>
<< What? >> I asked, still out of breath.
Yuta chuckled: << Every time a new student arrives, the first evening ends like this. You choose the paper stars, you take one, you make a silent wish... and then you blow out the candle. Simple. >>
Panda took out a small bag. Inside, many handmade origami stars. Gold paper, silver, a few touches of red.
Everyone took one.
Even Toge.
I looked at it, my little star. It wasn't perfect. But beautiful, with slightly creased edges, like someone who has been on a long journey.
Maki held it to her chest for a moment. Yuta closed his eyes for a strangely long time. Panda twirled it on his fingers. And I... I looked at mine, and whispered in my heart: "I would like to feel at home, here. "
I only realized at that moment that Toge was looking at me.
Her candle was already out.
The desire, already made.
He was staring at me with such pure intensity that it took my breath away. There was no need for words.
Maybe, his desire also had something to do with me...
And with the idea of staying.
Our eyes met again, still, strong, as if we had found ourselves in a space that did not exist for anyone else.
A small moment.
An eternal moment.
The night had now completely fallen, and I...
I felt lighter.
As if someone, somewhere, had really listened to that desire of mine.