Moving On Up[Ajora, Hiroe]

Dreams didn't achieve themselves without effort, and though the achievement part of the equation wasn't quite a reality, that didn't stop Hiroe from working tirelessly until she hit it big. Outside of a particular moment in time, that was a commonplace activity in her life. Something she never lost sight of. There was something she had been losing sight of, though, and that was activity regarding one of her beloved friends in the Academy. Ajora. It had been a long time since they spoke, and Hiroe didn't particularly feel right with being completely absent in that woman's school life.

After all, she served as a great repellant towards those who gravitated toward her like moths. Furthermore, part of her genuinely wanted to see how she had progressed on her own path. Prodigious as she was, she held no doubt that she was far more advanced on the progress scale than she was, but that didn't matter to her one bit. To be honest, that only made her all the more happier. Traversing the halls of the academy, Hiroe observed her surroundings, darting and moving along different hallways until she chanced at a location she believed Ajora would occupy during a school day. Would it be the library perhaps?

Ah, in typical Ajora fashion, she appeared right beside her as if she were there to begin with. In typical Hiroe fashion, she was startled ever so slightly, but it hid it as well as she could manage, stifling the embarrassment in her expression with a pout. Of course, any further shame, let alone a retort, was sort of compromised when she posed a curious question her way that threw her off. Dates? Well, there was one time or two with Kaito, but how did she know that? ...No, of course she'd know that. It was hard to hide anything from her for long. Sheepishly she chuckled, playing the role of the oblivious to see how she even got that information.

"Haha... Dates? I haven't been on any dates recently. Are the female students spreading rumors about me or something?"

"H-hey! That's not what I meant, I was just asking---nevermind, forget I said anything."

Crap. Hiroe's strategy was a total failure. Her ploy was turned on its head, and now she wondered whether Ajora was genuinely going to beat him up again. The fact that she said she already beat him up to begin with had her fumbling around for an answer. When did those two even meet!? And why didn't anyone tell her about it? A lot happened since they all spoke, but she shouldn't be surprised. Sighing softly, she shook her head as she nodded with a grin. Good spirits was a pretty apt term.

"Heck yeah. I finally got over that mental hump the last time we spoke. Oh, and I've lucked into having two of the stronger shinigami in Soul Society as my instructors. One a current captain, the other former. And last but not least..."

Hiroe flamboyantly wrapped her sword around her hilt, posing as though she were auditioning for the role of a runway model, flashing her zanpakuto before the woman's eyes. She was certainly proud of the next few words that left her lips.

"I learned both the name and base ability of my Zanpakuto! Pretty cool, huh~?"

"I'm not interested in actively dating anyone at the moment. You aren't wrong there. We just went on one date. Even so, sheesh, Ajora... give the guy a break. He's trying his best just like me and you. Not everyone is a cool prodigy who just makes things look and appear as if they come natural to them."

Hiroe found herself a little shocked at Ajora's opinion on Kaito, part of her wondering just how much of this had been expressed to Kaito in person given her typically blunt and critical nature. She wasn't exactly shy about sharing her opinion, and that made Hiroe wonder about what else she shared in their conversation. To be fair, Ajora was right about one thing. Dating never really crossed her mind. Her one overarching goal always at the forefront of her thoughts, she never humored the idea of mixing the two together. Not until she was a little closer to her dream. After that, who knew?

"Thank you, thank you. I do try my best~"

When the subject turned its focus back to her, Hiroe maintained her grin as she transitioned wholly into the the conversation about her success. Obviously, she was flattered as almost anyone would expect. One could say she was on cloud nine. Thus, every word about Ajora's expectations had her beaming with pride.

Of course, her expression grew curious at the woman's proposition. After taking a few moments to stroke her chin and think it over, Hiroe clapped her hands together with a nod of her head. She had been meaning to try her techniques out on a live-action opponent, specifically ironing out any kinks and developing a nuance in her technique.

"You've got yourself a deal. Fair warning, though. I'm not going to hold back."

She declared confidently, flexing her arm as she eyed the closest courtyard to train in. Of course, she was no fool. Ajora was a prodigy for a reason. Someone she thought highly of in every sense of the term. She oft made things look so easy...

A sheepish chuckle exited Hiroe's lips at imagining the thought of Ajora putting Kaito through the ringer, her tone alone filling the woman with worry as to what rudimentary kido training entailed under her tutelage. Reserving for those thoughts for a future conversation, she maintained her focus wholly on her task at hand--the spar with her friend, Ajora. The extra praise certainly buttered her spirits up, but she had to remain diligent around Ajora. Outside of the training class environment, Hiroe had never really cultivated a feel for the inquisitive woman's way of combat.

"Of course. Confidence is the name of my game! I'll definitely beat you if your not careful. Although, I think I got my work cut out for me. I think this might be one of our first few times we've actually and honestly fought one another. Even so, don't go easy on me! Give it everything you've got, just like I will."

She imagined something seamless, movements that came as natural as it was to breathe--or perhaps something fierce and efficient, economical strides that left her opponents wondering where and how she attacks. All of them seemed like viable conjectures. Even so, Hiroe had to be prepared for the unexpected. Her instructors have told her repeatedly what it means to stick to closely to one prediction or another.

"Let's make it a serious match. Holding anything back would kinda' take the excitement out of it, no? Adversity breeds difficulty, and difficulty breeds inspiration... or something like that. Let us begin, then, shall we?"

Stroking her chin, she supposes that battle scars are proof of one's effort. As such, she nods her head, moving toward the opposite side of the courtyard. Inhaling and exhaling in a rhythmic pattern, Hiroe wraps her fingers around the hilt of her zanpakuto, golden eyes observing the woman in preparation. Part of her contemplates biding her time to allow her the first strike, believing it more conducive to observe her technique.

The superior thought cries out for an attack, and so giving into it, Hiroe, her speed elevated by shunpo, darts forward---vanishing and reappearing before Ajora to swiftly execute a horizontal stroke across her belly. The blade extended far, but not so far as to hinder her movement in preparation for a follow-up technique.