Post by Kakita Isao on Jun 22, 2024 12:10:06 GMT -5
A young Crane bushi entered the school dojo. For three years he had visited the dojo regularly, usually most mornings before school, and after graduating he found the room empty. His peers and kohai had all left for the summer and the usual sensei that attended the dojo to teach were all gone. He had arrived wearing his iaido uniform - a pair of hakama, kendo-gi, and an obi - with his martial arts bag over his shoulder. He bowed when he entered, set down his bag, and proceeded to gather up his iaito to go through his morning drills. As he attended to his morning ritual - the last of many - he began to reflect on his three years at the school.
In the aftermath of Goemon waking from his dream, much of Isao's time at Rokugan High School didn't change. His first year continued with him being an active participant in the Build Fighters, Iaido, Kendo, Kyujutsu, and Matchmakers Clubs. He focused on his studies, getting straight As each semester. He was a social butterfly who maintained a wide circle of friends — some closer than others. In particular, Kakita Tsuki and Otomo Mako remained his closest friends. He didn't foster many enemies due to his outgoing personality. Mirumoto Noboru became someone he actively avoided once he realized the boy was unwilling to let go of his petty feud. Isao couldn't stand watching someone consume themselves with enmity. The Dragon boy was the only person he might have considered an 'enemy.'
The boy had filled out in three years. Where he was once a short, thin boy of 5'6" or so, he grew taller and put on lean muscle mass. He still had the same boyish good looks and an ever-inviting smile, but a masculine maturity had overtaken him during his last year at the school. After he worked through his warm-up exercises, he moved into his singular kata.
Throughout his time at the school, he befriended multiple sensei including Utaku Hisui, Hida Kumataro, Doji Fuyuko, Ryudo Akane, and Mirumoto Aiko. He continued to be Doji Fuyuko's aide, helping instruct the Iaido 101 courses, and eventually felt confident in thinking Utaku Hisui had not mistaken him as a girl when they first met. He continued to fanboy over Hida Kumataro but actively avoided Otomo Katsumi outside of his required coursework. The Crane was too soft-hearted to want endure her.
His romantic interests ended with Bayushi Nomen leaving at the end of her third year. It hadn't been a real relationship from the start but a passionate blaze that burned up quickly, leaving Isao single. Admittedly, he knew from the beginning it hadn't been a real relationship. When asked if it had been love or lust, he attributed to to having been an infatuation that taught him a few lessons. Otomo Mochihime had never reciprocated his interest so they remained simply friends. She ended up leaving the school that year along with her brother, so that put an end to that anyway. During the summer between his first and second years, so they started dating after several horseback outings, Isao realized Utaku Hitomi still harbored a crush on him. He still thought she was cute so they started dating after an intense night of texting. While Isao was a bit of an incorrigible flirt, when the two were "official" he proved to be a faithful boyfriend.
Isao wiped the sweat from his brow as he thought about all those small moments. Parkouring across the city, riding horseback, and playing games with models. Some were more intense than others. Some were more fruitful endeavors. He couldn't help but smile at how things turned out. He felt like that summer was a pivotal moment in his academic career.
He became the Iaido Team Captain during his second year once Kakita Uetani graduated, leaving him as the next best duelist remaining at the school (that was his biased opinion). He dropped the Build Fighters club that year as he had less time and more school work to attend to (and he was no longer chasing a cute Imperial girl). He also dropped Kyujutsu so he could remain in the Matchmakers club with Otomo Mako, wanting to divert his infectious personality to helping other students find Benten's blessings. Besides, he was spending time outside of the club with Hitomi so he didn't feel the need to chase her there. His friendships with other students waxed and waned: he got closer to Doji Tetsuko, Doji Hoshiko, and Ichiro Priya.
After his kata he took a small break to refresh himself, drinking water from his bottle. He quietly wondered what the club would look like in the coming year without him. Nonetheless, he was sure it would be in safe hands.
During his third year he ended up dropping the Matchmakers Club to focus completely on his swordsmanship and growing pressure from his father to consider his post-undergraduate education. Hitomi and Isao became more serious — Hitomi decided to introduce him to her parents during summer vacation after their second year. So, he introduced her to his mother, who then made it easier to introduce Hitomi to his father. Much to his surprise, his father was receptive to the shy Unicorn girl (who, in Isao's opinion, was far less shy than when they first met). He ceded the Iaido Club Captain to a first year, thinking new blood was what the club needed and he focused on mentoring his kohai. He had also taken private lessons under Fuyuko-sensei as he considered a career in law enforcement as an Emerald Magistrate. Or at least a clan magistrate. He wanted to be the best duelist possible for a future in law enforcement.
After his break, he felt sentimental and sat down, his back against the wall, as he reflected on what was going to happen next. After graduation, he intended to propose to Utaku Hitomi. He had first asked his mother and father how they felt about the potential arrangement and with their blessings he intended to ask her that very afternoon. It was their last day on campus together and since he knew her mother and father were going to be present, it seemed like the best time as any. He just needed to thread the needle on how to navigate getting her parent's approval. Isao was confident the Battle Maiden would say yes.
With a small he packed up his things and headed out...
A few days later...
Isao road the train back to Samui Kaze Toshi, earbuds as he listened to his music, a soft smile on his lips.
Hitomi had agreed to his proposal after a rather public display rendered her painfully red and speechless. Their families agreed to the wedding (but not without Hitomi setting down her foot and finally telling her overbearing parents what she wanted), with her parents agreeing to pay a dowry to the Kakita in exchange for him joining the Unicorn.
A few months later...
His second major visit to Unicorn lands was a permanent one he had not expected three years earlier. After a whirlwind of negotiations, arrangements, and plans, the Crane-Unicorn union was a happy affair. Isao sat on the veranda of his new home in his juban during the dawn where he watched the sun rise across the Unicorn plains. He had traded in blues for purples and inside their room soundly slept his bride. His hair was a mess, he felt a little tired, but he felt strangely content with where life had taken him. He reflected on the rather spirited summer with his newfound nuptials.
Hida Tetsuko, Ichiro Priya, Kakita Tsuki, Otomo Mako, and Utaku Hisui's children took part in the Unicorn tradition of kidnapping the spouse before the wedding. They helped Utaku Hitomi ceremoniously capture Isao, which he had been a big supporter of upholding the Unicorn tradition, which he found, "Very romantic." While there were playful jokes about Isao making a "cute little wife," Isao thought his bride had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Neither one of them were the same people from three years earlier.
Later that summer, on the cusp of fall...
The newfound Unicorn, Utaku Isao, was packing his bags. He had briefly become accustomed to married life as he and Hitomi had honeymooned, and enjoyed some well-deserved time alone - away from servants, expectant family members, and pressing business in the Unicorn provinces. The Crane coast was the perfect reprieve for the two but after talking about their future together, Isao decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a magistrate. He couldn't help but feel nervous since they had only spent a short time together before he was prepared to go off on his next adventure.
With Hitomi's complete support, he left his newly wedded life knowing they'd see each other soon. Besides, they could talk nightly over the phone and he was determined to keep up their romance until he graduated as a fully fledged magistrate.
The train ride to Toshi Ranbo was a quiet one. Hitomi had seen him off at the station after insisting he didn't need to be personally driven to the city. After a hug and a kiss goodbye, the newly minted Unicorn waved before he took his seat. He watched the Unicorn countryside turn into the Lion countryside as the train bustled towards the Imperial City. Already he felt himself missing her as he pulled out his phone and smiled, seeing a message from her.
There were always holidays and breaks to see each other, even if he realized he missed her.
In the aftermath of Goemon waking from his dream, much of Isao's time at Rokugan High School didn't change. His first year continued with him being an active participant in the Build Fighters, Iaido, Kendo, Kyujutsu, and Matchmakers Clubs. He focused on his studies, getting straight As each semester. He was a social butterfly who maintained a wide circle of friends — some closer than others. In particular, Kakita Tsuki and Otomo Mako remained his closest friends. He didn't foster many enemies due to his outgoing personality. Mirumoto Noboru became someone he actively avoided once he realized the boy was unwilling to let go of his petty feud. Isao couldn't stand watching someone consume themselves with enmity. The Dragon boy was the only person he might have considered an 'enemy.'
The boy had filled out in three years. Where he was once a short, thin boy of 5'6" or so, he grew taller and put on lean muscle mass. He still had the same boyish good looks and an ever-inviting smile, but a masculine maturity had overtaken him during his last year at the school. After he worked through his warm-up exercises, he moved into his singular kata.
Throughout his time at the school, he befriended multiple sensei including Utaku Hisui, Hida Kumataro, Doji Fuyuko, Ryudo Akane, and Mirumoto Aiko. He continued to be Doji Fuyuko's aide, helping instruct the Iaido 101 courses, and eventually felt confident in thinking Utaku Hisui had not mistaken him as a girl when they first met. He continued to fanboy over Hida Kumataro but actively avoided Otomo Katsumi outside of his required coursework. The Crane was too soft-hearted to want endure her.
His romantic interests ended with Bayushi Nomen leaving at the end of her third year. It hadn't been a real relationship from the start but a passionate blaze that burned up quickly, leaving Isao single. Admittedly, he knew from the beginning it hadn't been a real relationship. When asked if it had been love or lust, he attributed to to having been an infatuation that taught him a few lessons. Otomo Mochihime had never reciprocated his interest so they remained simply friends. She ended up leaving the school that year along with her brother, so that put an end to that anyway. During the summer between his first and second years, so they started dating after several horseback outings, Isao realized Utaku Hitomi still harbored a crush on him. He still thought she was cute so they started dating after an intense night of texting. While Isao was a bit of an incorrigible flirt, when the two were "official" he proved to be a faithful boyfriend.
Isao wiped the sweat from his brow as he thought about all those small moments. Parkouring across the city, riding horseback, and playing games with models. Some were more intense than others. Some were more fruitful endeavors. He couldn't help but smile at how things turned out. He felt like that summer was a pivotal moment in his academic career.
He became the Iaido Team Captain during his second year once Kakita Uetani graduated, leaving him as the next best duelist remaining at the school (that was his biased opinion). He dropped the Build Fighters club that year as he had less time and more school work to attend to (and he was no longer chasing a cute Imperial girl). He also dropped Kyujutsu so he could remain in the Matchmakers club with Otomo Mako, wanting to divert his infectious personality to helping other students find Benten's blessings. Besides, he was spending time outside of the club with Hitomi so he didn't feel the need to chase her there. His friendships with other students waxed and waned: he got closer to Doji Tetsuko, Doji Hoshiko, and Ichiro Priya.
After his kata he took a small break to refresh himself, drinking water from his bottle. He quietly wondered what the club would look like in the coming year without him. Nonetheless, he was sure it would be in safe hands.
During his third year he ended up dropping the Matchmakers Club to focus completely on his swordsmanship and growing pressure from his father to consider his post-undergraduate education. Hitomi and Isao became more serious — Hitomi decided to introduce him to her parents during summer vacation after their second year. So, he introduced her to his mother, who then made it easier to introduce Hitomi to his father. Much to his surprise, his father was receptive to the shy Unicorn girl (who, in Isao's opinion, was far less shy than when they first met). He ceded the Iaido Club Captain to a first year, thinking new blood was what the club needed and he focused on mentoring his kohai. He had also taken private lessons under Fuyuko-sensei as he considered a career in law enforcement as an Emerald Magistrate. Or at least a clan magistrate. He wanted to be the best duelist possible for a future in law enforcement.
After his break, he felt sentimental and sat down, his back against the wall, as he reflected on what was going to happen next. After graduation, he intended to propose to Utaku Hitomi. He had first asked his mother and father how they felt about the potential arrangement and with their blessings he intended to ask her that very afternoon. It was their last day on campus together and since he knew her mother and father were going to be present, it seemed like the best time as any. He just needed to thread the needle on how to navigate getting her parent's approval. Isao was confident the Battle Maiden would say yes.
With a small he packed up his things and headed out...
A few days later...
Isao road the train back to Samui Kaze Toshi, earbuds as he listened to his music, a soft smile on his lips.
Hitomi had agreed to his proposal after a rather public display rendered her painfully red and speechless. Their families agreed to the wedding (but not without Hitomi setting down her foot and finally telling her overbearing parents what she wanted), with her parents agreeing to pay a dowry to the Kakita in exchange for him joining the Unicorn.
A few months later...
His second major visit to Unicorn lands was a permanent one he had not expected three years earlier. After a whirlwind of negotiations, arrangements, and plans, the Crane-Unicorn union was a happy affair. Isao sat on the veranda of his new home in his juban during the dawn where he watched the sun rise across the Unicorn plains. He had traded in blues for purples and inside their room soundly slept his bride. His hair was a mess, he felt a little tired, but he felt strangely content with where life had taken him. He reflected on the rather spirited summer with his newfound nuptials.
Hida Tetsuko, Ichiro Priya, Kakita Tsuki, Otomo Mako, and Utaku Hisui's children took part in the Unicorn tradition of kidnapping the spouse before the wedding. They helped Utaku Hitomi ceremoniously capture Isao, which he had been a big supporter of upholding the Unicorn tradition, which he found, "Very romantic." While there were playful jokes about Isao making a "cute little wife," Isao thought his bride had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Neither one of them were the same people from three years earlier.
Later that summer, on the cusp of fall...
The newfound Unicorn, Utaku Isao, was packing his bags. He had briefly become accustomed to married life as he and Hitomi had honeymooned, and enjoyed some well-deserved time alone - away from servants, expectant family members, and pressing business in the Unicorn provinces. The Crane coast was the perfect reprieve for the two but after talking about their future together, Isao decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a magistrate. He couldn't help but feel nervous since they had only spent a short time together before he was prepared to go off on his next adventure.
With Hitomi's complete support, he left his newly wedded life knowing they'd see each other soon. Besides, they could talk nightly over the phone and he was determined to keep up their romance until he graduated as a fully fledged magistrate.
The train ride to Toshi Ranbo was a quiet one. Hitomi had seen him off at the station after insisting he didn't need to be personally driven to the city. After a hug and a kiss goodbye, the newly minted Unicorn waved before he took his seat. He watched the Unicorn countryside turn into the Lion countryside as the train bustled towards the Imperial City. Already he felt himself missing her as he pulled out his phone and smiled, seeing a message from her.
There were always holidays and breaks to see each other, even if he realized he missed her.