The New Winds

The schedule called for students to be practicing their 'martial' training during this hour. For those who were martially trained, that probably meant bokken and bruises. For Nobuko, well, it could mean her Kyujustu. But it could also mean preparing herself for physical exercises and sending for Utaku Oichi-sama as she had been told to the previous night.

Nobuko did not hide herself in room away from other students and, instead, found a spot in the courtyard where she could exert herself and not feel like she immediately had to clean up afterwards. This did mean that other students, who might be walking through, could easily come over and join her and Utaku-sensei if they were curious or interested.

For Sakura, Martial training meant...she wasn't sure, she didn't do any martial arts. She knew how to punch and kick, and to run lots, did that count? She didn't seem to be involving herself in other students though, more leaning at the side watching and making notes on a bit of paper.

"Ah, good morning Mina-sans. Do you wish to learn my secrets to staying healthy and beautiful?"

The Utaku sensei was there, ready for her workout, her attire skin tight and quite at odds with normal rokugani clothing.

Nobuko blushed, keeping her eyes down and averted from Otaku-sensei's attire. She looked like she was dressed for the baths at best! But as she was their teacher, Nobuko wasn't going to say anything about it. She had chosen to ask her, after all.

"Hai, Otaku-sensei," she replied firmly, bowing.

Sakura looked confused, looking at herself.

"Ano, this is a beauty class? I thought we were learning athletics?"

The woman lets out a laugh.

"They go hand in hand, Doji-san. Now, shall we begin? Mimic my movements"

And with that, she begins a stretching routine.

Sakura wanted to challenge that - her father was really athletic, but she wouldn't call him beautiful. More ugly and icky. However the teacher had asked for movement mimicking, so she moved closer with a bow and took her place, copying the woman.

Nobuko wasn't interested in beauty training. But the Utaku was certainly most beautiful, so she supposed whatever methods she used to maintain her physique for martial pursuits must have something to it in that regard.

She did not comment on the Doji's presence, but did offer a nod to indicate a polite hello and acknowledgement of her joining the class. She then set out to mimic Utaku-sensei's movements as asked of her. Her focus was on attempting to mimic them perfectly.

Once the stretching finishes, the sensei begins to jog in place

Sakura stopped when the stretches stopped. She looked confused at the standing still jogging, it just looked weird to her. She did her best to copy though, peeking at the Imperial woman as well to see how she was doing.

Nobuko pulled her arms back to her side as the stretching stopped. She, too, was confused by the jogging in place, but began to do so quickly enough. She maintained her focus on the Sensei, not wanting to miss when she stopped the jogging to do something else. Though, admittedly, she was curious if her fellow Kakita-trained Kohai was a confused as she was.

After a time, the sensei picks up her pace, every so often turning quickly with a jump to face a new direction with her hands held up in front of her as if pushing something.

Left....Front...Right...Front....Back....Front...

Any curiosity about the Doji was quickly forgotten as the Sensei picked up the pace and started jumping around. The pattern was easy enough to discern, so Nobuko quickly adapted. She was, however, very worried that due to turning around in place for some of the jumps, she might miss when the Sensei began a new step in the process.

Kazuko tries her best to mimic Utaku sensei's movements, turning every time she does and pushing the air in front of her, huffing slightly with the exertion. She's never realized how much more difficult running can be (albeit in place) when she doesn't get to use her arms to help her, although it feels like her arms are actively working against her instead. Besides, what does pushing air have to do with athleticism and training? If it wasn't for the sensei's attire, she would have thought she had joined the wrong class. She knows that she shouldn't be questioning the sensei's ways but it is a bit embarrassing to be seen doing this, she has to admit.

As Nobuko turns around in place she notices the Kakita for the first time. She had been focusing so hard on what the teacher had been doing that she hadn't even realized another student had joined them. It looked like the newcomer was doing well enough, though. Or it did from the outside.

Nobuko herself wasn't to sure of her own showing. It felt like all her limbs were burning.

Sakura was starting to struggle a little with the pace. She was small, and her stamina was not great, so her breathing was getting more strained as the pace increased. However the tiny Doji didn't give up at any point.

On the last jump forward, the Utaku drops down into a plank position and begins to do push ups.

The sudden drop startled Nobuko and she scrambled to follow, but her descent was far from fluid. She, in fact, seemed to fumble over her own two feet before slowly kneeling down and then stretching her legs out behind her to attempt a push up.

It was not a good push up.

Sakura did not follow at all. She looked entirely confused by this part, not understanding what was going on.

"Why did you fall over?"

Already tired out from the training earlier and the jumping and pushing, she is unable to match the sensei's speed and efficiency at push ups. Well, an attempt was made from her, unlike the other Crane clan member just standing there befuddled. Has she never seen a push up before? How could the Doji take it so easily when she and the Otomo are too out of breath to even talk?