Chapter 2: Let's Learn Karate

Your karate skills are marvelous, Tatsuki!

You step into your opponent's range so fast, and your punches are so swift. I have to admit, watching you practice was inspirational!

Haha, thanks.

Are you serious? How long do you plan to keep on kissing up to people?

Ahem!

Tatsuki actually won second place in the nationals.

What's the nationals?

It's like a big contest where high school students from all over the country compete to see who's best at their sport.

So in other words, you're the second strongest karate fighter in Japan? That's amazing!

Well, I've been practicing since I was a kid. And I do like the sport, so I'm sure that helps.

Man, if my arm wasn't broken that day, I could've totally been first place.

I think second place is still amazing!

Tatsuki! Would you mind teaching me some of your karate skills?

Sure, if you really want to.

I would love to!

All right, then. Let's begin with a light warm-up.

You know, you've got potential, Rukia.

Ooh, you think so? Hehe, I'm glad to hear that.

Yeah! I trained under Tatsuki for a short while, but I think you're picking up the moves really fast.

Speaking of training, Ichigo used to practice with us too.

We all trained at the same dojo when we were kids.

Oh, my! Is that so?

Yeah, he was really weak though. I remember he'd always cry because he'd lose to me.

Shut up. It was a long time ago.

Then why don't we have a little match, Ichigo?

What? Why do I have to fight with you?

Not to mention, you might have a hard time keeping up that fake personality of yours.

Oh, you think so? Well, I think you're just scared I'm gonna make you cry. I mean, it's fine. I won't force you to fight me.

Ugh, fine! You want me to fight, I'll do it. Would that make you happy?

Hey, you're not bad.

Heh, I won't lose to someone who just started learning.

Let's go for round two.

*Grumble*

Teehee! Sorry about that.

Somehow, I got really hungry watching you two fight.

You know, I'm getting kind of hungry myself.

There's a café near the train station that has a special seasonal menu out right now. It looked really good when I walked by.

Well, let's go there, then.

Ichigo and Rukia, you guys should come too.

Uh, but we're...

You can do that some other time. Come on, let's go!

Hey, wait a minute! Are you running from our fight, Ichigo?

I'm not running from anything. What's the point in sticking around? I'm hungry too. We'll save this for later.