chapter 24:considering

C'mon, is that all you got? I've seen average humans do better than you." Erika called him out as she stood over him, looking down on him as she gave him a sly smirk. She currently wore a white and green track outfit. Takeshi just returned with a weak smile.

"Ha ha ha...w-well, considering that I'm a Magician in training, I didn't really take in the factor of physical labor...ow..." Takeshi said before wincing upon the soars that his body soon began to feel.

It's been like this ever since Erika decided to stay at his home for a while to go into hiding. After finishing school, he would spend the rest of his afternoon having to endure Erika's training, which Takeshi found himself crashing into bed every single night and feeling the sores in the morning. It didn't help that he wasn't exactly as physically fit as an average athletic person (despite the fact that he ran to school almost every weekday), so he had a very rough start.

Even though he is a patient person to everyone, he begun to question if this was even considered beneficial to him as Azazel claimed. Erika didn't really help in that matters either.

"That's not an excuse. The most obvious weakness for the majority of Magicians is that they really physically weak. I mean seriously, martial artists and boxers can easily beat them down if you take away their magic. I'm simply helping you overcome that weakness. I mean, at the very least, you'd be able to take like a punch or two..."

"T-That's reassuring..." Takeshi commented, still trying to remain optimistic in this situation.

"Well anyways, we're getting you into shape! And until I see an outline of muscle on your body, we'll be continuing this every single day! Come on, we still got like half an hour left before this is all over. Now come on, we just finished 100 push ups and 100 sit ups. Now all we have left is 100 squats and 10km running." Erika told him.

This made Takeshi blink a few times upon what she said in her statement.

"...Wait, isn't that from...?" Takeshi tried to point out, before he yelped as Erika swung down a shinai onto the ground.

"No time for questions! Now is the time to get your ass moving!"

"WAH!"

(Kuoh Academy)

Takeshi gave out a tired sigh as he walked tiredly across school hall. His body could still feel the sores from last night's workout, and he found sitting still in the classroom as valuable time for him to rest his aching body.

Pushing asides his thoughts about his aching body, he wondered what he should do for his entire time at Kuoh Academy. He and Kiyome couldn't spend their time together today due to her being busy with the tennis club. Nobody seems to be seeking his help with their academic studies. Seeing his two main activities gone, there was only one thing for Takeshi to decide on.

"I suppose I should read the latest literature in the library." Takeshi said to himself, deciding that he'll pass the time in the library and enjoy his books as usual.

"You always like to keep your nose in the books, huh Takeshi?" a voice spoke up.

Takeshi blinked upon hearing the voice, before he turned his head to see who it is. His eyes widened a bit when he saw him.

His appearance was that of a young man that appears to be his age. He had shoulder length green hair, green eyes, and an accessory of red goggles on top of his head. Just like any student in Kuoh Academy, he wore the male Kuoh Academy uniform.

Seeing the person before him, Takeshi couldn't help but smile in recognition and elation.

"Lubbock!" Takeshi said with a bright tone as he walked towards the green haired man. Lubbock, in turn, gave a smirk to Takeshi as he raised his fist. Seeing this, Takeshi raised his fist as well. The two met in the middle, and the made a fist bump with each other.

"Long time no see! It's been a while!" Takeshi told his fellow teen with a cheerful attitude.

"Same to you Takeshi. And I see you haven't changed a bit." Lubbock retorted with a friendly tone.

"Just like you and your healthy like for women." Takeshi returned back with a friendly tone.

"True..." Lubbock admitted with no shame, making Takeshi chuckle upon hearing this.

He and Lubbock share a good history together. Back his first year in middle school, Takeshi was nervous and had trouble socializing with others. His late father supported him when he was in his elementary years, but since his father passed away before his middle school years, he didn't have anybody to support him in interacting with others. It gave him a very difficult time in making friends with others, with the exception of Kiyome. But he wanted to make friends of the same gender.

That is where Lubbock came in. He noticed Takeshi's predicament and and loneliness, so he decided to take Takeshi under his wing to sort of say. He was the main reason that he helped Takeshi develop his self-esteem and his skills in interacting with others. Though, it was very fortunate for Takeshi when he avoided Lubbock's rather healthy interest in the female body. Not at the level of the Perverted Trio, but a perv nonetheless.

However, that just made him that lovable perverted idiot, and Takeshi quite enjoyed having a friend like that. Lubbock always did bring excitement in his life.

"So what have you been doing? I haven't seen you since the first day of our first year here at Kuoh Academy." Takeshi asked.

He and Lubbock entered Kuoh Academy at first years. But as decided by fate or whatever higher order, they were assigned different classes and schedules, making them miss each other throughout most of their time in school. And whenever they do finish their time, Takeshi couldn't find Lubbock anywhere after school. So he was forced to attend school without Lubbock being by his side.

Up until now that is.

"