Fuma Kotaro Yuyuko Tanaka/Bond Story

Like his ancestors, the current Fuma Kotaro is skilled at disturbance tactics. He leads his spies around the battlefield, and creates commotion among the enemies.

I Don't Like Action Scenes

Rui:

............

Yuyuko:

Prepare yourself! Haaah!

Yuyuko:

Hiyah!

Rui:

Huh... Yukko, can you stop a moment?

Yuyuko:

...Huh.

Yuyuko:

Hmm. It only took your words to stop Fuma's blade. You're quite skilled.

Yuyuko:

--Anyway, was I doing something wrong?

Rui:

Not so much wrong...but your movements were slightly off.

Yuyuko:

Was I not "keeping my movements to a minimum"?

Rui:

...! Exactly. "Fight scenes look more beautiful when movements are kept to a minimum".

Rui:

I'm glad you remember what I told you before.

Yuyuko:

Of course.

Yuyuko:

I even remember I was touched by how fitting that principle is to me...

Yuyuko:

But at the same time, I couldn't keep up with quick movements.

Rui:

Hmm, that's strange considering you learned the flow of a fight scene faster than anyone else.

Yuyuko:

That's because I'm good at memorizing things. And I guess that's also what's holding me back this time.

Rui:

What do you mean?

Yuyuko:

I think I'm relying too much on my brain. I'm focusing so much on the next move that my movements don't connect smoothly.

Rui:

I see... I guess that makes sense.

Yuyuko:

If I don't improve, I won't be able to become the head of the Fuma clan.

Yuyuko:

I fought so hard to get this role...and Fuma Kotaro will end up being a low-ranking ninja...

Yuyuko:

You've helped me with practice every day, and I've let you down.

Rui:

Don't worry! You've learned all the moves already, so it's only a matter of letting your body act first before your brain.

Rui:

Anyway, let's practice the fight scene until dinner. I'll do the enemy role!

Yuyuko:

No, I'm not at that level yet... I think I'll visualize the moves by myself for a while longer.

Rui:

...You're not planning on sleeping, are you?

Yuyuko:

Of course not. I'll be awake. Well, I might rest my shoulders on some pillows halfway through...

Rui:

Ah! I knew it! And here I thought you were getting serious about it...

Rui:

Hey, how about I wake you up tomorrow morning and we practice then?

Yuyuko:

(Mrrgh... She's persistent even outside rehearsals... When it comes to this, then...)

Yuyuko:

...Ahem! Are you familiar with this story, young lady?

Yuyuko:

Ninja were never good at sword fights.

Rui:

Huh? Oh...that. Apparently.

Rui:

Rather than being warriors, they were more like spies...

Yuyuko:

Exactly! They should work behind the scenes, attacking in the early morning, or creating disturbances in the middle of the night.

Yuyuko:

Besides, they weren't called "ninja" either. They had delightful names like "rappa" or "suppa".

Rui:

Oh yes! Their names changed depending on the area!

Yuyuko:

Indeed! I only know the ones that live in lakes...

Rui:

In lakes...?

Yuyuko:

Huh? Yes, the ones with the green skin, and a bowl on their head...

Rui:

Ah!...A kappa?!

Yuyuko:

Indeed!

Rui:

Heh heh. They only rhyme with each other!

Yuyuko:

I apologize. Let me make it up to you by offering a story about kappa, then...

Rui:

Whoa! Do you even know rakugo stories with kappa in them? I've never heard any...

Rui:

...Huh? Wait, you're just changing the subject!

Rui:

Do you hate morning practice this much...!?

Yuyuko:

...Ngh. So you realized...

Yuyuko:

Here I thought I could make that problem disappear in a cloud of smoke like a ninja...

Rui:

Yukko...

Rui:

Okay, I get it. Call me again when you feel more confident about your movements.

Rui:

I'll help you with practice then.

Yuyuko:

Got it.

Rui:

Do your best, okay? ...And make sure you take breaks too.

Yuyuko:

You saw right through me. ...Thank you, Rui, I will.

Yuyuko:

Okay, then. Now that I'm alone I just have to practice and practice until I refine my moves.

Unseen Efforts

Early Morning

Yuyuko:

*huff* *pant*

Yuyuko:

(--If I don't wipe the sweat off the prop sword, it'll slip out of my hands...)

Yuyuko:

(They should get here in about 10 minutes... That should leave me time for one more try...)

Yuyuko:

...Let's do this.

Yuyuko:

"Like a raging wind, I will punish evildoers with my power."

Yuyuko:

Hiyah! Hyah!

:

*thump*

Yuyuko:

--Someone's here. Time to leave.

:

*clatter*

Fumi:

--Fumi Yumeoji, second year Performance Department, ready to begin!

Rui:

Rui Akikaze, first year Performance Department, ready to begin!

Rui:

...Huh? No one's here. I swear I heard someone...

Fumi:

Maybe it was just your imagination. It's still too early, after all.

Fumi:

Well, I did bump into you...

Rui:

Ahaha. I'm so excited we decided what the next play is going to be. I can't sit still...

Fumi:

I know how you feel. It feels like we never have enough time to practice.

Fumi:

--Speaking of which. How's Yuyuko doing on her fight scene? I heard she was having a hard time.

Rui:

Yeah... I'm still worried about the balance of her axis, but she's got the rhythm down.

Rui:

One more step and she'll be all right.

Fumi:

I see. I'm relieved to hear it.

Fumi:

Oh, could you take a look at my moves as well?

Rui:

O-Of course! I'd be glad to!

Fumi:

Okay, from Act 1 scene 3, then...

Rui:

Right!

Fumi:

HAAH!

Rui:

Hiyah!

Fumi:

"--Ngh! My plan was infallible..."

Fumi:

"I set the horses off, and destroyed your provisions... How could I lose...!"

Rui:

"Humph... That's just how skilled my Fuma clan is."

Rui:

"As long as the Fuma are here, Odawara Castle will never fall!"

Yuyuko:

Hey! That was great!

Yuyuko:

*clap* *clap* clap*

Fumi:

...Huh?

Rui:

Y-Yukko!? How long have you been there?

Yuyuko:

(...Ah, I didn't mean to applaud.)

Yuyuko:

Well, you see...I set my alarm too early this morning.

Yuyuko:

So I did some stretching, and as soon as I had finished I felt incredibly sleepy.

Fumi:

Wait, were you sleeping over there? You're gonna catch a cold that way.

Yuyuko:

Ahaha, sorry. I woke up and saw Onikage and Benikage from "Tales of Onikurenai" fighting each other, so I just thought I was still dreaming...

Rui:

...You never change, do you?

Rui:

I guess it's good you finished stretching already, though. Shall we practice the fight scene together? Fumi-senpai is here, too.

Fumi:

Good idea. I'm curious to see how much you've improved.

Yuyuko:

Ooh, thank you. I'll take you up on that offer.

Yuyuko:

--Let's go then.

Fumi:

...Hiyah!

Yuyuko:

...Haah!

Rui:

Your moves... They're flawless!

Rui:

That's amazing, Yukko! I can't believe you've improved so much in such a short time!

Yuyuko:

Huh, that's weird.

Yuyuko:

Maybe I learned from you two while I was sleeping over there.

Fumi:

(That's not it. This wasn't something accomplished in a few minutes.)

Rui:

(Yukko has been practicing nonstop all by herself...)

Yuyuko:

...Will you two stop staring at me?

Fumi:

...Sorry, I'm just so impressed.

Fumi:

Yuyuko, you killed it. I'm excited to see the final performance.

Rui:

Me too...! I won't let you have all the spotlight!

Yuyuko:

Heh heh...

Yuyuko:

You saw me practicing in the morning? ...You must be mistaken. Maybe you were dreaming...?

Yuyuko:

There are a few documents that describe what Fuma Kotaro looked like. ...He was quite the person - tall and very muscular.

Yuyuko:

And that's not all. Apparently, he also had fangs! I'll have to think about how I'll express this flashy side during the play...

Yuyuko:

If you have some time, I'd like your advice on something. I want to fulfill my role as lead to the best of my abilities.