[center] Your own shadow could be a perfect opponent; in the right light. A perfect mimicry of your motions, flowing to match their source with no qualms. The only problem Kazuko had with her shadow was that it couldn't strike back. Those thoughts occupied her now as she let herself strike without focus, aside from the litany echoing just beyond the reach of her ears. [i][color=FFFF00]Right fist, right foot, left elbow, right foot, left fist, right knee, left knee- stop! Take a break.[/color][/i] Kazuko obeyed herself, stopping on a dime; her left knee still lifted, toes pointed downward, as she grappled her shadow's head. Suddenly aware of the other students passing her outside of Aikaga Central High, she continued to breathe; slowly releasing the intangible imitation and uncurling her fingers.

  [i][color=FFFF00]Oh, they saw that...[/color][/i]

 Embarrassment was there, but distant. Kazuko might've colored slightly, but it was probably unnoticeable from the light tinge of her earlier exertions. The air was refreshing, today, at least. Alight with excitement and oozing an enthusiasm that could only be attributed to the start of a new school year. She crossed her arms and straightened her skirt, pulling up her socks a little bit, synchronizing with the world with a few quick glances. The time was uncertain, but judging by the increasingly dense throng Kazuko figured at least thirty minutes had passed since she'd arrived. She wouldn't be heading to class, just yet. Instead she simply watched her peers walk by, offering a smile or wave where appropriate. A nod, here and there. 

  [i][color=FFFF00]I'm watching you,[/color][/i] she would tell some, with a warning glance. True, she wasn't part of anything [i]official[/i] in her dealings with what she might call [i]miscreants[/i]. Maybe [i]delinquents[/i], [i]thuggish churls[/i], or [i]ne'er-do-wells[/i] is what she would choose to call them in some situations. Strangely, she knew a fair amount of words to call [i]evildoers[/i]; most of which she would admit were silly-sounding. Regardless, she dealt with [i]those types[/i] from time to time. [i][color=FFFF00]Yeah, I'm looking at you! Keep walking.[/color][/i]

 That particular aspect of her personality had earned her a few things, few of which were good. The attention of those who actually had the [i]authority[/i] to do something about the problems at hand, but were rarely around when something [i]actually[/i] happened. Others paid mind to her, as well; old rivals, acquaintances, her few friends...and her handful of enemies. The enemies were thankfully scarce, though Kazuko expected that to change before the end of the year. None of those faces had emerged from this small crowd, yet.

 [i][color=FFFF00]That's fine. I don't much want to talk, right now.[/color][/i] She unfolded her arms and stifled a small yawn. [i][color=FFFF00]How long have I been awake? Let's see...it had to have been around...[/color][/i] she lifted her fingers, counting off the hours, [i][color=FFFF00]at least three.[/color][/i] A dream, maybe a nightmare, had roused Kazuko in the late hours of the night and she'd been wide awake sense. [i][color=FFFF00]Kind of funny, I don't even remember what is was about, now...huh...what was-[/color][/i]

 [color=00FF7F]"Kazuko-chan!"[/color] The voice came from her immediate left and was followed by a friendly slap on the back. The impact thudded through her chest, but Kazuko remained firmly in place and fought down the urge to give Saito Ai a light punch in the stomach. [color=00FF7F]"Good [i]mooooorning~![/i]"[/color] Part of the other girl loomed at the edge of her vision, just below her shoulder; half of a smiling face. [color=00FF7F]"How aaaaare you? Why didn't we hang last week, huh? You blowin' me off, again? [i]That's rude[/i]~!"[/color] Ai started laughing and danced into view, all smiles; somewhat literally, the rest of her face was obscured by bangs that seemed to, by design, almost always be in the way...and the [i]probably[/i] manic girl seemed to have an endless supply of big grins.

 [i][color=FFFF00]Damnit, she snuck up on me again! She's getting better at that.[/color][/i] 

 Kazuko smiled, despite that thought. Ai had been her friend for a long time and, if anything, that warranted putting up with her eccentricities. Though it might be obvious to almost anyone that Kazuko didn't just [i]put up[/i] with Ai. [color=FFFF00]"Morning, Ai-chan. Doing pretty well, got to say! Sorry about last week, I completely forgot that we'd made any plans. Hope you can let that slide. I got caught up..."[/color] Ai's grin widened and she leaned forward, rocking on her heels.

 [color=00FF7F]"I know, no big deal! Training! Right, right, right. Wanna go get some breakfast?"[/color]

 She thought it over and gave a gentle shake of her head. Going into the school didn't feel right, yet. There was still a fair amount of time before anything of note began. Eating a gigantic breakfast had also been a factor in making that decision. [color=FFFF00]"How about lunch, instead, if we can? I think I'm going to enjoy the air for a while. Besides, I want to see if I've missed anyone."[/color] Ai nodded, completely understanding her true intentions, and gave her a thumbs up before darting off; yelling after someone else. 

Kazuko smiled gently and resumed her watch.[/center]