Post by Merlot Ayano on May 25, 2017 13:23:55 GMT
The majority of the Ayano’s trained at our of the family’s many schools around Japan. Merlot was no different; she had learned from her aunts, cousins, and uncles. However, in her mind, that wasn’t enough. Once she felt she’d learned the basics from kinsmen, she enrolled in a local Osaka wrestling program. Zero/FOUR—it was a moderately known wrestling dojo that was located about fifteen minutes from Merlot’s parents’ house. She could have picked another dojo, a more well-known one. However, those well-known dojos didn’t have Natsuko Aimi.
Natsuko Aimi was one of Japan’s first female shoot fighters. She had a passion for training, a lust for competition, and an addiction to violence. She was stern and as tough as nails; and that’s what Merlot immediately took notice of. She craved that structure, and hoped to develop some of that “hardness” in her own self.
While she’d never publicly admit it, Sensei Aimi had a bit of a soft spot for Merlot. She loathed most of the Ayano family; she often viewed their wrestling as disorganized and distasteful as a whole. However, she appreciated Merlot, more so because Merlot craved the structure and discipline that she offered at her dojo. That willingness to grow and improve, it softened the woman’s heart.
Nonetheless, she never took it easy on Merlot. In fact, it was well documented that Merlot was treated more harshly than some of the other students. Sensei Aimi saw it as “tough love.” She knew that many people had similar feelings about her family, and she wanted Merlot to be able to withstand the rain, so to speak. Additionally, she saw how great Merlot could become.
Zero/FOUR’S normal training schedule consisted of:
1. 100 push-ups.
2. 175 sit-ups.
3. 250 squats.
4. A 2-mile run.
5. 30 minutes worthy of heavy bag work.
6. Itami no michi
Itami no michi—translated to “Pain’s Road” in English. Every Japanese dojo had a different name for it, but the concept and principles behind it were the same. As a wrestler, a person’s body must endure insurmountable amounts of pain. To fortify that endurance, students are treated to a liberal helping of pain each day. Sometimes they were slammed for hours, sometimes they were chopped until the chests began to bleed. Other times, they were stretched and bent.
Every Japanese student hated that portion of the training. However, it was one portion of Japanese tradition probably would never change. It was seen as a right of passage—and if you didn’t earn that right, you weren’t deemed a true wrestler.
. . .
“Come on, come on!” Merlot Ayano screamed inside her head as she lay on the mat. A few meters away stood a bull of a woman named Moe Haruna. She has a veteran, and a friend of Sensei Natsuko Aimi; therefore, she often came in to help her run drills. The woman wickedly licked her lips as she stared down at the fallen Ayano. She was Merlot’s training partner for the day. Although, the words abuser and tormentor would be more apt.
Merlot slapped on her left knee with a bit of force. It had gone numb due to a succession of checked leg-kicks from Moe. A while it may have been painful, she would have gladly welcome numbness in other areas of her body. Her midsection burned and crackled each time she breathed in—likely broken ribs as a result of a gut buster early on in the session. An armbar had caused a shooting pain creeped up her left arm.
...In short, Merlot was worse for wear. However, she knew there was no giving up.
“You’re a piece of shit, Ayano!” Moe yelled in Japanese from the other side of the ring. “I’ve been coming here week after week to kick your ass, and you always put up the same miniscule fight. You’re family is weak; you’re weak.” She let out a small laugh. “Look at you, struggling to get up. You’ll never make it. Not in this dojo; and definitely not there in the industry.”
By sheer force of will, Merlot had made it to a knee. She then scooted herself into the corner turnbuckle area. She breathed slowly and deeply as she glared at Moe. While she was in great pain, her ears weren’t broken or clogged.
Moe gave a wayward glance to Natsuko, who was watching from outside the ring. She remained stoic and stone-faced as she watched them both.
“No need to worry though,” Moe said. “I’ll put you out of your misery right here and now.” With a burst of incredible speed, Moe shot herself into the ropes and rebounded towards Merlot. As she approached, she lifted her leg with the full intent of driving her right knee into the Ayano’s skull.
“No...no…NO!” Merlot shouted in her mind. With a miraculous surge strength, she rolled forward as Moe blazed by her. The veteran’s knee violently crashed into the turnbuckle pad.
As she rolled through, Merlot as able to make it to her feet. She turned, lept into the air, and clocked Moe with vicious forearm strike. Moe’s eyes widened a bit; the blow surprised her.
However, Merlot was not finished. She pivoted as soon as her feet touched to mat. She swung her arm behind her and caught Moe with a nasty rolling chop to the neck. Instinctive, the veteran clutched the side of her neck. But before she could do a thing, a headbutt from Merlot dropped her to the mat.
As saw watched her opponent prone and hurt, something clicked in Merlot’s mind. Maybe it was rage, or perhaps it was just revenge—either way, her brain told said “hurt her.”
Merlot grabbed ahold of the top rope, in order to keep her balance. She then proceed to deliver a stiff kick to Moe’s chest. She should have stopped. Moe lay slumped in the corner. She should have stopped. Her fellow students all had looks of concern on their faces—but Merlot couldn’t see them; she was blinded. She should have stopped. Instead, she kept kicking. Each kick was more stiff and severe than the last. She couldn’t stop.
She felt something grab her by the arms and yoke her up. She turned her head slight and realized that she’d been restrained by her sensei. “Merlot.” She kept struggling. “Merlot! That’s enough.” Natsuko pulled her back just a bit. “You proved your point.”
Her body relaxed slightly. Her nerves began to calm a bit. However, she still glared at Moe. Likewise, Moe glanced upward.
“You will never disrespect me, or my family ever again,” Merlot said. Her tone was stern, and almost ominous.
“Merlot, Hit the the wash room,” Natsuko said. “Training is finished for the day.” She paused to think. “In fact, everyone hit the wash room.”
As the students left the training area, Natsuko shooked her head at Moe.
“That was foolish, Moe-chan.” She let out a small sigh. “Merlot has her quirks outside the ring. However, she is not like most students. She will only take so much abuse and disrespect. And then, she will hurt you—you know that now, I’d assume.”
“She’s got some ‘Fighting Spirit’ in her after all, hmm?” Moe chuckled a bit. “Good.”
Natsuko shook her head as she offered her friend her hand.