“Nyeh… do I have to?”
Tenko frowned, and it was a great, big frown. Disapproving in a way she never was; Himiko Yumeno shrunk against it.
“Himiko-chan, you have to do some exercise!” She scolds. “It doesn't have to be Neo-Aikido if you don't want to, but it has to be something!”
“But it's such a pain.”
“Aikido isn't a pain!” Tenko chopped her hand in the air enthusiastically. “It's a way to protect yourself! To express yourself! To move your body and get out there!”
“And that's,” Himiko imparted with a glare, “A pain.”
Tenko sighed, finally softening her energy to sit down next to her. “Himiko-chan… even if things are a pain, sometimes you gotta do them. They're good for you. That's how they become less of a pain.”
“Nyeh…”
“You… always seem to shut everything down. Shut off your feelings. But you don't have to do that, Himiko. It's not good for you! My philosophy is to feel what you're feeling, no matter how intense, in the moment! To live in that moment! To feel honestly and purely and true! I know it's scary, but it's worth it. To feel what you do, and make an earnest effort even when it's tough. And I'm sure Himiko-chan can do it, because she's the cutest, bestest most adorable mage in the world!”
“...”
“So please, Himiko… won't you try? It doesn't have to be Neo-Aikido. But something.”
With a sigh, Himiko stood. “I… don't know about Aikido, but… basic exercises miiight help my magic…”
Tenko paused, staring at her for a moment, before her face lit up, ecstatic, into a giant grin. She latched onto her arm, pressing her face to hers. “Himikoooo-chan, I'm so proud of you! Let's do it! Let's do a hundred push ups, and a hundred jumping Jack's, and a hundred—”
“Hey, hey, hey, you're being too hasty! I can't do that much right away! Hey, Tenko, are you listening to me—?”