A Bang for my Buck

I groggily opened my eyes. I probably would have shot up to try and defend myself if every single part of my body wasn't in pain. That explosion did a lot more damage than I thought.

I must be in the hospital right now, right?

Waking up, I realized I was right. I was surrounded by the usual scenery in a hospital, a curtain surrounding my bed on one side, assumptively to section off different patients a bit.

As I awoke I heard what I assumed to be one of the doctors here.

"Mr. Bang, she won't be awake yet, the damage she had taken was critical."

"Hoho, I've just come to check up on her." An older man waved off the doctor as I heard them approach my bed.

'Bang? Where have I heard that name?' I vaguely recognized the name, but I was still too tired to really want to think about it.

Two figures came around the corner of the curtain being led by an older man, hunched over with his arms behind his back.

'Ah, Silver Fang, that's why I recognized the name Bang.'

I didn't fangirl, I couldn't unless I wanted to be embarrassed when I inevitably became a hero in the future. Or maybe that's just me thinking strangely.

"It's nice to meet you Bang, what brings you to my hospital bed." I was polite as I could be. While I wasn't fangirling outwards, I totally was inwards. He was one of the heroes I idolized, another being Saitama, who I couldn't find anything about, anywhere. I had also mixed a little light hearted humour to have me come off as less intimidating, as I know my eyes usually tend to glare just a bit.

"Ah, yes. I came to ask you if you would like to join my dojo. You seem to have great potential and I would love to develop it."

'That's a pretty good offer. Being a student under Bang could let me be quite strong if I learned the martial art well. If I keep up with my training, maybe I could even become an S Class hero in the future.'

"No need to glare, young lady, you can just refuse if you'd prefer." Bang interrupted my thoughts.

"Hm? I wasn't glaring, I was just thinking."

"So? What's your answer?" He veered the conversation off of the fact that he thought I was glaring.

"Of course. I would love to learn under the great master Bang."

I wonder if I am bootlicking too much.

"No need to be so polite, you're one of my students now."

"Ah, thank god I don't need to be polite with you, that felt super stiff." I shook slightly like I was cold, but it was just a general disgust for acting like that.

I hate stuck up people and don't like dealing with them, so anyone who is rich or famous, I just talk to them like that. Only reason.

Bang seemed slightly surprised at my sudden change in demeanor but quickly recollected himself as if he never was.

"Hahaha, of course. I'll be waiting at the dojo, it's located in the mountains just outside of City Z. Come whenever you get discharged." Bang smiled lightly as he turned and left.

'Thought that I would have to do more to get accepted into his dojo. At least I have a good way to learn combat now.'

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And, like he told me, I went to the mountain range just outside of City Z. It wasn't hard to spot a pretty big dojo on top of the long staircase.

With little effort I dashed up the staircase, bouncing up with more energy than before I was hospitalized. I had to get it all out somehow, so this was a good place.

It seemed I didn't get too much weaker despite spending a few months in the hospital.

I had to spend a few months since I had broken a couple of bones, but I healed faster than normal, which I will attribute to my training.

As I reached the top I opened the door to the dojo. In the center of the rather large room sat Bang, on a cushion, drinking what I assume to be green tea. Old people tend to drink that for some reason.

"Hello, Master." It was only right to call your martial arts teacher master. It doesn't count as being grossly polite in my book, especially with my casual tone.

"Ah, Fukui, you've made it." Bang smiled again. Seems to be a signature move of his.

"Huh? I don't think I have told you my name."

"I just asked the hospital for it."

"That makes sense."

I started to get excited to learn martial arts. Of course, I would be doing my regular strength training alongside it. I was sure I would get powerful in the future.

Just not sure if it would be good enough for everything though.

"Alright, I suppose you want to start as soon as possible by your expression." Bang said seriously this time.

"Yes! Please!" I got too excited.

"I like to see how into it you are."

Bang stood up and moved to a different area on the floor.

Come to think of it, "Where are the rest of the students?"

"They're training out in the back. You'll join them once you get a hold of the basics, then from there you'll gain experience through spars." Bang explained.

He showed me the first move, the first stance of the raging river. His hands were put out like that of a praying mantis and a blue aura, akin to that of a river followed his hands.

My eyes darted around looking at everything, trying to absorb as much information as possible.

'Gah, I almost got it...'

"Now, you try."

"Wait, before that, can you do it again?"

"Hm? Why?"

"Just do it."

"Alright." Bang obliged.

He did it again, nearly the exact same as before, his arms flowing through the air and into the same pose.

"Alright, I think I got it."

My eye colour faded from green to cyan as I started to focus harder.

My arms flowed through the air, creating a shaky river of blue aura as I squatted into a ready stance.

'Shoot, I got too nervous.'

"Incredible! That was quite good, young lady!" Bang got excited, like, so excited it seemed out of character.

"You nearly copied mine exactly, your future looks promising. We might even be able to get through all the basics within a week." He smiled with eyes along with his usual smile, his mustache lifting up with the wide smile.

'The problem is nearly, I have to work harder!'