Chapter 112

“Hmm? Junior, you have dark circles under your eyes.”

Chinami pointed this out the next morning in the cafeteria when I came down for breakfast.

Pressing my fingers around my eyes to massage them, I replied.

“I didn't sleep well.”

“Why not?”

Why else? Because that bastard Tetsuya snored all night.

He had claimed he didn't snore, then proceeded to cause an earthquake in our room. I only had myself to blame for believing the punk.

It was a good thing I slipped out in the middle of the night to get some uncomfortable shut-eye in the Lounge...

If I had stayed up all night with my eyes wide open, I would be extremely irritated right now.

“I guess I just couldn't adjust to an unfamiliar place.”

“You're surprisingly sensitive, Junior.”

“Maybe so. Did you sleep well, Master?”

“I didn't wake up once until my alarm went off. The massage probably made me drowsy.”

“That's good. Shall we eat?”

“Yes. Today's side dishes are rolled omelet and grilled mackerel. Ask the cafeteria lady for extra so you can eat a hearty meal. You need to be ready for the independent training after lunch.”

Chinami glanced around, leaned in, and cupped a hand over her mouth.

Then, she continued in a hushed voice.

“I heard this from Renka before I went to sleep... She's probably going to spar with you herself.”

I thought she would push another senior forward to fight me, but she was doing it herself?

I didn't even need to lift a finger.

Then again, considering she was that confident in her skills and wanted to teach me a lesson personally, this outcome was only natural.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You might have outstanding talent, Junior, but you don't really know the rules, right? She said she needs to clash bodies with you to teach you firsthand.”

Clashing bodies firsthand... That sounded way too erotic.

“I don't really mind... but how will the training proceed?”

“I don't know about that. Renka didn't tell me that much.”

“I see. I agreed to spar with Miura, but will there be time for that?”

“A spar with Junior Miura? Was this agreed upon beforehand?”

“The two of us agreed... but the President doesn't know.”

“Oh my...! Beginners who still struggle to put on their Bogu shouldn't just spar however they please...! Things could get overly emotional, and you won't even be able to judge if a proper victory was scored...!”

Chinami scolded me, puffing out her mochi-like cheeks.

I scratched the side of my head in embarrassment and spoke.

“I figured the President or you, Master, would supervise us...”

“You should have asked us about something this important first... You're quite reckless, Junior.”

“Now that I think about it, you are a hundred percent right, Master. I apologize.”

“Hmph... Still, it's nice to see you admit your fault so quickly. As for the spar... I'll try discussing it with Renka for now.”

“Understood.”

Nodding in satisfaction at my obedient response, Chinami went to get her food tray.

After grabbing rice and side dishes with her and exchanging morning greetings with the club members, we headed to a table—only to run straight into Renka coming in with Tetsuya.

“Ah! Welcome, close friend. It seems you've been hanging around Junior Miura quite a lot lately?”

At Chinami's bright greeting, Renka glanced at Tetsuya, who was grinning beside her.

“We just ran into each other by chance on the way to the cafeteria.”

“Is that so? But your eyes have dark circles under them too, close friend Renka.”

“I didn't sleep well.”

“Come to think of it, you have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places too, don't you?”

“Yeah...”

Saying that, Renka looked at Chinami with an exasperated expression.

Judging by the situation, Chinami must have talked in her sleep or something...

She probably clung to Renka's arm in her sleep or threw a leg over her body.

Chinami always did that whenever they shared a bed.

“You have that in common with Junior Matsuda. He said he couldn't adjust either.”

“Is that so...?”

Renka's gaze shifted toward me.

She looked surprised. I just shrugged at her, sat down at the table, and started shoveling food into my mouth.

I needed to eat a lot to prepare for training.

Inside the Training Room set up in the mountain lodge.

Having gone through an even more intense training session than yesterday, the club members wore wide smiles despite their exhaustion.

Their independent training—which was basically just free time—was about to begin.

With the club members all leaving, their heads full of thoughts about visiting the valley stream, only four people remained in the Training Room.

Tetsuya and I, along with Renka and Chinami.

After roughly tidying up the room once training was over, we naturally gathered in one spot without anyone having to say a word.

Perhaps because Renka and Chinami were close by, the scents of blueberries and peaches gently wafted to my nose.

The problem was that Tetsuya's musty stench was mixed in with it.

Seeing that bastard scatter shit in a flower garden made my temper flare instantly.

“From now on, I'm going to teach you training methods suited to your individual styles.”

Renka was quite sexy when she entered her serious mode.

Especially with the sweat making her slender neck glisten—it gave me a sudden urge to suck on it.

“Starting now, Miura will...”

Just as Renka was about to begin the private lessons in earnest: “Umm... close friend.”

Chinami called out to Renka carefully.

“Yeah?”

“There's something I need to tell you.”

“Go ahead.”

“Come over here for a second.”

Bringing Renka to the corner of the Training Room, Chinami began to say something with a serious expression.

It was probably about the spar between Tetsuya and me.

As Chinami's words continued, Renka's expression gradually hardened.

Before long, Renka finished her brief conversation with Chinami and let out a long sigh.

She then approached Tetsuya and me, crossing her arms.

“You two, don't ever decide to spar on your own without a senior present again. Just what do you beginners think you're doing?”

At Renka's angry scolding, Tetsuya flinched and bowed his head.

“I apologize.”

“Do you really have to do this? It doesn't look like you'll gain much from it.”

“I... really want to.”

“What about you, Matsuda?”

Renka looked at me with doubtful eyes.

I clicked my tongue and answered.

“Well... as long as Miura is fine with it, I'd like to do it.”

“Is that so...?”

Renka's gaze shifted back and forth between Tetsuya and me.

It looked as if she were weighing the difference in our skills.

Noticing this, Tetsuya stared at Renka with a desperate expression.

“Please, President. You saw me during the mock sparring under the coach's guidance just now. I'm not the same as before.”

“I admit your rate of improvement is fast, but... if beginners fight each other...”

“You and Senior Nanase will be refereeing for us, won't you?”

“Were you always this stubborn?”

“N-no. I'm sorry.”

“I'm not scolding you. It's just surprising. It's nice to see you have a competitive spirit... but I need a moment to think, so wait.”

“Yes, President.”

Perhaps unable to say anything more to Tetsuya's strictly disciplined response?

Renka glared at us, then went over to Chinami and began whispering something.

Watching Renka, Tetsuya quietly asked me.

“Did you tell them we were going to spar?”

“Of course I did. Did you really think we were just going to beat each other up by ourselves? Without a referee?”

“No, but... you should have mentioned it when I was with you. I panicked for a second there...”

“I panicked too.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought you would have told the President yourself. Since you two came into the cafeteria together today, I figured she already knew. Aren't you two a thing?”

“A-a thing...?”

Tetsuya stammered, completely flustered.

I chuckled quietly enough so that Renka wouldn't hear and said, “It's a joke, you punk.”

“Why would you make a joke like that...”

“But the President is pretty, isn't she?”

“Hey...!”

“It's just between us, what's the big deal?”

“I mean... she is pretty, but...”

Would you look at that. Coax him a little, and his true playboy colors show up.

She's completely out of your league, so just stick to looking.

I patted the guy's back and nodded as if I understood.

“Good luck. I'm rooting for you.”

“G-good luck with what... And keep it down. What if the President hears you...”

While we were whispering back and forth, Renka finished her conversation with Chinami and approached us again. Still looking displeased, she pointed at the temporary rack where the Bogu was kept.

“Put your gear on.”

Tetsuya's face lit up at those words.

Bowing from the waist, he expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you, President.”

“Best two out of three. You are only doing this one match. Nothing more.”

“Understood!”

She was softer-hearted than she looked.

Even looking out for Tetsuya, who was about to get completely crushed.

Or did she actually think the guy could hold his own against me, even a little?

I would be a bit disappointed if she did.

“It seems our stubborn Junior got what he wanted.”

It was an affectionate chiding from Chinami, who was helping me put on my Bogu.

I waited until she tightly tied the Men strings before apologizing.

“I'm sorry.”

“It's fine. What's done is done. If anything, I see this as a good opportunity. I'm going to give you a tip, so I hope you listen closely.”

“Of course. Go ahead.”

“For the first round, attack the moment Renka gives the starting signal. If it succeeds, great; even if it fails, Junior Miura will be flustered, making it easier for you to find an opening afterward. Understood?”

“I'll keep it in mind.”

“Keep your kiai short and loud, and focus on the spirit aspect of the unity of spirit, sword, and body. That will also leave a strong impression on Renka, who is refereeing.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Now then, stand up.”

I obediently unbent my knees and stood up, and she patted my back.

“Good luck. Since it's already come to this, make sure you win no matter what. If you happen to lose even a single point, I will put you through special training all night tonight.”

My Master had way too much passion.

That was why I liked it.

I would end the first round in a single breath, just like Chinami said.

From then on, if I slowly humiliated him, Tetsuya would hit a wall and react.

“If you strike anywhere other than the striking area, it will be considered a foul. Keep that in mind.”

This was Renka's warning to Tetsuya and me once we were fully geared up.

It was funny that she was giving this warning specifically with me in mind.

If I had it my way, I'd sweep his legs and beat the crap out of him on the ground.

But that was a technique only allowed in police tournaments.

It was banned in standard matches.

So I wouldn't use it. I was going to win fair and square, through and through.

So that Tetsuya couldn't make any excuses.

“Understood.”

“Get ready.”

Listening to Renka's somewhat anxious voice, I sat facing Tetsuya and gave a polite bow.

Then, I stood back up and waited for the starting signal.

A part of my mind had checked out because I hadn't slept.

I couldn't concentrate properly, but it had to be at least this hard to be called a trial.

A protagonist is supposed to face adversity anyway. Let's just consider it a handicap.

“...”

Tetsuya's eyes, visible through the gaps in his Men, seemed to be burning fiercely.

He had been oozing an inferiority complex since earlier, and it was absolutely pathetic.

Squeezing my eyes shut and opening them again, I gathered my scattering focus and waited for Renka to open her mouth.

“Then... begin!”

The moment Renka, who was between us, shouted and stepped back: “Hup!”

I stomped hard and thrust my Shinai forward.

Thwack!

“Gah!”

Tetsuya, who had simultaneously lunged at me, let out a short scream.

A throat thrust—one of the weaknesses of the Sangdanse.

I had attempted it first.

Seeing the guy's head snap back and then bounce forward, it seemed to have landed perfectly.

“...Ippon.”

Renka declared, pressing a hand to her forehead.

Just as Chinami had advised me, Renka must have warned Tetsuya to watch out for the first strike... Seeing him fall for it just like that must have left her feeling drained.

Having scored a point in an instant, I crouched on the solid line drawn on the floor and waited for Tetsuya to regain his senses.

Grinning and provoking him was something only an amateur would do.

Simply acting indifferent like this, as if it were nothing, would be enough to send Tetsuya's emotions spiraling.