Chapter 198

"Even if the results aren't what you hoped for, I'll be satisfied as long as you fight a match that leaves no regrets. Pour everything you have into it."

Usually, speeches like this are a classic cliché for the runner-up. It was making me nervous.

After finishing our final cheer, I slapped my mengane a few times with my palms and stood at the edge of the Arena to prepare for the opening match.

Then, "Matsuda-kun, good luck!"

Miyuki's crisp, clear voice rang out from afar.

I glanced at the stands and spotted Miyuki, her face flushed red.

Was she embarrassed to shout and draw attention to herself? So cute...

Chinami and Renka were right beside her. They must have come over as soon as their own matches ended.

When did they start watching? Probably around the quarterfinals or semifinals... I'll find out when we talk later.

Shaking off those thoughts, I followed the referee's hand signals and slowly walked to the center line. Facing my opponent, I performed Sonkyo.

As soon as I stood up, I took the Sangdanse stance.

"..."

The gaze staring back at me through the mengane was unflinching.

His build was similar to mine. Since he had made it to the finals, his skills were undoubtedly top-notch.

I had a feeling this match was going to be an uphill battle.

Watching every move of this opponent, who radiated the aura of an expert, I took my first step forward.

Thud!

. . .

Inside the Arena, the awards ceremony was underway.

In stark contrast to our pale, defeated faces after the finals, the opposing team was beaming.

Naturally, since they had just won the championship.

We had lost with a total score of 3 to 2.

And it was a rather hollow defeat, as the overall result had already been sealed by the captain's match.

Yamazaki and I were the only ones who managed to save face, both of us winning our bouts 2 to 1.

The underdog rebellion of Yeboni Academy ended with a runner-up finish.

When the matches ended, Goro told us he was proud of us and that taking second place was a great achievement, but that empty feeling still lingered.

Who remembers a runner-up that never makes the history books?

It might be different if we had placed second dozens of times... but this was an unsatisfactory result.

"Next is the overall MVP. The overall MVP award will be presented alongside the Rookie of the Year award. First-year Ken Matsuda from Yeboni Academy, please step up to the podium."

Still, at least I won a prize.

Taking MVP out of nearly 180 competitors, including the reserves, was a great result.

It was fine since I had shown a cool side to Miyuki, Chinami, and Renka.

Comforting myself with those thoughts, I climbed onto the podium, listened to a few brief words of praise from the judges, and received my certificate and prize.

When I turned around and looked up at the stands, Miyuki and Chinami were clapping enthusiastically.

Bread Girl was leaning against the Vice Representative with a piece of bread stuffed in her mouth. Was she trying to be some kind of scene-stealer?

My eyes gravitated to her every time I saw her.

Stepping down to the applause of my club members, I inspected my prize.

It was a square box wrapped in white paper.

It was fairly large, but incredibly light. What could it be?

Calming my racing heart, I opened the box and immediately scowled.

'What the hell?'

Sitting all alone in the center of the box were two thin, rectangular slips of paper.

Curious, I took a closer look and found they were 20,000-yen gift certificates for a department store affiliated with the district.

Aren't department store gift certificates usually handed out in fancy money envelopes?

They put these in a giant box?

Empty vessels really do make the most noise... What a joke.

Still, it was free money. I had to put it to good use.

I'll use it to buy presents for Miyuki and Chinami.

After the tedious awards ceremony finally concluded, the club members and I forced our sour faces into smiles for a group photo.

Afterward, I met Renka outside, where she was managing the team members.

"Where is Master?"

"She's moving the luggage."

"I'd better go help her right away. Did the women's team win the championship?"

"Yes."

"What was Master's record?"

"Undefeated."

As expected of our Chinami.

She must have been darting all over the place.

"Without giving up a single point?"

"That's right."

"What about you, President?"

"Same here."

"Are you trying to show off, or is that just my imagination?"

"Did that really look like showing off to you? You should get your eyes checked."

"Thanks for the concern. Good work today."

"...Good work to you too. You did well."

Even though she tried to sound reluctant, there was genuine sincerity in her voice.

I must have really done an amazing job if even Renka was acting like this.

"Thank you."

"Though it was a little disappointing that you gave up a point during the finals. It was an obvious attack."

Look at her nitpicking just because giving a straight compliment was too embarrassing for her.

Such a tsundere.

"Hey, why the sudden criticism when things were going so well?"

"I'm saying it so you'll do even better in the next tournament."

This tournament had been fun, but I didn't really have any intention of participating in the next one.

Unless Renka offered me some kind of reward, then I might consider it.

"And what do you mean 'obvious'... That attack was really hard to read up close."

"It was obvious."

"No, it wasn't."

"You would have seen it coming if you just kept a wider field of vision."

"So my vision was too narrow?"

"Exactly."

"Anyway, I did a good job, right?"

"I just said you did."

"Then, President."

"Absolutely not. No."

Renka turned her head away in disgust.

I asked, my eyes widening in surprise.

"I haven't even told you what it is yet."

"You were going to ask me to grant a wish."

"Thank you. I'll let you know what it is soon."

"Are you even listening to me?"

I shot the exasperated Renka a cheeky grin and hurried over to Chinami, who was walking toward us carrying a massive box.

"Why are you moving this by yourself? We could have done it together."

"It's better to finish the work quickly so we can go back and rest. Oh, and by the way, junior."

"Yeah?"

"This Master is so incredibly proud of her disciple that she can barely stand it. I can die with no regrets now."

Chinami was still talking like an old lady.

Chuckling, I snatched the box from her hands and loaded it into the bus's luggage compartment.

In the distance, I saw Miyuki talking with Tetsuya.

Even while conversing with him, she kept throwing glances my way, completely ignoring Tetsuya's presence. She looked so pretty it was killing me.

Anyway, was the Kendo tournament completely over now?

I was somewhat satisfied, but I couldn't shake off this lingering, bitter feeling.

It was probably just the regret of missing out on the championship.

I shouldn't dwell on it too much. It was time to focus on the final exams and the upcoming school trip.

After exchanging well wishes with the club members and finishing up my chores, I walked over to rescue Miyuki, who was trapped in Tetsuya's unique, garbage-like aura.

"Yeah, yeah. You did really well. It was cool."

Miyuki was nodding along to Tetsuya's rambling heroic tales.

It wasn't a lukewarm response. Every answer she gave was filled with sincerity.

She truly was praising Tetsuya.

It was just that all her attention was completely focused on me as I approached them.

True to his nature as a clueless idiot, Tetsuya completely failed to notice her distraction and just kept running his mouth.

"By the way, Miyuki."

"Hmm?"

"Have you been wearing makeup lately?"

"Makeup? Yeah, I do."

"You didn't really wear it before."

"Didn't I put it on pretty often when we went out?"

"Did you? I don't think so..."

Right on cue, creepy Tetsuya's stalker tendencies were starting to surface.

Stepping up close to the two of them, I spoke to Tetsuya.

"Hey, Mori sunbae-nim was calling for you. Go see what he wants."

"Oh, really? Got it. Good work today."

"Good work to you too."

After sending Tetsuya off like that, I took Miyuki around to the back of a bus rented by some other academy.

"Did you watch the whole thing?"

"Your match? I watched it all. But Matsuda-kun, were you fouled?"

"What foul?"

"Tetsuya-kun told me. He said you were fouled and staggered because of it. He also mentioned that he warned you during the shift change to be careful, since they were a team known for fighting dirty."

Tetsuya said that? Did the sun rise in the west today?

I fully expected him to conveniently leave out the part where I gave him advice, so I never in my wildest dreams imagined he would actually pass it along.

Did he actually learn something today? Or did my nice treatment just put him in a better mood?

I was starting to want to peek inside that guy's head.

"There was a little incident like that, yeah."

"Aren't you angry?"

"I got my revenge in the match, so isn't that enough?"

Miura was probably pissed off because he couldn't do the same, which was why he was grumbling to you.

Miyuki gently untangled my sweat-drenched bangs with her fingers and spoke in a quiet voice.

"You looked really cool today."

"I guess I did."

"What do you mean, 'I guess I did'? Is the Kendo Club having a team dinner today?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure, but probably? Either way, we have to head back and organize our gear first."

"That'll take a while, huh? Then I'll just go hang out with the others right away."

"What are you going to do?"

"Grab some food and just wander around."

"Are you going to stay out late?"

"I don't know. I'll see how things go and decide."

"Then call me when you split up with them. I'll come pick you up."

Miyuki nodded and suddenly wrapped her arms tightly around my waist.

She arched her back and even buried her head into my stomach.

Pressing down on her small head with a single finger, I said, "You're going to get my sweat on you. Let go."

"It smells nice..."

Even though we were in a secluded spot, Miyuki usually held back on showing affection in public. Seeing her act like this meant my Kendo must have looked truly incredible.

Suddenly, I found myself wanting to participate in the next tournament.

After gently coaxing Miyuki, who was clinging to me and completely ignoring the sweat transferring onto her, I parted ways with her and headed back to the club members.

While briefly chatting with them, I spotted Masako walking toward her group after buying a soboro bread, and happily waved my hand.

"Hey, Bread Girl!"

"Huh...?"

"What's the occasion? You're not coughing today?"

"Cough!"

Right after I asked, Bread Girl started coughing.

What a coincidence. Was she trying to mess with me on purpose?

Judging by her expression, it looked like the food really had gone down the wrong pipe.

As Bread Girl thumped her chest in frustration, I handed her a bottle of water. She took it, coughing uncontrollably.

"T-Thank... Cough! ...you..."

"Do you have respiratory issues or something?"

"I, Cough! I don't really... Ack! Cough!"

She really had a knack for making people feel guilty.

It felt like it was somehow my fault she was acting like this, making me feel awkward.

Scratching my head, I called out to the Vice Representative in the distance and had her take Bread Girl away.

. . .

"Where should I put this?"

"Over there."

"And this?"

"Riiiight over there."

"What about this one?"

"That goes waaaay over there."

"Where exactly is 'waaaay over there'?"

"The second row on the corner shelf."

"Here?"

"Yes. Right there. Hehe..."

Chinami and I were giggling as we cleaned and organized the gear we used today.

Whether it was because the women's team won the championship, the men's team became the runners-up, or the fact that both Master and disciple had swept all their matches, Chinami's energy was through the roof today.

"Oh, right, doesn't your wrist hurt?"

"My wrist?"

"Earlier, when you did that torso strike, it looked like your wrist twisted sharply. Even if it seems fine now, you definitely put a strain on it. Wait right here."