Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980

At the same time, Nanjō Honami was leading a group of first-year girls out of the kendo hall, having just finished cleaning it.

"Goodbye, Nanjō-senpai!" the first-year girls chorused as they waved.

"Be careful on your way home! And don't go too wild over Golden Week! Don't neglect your kendo practice—district preliminaries will start right after the break!"

"Got it, Senpai! You should work on getting a boyfriend too!" called Daidōji, the most outspoken of the group.

Honami shook her fist playfully. "Just wait till after Golden Week—I'll teach you a lesson!"

"Ahh, run!" The girls scattered with delighted squeals.

Now walking alone beneath the tree-lined path of Etsukawa Girls', Honami's steps slowed.

Tomorrow marked the start of May, and the first hints of hydrangea buds were already peeking out along the avenue. Once the June rains arrived, the school's famed "Hydrangea Lane" would be in full bloom.

During that season, graduates working in major fashion companies often brought model teams here for photoshoots—and to scout promising new "reader models" among the current students.

Honami herself had caught their attention more than once, her seniors praising, "Nanjō-san standing in front of Hydrangea Lane looks like a painting come to life."

But Honami had always turned them down.

A proper young lady of the Nanjō family should not appear in frivolous fashion magazines—her father would surely say so.

The Nanjō family wasn't among the elite zaibatsu, but they had risen in the postwar era, and her father strictly upheld aristocratic standards for the family.

And Honami had never defied his expectations, following the path he laid out with a clear conscience.

But lately... her heart felt unsettled.

"Chiyoko-chan didn't come again today," Honami murmured to herself. "I wonder how her brother's condition is."

She had asked both the acting coach and the faculty advisor about it. They'd told her that Kiryu Chiyoko was caring for her sick brother at home.

Kiryu-kun... so he's sick. I suppose that means he won't be coming to Ake River Dojo this Saturday to spar...

Honami sighed regretfully—she had been so looking forward to their match.

Then a brilliant thought flashed through her mind: If Kiryu-kun can't come to the dojo, could I visit him at home?

He did help expose the head coach's scam, after all. Technically, he's my benefactor.

Visiting him would be perfectly reasonable, wouldn't it?

Her footsteps grew lighter at once. If not for catching sight of Sister Teresa—responsible for school discipline—standing at the chapel entrance watching Hydrangea Lane, Honami might've started skipping.

Suppressing her excitement, she composed herself into the elegant poise expected of an Etsukawa Girls' student and approached Sister Teresa. With practiced grace, she lifted her skirt slightly and curtsied. "Good evening, Sister Teresa."

"Hmm. Be careful on your way home... though I suppose with a driver and car, that hardly applies."

"Thank you for your concern," Honami replied politely and continued toward the main gate.

Etsukawa Girls' had originally been a church school founded in the Meiji era. It was said that Sister Teresa was once a noblewoman from Russia, who fled after the Soviet Union was established and became a nun to survive, remaining ever since.

Rumor had it that during the war, her half-German heritage had spared her from expulsion.

Honami had always sensed a noble air about Sister Teresa and firmly believed these stories.

Just outside the gate, Honami saw her family's driver already waiting.

As usual, she handed him her school bag and gracefully entered the car.

The driver closed the door for her, then got in, placing her bag on the passenger seat.

As he fastened his seatbelt, Honami spoke up. "Do you remember Kiryu-kun? The student who chased off that fake coach at our school?"

The driver tilted his head slightly. "You mean Kiryu Kazuma?"

"Yes, that's him. He's apparently sick—his sister's been absent for two days to care for him. Tomorrow, I'd like to visit and bring him something. He is my benefactor, after all."

The driver thought for a moment. "I suggest applying through Butler Suzuki. Since this involves visiting a boy, going without notice might be improper. If the master hears about it... well, I might lose my job, Miss."

Butler Suzuki was the Nanjō family's trusted old retainer, having served her father for years. He was very fond of Honami and usually granted her requests.

It was a sound suggestion. If she asked her father directly, he would likely refuse. If she went without asking, the driver would be at risk. But going through the butler would neatly avoid both problems.

Honami nodded. "Yes, let's do that. For now, let's go home... no, wait—I want to stop by the department store first. I need to buy a proper gift for tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Fujii Mikako slumped into her mother's car with a heavy sigh.

Her mother, Fujii Keiko, glanced over. "What's wrong? Did you fight with your boyfriend? That Kiryu boy, right?"

"No! If we'd fought, I wouldn't be sighing like this."

Keiko raised an eyebrow. "What, did he give you the cold shoulder? Want me to go scold the heartless brat?"

"It's not that! Kiryu-kun... he's on leave until after Golden Week. I'm worried something's happened to him."

She frowned. "The national mock exams are coming up. He said he wants to apply to Todai."

"This test is really important for him. If he can't at least score a C, the teachers will tell him to give up. He really needs at least a B so they'll keep supporting his goal."

Keiko looked puzzled. "Even if the teachers don't support him, isn't it still his choice to apply?"

"That's true, but... Kiryu-kun's family can't afford cram school. Without extra help from the teachers, he'd have no shot."

Keiko nodded. "I see. So getting a B on the next mock is crucial. Wait—did you say he's aiming for where?"

Mikako glanced at her. "Tokyo University."

Keiko sucked in a breath. "Phew... he's serious? That's insanely hard! All the top students in the country go for Todai. The competition's brutal!"

Japan's open application system made elite universities incredibly competitive—only the best of the best even stood a chance.

"Yeah," Mikako sighed. "At first, I thought he was crazy. But he's topped the last two quizzes in class! He's clearly working really hard—especially considering he used to be at the bottom!"

Keiko's eyes widened. "From bottom to top of the class? And he's insanely good at kendo too? He even beat a yakuza boss?"

Mikako nodded. "Mhm."

Keiko grabbed her daughter's hand. "Mikako! That's a golden catch! You'd better lock him down!"

Mikako jumped. "Mom! He hasn't even gotten into Todai yet. At best, he's a potential golden catch!"

Keiko started to say something, then frowned. "Wait... what about your own college plans? Aren't your current choices a bit... mismatched with Todai?"

Previously, Mikako had casually selected a few private universities—not the strongest, but decent enough to become a secretary or announcer after graduation, then ideally marry a pro athlete or sports star.

Caught off guard, Mikako scratched her head. "With my grades, maybe Sophia University? I probably can't get into their top English program, but I could aim for another department."

Keiko sighed. "Well, looks like we'll have to sign you up for cram school too. But never mind that—tomorrow, you're going to visit Kiryu's place."

"Eh? Really?" Mikako's eyes lit up.

"I already said you should, didn't I? Tomorrow morning, I'll teach you a few good recipes. Win him over through his stomach first!" Keiko declared proudly.

(End of Chapter)