Teaching Kendo in Tokyo 1980

Since Kazuma was a guy, helping the girls put on their protective gear naturally fell to Chiyoko.

The first one out was Nanjo. She stepped in front of Kazuma, holding her bamboo sword in chūdan stance.

"I saw you use a thrusting move before, Kazuma-kun. It looked very sharp and clean. Would you mind—"

Her eyes fell on the bandages on Kazuma's arm, and she quickly changed her tone.

"Never mind. I'll ask once you've recovered. But... how did you get hurt? I asked the school, and they said Chiyoko stayed home to take care of her sick brother—not that you were injured."

Kazuma could only give an awkward smile.

"There are some things that, if reported directly to the school, could cause unnecessary complications. In truth, I was helping someone in trouble. The Tokyo police even helped arrange my leave."

Taking down an entire third-tier yakuza group probably counts as "helping someone," right?

Nanjo's eyes immediately lit up with admiration.

"Did you fight off some muggers in the street?"

That's probably the most heroic scenario she can think of...

Kazuma didn't have the heart to shatter this sheltered flower's view of the world. He nodded.

"Something like that. There were just... a few more of them than I expected. Otherwise, I'd have come through without a scratch."

He wasn't even bragging—he had only been injured because of the sheer number of enemies.

Just a little outnumbered.

Nanjo looked up at him, her gaze full of wonder.

"Helping others... it's like something out of Mito Kōmon!"

Mito Kōmon, the grandson of Tokugawa Ieyasu, had once ruled Mito Domain. His stories of traveling in disguise were immensely popular in Japan, about as well-known as tales of Emperor Kangxi's disguised visits were in China.

Of course, Mito Kōmon stories typically ended with the hero flashing his shogun's seal to resolve everything—a kind of fairy tale for adults.

Looking at Nanjo's profile, Kazuma felt a swirl of complicated emotions.

She really was a hothouse flower, protected to an almost excessive degree.

Pretty, well-mannered, and with an air of refinement that Kazuma certainly appreciated...

But if he had to choose, he'd prefer the wildflowers—those that bloomed resiliently in the open fields.

Just then, Mikako emerged, fully geared up and carrying her bamboo sword.

She spotted Kazuma chatting with Nanjo and rushed over with quick steps.

"I'm ready! Let's start already!"

Kazuma took the referee flags from Chiyoko, who had followed Mikako out, and he and his sister moved to opposite sides of the dojo.

"Get ready."

Nanjo and Mikako faced each other, crouching in the traditional pre-bout pose with their bamboo swords held like drawn blades.

Then, together, they rose.

As the chief referee, Kazuma gave the command to begin.

Mikako immediately launched a thrust aimed at Nanjo's chest.

Nanjo reacted instantly, sidestepping and using her bamboo sword to deflect the thrust. Even so, the attack struck her upper arm.

Chiyoko raised her flag to signal a foul.

"Stop," Kazuma called.

Chiyoko rushed over.

"Senpai, are you okay? Your arm—"

Nanjo clearly winced but tried to appear calm.

"I'm fine. The sakigawa tip protected me."

Through the grill of her helmet, she looked at Mikako.

"That move looked familiar. Is it something your school's coach teaches?"

Mikako grinned proudly.

"Nope! I learned it from Kazuma. He's been personally coaching me the past few days!"

Nanjo turned to Kazuma.

"Is that so?"

"It is," Kazuma admitted. After all, both Mikako and Chiyoko knew the move now. Mikako's version had been modified by Kazuma himself to be less forceful, while Chiyoko knew the full version.

Chiyoko added,

"I've been teaching it to the girls in the junior high division too. You've been so focused on the high school team, Senpai, you probably didn't hear."

"I see... Kazuma-kun, would you teach me as well?"

Before Kazuma could answer, Mikako protested loudly.

"Hey! We haven't finished our match yet! Teach me after I win!"

Kazuma had originally intended to ask Mikako to refrain from using that move. It was a bit too practical for sport kendo—hard to score with in competition, and if the opponent defended like Nanjo just did, it might even backfire.

But thinking it over...

Given the skill gap between Mikako and Nanjo, if he asked her to hold back, she'd get crushed. Since Nanjo could handle it, better to just let them be.

At Mikako's current level, she wasn't going to send Nanjo flying.

She wasn't fast enough to leave afterimages, after all.

Kazuma returned to his referee position and glanced at Chiyoko, who nodded to signal she was ready.

"Begin!"

Kazuma called out.

He figured Nanjo would take the initiative this time. Against an opponent with a strong thrust, offense was the best defense.

Sure enough, Nanjo let out a fierce shout and surged forward.

The intensity of that shout surprised Kazuma. It didn't match Nanjo's usual demure image at all.

Kitakatsushi High's kendo club practiced co-ed, so Kazuma was used to girls giving loud battle cries—but this rough, powerful shout coming from Nanjo was still unexpected.

Mikako shouted in turn, throwing everything she had into defending against Nanjo's fluid, aggressive assault.

To Kazuma, the difference in skill was becoming obvious. Mikako was only managing to hold her ground because she simply refused to lose.

Sure enough, a special status popped up above her head.

And it was...

"But I liked him first!"

Kazuma could only sigh.

This wasn't the time for romance. Getting involved with anyone right now would only drag them into danger.

Granted, if he got into Todai next year, that danger would disappear—but it was always wise to have a backup plan.

Still...

As the saying goes: The tree may wish for stillness, but the wind will not cease.

Girls weren't going to stop pursuing him just because he put up a wall.

It was already May. Soon hydrangeas would be blooming all over Tokyo, and summer would follow.

And summer was the season of love. Under the cicadas' cries and fireworks, young hearts would inevitably stir.

As Kazuma was pondering this, Chiyoko raised her flag.

"Point!"

Kazuma also raised his flag in agreement.

Nanjo had scored first.

"Darn it!" Mikako grumbled, patting her helmet.

"Again!"

Nanjo returned to her position and readied herself.

"Gladly."

Kazuma rubbed his forehead.

Seriously... this is not the time for romance!

Not now!

Yes, a rich life was essential for growth, but this felt too much like an everyday romcom. There wasn't nearly enough tension in the air.

"Second point!" Chiyoko called.

Kazuma declared,

"Match decided. Victory to Nanjo."

Mikako yanked off her helmet and tossed it to the floor.

"I'm not satisfied! Kazuma, you've gotta teach me more!"

Kazuma was about to respond when he saw Nanjo remove her own helmet, her long hair cascading out in a dramatic sweep.

She looked straight at him.

"Please teach me that thrust. I'm asking you."

Kazuma could only sigh.

"I can. But I'm charging tuition."

(End of Chapter)