abcnovels
Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Chapter 84
Chapter 84“Strengthen your stomach.”
“Like this?”
“Yes, just like that.”
Chinami, standing before me, deftly ties the belt around my waist. Due to her short stature, her posture appears peculiar. It almost looks as if she’s about to pull down my pants, just before a ‘certain’ act.
I brush away the strange sensation creeping up from below and look down at Chinami.
“I’ll use what I’ve learned from sensei to strip the flesh from my opponents’ bones.”
“Strip the flesh... Hehe~ Are they fish being prepared for sashimi? Ah, now I suddenly crave tuna sashimi.”
“Let’s go get some later.”
“I’d love that. But since tuna sashimi is expensive, let’s settle for salmon sushi instead.”
Our conversation veers off into a strange direction. Somehow, it’s amusing. Before I know it, Chinami has properly dressed me and is standing in front of me with a towel.“Sit in the seiza position.”
“Yes.”
I obediently kneel and sit, and after Chinami wraps the towel around my forehead, she places the helmet on my head. I look up at her from below, a view that’s not typically flattering. Yet, no matter the angle, Chinami always looks cute.
“Can I touch your cheeks?”
At my sudden question, Chinami flinches and then lightly taps the top of my helmet with her knuckles.
“Junior, now is the time to calm your mind like a serene lake...! The duel is closing, and you’re saying such strange things... If Renka or the coach heard this, you would be in big trouble...!”
“Let me touch your cheeks if I win the duel.”
“What are you saying...! I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that...! And this duel isn’t a bet. It’s a chance to showcase your training with all your heart and soul...”
“I will touch them.”
“Ah...! Junior...!”
Tap! Tap!
She hits my helmet with her blushing face, but it doesn’t hurt or feel bad at all. My dear Chinami... I can’t wait to give you a massage. Should I ask her to let me massage her instead of touching her cheeks?
“Is it too tight?”
As she ties the helmet strings, Chinami asks. I shake my head.
“It’s fine. It’s comfortable.”
“That’s a relief. Now, all that’s left is the arm guards.”
I put on the arm guards laid before my knees as if putting on gloves and stand up. Through the mesh, I see the first-year students getting help from their seniors to put on their gear.
Tetsuya... Thanks to Renka, he’s already done. Lucky guy. One day, I’ll have a good time beating him up.
“The key things you need to focus on are using your footwork for thrusts and head strikes. And... What’s the downside of the upper guard?”
“Throat strikes and close combat.”
“Exactly. The opponent will actively try to engage in close combat. In those situations, be cautious of retreating strikes. It’s best to avoid those fights altogether, but considering ways to counter them while facing them is also good. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“Since you’re tall and broad, your momentum is very strong. Try to overwhelm them with a powerful strike. Also, since you don’t have many techniques available, it’s best to win quickly, but since this is a friendly match to check your training progress, try to drag the match out as long as possible. It’s okay even if you get hit.”
With utmost sincerity, she offered her advice. Looking down at her, I replied with a sly smile.
“I will remember this deeply.”
Did she like my choice of words? Chinami burst into laughter and patted my shoulder. With the height difference, she had to stretch her arm, making her look so cute that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Those who are ready, over here.”
The chilling voice of Dojima Goro, who was standing in one corner of the room, prompted the members, dressed in their gear and holding their bamboo swords, to rush over. I, too, joined them, encouraged by Chinami.
***
Flinch.
The first-year student, overwhelmed by my spirit, stepped back. It wasn’t a retreat using proper footwork, but a mere instinctual backward step. Seeing the opening, I immediately moved.
Swish!
I took a large step with my left foot, aligning my heel, knee, and chin in a vertical line, while my right toes firmly pressed against the ground. Following the movement Chinami had taught me, the result was immediate.
Thud!
The characteristic sharp sound of the bamboo sword striking resonated from my opponent’s helmet. It was a perfect hit to the scoring area. If it were a real sword, it would have been fatal. However, in kendo, maintaining a vigilant mind, or zanshin, is crucial. Without it, the strike wouldn’t be considered a score.
As I watched my opponent step back, I regained my stance. Goro, observing our every move, raised the red flag and shouted in a booming voice.
“One point!”
Simultaneously, the members sitting in seiza clapped. It was my first time scoring since joining the kendo club, but I wasn’t that thrilled. I wished my opponent had been Renka, who was frowning over there. That would’ve been more satisfying.
A quick glance at Chinami showed her face blooming with a smile. She must’ve been pleased with my execution.
My opponent, perhaps frustrated by losing a point to a newbie like me, stomped his foot in irritation.
“Return to your positions!”
Following Goro’s command, I walked to the marked spot.
“Begin!”
As soon as the match resumed, my opponent charged at me again. Remembering Chinami’s advice, I decided to clash with him.
Clang!
Our swords met, and our helmets clunked together. My opponent stumbled but managed to regain his balance.
I could probably land two more hits at this moment, but I held back. He should be grateful for my mercy.
Through the mesh of our helmets, I saw determination in my opponent’s eyes. He was ready to counterattack. Chinami had warned me about retreating strikes...
Just as I thought this, my opponent’s back foot slid back, his body moving away. His bamboo sword, which had been almost in a straight line, tilted diagonally upward, and the tip of his blade trembled slightly.
He’s preparing to strike while retreating. If I stay still, I’ll expose my wrists.
Prepared, I quickly stepped back and swung my arm sideways, aiming at the retreating opponent.
Swish!
My bamboo sword struck the side of his helmet. His head snapped to the side, and his body staggered. He completely lost his balance.
Just as I was about to readjust my stance and charge again,
Flap!
“Stop!”
Goro raised the flags in both hands, signaling the end of the match. Lowering my bamboo sword, I shrugged and looked at Goro as if to ask what the problem was. Goro frowned and scolded me.
“Matsuda, that wasn’t the scoring area.”
“I understand.”
“I get why you did it, but remember this is a friendly match.”
He realized my intention behind that strike. Receiving his warning, I nodded quietly.
“Yes.”
“Return to your positions.”
The match resumed, but my opponent, having lost his spirit from the last strike, couldn’t fight properly. The other students were the same. After seeing my skills, they completely lost their motivation, and the sparring session ended in an anticlimactic manner.
***
“A friendly match isn’t about being aggressive. What were you thinking hitting the side of the helmet?”
I was being reprimanded by Renka separately. The reason was my overly forceful display. Wiping the sweat off my hair haphazardly, I replied indifferently.
“It wasn’t a foul. It’s free sparring.”
“Even so, it’s supposed to be a friendly match. The coach said so too.”
“After the warning, I only hit the scoring areas. I fought using the techniques I learned from Nanase-sensei. Why should I be reprimanded? I don’t get it. It seems like you’re just dying to find fault with me.”
“It’s not about finding fault. If you win too overwhelmingly in a match meant to assess each other’s skills, how can your opponent improve?”
“Why wouldn’t they improve? I helped them build their courage by showing them what they’re up against.”
“You...”
“Am I wrong?”
“Ha...”
Renka let out a disbelieving laugh. She looked at me with an expression that seemed to want to clear my accumulating debts. Our dear Renka, let’s train together during the camp and spar until we’re drenched in sweat... wouldn’t that be great?
“Did you give your niece the present?”
My sudden question caught Renka off guard. Her angry face turned to one of surprise.
“... Yes, I did. It’s none of your concern.”
The sharp atmosphere softened, becoming misty. Like Chinami, Renka could be quite straightforward.
“Why are you being so harsh with me when you’re kind to others?”
“If you had any manners, I would be kind to you too.”
“You have to be kind first for me to show manners.”
“I’m not here to play word games with you. Back to the point, the reason I’m doing this is that I genuinely care about you and the other members, so I hope you take this to heart...”
Renka was mid-lecture when,
Creak...
As the door opened, Chinami emerged. She glanced back and forth between me and Renka, then placed her hands on her hips, her face full of anger.
“Junior.”
“Yes, sensei.”
“What did I tell you? Didn’t I say to prolong the match as much as possible to gain experience?”
“Yes, you did.”
“Then why did you overwhelm your opponent to the point where the coach had to stop the match? This helps neither your opponent nor you...! And striking the side of the helmet was too aggressive!”
She was echoing Renka’s words. Unlike my dismissive reaction to Renka, I admitted my fault to Chinami with humility.
“I’m sorry.”
I couldn’t see Renka’s face, but she was probably surprised by my response. Or maybe she was internally fuming, thinking I was being insincere.
“Kendo is a martial art that prioritizes respect for your opponent. Except for the bows before and after the match, I saw no respect from you today. As your sensei, I’m disappointed.”
Chinami crossed her arms and exhaled sharply through her nose. Suppressing the urge to pinch her cheek, I approached her and bowed in apology.
“I’ll be more careful next time. I’ll also apologize to those I sparred with.”
“Really...! Is that true?”
“Yes. If you don’t believe me, you can come with me now.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe you, but... hmm...”
Chinami’s angry expression softened as she let out a disgruntled sigh and nodded.
“Alright. A sincere apology will be good for both you and the other juniors. You all need to get along. Right?”
“Yes.”
“Renka, I’ll take Matsuda-kun and give him a stern talking-to. Is that okay?”
Renka flinched, hearing our conversation. With a puzzled expression, she responded.
“Alright... understood.”
“Then, Junior, follow me.”
I agreed and followed Chinami, casting a sidelong glance at Renka. I let out a derisive snort, making sure she noticed. She bristled and took a step forward.
“You...!”
But, noticing Chinami, she quickly stepped back. It seemed she found it difficult to say more in front of Chinami, who was in a teaching position. So fierce, yet considerate. I couldn’t wait to see her subdued. I wished the training camp would come sooner.
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