"Shin-chan, this outfit really suits you."
Looking at Shin-chan now dressed in a samurai outfit, with Fubuki sheathed at his waist, Ai-chan's eyes were full of affection.
"Just like an anime character who walked out from among the Shinigami!"
The black-and-white color scheme, the most luxurious fabric used, plus every part custom-made for Shin-chan's body, once he put it on, he really did look like a true swordsman.
"It's just that Shin-chan has grown taller again. It's a little small now."
Shin-chan was still growing. Compared to when Ai-chan had custom-made this outfit, it was perfectly normal for him to have grown a bit taller.
"Hehe, it's not as exaggerated as Ai-chan says."
Being praised like that, Shin-chan felt a little shy. The current Ai-chan was way more lethal. Even Shin-chan found it hard to resist Ai-chan's charm now.
It wasn't like he was made of stone. He just hadn't been interested in kids before.
And on top of that, after all this time, she could still treat him the same as she did back then, what a rare thing.
"Shin-chan is always so outstanding."
As Shin-chan continued to delay, the atmosphere at the Musashino Dojo began to shift. Many people were starting to get upset.
'It's just a test, what kind of genius needed such a grand setup? Is Musashino Dojo just bluffing?'
They'd traveled this far. They weren't here to watch a joke.
With kendo competitions becoming more popular lately, many geniuses had emerged. How strong could the so-called successor of the Musashino Dojo really be?
Just as the mood was turning restless, Shin-chan and Ai-chan made a glorious entrance.
Suddenly, a large group of bodyguards in black suits entered from outside the dojo. At the same time, a luxurious red carpet rolled in from outside the training grounds.
Somewhere, orchestral music started playing, there was even a personal BGM.
"Boléro…?"
Kazama broke into a cold sweat, but at the same time relaxed. From this alone, he already knew who had arrived.
Dressed in an unimaginably lavish kimono, Ai-chan walked beside Shin-chan. The two of them stepped together onto the carpet and entered the training grounds.
The noble lady who could summon wind and rain, and the swordsman, Suotome Ai and Shin-chan had arrived.
Seeing Ai-chan, Kuki Shiden and Musashino Giken exchanged glances, then both immediately put on smiling faces and stepped forward to greet them.
'She finally came! The eldest daughter of the Suotome family!' Not only had Musashino Dojo received sponsorship from the Suotome family, even the All-Japan Kendo Federation received substantial backing from them every year.
When Musashino Giken learned that Ai-chan would personally attend this test, he couldn't believe it at first. It wasn't until Kuki Shiden reached out to him that he realized, Shin-chan's talent in kendo was nothing compared to his talent for mooching.
To win the heart of the Suotome family's heiress, how shocking.
But it also meant that the Musashino Dojo was truly about to take off.
"Miss, you're here!"
Facing Kuki Shiden and Musashino Giken, Ai-chan merely nodded nonchalantly.
"Mhm. Let the test begin."
"Then, Shin-chan, I'll head over to Kazama's side and wait for you. Wishing you victory in battle."
With that said, she headed toward Kazama and Yukino, bringing Maeda with her. Saeko Busujima also moved in that direction.
The black-suited bodyguards quickly rolled up the carpet and exited the training grounds.
Seeing Ai-chan walk toward them, Yukino's heartbeat sped up.
What if Ai-chan told her to stay away from Shin-chan? What would she do? One side was her family, the other was her closest friend, she couldn't choose at all.
As Ai-chan approached, those around Kazama instinctively stepped aside, no one wanted to cross someone who clearly wasn't ordinary.
The moment Ai-chan arrived, a luxurious sofa was already prepared. A table was brought over beside it, with fruit juice and some sweets on top.
"Kazama, you came to watch Shin-chan's test too? Sorry for the trouble."
"Not at all, not at all."
Kazama wiped his cold sweat. Sure enough, Ai-chan's over-the-top style always overwhelmed him. But for the sole heiress of the Suotome family, this was probably nothing.
"And this must be Yukinoshita-senpai? As his neighbor, Shin-chan must've received a lot of your care."
'That was a provocation, right? It had to be a provocation! Yukino, bring out your courage!'
Yukino tried to resist, but upon seeing Ai-chan's smiling face, she felt completely defeated.
In the bustling kendo training ground, this young lady holding just a glass of juice gave off the elegance of someone at a high-end wine party.
The gap between them, it was unbridgeable.
Kazama felt the intense scent of a battlefield. No, calling it a battlefield was inaccurate. Ai-chan didn't even consider Yukino as a rival.
"This must be Busujima-senpai, right? Are you free at the end of the month?"
Giving Yukino a bit of pressure, Ai-chan turned her attention to Saeko Busujima. It was clear she was more satisfied with Saeko.
'Such a gentle personality, much easier to control.'
"If it's an invitation from Miss Ai, of course I'm available."
Saeko responded with grace and composure. Unlike Yukino, she didn't crumble in front of Ai-chan.
"At the end of the month, Shin-chan and I will be attending the Akita Fireworks Festival. I'd like to invite you all to join us."
"Tickets and accommodations will all be arranged by the Suotome family."
Ai-chan extended her invitation to all three.
'Fireworks festival, huh...'
Kazama was genuinely looking forward to it. Being able to attend a fireworks festival with friends, welcoming summer at the end of spring, how could that not be wonderful?
"Of course I have time. It would be an honor to attend with Miss Ai and Shin-chan." Saeko answered without hesitation.
"Just call me Ai-chan."
"Ai-chan, I have time too." Kazama also agreed.
"Great, I'll also invite the Kasukabe Defense Force."
Ai-chan looked to Yukino, waiting for her answer.
"I'm free too. Thank you, Miss Ai-chan." Yukino didn't dare meet Ai-chan's eyes, but her pride still pushed her to accept.
"Then it's settled. Let's watch Shin-chan's test now." Ai-chan nodded in satisfaction.
'What a stubborn little kitty. Quite cute.'
In the training hall, Musashino Kenta ran over to Shin-chan excitedly.
"You brat! Once you changed into that outfit, you really do look the part! Are you ready? This is my senior uncle, Mizukagami Sozan."
Beside him, Mizukagami Sozan had finally snapped out of the daze from Ai-chan and Shin-chan's flashy entrance. His expression as he looked at Shin-chan was a bit complicated.
'This kid's really something. I wonder if his kendo skill is even ten percent as strong as his mooching skill?'
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