In the adjacent room, Nanjō Masahito was fuming.
"That Suzuki—he's siding with outsiders now? And here my father trusted him so much!"
Before the words had even left his mouth, Asakura Yasuhiro moved. Under Nanjō Masahito's gaze, he calmly reached out and slid open the fusuma door. Before anyone could react, he had already stepped out into the corridor, looking past Nanjō Hiroshi's back, fixing his gaze directly on Kiryu Kazuma.
Nanjō Masahito stared in shock. Instinctively, he sensed that things were taking a turn he wasn't going to like.
Kazuma had been focused on Nanjō Hiroshi, so when someone suddenly appeared beside him, he was momentarily startled. But then something else caught his attention—the status tag floating above this newcomer's head.
Old Tortoise.
The tag nearly made Kazuma laugh out loud. But almost instantly, he realized it wasn't as simple as it looked.
Anyone familiar with Japanese Sengoku-era history would immediately associate terms like "Old Tortoise" or "Old Tanuki" with certain figures.
That's right—Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Looking closer, Kazuma noticed that faint traces of an aoi crest were woven into the strokes of the tag. While it wasn't exactly Tokugawa's famous triple-hollyhock, it was definitely something of similar design within the study of Japanese heraldry.
Damn, Kazuma thought. This old man isn't some harmless geezer. Is he about to undo all the clarity Nanjō Hiroshi just found?
Nanjō Hiroshi had heard the commotion behind him as well. He turned and, seeing who it was, said in a booming voice, "Representative Asakura, given the way things are unfolding today, perhaps it would be best not to proceed with this engagement after all. I doubt your family would want the rumor spreading that the Asakuras drove my granddaughter to despair."
Only then did Kazuma confirm this was indeed Representative Asakura—not some other bigwig.
Asakura gave a slight nod. "You're right. Miss Nanjō is truly a remarkable young lady. I fear my son may not be worthy of her."
A new voice broke in.
"What?!"
Kazuma followed the voice and saw a pretty-boy type who looked like he belonged on a magazine cover—though his face was badly swollen at the moment.
Given what Suzuki-san had mentioned earlier, Kazuma figured this must be Asakura Kōjun—the one Nanjō Honami had apparently beaten up multiple times.
Kōjun protested loudly. "Dad, look at me! I'm the one who got beat up here!"
Without a word, Representative Asakura backhanded his son so hard the young man collapsed to his knees.
"Useless fool! Can't you see? Among all the young ones present today, you're the most disgraceful. How did I raise such trash?"
Kōjun sat there dazed, sulking like a scolded child.
Man, Kazuma thought, this guy ought to consider a trip to Thailand. Who knows, maybe he'd actually make it in showbiz after that.
Turning back to Nanjō Hiroshi, Representative Asakura continued, "Lord Nanjō, this Sunday I'm playing golf with Governor Yagi. Would you care to join us?"
Nanjō Hiroshi chuckled. "Ah, I'm not much for Western pastimes. But perhaps trying something new wouldn't be so bad. Could do this old body some good—bring in some fresh blood, as they say."
Representative Asakura laughed. "Indeed! One should keep learning at every age. Why, today's been quite the learning experience for me."
Kazuma listened to the exchange, unable to tell how many layers of subtle maneuvering were buried in their words.
Representative Asakura then turned his gaze toward Kazuma.
"The Kiryu family... I can't say I've heard much about that kendo lineage. But at this rate, it seems the name will soon become very well known."
He glanced at Nanjō Honami.
"A fine match indeed. Congratulations in advance, Lord Nanjō."
Kazuma: Whoa, hold up!
Just as Kazuma was about to object, Nanjō Honami beat him to it.
"My relationship with Kazuma-kun isn't like that!" she declared firmly. "He's my mentor—in both kendo and in life. I respect him deeply. Please don't cheapen that with such assumptions."
Kazuma was about to agree—until it hit him.
Wait… did I just get friend-zoned?!
Representative Asakura looked Kazuma up and down again. "To remain so disciplined before a beauty like Miss Nanjō—young men like you are rare these days. My son certainly couldn't manage it. Always causing trouble, that one."
Nanjō Hiroshi sighed. "So it's not that kind of relationship, eh? Well, it's not my place to meddle. But if it ever does become that kind of relationship, you'd best tell me right away."
Then he shifted topics.
"By the way, Kiryu-kun, are you planning to remain just a kendo instructor? Will you be aiming for fame through the Gyokuryūki, or…?"
Kazuma answered without hesitation. "I'm applying to the University of Tokyo, and I intend to join the police force. I believe I mentioned that earlier."
"You were serious?" Nanjō Hiroshi frowned. "I thought you were just bragging. Do you truly think you can get in? I don't want my granddaughter left vulnerable to the Kanto Union's threats. What was your last mock exam rating?"
Kazuma replied candidly. "C."
Nanjō Masahito gasped. "That basically means you've got no chance! Father, we can't let Honami keep training under him!"
But Nanjō Hiroshi ignored his son and looked straight at Kazuma. "Even though I'm not a martial artist, I can tell—you currently lack the strength to take down the Kanto Union alone. Accepting that wager was irresponsible. You're putting your life, and your family's, at risk."
Kazuma shrugged. "It wasn't my choice—I had no other option. If you're worried about Nanjō-san's safety, I'm willing to dissolve our mentor-student relationship. I doubt the Kanto Union would trouble your family too much after that."
"Kazuma-kun!" Honami exclaimed. "How can you say that?!"
"Silence, Honami!" Nanjō Hiroshi snapped. "I'm speaking to your teacher. This isn't your place to interrupt."
Honami bit her lip and fell silent.
Nanjō Hiroshi and Kazuma locked eyes for several tense seconds.
Finally, Nanjō Hiroshi asked, "You're not going to ask for my help?"
"No. This is my problem. Besides, the Nanjō Group doesn't overlap much with the yakuza world—you wouldn't have much sway over the Kanto Union anyway."
"True. But I could write you a letter of recommendation to join the Self-Defense Forces. As long as Uesugi Sōichirō hasn't gone completely mad, he wouldn't target a JSDF member or their family."
Kazuma mentally filed this away as a potential fallback.
"If it really comes to that, I'll consider asking for your help," he said with a smile. Then, smoothly changing the subject, "My sister and another student are still waiting for me at the dojo. I should return so they don't worry. May I take my leave?"
Nanjō Hiroshi nodded. "Go ahead. Have Suzuki drive you. Honami, you should go too—after all, you're part of the dojo. I'm sure everyone there is concerned for you."
"Eh?" Honami blinked.
"Don't just stand there. Go." Nanjō Hiroshi waved her off. "Representative Asakura and I have some drinking to do."
Representative Asakura chuckled. "Of course. A fine day for it, indeed! Let's drink to our hearts' content."
(End of Chapter)