"It wasn't intentional. Sorry if we offended you."
Unaffected by the sarcasm, Himura kept his friendly smile and shook his head. "I was just a little excited... It's truly thrilling to fight against you again, Tenkuji-kun."
Yuu hadn't responded yet, but Yuigahama had already muttered behind him, "Hina mustn't hear those words, or she'll be the one getting excited…"
Ebina Hina, a well-known fujoshi from Class F.
She belonged to the same group as Miura Yumiko and Yuigahama Yui. She became extremely enthusiastic when talking about BL, and currently, her favorite pairing was Totsuka and someone else.
She was one of the few people Yuu dared not approach, fearing he'd be dragged into the abyss of depravity by her corrupt aura.
Yuu's cheek twitched slightly. He decided to pretend he heard nothing and replied to Himura with a polite smile, "Sorry, but I might have to disappoint you. I'm here only to discuss the matter, not to fight…"
"Oh right."
As if suddenly remembering something, Yuu's smile widened, and he raised an eyebrow. "That shinai is still in our club room... Himura-kun, if you want to retrieve it, I'll have someone deliver it after we finish talking? That way, we won't need to waste time fighting again."
These words were clearly provocation aimed at the defeated opponent standing before Himura. It was practically a direct slap to the face.
"You bastard!"
"Even if it's you, show some respect for our president!"
Seeing several impulsive club members stand up angrily, glaring at them, Yukino couldn't help but frown. She tugged on the hem of his shirt and whispered,
"Enough, we came here to—"
The second half of her sentence was cut off.
Because she suddenly remembered—the kendo club was the one seeking help. It didn't matter if Yuu simply left now. The ones who should be worried were the kendo club, and she had no standing to ask him to stop!
But still, Yuu couldn't keep provoking them endlessly, could he?
If they actually fought, win or lose, it would be troublesome if the school got involved...
Unconsciously, Yukino pressed her lips together with a serious expression and began thinking about how to help clean up the mess he'd created.
Yuu glanced sideways, watching the girl's eyelashes lower slightly. He rolled his eyes and said, "Don't misunderstand—I'm not avenging your honor. I'm just being arrogant."
Yukino lifted the corner of her lip, showing a mischievous expression. "Oh? I didn't say anything—"
"Exactly, this is called intimidation, Yukinoshita-san." Before Yukino could finish, Masuzu beside her nodded in agreement, speaking seriously. "Yuu is cruel and cold-hearted. He wouldn't avenge someone else's grudge. Don't get the wrong idea."
Yuu's cheek twitched. "Hey, are you defending me or insulting me?"
"Of course I'm defending my beloved Yuu~"
"...Hah." Yukino didn't want to deal with these two anymore. She rubbed her forehead as if having a headache and sighed tiredly. "Fine, do whatever you want."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side.
Himura stopped the members who wanted to confront Yuu. He smiled calmly. "He's just stating the truth. That day, I really did lose to him. The winner is king; the loser is a nobody. There's nothing to get angry about."
"But President, his tone…!"
The bald man, looking fierce as if fresh out of prison, gritted his teeth. He glared sharply at Yuu, who was chatting casually with the beautiful girls. His expression was filled with anger and a hint of jealousy.
Yet only three or four shared his sentiment. Most remained neutral. Though they disliked the disrespect toward their president, they had to admit Yuu had the ability—and the right—to say such things.
Moreover, there were even people wanting to defend Yuu—like the vice-president, desperate to win a national championship title before graduation, and the dark-skinned kendo girl whom Yuu had once taught how to become stronger.
More than anyone, these two wanted to harness Yuu's strength, so naturally, they didn't want relations between both sides to sour.
Realizing the sudden shift in atmosphere, they quickly stepped forward, eager to mediate.
However, before they could open their mouths, Himura had already smiled and said, "No buts."
"Anyone with objections can challenge me—or fight directly against the one who defeated me."
"The victor has the right to speak; the loser has even their dignity trampled. So strive to become stronger. Isn't that why you joined the kendo club?"
His tone remained as friendly as ever, yet carried pressure that made others unable to resist.
Several members who had issues with Yuu instinctively took a step back. They bowed deeply to him, then returned to their seats with slightly pale faces.
"As for you two…"
Himura turned to face the hesitant vice-president and dark-skinned girl approaching him. He smiled with a touch of helplessness. "Don't worry—I haven't forgotten that we were the ones who asked him to join as an outside member."
"The itch to fight is one thing, and meeting the desires of less capable members is another. I'll do my best to convince him to help."
"We sincerely apologize for not being strong enough…" Both bowed their heads guiltily.
Looking at his right arm in a cast, the bespectacled vice-president couldn't hold back his reddening eyes. He bit his lip, holding back tears, trembling with regret.
Himura let out a soft sigh.
"This is partly my fault too. I've been president for so long, yet couldn't lead you all to victory because I kept getting suspended… Let me redeem myself just this once."
With that, he walked toward Yuu, standing at the front of the group of six, and sat neatly one meter in front of him.
Then, he placed both hands on his knees and slightly bowed his straight, sword-like back.
"I was very rude earlier. Our match shouldn't be brought up now. As for that shinai, it's proof you surpassed me—and the entire kendo club. Of course, there's no reason to take it back."
"Me?" Yuu froze momentarily. Was this guy actually changing his self-reference when he got serious?
Yet seeing his genuinely lowered head, no matter how cold-hearted Yuu was, he couldn't possibly continue mocking him now. He merely waved his hand casually and said indifferently:
"Never mind that boring stuff. I just want to ask—are you really in need of my help? If not, I'll leave."
Himura didn't lift his head. Only a steady voice, filled with sincerity, came from beneath his hanging hair:
"Please, help us."
At the same moment, the other club members simultaneously bowed their heads—without a trace of insincerity. Their low, echoing cries seemed ready to tear through the kendo dojo's roof:
"Please, help us!"
"This…"
Yuu stared in shock at the uniform scene. After freezing for several seconds, he felt slightly embarrassed and scratched his cheek.
Soon after, he cleared his throat twice and answered seriously:
"I'll do my best."
The moment he finished speaking, Himura immediately lifted his head. His face still wore the same friendly smile.
"In that case, before we discuss the match order—would you like to spar to demonstrate your skills directly to everyone?"
"...Seriously, you just want to fight, don't you?"
"Of course not. This is just a friendly practice match."