And that's what happened on Monday. The following days I went as a student and joined the training sessions.
As expected, Watanabe and Tanaka challenged me again, but the result was about the same. They stuck to their usual tactics, and after getting used to them and putting in the effort, I started knocking them down over and over again. After all, I had to rely solely on karate techniques.
I quickened my pace when I saw the academy ahead. Once inside, I headed straight for the locker room. I made it just in time—so I must have been the last one.
I changed into my uniform and went directly to the main hall.
Sensei gave me a nod as I arrived, and after a quick greeting, we began some warm-up exercises. Then he explained a few movements and how to make your opponent drop their guard. After that, anyone who wanted could either practice with the dummies or go straight to sparring.
Naturally, my favorite part was the sparring. What can I say—I find it really fun.
"It's sparring time. Any volunteers? You can also pick a partner to face off against," Sensei said with a smile.
Watanabe and Tanaka glanced at me, sighed, and clicked their tongues.
By now it was obvious there was a clear gap in skill between us, and they really didn't like losing.
When it came to karate, they had the advantage, but since I already knew their moves and they stuck to them, I was able to adapt quickly and outpace them.
Over the past few days I realized that if we had to rank the students, Kawasaki would be number one, followed by Tanaka, with Watanabe in third. The reverse order of who challenged me that first day—how ironic.
So after defeating all three of them, I ended up taking the number one spot myself. Which makes it obvious who always comes to challenge me during sparring.
Kawasaki is… peculiar, to say the least. Despite all our matches, she still hasn't managed to beat me. Sure, she's scored some points against me, but never a full victory. I thought that would discourage her, but it seems to have the opposite effect—it's like every loss only fires her up more.
"I want to challenge Tsurumi."
Just like any other day since I joined, Kawasaki called me out without hesitation. Judging by her eyes, she looks like she wants to hit me in the face until she's satisfied… terrifying.
"Tsurumi-kun, Kawasaki, to the front please."
By now Sensei was completely used to this routine.
We both stepped forward and took our stances. I thought those little introductions were just for new students, but to my surprise, it happened every time. Some of the younger students would give long speeches before a match, announcing themselves dramatically.
I have to admit, it made their fights more exciting—like something straight out of a shonen manga.
I wanted to try it too, but it felt a bit embarrassing, like I had caught a serious case of chuunibyo. After all, who hasn't dreamed of doing a long, dramatic intro before a fight?
I realized Sensei actually enjoyed it—he always encouraged us to go even longer with our performances.
"Kawasaki Saki, this time I'll defeat you, Tsurumi."
"Tsurumi Raiden. I've already lost count of how many times you've said that." I might not like dragging out my introduction, but if I had the chance to tease Kawasaki, I wasn't going to waste it—I enjoyed it too much.
At first, we barely exchanged a word of greeting, but as the days went by, we started talking a bit more. You know what they say: if you want to communicate with someone, use your fists.
"Begin!" Sensei signaled the start of the match.
As soon as our usual bout began, Kawasaki rushed in, trying to land a strike. I blocked and dodged her blows, which looked pretty dangerous. Then I counterattacked, and she blocked me right back.
These small exchanges had become part of our daily routine, continuing until one of us found the tiniest opening in the other's guard. Most of the time, that was me.
Limiting myself strictly to karate techniques narrowed down what I could use, but it also helped me master them more deeply.
While we fought, I couldn't help but think about dinner.
Do I have the ingredients…?
I stepped aside to avoid Kawasaki's kick.
Maybe I should just order something.
I blocked her punch and countered, but she managed to block me too.
In Japan, there isn't such a huge gap between homemade meals and fast food. That gives me more freedom when it comes to dinner.
Hmm… pizza or fried chicken? Or maybe I should just buy some ingredients and make karaage.
I wondered what Rumi would like more… probably the pizza.
"Don't get distracted!"
Kawasaki's words snapped me out of my thoughts.
But it was already too late—I hadn't realized she was aiming a kick at my head. Feeling the danger closing in, I reacted on instinct, driving my fist toward her ankle.
I didn't gauge my strength properly, so her kick was knocked back and she lost her balance. As she spun around, the back of my fist struck her face, sending her to the floor.
"Tsurumi is disqualified. Kawasaki is the winner."
Since I had attacked an off-limits area, I was immediately disqualified. I sighed inwardly.
That was on me—lost in my thoughts, I should've saved them for the walk home. Kawasaki's words triggered an instinctive reaction, and I moved as the situation demanded.
"Sensei, I won't accept this victory," Kawasaki said as she tried to get up. "By the way, nice hit, Tsurumi."
Kawasaki's incredible—she took that hit and still looked unfazed. She's tough.
While I was a bit worried about how I should act after what happened, Kawasaki herself didn't seem to care much.
"It's my loss—I lost focus."
I extended my hand to help her up, but she clicked her tongue in frustration after failing to stand.
"Kawasaki, hold still. Let me check your ankle." Sensei approached and began examining it.
After a few seconds, he grimaced.
"Just as I thought, you hurt your ankle from Tsurumi's strike. Let me take you to the infirmary."
Since this was a karate academy, injuries weren't unusual, and the place was equipped with a nurse's office. Sensei probably had plenty of experience handling situations like this.
He helped Kawasaki up, letting her lean on his shoulder as he walked her to the infirmary.
"While I take care of Kawasaki, the rest of you keep training. Tanaka, could you take over for now?"
"No problem, Sensei!"
For some reason, Tanaka looked more eager and proud than usual.
I stepped aside and quietly observed.
Minutes later, when Sensei returned, he informed us that Kawasaki had to remain in the infirmary to rest. Moving around could make her condition worse.
"I should let you all know that Kawasaki will be absent for a few days. In her current state, training would be difficult. She agreed to this as well."
After that, the others went back to their matches. There wasn't much else they could do—accidents and injuries are part of the process.
A part of me felt guilty for her injury—it was my fault for losing focus like that. But it's not like I can help her heal.
Tanaka continued acting as referee while Sensei called me into his office.
I figured he wanted to talk about the incident. Hopefully he wasn't upset—after all, I had just hurt one of his students.
"Tsurumi-kun, I'd like to ask you for a favor."
A favor? His words caught me off guard.
"Of course, Sensei," I replied calmly.
"In Kawasaki's condition, she can't make it home on her own. Normally, I'd drive her, but I have some errands I can't put off. So I was wondering if you could accompany her."
Classes would end a bit early today due to some things Sensei had to handle.
Since it was my fault she got injured, the least I could do was walk her home.
"Alright, Sensei. I'll take Kawasaki home." Hopefully her place isn't too far.
Sensei seemed pleased with my answer.
Even so, I couldn't help but wonder—why didn't he look the slightest bit upset about the incident?
"Sensei, may I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"Aren't you upset about what happened earlier? After all, I broke the rules and hurt Kawasaki."
That would be the normal reaction—or at least, that's what I was taught before.
"Don't worry, these things happen in matches. That's why we have the infirmary here at the academy. Besides, I'm pretty sure that if you had taken Kawasaki's kick, you'd be the one in the infirmary right now." After saying this, Sensei laughed.
I can't imagine what's going through his head.
He's got a point. My reaction was also because of the situation—if I hadn't done anything, Kawasaki's kick probably would have knocked me out.
"I see…"
"By the way, Tsurumi-kun, your reaction at that moment was good. I can praise your quick response. But according to the rules, going for your opponent's ankle is not allowed. So next time, don't lose focus—otherwise, I'll be the one carrying you to the infirmary."
"I'll keep that in mind, Sensei," I replied in good spirits.
After that, I left his office and went to watch a few more matches. Half an hour later, Sensei announced the end of today's session.
Once class was over, I headed to the locker room, put away my uniform, and changed back into my own clothes. Then I stopped by the academy's entrance to wait for Kawasaki.
Wouldn't it be better if I went to the infirmary to get her?
Good question, but from the little I know about her, I can say she's… complicated.
A moment later she appeared, limping and leaning against the wall for support. Some girls, probably a year younger, offered to help her to the door, but she refused, saying she was fine and that her injury wasn't something to worry about.
"Yo!" I greeted her casually as I walked over.
"Tsurumi, what are you doing here?"
"The answer's obvious, isn't it? Let me walk you home. After all, it's my fault you hurt your ankle."
I didn't want to waste time beating around the bush, so I got straight to the point.
"There's no need. It's just a temporary pain, I'm fine."
After saying this, Kawasaki tried to walk on her own, but quickly lost her balance.
Before she could fall, I caught her and let her lean on my shoulder. I guess I'd be her temporary crutch.
"Don't push yourself too hard. If you don't take care of it, the injury will get worse—and besides, I have to take responsibility for my actions too."
What can I say? I'm a gentleman… or maybe I just don't like owing favors.
After that, Kawasaki didn't object to the idea of me walking her home.
So, we started walking.
For most of the time, we stayed silent. Kawasaki only spoke to tell me which way to go. Not that I was planning to start a conversation anyway.
I used the silence to think about what to do for dinner—some habits are hard to break.
After a few minutes, I finally decided to buy pizza for dinner. By then, we had arrived at our destination.
In front of us stood an average-sized house. Nothing about it stood out, so you could call it a pretty ordinary home.
"This is fine, Tsurumi. My parents are already home, so they can help me from here."
Apparently, Kawasaki had been using her phone along the way, probably to let her parents know what had happened.
The best thing would be to go inside and make sure she was okay, but I really don't want to run into her parents—especially since I was the one who injured their daughter. I wouldn't know what face to show them.
I left Kawasaki at the entrance, where she pulled a key out of her pocket.
"Thanks for walking me, Tsurumi."
"It was my fault, so it's the least I could do."
"I already told you not to worry about it. Besides, let me just say—I don't consider today's victory legit. So once I recover, I'll beat you down!"
I couldn't help but laugh at that. She really hasn't changed—still the same girl who wants to hit me until she's satisfied.
These days, it's actually been fun going up against her.
'I think it'll be a little tough to make it to school tomorrow,' Kawasaki murmured as she opened the door.
"Well then, Tsurumi, we'll meet again once I recover from this injury." She raised her free hand in a casual farewell.
"See you, Kawasaki." I replied with the same gesture before turning away.
After that, I started walking.
Her injury would probably take a week to heal, so it'll be tough for her to attend school until then. I guess I'll just have to take responsibility for what I did…
With those thoughts, I headed toward a pizzeria I'd spotted earlier on the way.