Only then did Siyuan Liangxiang shift her gaze from Hayato to the girl beside her.
Miyajima Sakura.
The captain of Shirakawa High School's Kendo Club.
She could be described as a well-known figure, and also a very famous 'high mountain flower' among high school students.
She was highly skilled in swordsmanship, graceful in demeanor, and possessed a beauty akin to a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Even a girl like Siyuan Liangxiang, who was hailed as the 'Karate Idol,' would feel waves of pressure under her radiance. She was like a goddess.
When did she get here?
Due to the imminent danger, Siyuan Liangxiang had not noticed the changes on the sidelines.
Only when Hayato returned the sword did she realize that Hayato's sword was borrowed from her.
Did they already know each other?
Siyuan Liangxiang didn't ask, but Miyajima Sakura still answered her question.
She took the wooden sword with one hand and chuckled,
"Don't mention it, I didn't help much. I don't think I've ever seen you… You're with Siyuan-san after school, are you also a member of the Karate Club?"
Miyajima Sakura hadn't seen Hayato.
Or rather, she had seen him but forgotten.
But she had a strong impression of Siyuan Liangxiang, the ace of the Karate Club.
This year, she led the Karate Club to a remarkable performance in the national competition, elevating Shirakawa High School's reputation to another level.
Impressive strength, coupled with a beautiful appearance…
Miyajima Sakura was certain that many boys joined the Karate Club just for this captain.
Although Miyajima Sakura was asking Siyuan Liangxiang, her gaze was scanning Hayato up and down.
"…No," Siyuan Liangxiang shook her head.
In fact, before this, she didn't know Hayato. After the Aihara Yamato incident, she had also hesitated, thinking of asking Hayato to join the Karate Club, not only for mutual support but also to let him train his physique. She never expected him to unleash such powerful 'sword skills' in this battle.
'Sword skills'…
Siyuan Liangxiang found something not so good, and it was indeed as she had expected.
Miyajima Sakura narrowed her ancient and elegant purple eyes slightly, her lips curving upward, seemingly quite pleased with the answer.
"What's your name?"
"Hayato… Hayato," Hayato said.
"Are you interested in joining the Kendo Club?" Miyajima Sakura asked gently, then she used only one sentence to state the reason for inviting him, "I like your sword."
L-Like!?
Siyuan Liangxiang's pupils trembled.
Although the words 'your sword' were added at the end, it still made her breathing quicken slightly.
The 'Kendo Club' was one of Shirakawa High School's most popular clubs.
Students wanting to join the Kendo Club were endless, and it was rumored that the Kendo Club's membership was already full, with recruitment closed.
The reason for this was none other than the handsome and beautiful Miyajima-senpai. For many members, Kendo wasn't important; seeing Miyajima-senpai's heroic figure was.
As for Miyajima Sakura personally recruiting someone… that was unheard of.
Siyuan Liangxiang looked at Hayato; she didn't know what she was nervous about.
Logically speaking, almost no one could refuse Miyajima Sakura's invitation… and a face-to-face invitation at that. Moreover, they were so close that even Siyuan Liangxiang could smell Miyajima Sakura's faint and pleasant scent.
"I refuse," Hayato said, however.
"!!"
Siyuan Liangxiang was shocked: "Why!?"
She felt that she probably didn't want Hayato to join the Kendo Club.
But when he actually refused, she found herself asking the reason on behalf of the captain.
Because…
It was simply too unexpected.
Miyajima Sakura's eyes narrowed slightly, also quite surprised, but she skillfully masked her emotions, not expressing them directly like Siyuan Liangxiang.
"I'm not interested in Kendo," Hayato said with a smile.
Siyuan Liangxiang looked at him strangely.
Even Miyajima Sakura was a little unable to maintain her composure.
No, not interested?
Not interested? Then why did you say, "The Heavens did not give birth to Murae"? Not interested? Then why did you take on over ten delinquents alone with a single sword? You call that not interested!?
Murae stroked his chin, carefully choosing his words.
Saying "not interested" did seem a bit too much like showing off. Given the sword skills he had just displayed, it felt like Jack Ma claiming he wasn't interested in money.
"To me, a sword is a weapon, and swordsmanship is the art of killing. No matter how beautiful the words, they cannot hide this fact," Murae said gravely. "I draw my sword only for self-preservation, not for performance... or competition."
"A sword is a weapon... swordsmanship is the art of killing."
Murae said this calmly, but to Miyajima Sakura, it sounded like a thunderclap.
This boy, younger than herself, had already reached such a level... Indeed, there was a qualitative difference in their standings.
Miyajima Sakura gripped the wooden sword, which Murae had used, even tighter, until her knuckles turned white.
"Thank you for your guidance, Kobayashi-kun. I will trouble you again in the future, and I hope you will forgive me."
Miyajima Sakura bowed to Murae.
As dusk approached, Miyajima Sakura finished speaking and stood up to leave. Murae stretched his neck, then noticed Siyuan Liangxiang hesitating, as if she wanted to speak.
"You..." Her lips moved. "And Miyajima-senpai..."
Before she could finish, Murae pointed to a utility pole not far away.
A scrawny boy was squatting there, his cheek bruised and swollen; the previous fight had affected him.
"Ah!" Siyuan Liangxiang suddenly remembered. "Ayumu!"
She quickly rushed over to help Matsubara Ayumu, who was groaning.
She had been so focused on Miyajima Sakura that she had almost forgotten her childhood friend.
"Since the matter is resolved, let's part ways here," Murae waved his hand casually. "I'm just about to turn the corner."
..."Okay," Siyuan Liangxiang swallowed the question she was about to ask.
"Kobayashi, I didn't realize you were so strong..." Matsubara Ayumu forced a weak smile, which tugged at his sore muscles, making him wince again.
Murae looked at Matsubara Ayumu, then at Siyuan Liangxiang, who was even taller than him. Visually, this guy's scrawny arms and legs didn't seem as strong as Liangxiang's.
"You, huh," Murae sighed. "You should train hard."
"Huh?" Matsubara Ayumu didn't understand.
But Murae had already turned his head.
The boy walked under the dappled evening sun.
At the same time, a voice began to echo in his mind.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission "One-on-one? I'll take on all of you"!]
[Calculating rewards... "Nonsense lv.5" has been upgraded to "LV.3", you have learned the skill "Strong Person's Gaze Lv.1", and you have received one lottery chance.]
[Would the Host like to draw immediately?]
(No)
[Okay, immediately arranging for the Host's draw... Eh, eh, eh, eh? Not drawing immediately? Beep, Ai-chan shows an expression of disbelief.]
(...)
[Really? You can even resist that!? Beep, Ai-chan exclaims, could the Host be the kind of person who can watch adult films without fast-forwarding!?]
(Shut up.)
[Congratulations, Host, for completing a hidden achievement! You have obtained the skill "Extraordinary Endurance"!]
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Your Power Stones are my motivation. The more you vote, the quicker I release.