Meanwhile, Anshi was having a rough time.
He had planned to use the walk home to ask his buddy—his aibo—how in the world he'd transformed from a shut-in to this perfect socialite. But before he even got the chance, Hayato was whisked away by a beautiful girl…
At that moment, Anshi truly felt the thick, impenetrable wall between himself and Hayato. Damn it, Aibo… Is there no longer a place for me, your brother, by your side!?
Tears welled up.
Lost in thought, Anshi unknowingly arrived in front of the Kendo Club's training hall.
The Kendo Club was practically a prestigious institution within Baiqiu High—many students desperately wanted to join, but most were turned away. And his brother… Hayato, had been personally invited by none other than the Club's Minister, the goddess Miyajima Sakura, known across the school as the "Flower of the High Peak."
Come to think of it, Hayato had been carrying a wooden sword around lately… though he didn't exactly report to club activities often.
The training hall door wasn't fully shut, so Anshi couldn't resist sneaking a peek. Naturally, Hayato wasn't there—but he immediately spotted Miyajima Sakura herself, standing tall and radiant. With a serious expression, she was speaking sharply to another striking girl across from her.
Kobayashi Ayaka.
As Baiqiu High's self-proclaimed "Beautiful Girl Encyclopedia," Anshi recognized her instantly. Like Sakura, she was a third-year, the Vice Minister of the Kendo Club, Sakura's best friend, and—reputedly—the second-strongest female swordswoman in the club.
Miyajima-senpai had probably taken a liking to his aibo. And as the saying goes: a friend's wife is off-limits. So Anshi wisely gave up the idea of staring at Sakura, and instead focused his gaze on Ayaka-senpai's graceful figure… Sakura was voluptuous, but Ayaka was slender. Two completely different styles, both equally captivating…
At that moment, Miyajima Sakura's voice rang out sternly:
"Ayaka! You've been far too lax lately!"
Ayaka blinked in confusion. She had taken yesterday off, but she'd asked for permission. Why was Sakura still tearing into her? Normally, even if she skipped, her best friend would just turn a blind eye.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Behind her, a few other members whispered.
"It seems the Minister was in a bad mood yesterday.""Hard to say if it was anger or shyness…""Probably anger from embarrassment."
"Anyway, Ayaka, you've been missing too many practices. You'll spar with me today. Tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that… you'll be in morning training all week!" Sakura declared, swinging her shinai with authority.
"No way…" Ayaka groaned. "Morning training's for new recruits… and I don't want to spar with you, Sakura…"
Both options were hell. One meant losing sleep, the other meant losing completely.
"Change into your uniform and pick up your sword," Sakura ordered firmly.
"…Fine." Ayaka sulked, muttering inwardly that her "sister" must be on an early period. But no—that timing didn't match up…
Her eyes darted around until they landed on a first-year. "Kase!"
"Y-yes, Ayaka-senpai!" Kase Masafumi stiffened.
"Has Hayato not reported in?" she asked.
"No… he hasn't been here these past few days," Kase admitted, sounding disappointed.
"…Favoritism," Ayaka muttered. She missed one day for a mixer and got punished, but Hayato had skipped repeatedly and was left alone. Was this what they meant by a daughter leaving home after growing up?
"A-YA-KA."
The voice was sharp enough to cut stone.
Ayaka turned to see Sakura standing arms crossed, shinai tucked between them, eyes blazing.
"Y-Yes! I'll change right now!" Ayaka yelped, dashing to the changing room. She cursed under her breath: Hayato, you've offended me! You'll get what's coming to you!
Meanwhile, Sakura's face flushed red. She even had the nerve to mention Hayato-kun…! If Ayaka hadn't misunderstood that embarrassing word in front of him, she wouldn't have made such a fool of herself.
H-he doesn't think I'm some kind of pervert, does he…?
Sakura covered her face with both hands, thighs rubbing together, knees knocking as her body twisted in embarrassment.
"It's… it's happening again…"
"Is the Minister sick?""No! Minister!!"
Kase Masafumi's sharp gaze darted toward the door. Someone was peeking.
"Hiss—!" Anshi panicked, retreating quickly. That sharp-eyed kouhai was too damn perceptive.
But Anshi himself was the slow-witted type. During his hasty retreat, he nearly crashed into someone passing by. He barely dodged at the last second.
The girl he almost bumped into immediately bowed her head. "S-sorry!"
She wasn't tall, maybe a little over 150 cm, with delicate features like a pearl cupped in one's hand. Her shoulder-length hair framed a pure, innocent face—but her figure was surprisingly developed, her chest straining against her uniform. That combination of purity and allure gave off a shockingly dangerous charm.
She carried a large wooden case, almost as big as herself—probably for a guitar.
Anshi's "encyclopedia" brain whirred. Asakura Ibuki—third year, member of both the Swimming Club and the Light Music Club.
"Ah… ah…" Anshi opened his mouth to strike up a conversation.
But he was too slow. By the time he gathered himself, Asakura Ibuki was already walking away, her petite frame retreating, guitar case swaying.
…Should I join a club?
Anshi thought bitterly. Hayato had only started carrying around a shinai, and suddenly he was swarmed by girls. Maybe if he carried something around too…?
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/Kazenova223
If you guys wanna check it out.