The man—well, teenager, to be precise—strode into the Hoshikawa High Kendo Club training room like a protagonist stepping onto a stage. A satchel hung casually over his shoulder, his school uniform neat yet rebelliously unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of pale skin. His dark hair was tied into a short, messy ponytail, with dense, jagged bangs framing his face. His dark eyes gleamed with quiet intensity, his high nose bridge and thin lips exuding a calm, almost ethereal demeanor.
Hayato Kirisaki stepped through the doorway and, with a nonchalant toss, sent his satchel sailing to a corner. Ayaka Kobayashi watched, transfixed, as he rolled up his long sleeves, revealing slender forearms and long, distinct fingers that looked like fresh bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Then, he flung the wooden sword, wrapped in white cloth, from his back to the same spot as his satchel. Without a word, he spun around and exited, his movements swift and fluid.
The wind caught the corner of his crisp white shirt, making it flutter like a dramatic cape in a shonen anime. Everything about him was so refined, so stupidly good-looking, that Ayaka momentarily forgot how to speak.
"Hey, where are you going?" Takeshi Kato, fresh from training, called out to him.
Hayato paused, glancing back. His eyes sparkled like a starry night sky, flecks of light dancing in their depths. His thin lips parted slightly, his voice a playful blend of youthful frivolity and the husky edge of his age. With a graceful laugh, he said, "To pee, I've been holding it in for so long, do you want to come along?"
"Let's go, let's go!" Takeshi responded instantly, upholding the sacred bro-code tradition of accompanying a friend. He grabbed Masafumi Kase, dragging him along.
As the trio vanished toward the restroom, Ayaka finally remembered to breathe. She grabbed a female club member, her voice urgent. "This handsome… no, who is this person?"
"Huh?" The girl blinked in confusion. "It's the one Ayaka-senpai you've been talking about, 'Hayato Kirisaki'… Sen… Senpai, what's wrong?"
Ayaka's eyes went vacant, her mouth twitching into a stiff, forced smile. Holy crap. She'd assumed Hayato would be unremarkable at best. How could he be this damn handsome?! Suddenly, she understood Sakura's feelings. Let alone Sakura—she wouldn't be able to let this guy go either!
"Sen… Senpai, you're drooling," the female club member whispered, snapping her out of it.
Ayaka wiped her mouth, instantly reverting to a serious expression. "Uh-huh, that… I know."
Calm down, Ayaka, she scolded herself. Men shouldn't be judged by looks alone—inner qualities mattered most. A pretty face without substance was meaningless.
"Holy crap, Kirisaki, you're too big, aren't you?" Takeshi's incredulous voice echoed as the trio returned from the restroom, still deep in their absurd conversation.
Even Masafumi shot Hayato, walking confidently in the middle, a surprised glance, his eyes involuntarily darting downward.
"Oh, I'm not young anymore, so it's normal for my second one not to be small…" Hayato sighed, his tone tinged with mock distress. "Rather, I'm quite troubled by it."
"You better say less, you bastard!" Takeshi groaned, clearly in agony.
He'd thought Hayato's only strength was swordsmanship, nowhere near as manly as himself. But now? A swordmaster with an extraordinary great sword? Unfair!
"I'm serious… I really envy you guys with normal sizes," Hayato said, his earnestness almost comical. He felt like one of those exaggerated blonde guys in adult manga—honestly, it was a hassle.
"Ah ah ah, stop showing off!!" Takeshi covered his ears, practically wailing. This guy's trying to crush my spirit! Damn it!
The innocent female club member tilted her head. "Huh? What are Senior Kobayashi and them talking about?"
"I don't know! I can't understand at all! It must be boy talk!" Ayaka shouted, her voice cracking sharply.
But her dilated pupils betrayed her—she knew exactly what they were discussing. Please, I don't want to be the girl who gets this instantly! Yet, Hayato wasn't just strikingly handsome—his inner qualities were apparently… exceptional too. How could someone so fair and slender pack such a punch?
"Is Miyajima-senpai not here?" Hayato asked, scanning the room.
"Then you really picked the wrong day. The Minister has something today," Takeshi said.
"Oh, it's fine, I came to find Kase," Hayato said, turning to his junior with a kind smile. "Kase-kun, how's your training recently?"
"Uh, uh!" Masafumi stood at attention, his youthful face flushing with excitement. "I've been working hard, but, but I'm not sure what level I'm at right now."
"Oh, don't worry, we have plenty of time today, I'll take a look later," Hayato said, his smile warm and reassuring.
"Yes!" Masafumi beamed like an eager child.
"Oh, right, right," Takeshi interjected, remembering something. "Speaking of which, Kirisaki, you probably don't know our Vice Minister yet, do you? Come, come, let me introduce you. Our Vice Minister is even from the same family as you."
"Vice Minister?" Hayato blinked, wondering if the Kendo Club even had that position. And what did "same family" mean…?
He followed Takeshi's pointing finger, his eyes landing on her. "…Ayaka?"
Holy crap, Ayaka Kobayashi! He'd completely forgotten about her!
Ayaka was a character from the same story as Sakura Miyajima, but with only a few appearances, Hayato's memory of her was fuzzy. What made her stand out? In the Hypnosis Series, after several volumes, Ayaka Kobayashi was the only named female character who hadn't met a tragic fate!
"You, know me?" Ayaka asked, her spiritless eyes locking onto him, arms crossed, back ramrod straight yet somehow lazily poised. Her fair chin tilted upward, her stance dripping with condescension.
Damn it, this bastard is even more handsome up close! she thought, her heart racing.
"Ah, yes… After all, you're the Vice Minister, and a beauty at that; you're quite famous in our class too," Hayato explained with a charming smile.
"Heh, no need for such flattery," Ayaka said with a cold laugh.
What do you want, huh? Praising me? Trying to seduce me? I won't fall for it that easily! she thought, her defenses up.
"I am Hayato Kirisaki, that… I only reported today, it's truly a bit rude," Hayato said, smiling as he extended his hand for a handshake, an apology in his gesture.
Whether he'd show up next time or when was one thing; offering a sincere apology and putting on a good show now was another.
"Heh, you've got a lot of nerve, this is the first time I've seen you since Sakura invited you to the Kendo Club. The Kendo Club has never had a newcomer like you," Ayaka said, shaking his hand while maintaining her icy laugh.
Damn, his palm is cool, and the touch is perfect—long fingers, beautiful hands. This man was infuriatingly handsome, she thought.
--+--
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!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
If you guys wanna check it out.