It was nearing noon.
Busujima Saeko headed into the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Since Minamoto Senya had a few things he wanted to talk to her about in private, he volunteered to help out as well.
Eriri and Rikka also wanted to assist, but Saeko, sensing Senya's intention, tactfully redirected them to another task.
And so, the two girls sat out on the veranda just beside the kitchen, with a wastebasket and a clean bowl placed between them, leisurely peeling fresh green beans under the warm sunlight.
Both of them happened to be wearing white socks today. Rikka wore white over-knee socks, their band stopping just above her knees, with the faint pattern of a dog's head stitched cutely into the fabric.
Eriri's choice was lace-trimmed stockings, frilly at the top, semi-transparent down the leg, the delicate arch of her foot faintly visible beneath.
Their small feet dangled just past the edge of the veranda, swinging gently, the sunlight casting them in an almost dazzling glow.
As for Yukinoshita Yukino, she noticed that Senya and Saeko clearly wanted a private word. Rather than intrude, she quietly joined Eriri and Rikka, sitting beside them and helping peel beans in silence.
Eriri, however, quickly sensed something was wrong with her best friend. On the way over here, Yukino had been composed, even smiling lightly now and then, initiating conversation herself. Yet now, she looked burdened, her expression clouded with unspoken thoughts.
With growing unease, Eriri leaned toward her and whispered carefully, "Yukino, are you okay?"
Yukino forced a thin smile. "Why do you suddenly ask that?"
"Look at you," Eriri pressed softly. "You're frowning. It's obvious something's on your mind."
Her words made Rikka pause as well. "Yukino, you're not still worried about Saeko-sis and Senya entering that tournament, are you?"
Yukino exhaled gently.
Rikka's guess had hit the mark.
It wasn't worth denying, so she gave a small nod.
Realizing what was troubling Yukino, Eriri's face relaxed in relief. Her expression all but said, Oh, so that's all it is?
She narrowed her eyes, flashing a mischievous smile, the tiny fang at the corner of her mouth peeking out adorably. "Don't worry. Didn't Senya and Saeko-sis just now show how confident they were? They clearly know their own strength. We should trust them."
"Exactly!" Rikka chimed in quickly. "The two of them are bound to fight like they did last time—perfect teamwork, cutting down opponents without hesitation, and walking off with the championship medal. They'll be all over the sports news again!"
Rikka's thoughts spun further. If her onii-chan won the title again, she could set up an official online fan page in his name, managing it herself every day.
Back when Senya had claimed the national middle school kendo championship, their family had received a flood of letters from across Japan—praise, admiration, even friendship requests.
If he won again, signed with a big company, and expanded his influence as a public figure, then his fans would only multiply. At that point, when she called for support under the name of his little sister, she could raise an entire cheering squad in no time.
That way, the next time he competed, it wouldn't just be a handful of them screaming themselves hoarse in the stands. A full cheering squad would shake the very ceiling of the stadium with their support!
The thought made Rikka giggle to herself, lost in the image of becoming her brother's fan club president.
But Yukino brought her back down with cold clarity: "I trust their skill too. But in reality, the road ahead won't be nearly that simple."
Her words froze Rikka's smile in place, and even Eriri's relaxed expression grew stiff, as though realizing she'd forgotten sunscreen under the summer sun.
"They won't be allowed to team up this time, will they?" Eriri guessed.
Yukino nodded. "Exactly. The Jade Dragon Banner splits matches by gender—male and female teams compete separately. They won't be in the same group."
She continued, "And instead of three fighters per team, each side now has five."
That revelation silenced them both. Their hands stopped peeling beans.
Until now, they'd assumed Senya and Saeko could simply add one more person, like last time, and steamroll the competition under the two-of-three system.
But now, not only were they separated, the team size had doubled. Even if Senya and Saeko could guarantee one victory each, the remaining three points would depend on others.
And neither Eriri nor Rikka had any confidence in the rest of the club.
Seeing their silence, Yukino hesitated. She hated to crush their faith, but better now than later.
"And with the round-robin team battle rules," she went on, "matches continue until one side is completely wiped out—"
"Wait, what?" Rikka cut in, startled. "Completely wiped out? Isn't it best-of-five?"
Yukino shook her head. "No. In Jade Dragon Banner, the winner stays on. If you defeat your opponent, you face the next fighter immediately."
Eriri's eyes widened. "And if you keep winning?"
"Then you continue until you lose—or until the other team has no one left."
Hearing this, Eriri and Rikka both let out a synchronized sigh of relief, wiping imaginary sweat from their brows before breaking into laughter.
"Don't scare us like that, Yukino!"
"Right, you should've said so from the start!"
"If it's like a fighting game—one against five, clearing them all out—then it's easy. Senya can do that."
Yukino blinked, catlike in her puzzlement. Competitive sports weren't games. Fighting one opponent after another was grueling. It wasn't something you could shrug off.
Yet Eriri and Rikka even clapped hands together cheerfully, trying to pull Yukino in. She withheld her hand, inwardly stunned by their blind confidence.
"You don't really believe a team tournament can be carried by just two people, do you?" Yukino pressed.
"It'll be fine. Senya's strong," Rikka answered simply.
"And Saeko-sis too," Eriri added. "She'll be facing other girls. That's even more in her favor."
Their blind faith bordered on absurd.
So Yukino decided to use numbers. "Last year's Jade Dragon Banner had nearly three hundred teams. Let's assume this year has two hundred and fifty-six. To win, Senya would need eight straight victories. And each team has five fighters."
"I get it, I get it."
Rikka patted Yukino's shoulder, giving her a thumbs-up.
"You just haven't seen them fight in person. Once you do, you'll understand."
Eriri nodded vigorously. "No matter how many opponents, I believe they won't lose."
Her eyes softened, recalling how Senya had once pulled her from the loneliness of isolation, how he'd been her hero. That moment was burned into her heart forever.
Yukino was left speechless. No matter how she tried to explain, they clung to their faith. And, against her will, their conviction swayed her too.
In the end, she found herself reflecting. Wasn't it natural to support your friends rather than douse them in doubt?
And so, after a pause, Yukino bowed her head slightly. "Thank you… and I'm sorry. I said too much."
Her sudden words startled the two girls, who blinked in confusion.
Before they could press further, Senya appeared from the kitchen doorway. "Are the beans done yet? It's been ages and you've only got this much? We need them for the soup."
His interruption saved Yukino. She quickly stood. "I'll help Saeko-sis in the kitchen. You stay here."
And before Senya could reply, she slipped past him.
He blinked, watching her retreat. Turning back, he asked, "Her face was red. What were you talking about?"
Eriri and Rikka shook their heads in unison. "Just about the tournament."
"She suddenly thanked us too," Rikka added, puzzled. "Weird, huh?"
Senya glanced toward the kitchen. Saeko was tying an apron around Yukino's waist, the two of them working quietly side by side.
———
A delicious lunch followed, full of warm chatter.
The afternoon sun shone bright and windless, perfect for outings. But Senya and Saeko chose the dojo, sparring again and again, bamboo swords clashing with sharp cracks.
Saeko was astonished. She'd expected Senya to be rusty after weeks away from practice. But his form was crisp, his reflexes sharper than ever—and his strength, significantly greater.
At times, she even felt his strikes rivaled her father's.
On the sidelines, Eriri and Rikka clapped and cheered with every exchange. Yukino, though, watched in awe.
An hour passed, yet neither showed fatigue. Their stamina was monstrous. Yukino compared it to her own exhaustion after just a few tennis matches with her sister. These two were on another level entirely.
Rikka leaned in and whispered, "See? Once you see them fight in person, it's different, right?"
Yukino nodded. Indeed, it was.
On the floor, Senya's normally indifferent demeanor vanished. With a bamboo sword in hand, he became a force of nature, every shout echoing with ferocity.
And Saeko—graceful, composed Saeko—transformed into a fierce warrior, her strikes sharp and relentless.
The intensity between them felt less like practice, more like life-and-death.
Yukino thought back to her childhood lessons in aikido, her teacher's constant words: Show killing intent.
Yes. This was what he meant.
But all Yukino and the others could do was cheer from the sidelines. The outcome of the Jade Dragon Banner rested on Senya and Saeko's shoulders alone.
That night, after returning home, Yukino lay on her bed, phone in hand. She thought of her sister's words before leaving: advice wrapped in layered meaning. She'd wanted to speak with Senya privately, but the chance never came.
So she typed out a message… then deleted it.
Her mind replayed the image of Senya and Saeko sparring fiercely, then laughing together afterward, sweat glistening under the lights.
She hesitated, then dialed.
"Hello?"
"Yukino."
He'd answered immediately. Her heart skipped.
So fast? She hadn't even decided how to begin. But then, this was Senya.
"Good evening. I'm not bothering you, am I?"
"Not at all. Go ahead."
There was an echo in his voice, faint splashes in the background. A shower?
She steadied herself. "Today at Saeko-sis's house… I didn't get to ask. This tournament—you've really decided this is your future path?"
"Nope." His reply was instant, almost casual. "I just need money."
"Eh?"
She blinked. That blunt?
Senya went on, "We're moving to a bigger house. That's all. No hardship or anything. Just… expensive."
Yukino's lips parted, then closed again. She'd been bracing herself for something heavy, but instead…
"…You could've said that clearly from the start," she muttered, cheeks warm.
Senya chuckled. "So you thought my family was in trouble, huh?"
"Don't tease me."
Still, despite her irritation, warmth spread through her chest. Even if it was a misunderstanding, she had tried—sincerely tried—to reach out. And he had noticed.
Before they hung up, Senya's voice softened. "Thanks, Yukino."
Her heart fluttered. "D-don't mention it."
Later that night, her phone buzzed again. A message from him.
By the way, your cardigan and dress today suited you. You looked really nice.
Yukino froze.
Just one simple line. Yet her pulse spiked again, as though her heart had leapt straight into her throat.
That boy… honestly…
———
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Tōma Yōko, a renowned pianist and single mother, sat in her warmly lit living room.
Her daughter, Tōma Kazusa, had inherited her musical gift, perhaps even surpassing her. But lately, Yōko's thoughts were often occupied by another.
By Minamoto Senya.
Twice now, his advice—whether direct or subtle—had saved her. Once, it led her to detect early-stage cancer. Another time, it kept her from disaster abroad.
How could she not be grateful?
Money was meaningless to her; she'd tried repaying him before, but he'd refused. That refusal only deepened her respect.
And then, she'd seen something else—an unbelievable talent that shook even her seasoned perspective.
If she and Kazusa had been spoon-fed by the gods of music, then Senya had been force-fed an entire feast, with the heavens insisting he take more.
She could hardly sit still. This time, she knew exactly how she wanted to repay him.
That evening, speaking earnestly to her friend Takanashi Junko, she declared, "Trust me. If he studies under my guidance, he'll surpass even me."
From the kitchen, Kazusa peeked out nervously, clutching a tray of tea. She usually avoided her mother's guests. But tonight, she'd gathered the courage to serve them herself.
Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Auntie, please… have some tea."
..
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