Satoru gave a brief greeting to Ayaka.
Mainly because there wasn't much to say.
Though they shared the same surname on the surface, they weren't close. Satoru had picked up the "Kobayashi" surname too—where this guy's ancestors hung from a tree 800 years ago, he had no idea, so no need to play relatives with Ayaka. Was he supposed to ask "Oh, your family doesn't have a dragon maid either?" to express regret?
"Kase, let me see your training results." Satoru turned his head to find Masafumi.
Masafumi had just finished a round of training, now covered in sweat, cheeks flushed, but still nodded energetically: "Okay!"
Then he quickly walked to an open area, and everyone naturally made way, letting Masafumi start his performance.
Masafumi first raised the wooden sword, then did an air scout.
Began sparring with empty air.
Footwork was flexible, sword wind sharp, and fundamentals quite solid. Plus, it was clear that even in this void practice, he was fully concentrated and very focused.
Satoru only watched for a bit and roughly understood why in the original story Sakura favored this kid. In terms of grit, he was indeed far better than Ayumu… Today after school, Satoru didn't see Ayumu's figure again, no idea where he slipped off to play.
"Not bad."
"Kase can be called our club's rookie king, right?"
"For real, no one in this batch has higher quality than him."
The seniors' evaluation of Masafumi was also high.
"I don't think so." Someone raised an objection.
Everyone looked over—it was another newbie who joined this year—and replied: "What, you want to spar with Kase-kun?"
The person shook his head and pointed at Satoru: "Isn't he a rookie too?"
The speaking seniors looked at each other. Indeed, this one was even more heavyweight.
Though a second-year, to the kendo club, still a rookie… but what the hell kind of rookie!? Translate for me what "rookie" means!?
A rookie who curb-stomped Kato, one of the club's absolute mains, on day one—they'd never seen that in their lives!
"He… out of category." The seniors said awkwardly.
"Oh, nice."
Satoru acted fully like a teacher, clapping first to praise Masafumi: "Stance solid, looks like you took my last advice to heart."
"Yes!" Masafumi, praised, showed an excited smile, his face steaming even redder.
"But speed not enough."
"Speed?"
"Base unmoving like a mountain, but sword momentum swift like wind."
Satoru roared: "Sword come!"
Then the wooden sword flew into his hand—not some immortal technique, just Kato cooperatively tossing it over.
See, that's the effect of piss-brothers.
Satoru flicked the wooden sword and thrust forward.
"Got it?"
Masafumi nodded half-understanding, then shook his head.
"Air won't fight back, but enemies will."
Satoru thought, tapped his shoulder with the sword body: "Fine, since we're here, I'll demo once. Watch carefully, record if you can't follow."
Then his gaze swept the members present:
"Who among you can fight?"
One member shouted: "Of course Miyajima-senpai, duh me?"
"But captain's not here…"
"Then next is vice-captain."
Satoru looked at Ayaka again.
The latter continued slightly raising her snow-white chin, watching Satoru coach Masafumi with a proud posture.
S-So master-like, if he wore kendo master hakama, he'd totally be like a sword hero from stories~~~♡ ~Ehehe!!♡ ~~ Ayaka thought, heart fluttering.
"Heh, if you want to spar with me, I won't hold back." She said.
"Mm, then trouble Kobayashi-senpai…" Satoru said.
"Call me Ayaka." Ayaka said faintly. After all, both surnamed "Kobayashi," using surname felt weird.
"Okay, Ayaka." Satoru said politely.
Then everyone gasped. Good guy, straight good guy!
Japan has strict rules on "addressing"—acquaintances only use surname, add "-san" for respect, "-kun" for closer than "-san," direct first name means quite intimate… generally, new couples who are rule-abiding won't switch to names right away.
Ayaka frowned: "Add 'senpai'!"
B-Bad… why does "Ayaka" from his mouth sound so nice, voice like some strange magic, clear like summer countryside stream hitting pebbles. Ayaka thought.
"Ah… oh, sorry Ayaka-senpai." Satoru apologized. So Chinese people really can't understand your little… nice-life friends' habits.
"Show respect to seniors, rookie." Ayaka said coldly, then turned back to get her wooden sword.
Regret, should've not said so much, let him keep calling "Ayaka"… "Ayaka-senpai" feels way too distant compared to "Ayaka"! In terms of closeness! Ayaka thought.
Then she picked up the wooden sword, took a deep breath, straightened attitude thinking: Okay, take this fight seriously! If he has no real skill, just talk, absolutely can't hand Sakura to this vase man, I'll receive… no, I'll shatter him.
She turned head to look at Satoru.
The latter was also looking down at his wooden sword: "Aggressive like fire, swift like thunder… hm? Should call you Thunder-Fire Sword… grass."
"Hope you bring real skills." Ayaka said.
"Mm." Satoru nodded.
Ayaka took a deep breath, and both stepped at the same time, facing each other.
Mm, if empty the mind, he doesn't seem that handsome. Ayaka told herself, Ayaka oh Ayaka, you really aren't the type to sink into male beauty!
"Ready! Start!" This time referee was Kato, he announced powerfully.
Words just fell.
A ground-shaking footstep rang.
Satoru like a bolt of lightning, in the moment Ayaka raised her eyes, rushed to her front.
One sword thrust!
Ayaka lived up to "vice-captain," though shocked, still instinctively raised sword to block.
Swords clashed, eyes met.
Satoru's face close at hand, distance between them just 40-50 cm.
Ayaka froze, knees started trembling.
Not from feeling Satoru's terrifying strength, but… 50 cm away this face, really exquisite.
Grass, indulge then indulge, I'll sink into male beauty. Ayaka thought self-abandonedly.
…