The morning matches had concluded. Naturally, Sobu High advanced to the next round.
The score this time was quite precarious. The match went into an extension round for the captain, and Yuu secured the victory by scoring two consecutive points.
"I didn't expect Kyushu's kendo club to be so strong. We almost lost…"
Having nearly lost their chance at the championship, the defeated participants, even those who drew, were still visibly shaken. Once back in the rest area, they reflected with grim faces and expressed even greater gratitude to their captain, Yuu, for his ability to turn the tide.
Unfortunately, Yuu wasn't swayed by the praise. With the coach's approval, he issued an ultimatum without hesitation—
If Himura, the combat power detector, judged that two of the first four members might lose, then to secure victory, Yuu would immediately request a one-against-five match format, leaving them no chance to fight and embarrass themselves.
As mentioned before, this winner-takes-all system was also known as the Gyokuryuki System.
The rules were simple: anyone could fight, and if you were strong enough, you could fight alone from start to finish until the opponent had no one left to compete.
Yuu had boasted about helping them become national champions. In critical moments, he couldn't worry about their feelings. He'd do whatever it took to win. Otherwise, it'd be more humiliating if they were eliminated before even getting to fight.
As a result, after the rest area was dismissed and the midday break began, the kendo club members left the room with serious expressions. Their enthusiasm for fun was completely extinguished. They all shouted about training until they collapsed. For them, nothing was more important than improving their skills.
Seeing the gloomy atmosphere transform into a fiery fighting spirit, Yuu didn't say it aloud, but in his heart, he was quite satisfied… He just hoped this strategy worked and the national championship didn't turn into his solo performance.
However, upon hearing this, Masuzu, Yuigahama, and Haruno were thrilled. They couldn't wait to see him fight, crush all five opponents cleanly, and end the match as quickly as possible.
It'd be even better if Yuu did it in the first match tomorrow.
Only someone as serious as Yukino would think about the kendo club members' pride… Or rather, spectators were never satisfied with just watching the show.
The talk about the match ended there. They had a decent lunch at Kyoto University's central cafeteria, then returned to the gymnasium to watch Asuna swiftly win her fencing match. After the six gathered again, they headed to Heian Shrine to enjoy the famous ancient temple's scenery in Kyoto.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Time passed steadily.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the red maple forest in Kyoto Gyoen, illuminating the red tiles of Heian Shrine.
The leisurely, tranquil sky seemed to pause time. Only the hoarse caws of noisy crows on the power poles disregarded the atmosphere.
By around five in the evening, the maple forest glowed as if set ablaze by the sunset. The horizon turned a fiery red.
Exhausted from walking all afternoon, everyone returned to the inn to rest. Soon after, they had to head to a restaurant for dinner—the snow-like girl with limited stamina quietly sighed, only to be teased again by the perceptive Haruno.
Masuzu also wanted to join in the teasing, but her words were swiftly deflected by Haruno, who was fiercely protective of her sister. Masuzu had no choice but to hide behind Yuu, seeking protection and comfort from him.
Overall, though their group was an odd mix, the atmosphere remained harmonious, almost like a school trip.
As for Asuna, since her inn was very close to theirs and they'd grown quite familiar, she accepted Haruno's invitation. She'd come to their room after dinner to play games like poker and sugoroku, which they'd bought on the way back.
Around 6:30 p.m., before Asuna arrived, Yuu escorted Masuzu and her belongings back to their room.
Along the way, the girl protested vehemently. But Yuu silenced her with one sentence:
"The walls here aren't that thick. If we accidentally do something, the neighbors might hear."
After he said that, an awkward cough came from the next room, proving the inn's soundproofing was indeed subpar.
"Fine, we'll have plenty of time when we get back…"
Masuzu sighed regretfully. She wanted to respond casually, but when she recalled their intimate moment last night, her fair face flushed.
(Last night, I didn't scream too loudly, did I?)
(I remember just sighing or panting. Sounds that small shouldn't have been heard by the neighbors…)
"Tch, I'm going to complain to the inn about this terrible soundproofing."
With a flushed face and a click of her tongue, Masuzu stood up, tidying her long hair. She no longer insisted on sleeping together. She only said with a hint of resignation, "We'll go soak in the hot springs later. After that, we'll head back to the room to play games… Yuu, want to join?"
"Sure. I also want to try the public bath here." With his friendly, gentle smile, Yuu added, "Of course, I'll go to the men's bath."
Masuzu nodded in satisfaction. "There's no mixed bath here anyway. Even if you wanted to be a lucky pervert, you'd have no chance. You'd just get arrested like normal."
Yuu held his forehead, speechless. "I didn't say I wanted to go to the women's bath either."
"Really not interested?" As she walked to the door, Masuzu teased, "Besides Yukinoshita-san, don't our figures suit your taste perfectly? Especially Dango-chan—she'd definitely be more impressive without clothes."
Yuu couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth—when did this girl get the illusion that he was a big bust fan?
He had no specific preference for women's figures. If he had to choose, Kurisu's slender, innocent build was more his type.
Women's chests—big ones were nice, sure, but small ones had their own charm. Weren't there girls who didn't suit large chests and looked better flat as a board?
Not that he was pointing at anyone.
Yuu sighed and said casually, "Just you. The others don't… I'm not interested in any woman's body except my girlfriend's."
"Really?" Masuzu blinked.
"Of course."
Yuu thought she'd react, but after asking, Masuzu took a deep breath and suddenly turned away.
"Waaah~ Perverted Yuu! Pervert, pervert, super pervert! You want to see my body naked! Masuzu-chan's in danger!"
Screaming like a child, she opened the door and fled, her swaying silver hair disappearing behind the closing door.
In the now-quiet room, Yuu stood stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Such an idiot…"
(You hid your shy smile, but you forgot to hide your blushing ears and those feelings you can't hide anymore.)
Telling dirty jokes and getting easily embarrassed. That was the Masuzu he knew…
Maybe in a few days, she'd become an adorable girlfriend he didn't recognize anymore.