Chapter 71: The Miyajima Family Discussion (Part 1)
Miyajima Dojo.
"You bunch of idiots! Look at Haruto—if even one of you had half his skill, I wouldn't have to worry so much!!!"
"If I trained a dog for this many years, even it would've mastered this move by now!"
Shihan Miyajima's face was taut with fury as he berated his disciples, his spit flying everywhere, leaving them too ashamed to lift their heads.
Just as he was in the middle of his tirade, Haruto and Sakura Miyajima walked in hand in hand.
"Master Miyajima, we meet again."
Glancing at the row of burly men hanging their heads, Haruto asked curiously, "What's got you so worked up?"
"Ah, Haruto." Shihan forced a smile, suppressing his anger. "It's nothing—just disciplining some useless disciples."
"More like you got beaten this morning and are taking it out on us..."
From among the disciples, someone with nerves of steel actually muttered the truth.
A vein throbbed on Shihan's forehead as he barely restrained himself from giving Haruto a live demonstration of "housecleaning."
"Uh..."
Haruto shot a sympathetic glance at a buzz-cut disciple in the crowd. While the others might not have noticed who spoke, it didn't escape his ears or eyes.
"Well... Master Miyajima, we'll leave you to it. Sakura and I will wait for you in the back."
"Of course, Haruto. Make yourself at home."
With the last shred of his patience, Shihan instructed Sakura, "Sakura, take good care of Haruto. Don't neglect him."
"Yes, Father."
The moment Haruto and Sakura stepped out of the dojo, Shihan's furious roar erupted behind them.
"Haruto, have you been to my house before?"
Sakura glanced back thoughtfully. "Father seems to hold you in high regard..."
"Yeah. I didn't know where you'd transferred, so I came to the dojo this morning to ask. There was a bit of a misunderstanding, so your father and I had a... brief spar."
Haruto shrugged, brushing it off casually.
He couldn't very well tell her, Oh yeah, I beat your dad up.
"So you won, then."
Sakura smiled knowingly. She knew her father's temper better than anyone—if he hadn't lost, he'd never be this polite to a junior.
Not to mention, whenever she'd mentioned Haruto before, Shihan had always dismissed him with disdain.
It was practically written on his face: That brat isn't worthy of my daughter.
Haruto chuckled. "In kendo, I'm no match for Master Miyajima. I just have a bit more experience in actual fights."
Translation: You're right—your dad lost.
Even though she'd guessed as much, Sakura still felt a flicker of surprise when it was confirmed.
"Is Haruto really that strong? This is the first time I'm hearing about it."
"Just self-taught, and I've hit a ceiling. That's why I visited the club last time, thinking of trying something more orthodox like kendo."
"If Haruto wants practical combat experience, sports clubs won't be much help."
Sakura Miyajima said earnestly, "Our family's kendo is inherited from the Shinkage-ryū..."
"Wait, hold on..."
Haruto waved his hand to interrupt Sakura. He wasn't particularly interested in kendo styles. Even if he were to learn weapon techniques, he'd prefer seeking out martial arts manuals from next door.
Compared to Japan where swords and blades are often indistinguishable, the Land of Dragons with its eighteen martial arts, each with unique mastery, was Haruto's first choice.
Western countries came second—knightly swordsmanship, combat shields, dual blades...
All stylish and highly practical techniques.
"Honestly, I'm not that interested in kendo," Haruto said bluntly. "I just wanted to see if I could draw some parallels."
Sakura closed her small mouth and smiled. "I overthought it. Since you defeated my father, Haruto clearly doesn't need my guidance."
After chatting a bit longer, Miyajima Shihan, having vented his anger, hurried over.
"Haruto, I apologize for my lack of discipline. You must think poorly of me."
"Master Miyajima, you jest. Everyone around here knows the reputation of the Miyajima Dojo."
Miyajima Shihan had heard many such compliments, but coming from Haruto, they felt especially gratifying.
"Haha, just empty fame, not worth mentioning. Unlike Haruto, who's so accomplished at such a young age yet remains humble—far better than my disappointing disciples."
Haruto didn't indulge in further pleasantries with Miyajima Shihan. Talking to an old man couldn't compare to conversing with a beautiful girl. With a nod, he turned back to chat with Sakura beside him.
Miyajima Shihan didn't feel awkward. He watched the two sitting together with satisfaction. Haruto wasn't just a perfect match for his lovely daughter in looks—his strength was more than sufficient too.
Sakura's reputation as a kendo prodigy wasn't entirely unfounded. At her age, Sakura hadn't been as skilled. With her talent, she'd likely reach his current level by her early twenties.
Had Haruto not appeared, Shihan had planned to find a son-in-law to inherit the dojo someday.
Clatter—
The wooden door slid open as Miyajima Tsubaki entered with a tray.
"Why so slow?" Shihan frowned, displeased.
"My lord..."
Before Tsubaki could explain, Haruto spoke first. "Thank you, Mrs. Miyajima. Preparing all this alone must have taken time."
Tsubaki shot Haruto a grateful glance, her charming face blooming into a smile. "It's no trouble at all. We're honored to have Haruto as our guest."
Shihan's brow furrowed. He felt Haruto didn't need to be so polite to women, especially those without martial prowess. But he didn't want to undermine Haruto's dignity, resolving to discuss it privately later.
Tsubaki wore the same outfit as that morning, though the allure in her eyes seemed even more pronounced now. She stepped past Shihan and knelt gracefully beside Haruto, arranging tea and sweets from the tray onto the low table.
With every bend and movement, her voluptuous figure brushed against Haruto—sometimes her leg, sometimes her chest.
From time to time, Haruto would exchange glances with Sakura, their eyes brimming with seductive springtime allure.
Every time Tsubaki "accidentally" made contact with Haruto, Sakura would feel something was off rather than just uncomfortable.
Especially those ambiguous, teasing gazes...
Even Sakura could clearly see the suggestive looks her mother was giving Haruto.
Unfortunately, the overly masculine Shihan merely cast a fleeting glance at his wife before losing interest.
Just as Sakura couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to help serve tea, the items on the tray were finally all arranged.
Though only a minute or two had passed, it felt like hours to Sakura.
Watching Tsubaki's reluctant gaze as she stood up, Sakura instinctively looked at her rigidly seated father.
She wanted to warn him, but feared she might be overthinking things.
Moreover, Sakura wasn't particularly fond of Shihan's behavior either, and knew Tsubaki hadn't been living happily these years.
After some thought, she ultimately remained silent, though her eyes grew more solemn when looking at her mother.
Finding another man might be acceptable—but not Haruto.
Other women might be tolerable, but she didn't want to play palace intrigue games with her own mother at home.
That's right—after an afternoon of contemplation, Sakura had decided she still wanted to be with Haruto.
After he'd taken such liberties with her, how could she just let it go!
After sipping tea and nibbling on snacks for a while, Sakura finally couldn't resist bringing up the noon's incident.
"Haruto, what did you mean when you said I'd be in danger? What's going on?"
Hearing their daughter mention danger, Shihan and Tsubaki froze momentarily, immediately abandoning their attempts to connect with Haruto as they urgently asked, "Sakura? What danger?"
"I don't know either. Haruto suddenly approached me saying I'd be in danger recently."
The entire Miyajima family turned their gazes toward Haruto, waiting for an explanation.
"Ahem..."
Clearing his throat nervously, Haruto discreetly withdrew his hand from Tsubaki's thigh.
Too absorbed in their flirtatious exchanges and covert touches, he'd nearly forgotten about this matter.
"Hmm..."
After some hesitation, Haruto found himself at a loss for how to explain, so he decided to start with Kuoh Academy.
"Master Miyajima, since you enrolled Sakura-senpai at Kuoh Academy, you must be aware of its... special characteristics, right?"
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan