On the day of the Tamaryū Flag Tournament, Minamoto Senya arrived at school bright and early, fully prepared.
After more than two months of effort, it was finally time to see the results.
"Yo, captain! Morning."
"Good morning, Minamoto-kun."
"Morning, everyone."
Senya smiled back at the club members who greeted him first.
It was only a little past seven, and on the way from the front gate, he hadn't seen many people.
But over at the kendo club, it was already buzzing with activity. Busujima Saeko had arrived ahead of him.
At her direction, a number of members were hauling competition gear onto the charter bus parked outside.
Traditionally, the Tamaryū Flag had always been held at the Fukuoka International Center, with the dates shifting year to year.
But apparently, in order to spread kendo culture more widely, the federation had made some changes.
Starting this year, not only had the age requirement been lowered, but the venue itself had shifted—to the very heart of Japan, Tokyo.
The matches would be held at the newly built Tokyo National Stadium.
Senya figured that was convenient enough. At least they wouldn't have to make the trip all the way to Fukuoka.
"Saeko."
"Senya, you made it. Sleep well last night?"
"Perfectly. I'm in top shape."
"Me too."
As they exchanged words, a familiar shock of bright blond hair bounded toward them. Sunohara Yōhei, brimming with excitement.
"Good morning, Prez! Morning, Senya!"
He was one of the official competitors this time.
It had actually been his own idea to step up.
The rules required that competitors had to be current students of the school.
But with the third-years graduating in March, like that senior who had carried them to a championship despite never winning a single match himself, there were suddenly fewer candidates available.
That left only the first- and second-years to fill the roster… and honestly, there weren't many standouts.
When Yōhei learned that his close friend was stressing over it, he had volunteered to join the club.
Despite never having touched a shinai before, his athleticism and reflexes weren't half bad. He had been on the soccer team, and years of scrapes and scuffles had given him at least a sense for physical exchanges.
After two months of grueling practice, he'd reached the point where he could swing a shinai with some confidence.
"My sister's coming to watch today. We're gonna win, right?"
"Of course. We'll… Well, let's just say we'll fight together, and make sure she sees your cool side."
Senya had started to answer reflexively, but halfway through realized it sounded like a bad omen, or maybe jinxing it. He quickly rephrased.
Before departure, Busujima Saeko gathered both the boys' and girls' teams.
"Everyone, do you still remember the goal we set?"
"The Tamaryū Flag—champions!"
Hands shot into the air, voices rang out… but their faces betrayed their nerves. Their confidence wavered.
"I know what you're all worried about," Saeko said evenly. "But we've trained hard. Body and mind, we're at our best.
Kendo is the art of a single decisive strike. Even against powerful opponents, if you stay calm and find the right moment, victory will always be within reach."
Straight-backed, with unwavering resolve gleaming in her eyes, Saeko's very presence radiated strength. She looked every bit the commanding leader.
Her pep talk skills, though, were another story.
She wasn't one for emotional highs and lows, and fiery rhetoric simply wasn't in her nature.
Her words came out calm, almost conversational.
Encouraging enough, but not stirring.
Thankfully, her meaning still came across. And with Yōhei pumping his fists, hollering "Ooooh!" at every pause, the atmosphere loosened up.
Before long, everyone's fighting spirit was properly stoked.
"All right. Let's move out."
"Yes, ma'am!"
They boarded the bus, while the advisor checked names off a roster.
Truthfully, when Saeko had first approached him about entering the Tamaryū Flag, he had been reluctant.
Yes, he knew both Busujima Saeko and Minamoto Senya were prodigies, far above the middle school level.
But the rest of the club… not so much.
He hadn't wanted to risk tarnishing their fresh national championship with a reckless attempt.
If they placed, fine. But if they were crushed in the first round by a powerhouse high school? The blow to morale could be crushing.
And yet, Saeko's persistence—so uncharacteristically firm—had worn him down.
He couldn't very well deny his students' drive to grow.
So, reluctantly, he had agreed.
But watching the club pour themselves into training over the past two months, even he had felt his blood stir again.
What if… just what if…
If Kawaranami Middle School actually took the Tamaryū Flag?
Even if they didn't win it all, even a top-three finish would shake the nation.
After all, middle schoolers taking down high school teams—now that would be a story.
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