Kendo Club.
"Captain!"
"Captain!"
"Cap…tain…"
"No spirit! You call that kendo-ready!?"
"C-Captain!!"
As Miyajima Sakura stepped into the kendo club's practice room, every member bowed with gusto.
Like she was some queen.
Sakura gave a soft smile. "How many times have I said it? You don't need to be so formal…"
She felt a touch embarrassed, but the club's respect was genuine. Helpless, she couldn't rein them in too much.
The members straightened, male and female alike.
Sakura's charm wasn't just for lovestruck boys… Satoru counted—there were more girls.
The yuri vibes were crystal clear.
"Huh, who's this…?" One member eyed Satoru.
This pale-faced guy, walking in with Miyajima-senpai?
"Let me introduce," Sakura said, gesturing to Satoru's chest. "This is Kobayashi Satoru from Class 2-F. Starting today, he's joining the kendo club. Please get along with him and, uh… be friendly."
Normally, the line for newbies was "guide them well."
But… with Kobayashi-kun's swordsmanship? No one here, including herself, could "guide" him.
The sunset showdown—Satoru holding the line alone—was burned into her mind.
"Everyone, I'm Kobayashi," Satoru said, stepping forward with a slight nod.
Earlier, when Sakura came to his class, it was about the kendo club.
He'd already rejected her once, but she wasn't giving up. A swordmaster like him was a rare find…
Surprisingly, before she could pitch, Satoru cut in: "If I join the kendo club, do I need to prepare anything?"
He wasn't clued in.
Competitive kendo wasn't just about a bokken. You needed a kendo-gi, hakama pants, and protective gear—men (head), do (chest), kote (wrists), tare (waist)—to shield against strikes to the head, arms, abdomen, and throat.
Joining meant getting your own gear.
But Sakura, without hesitation, said, "No, Kobayashi-kun. Just bring yourself."
"Got it." Satoru scratched his head, extending a hand. "Then, please guide me."
Sakura's delicate hands clasped his—both of them, her face alight with anticipation. "Yes, please guide us too!"
"Uh…" Satoru blinked.
Sakura was tall but shorter than him. As she leaned forward eagerly, his high-angle view caught her… notably prominent chest.
He averted his gaze.
Sakura, thinking she'd been too forward, quickly let go, stepping back and bowing formally. "I'll pick you up after school."
Satoru's change of heart was simple.
In the kendo club, carrying a sword wouldn't look weird. And right now, he needed his Swordsmanship Mastery EX to stay safe.
"Wha…!?"
"No way!"
The other members gaped at the new guy.
"Wait, Captain, isn't the club full?" one protested.
It wasn't actually full—clubs always claimed that but left a spot or two open for emergencies.
Still, Satoru didn't look like "emergency" material.
"I'll handle the advisor," Sakura said, her tone brooking no argument. "Kobayashi-kun earns this extra spot."
Satoru glanced at her profile.
She blended grace and authority perfectly. Before, she'd shown only her gentle side, but now? She radiated a leader's presence.
"…If the Captain says so…" The doubter backed off, not daring to defy Sakura.
His eyes still scanned Satoru, trying to figure out what hooked her.
A girl behind him chimed in, "He's kinda hot… Kobayashi, right?"
"Second-year? Guess I'd call him senpai…"
"Same year as me! Our club didn't have any Class F kids. How'd we miss a hottie like this in F?"
Hot? Hot?!
Kato Go scoffed inwardly. Pale face, lifeless fish-eyes—pure gloom! Okay, his face was… fine, cough. But the Captain wasn't some shallow girl swayed by looks! In kendo, your sword did the talking!
"Right, Masafumi?" Kato nudged the boy beside him.
Kase Masafumi, a first-year, stood out with his delicate features. Hardworking and humble, he was a favorite among seniors—even Sakura seemed to favor him. Rumors swirled he might pluck Shirao's untouchable flower.
"Huh?" Masafumi blinked.
"Don't 'huh' me!"
"…The new senpai's staring at me," Masafumi said softly.
"What?"
Kato followed his gaze.
Satoru was staring at Kase Masafumi. What's his deal?
Kase Masafumi was the "hero" of Miyajima Sakura and Kase Masafumi's Affair—or rather, the victim.
Satoru studied him, noting a vibe similar to Matsubara Ayumu. A bit better-looking, slightly more muscular, a touch manlier—but not by much.
Sakura, who'd been all business, turned to Satoru with a radiant smile. "Kobayashi-kun, any questions?"
"Yeah, uh…" Satoru nodded, pointing at Masafumi. "Your boyfriend?"
Sakura: ?
Masafumi: ??
Everyone else: ???
What the hell?!
Barely a minute in, and he's claiming Miyajima-senpai?!
Satoru's logic was simple: timeline check.
In Hypnosis Guidance, Masafumi and Sakura were dating for over three months when the story started.
"…No," Sakura said, cheeks faintly pink, shaking her head.
"No boyfriend?" Satoru pressed.
She bit her rosy lip, shaking her head again. "…Nope."
Satoru exhaled. "Good."
"...!" Sakura's heart skipped—twice.
Good?
Good how?
…
…