Kaguya also frowned, as this place was indeed privately booked, so she wondered how did this girl sneak in.
Moreover, the other girl wasn't bad-looking and seemed quite youthful, even... even somewhat similar to Asuna's style.
At this thought, Kaguya couldn't help but narrow her eyes. She didn't want to gain another rival in love.
Kaori's intention was simply to thank Yusei for lending her the umbrella, preventing her from having to run back to her aunt's house in the heavy rain while already having a cold that day.
However, the situation inside the concert hall was also quite surprising to Kaori. She briefly glanced at Chika and Kaguya, before finally settling her gaze on Yusei.
"Are you the young master of some family?"
'Young master? I'm obviously not.'
Yusei was about to speak, but Kaguya cut him off.
Kaguya proudly lifted her head, "That's right! He is the young master of the Shinomiya Family, one of the largest families in Japan!"
The underlying meaning in her words was, 'See? Now you know the difference in your statuses? Don't entertain any fantasies. It's impossible for you.'
Kaori then looked strangely at Yusei, "You're so rich, and you said you couldn't find a girlfriend? These two should be, right?"
Her words also carried a hidden meaning: What kind of person can have two girlfriends who get along harmoniously? Under normal circumstances, it could only be a rich person, right? And those girls could only be gold diggers.
Kazami Yusei spread his hands helplessly, "I was just joking about that."
"Well then, I'll take it as a joke. My teacher is about to leave. See you next time."
As Kaori spoke, she was already waving her hand and quickly running towards her teacher on the stage.
'Next time? Without any contact information, and Tokyo being so big, who knows when 'next time' would actually be?'
Yusei thought this as they went outside.
After the concert, Chika's face was full of satisfaction as she hugged one of Kaguya's arms. She felt Kaguya was the best, so good to her.
She never thought Kaguya would remember the anniversary of their meeting and specially prepare a concert for her.
Yusei, on the other hand, felt somewhat frustrated. He had been full of himself today. He never imagined Kaguya had done it for Chika.
Thinking like this, it made sense. Would Kaguya suddenly fall for him? Falling for someone without any warning?
There was no inherent fondness, no 'sibling' trope aura, no sweet talk... Would a girl suddenly fall for you?
How was that possible?
If it was about looks, Yusei didn't believe Kaguya was the type to be swayed by appearances.
He couldn't help but glance at Kaguya sitting beside him. Kaguya happened to be looking at his profile. Their eyes met, and they both involuntarily turned their heads away, not daring to look at each other.
After a while, Kaguya suddenly spoke up and asked, "Yusei-kun."
"Hm?" Yusei looked at her, puzzled.
Kaguya hesitated slightly, "Grandfather placed the Shinomiya Family behind you... it wasn't so you could pick up girls."
Yusei found this both funny and annoying, and could only reply helplessly, "Do I look like someone with such low tastes?"
Kaguya looked seriously at Yusei and emphasized, "You do. For example, that girl just now."
Yusei felt a bit helpless. "She was just a stranger I met by chance. We only talked for a moment."
"Then what about that 'girlfriend' comment?"
"That was a joke."
"You lent her your umbrella."
"She had a cold, and it was pouring rain."
"She's very cute."
Yusei was finally left speechless. He found that no matter what he said, Kaguya could find a retort.
'Was she forcing me to use the [Genius] skill I copied from Shiro to counter her?'
But Yusei wasn't that bored, "And I've never told anyone about my relationship with the Shinomiya Family."
Kaguya was taken aback, her face slightly reddening. Her tone softened considerably, "He sees you as his own grandson. You are the young master of the Shinomiya Family, that's correct."
"Alright, Old Man Koken is indeed very good to me." The conversation ended there, and the car driven by Hayasaka sped off into the distance.
The next day, Yusei, bringing Shiro and Kanna, arrived at the Shinomiya Residence.
This Shinomiya Residence referred to the main house, the place where Yusei usually practiced Kendo… a traditional Japanese-style building.
Because it was a celebration banquet for their recovery, they hadn't made a big show of inviting many people, and only a select few would be attending.
The Shinomiya Couple, Kazami Couple, and Yusei's own youngster group, along with Koken who was always at the main house.
Arriving at the Shinomiya Residence, Yusei, who is already familiar with the place, went directly to the bedroom prepared for him and changed into his Kendo gear.
Shiro and Kanna, following his example, also changed into clothes of the same style in their size. Shiro understood what this was for.
But Kanna simply saw Yusei changing and, thinking it looked fun, changed as well.
Yusei just smiled at this.
Holding the hands of the two little ones, Yusei arrived at the Kendo dojo behind the Shinomiya Residence. The sounds of clashing wooden swords could already be heard from within… the dojo was filled with flashes of movement.
Yusei, Shiro, and Kanna didn't go up to disturb them, quietly watching them finish their match.
That's right. The two sparring inside the dojo were Kaguya and Souji.
These two seemed like natural rivals. Their family Kendo lineages were also opposed.
But sparring between those of equal strength was the best way to improve.
The elders of both families understood this point clearly.
So, they didn't force the rivalry between their Kendo lineages onto the younger generation. Yusei sat down next to Koken, where Hayasaka and Chika, who was smiling sweetly at him, also were.
Koken saw it was Yusei and nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his face as he said in a low voice,
"This time, looking at Kaguya and the Okita family girl, who is stronger and who is weaker?"
Yusei watched the fight between the two in the dojo, thought for a moment, and said,
"Neither is strong. They are evenly matched."
"Oh?" Koken became interested. He didn't think Yusei was being arrogant, as practicing Kendo was simply like this.
If you don't even believe you are the strongest yourself, your Kendo will never reach the summit.