Long lashes, large bright eyes, delicate nose and mouth, rosy and petite lips, each feature is flawless, and together they make for a perfect face.
Smooth white skin highlights the luster of his pitch-black hair.
He doesn't have the ugly Tsukushi haircut. His silky black hair is tied into a high ponytail at the back with a purple ribbon, draping down to his nape, some strands naturally hanging over his forehead.
He looks quite young, from Aoto's estimation, this beautiful youth is probably around 16 or 17 years old.
Slender build, slightly short in stature, his height is estimated to be only about 1.55 meters.
Aoto finds it difficult to describe the appearance of this beautiful youth with precise words.
In simple and crude terms... the beauty of this youth is of a kind that even the most straight-laced men would think: "I wouldn't mind, even if he's a man."
If it weren't for the fact that he was wearing men's clothes, Aoto feels he would surely mistake him for a lovely girl.
Aoto thinks that if this beautiful youth were to dress in women's clothing, he would definitely make countless men willingly become his admirer.
Of course—what shocked Aoto wasn't just his beauty.
At this moment, the beautiful youth is holding a bamboo sword, intensely practicing one sword move after another against the air before him.
Aoto doesn't understand swordsmanship.
The "original Tachibana Aoto," who's not interested in sword fighting, doesn't have much memory related to swordsmanship either.
However, although Aoto doesn't understand swordplay, he is knowledgeable in hand-to-hand combat skills, free fighting, and police baton skills learned in police school.
These skills, like swordsmanship, belong to martial arts aimed at "subduing and defeating the opponent," sharing common ground in aspects such as step techniques and stance.
Hence—thanks to his proficiency in hand-to-hand combat and baton skills, Aoto can tell that the set of sword techniques the youth is practicing isn't just for show or fitness—this is not "retirement swordsmanship."
There are almost no superfluous movements, each action of the hands and feet is simple and efficient.
The intricate swordplay of the beautiful youth draws Aoto in with its brilliance.
Yet before he can watch for much longer, he sees the beautiful youth finally notice Aoto and Kondo standing at the entrance of the dojo, stopping his sword practice, and casting a curious and puzzled look towards Aoto who stands beside Kondo.
Kondo, who had been standing outside the dojo door to avoid disturbing him, quickly leads Aoto into the dojo at this moment.
"Toshisuke, come. Let me make an introduction."
Toshisuke, holding the bamboo sword, quickly walks with soft steps, a "pat pat" sound, to stand in front of Kondo and Aoto.
"This is Tachibana Aoto, intending to apprentice and learn swordsmanship at our Shiwei Hall! For certain reasons, I've decided to make an exception and allow him to enter today directly, and later, when the master returns, he can complete the apprenticeship ceremony!"
After a brief introduction of Aoto's situation to the beautiful youth, he shows an expression of understanding, then stands up straight and respectfully bows to Aoto.
"Nice to meet you! I am Chokata Toshisuke! An apprentice here at Shiwei Hall, welcome!"
Not only is his face handsome, but his voice is also very pleasing, with a neutral tone that's neither rough nor effeminate.
"Nice to meet you." Aoto returns the courtesy, "I am Tachibana Aoto."
——Chokata Toshisuke...
Aoto silently repeats this name in his mind.
He feels vaguely familiar with this name, as if he's heard it somewhere before.
But after thinking for a long time and still not remembering where he heard this name, Aoto decides to let it go.
——Such slender arms, yet able to wield a bamboo sword so steadily
Aoto couldn't help but glance a few more times at Chokata's slender wrist.
Limited by his own ability in swordsmanship, Aoto can't evaluate the level of Chokata's sword skills based on the series of techniques he practiced in the air just now.
But he can roughly estimate that the swordsmanship of this beautiful youth is unlikely to be lacking.
Simply because this beautiful youth is able to wield the thick bamboo sword steadily, accurately, and powerfully.
Wielding a bamboo sword steadily, accurately, and powerfully—sounds easy, but is difficult to achieve.
It is truly hard to imagine that he can wield the bamboo sword with such steadiness and force with such a slender frame.
——This person is really impressive...
Aoto silently adds this thought in his heart.
...
...
The tuition at Shiwei Hall is exactly as Kiryu mentioned, 3 monme of silver per month.
Having been prepared for the financial cost, Aoto hands over the money readily.
Afterward, Kondo brings out a large ledger, reportedly for recording apprentice information, for Aoto to fill out.
The information to be filled out isn't much—just basic details like name, age, and address.
Aoto leans over on the dojo floor, quickly filling in his information on the booklet in a few swift strokes.
After closing the booklet filled with Aoto's information and tucking it under his arm, Kondo laughs heartily:
"Mr. Tachibana! When the master returns and you complete the apprenticeship ceremony, you will officially become a disciple of our Shiwei Hall!"
"Today, the time is still early, not yet 10 in the morning; how about it? Would you like to start the training of Natural Reasoning Heart Stream today?"
"Of course!" Aoto replies.
——I came here to learn swordsmanship and fight as soon as possible.