"No way!"
Before Taku could respond, a crew-cut guy from the club shouted.
There's no way soone who had never held a sword could have such reflexes and deliver a picture-perfect tsuki like that.
"I figured…"
Taku gave a wry smile.
He didn't doubt Takashi at all.
The first ti they shook hands, he knew the boy had never practiced kendo.
His fingers were smooth, skin delicate as silk, soft to the touch.
They were the hands of soone who'd never suffered the calluses from gripping a sword.
"Captain, you an… he's telling the truth?"
Everyone turned to look at Taku, their faces overtaken by shock and disbelief.
Taku was the strongest in the club.
That's why he was the captain.
In high school sports clubs—especially athletic ones—there wasn't much politics. You had to earn your position.
If Taku were just a third-year with average skills, he never could've held the captaincy.
Yet such a strong captain… was defeated by a complete novice who had never even held a sword.
It felt as absurd as getting crushed in a solo ga by a friend who'd never touched the ga before—using your main character, no less.
That kind of existential crisis? Only those who've lived through it could understand.
"Yes."
As unbelievable as it sounded—even Taku struggled to accept it—the truth was right in front of him.
There really were geniuses like this in the world.
Talent… is real.
Just like how sotis, no matter how hard you study, you still get beaten by the kids who fool around all day.
"Junior, would you be interested in becoming the kendo club's captain?"
Whether it was Takashi's inhuman reflexes or his perfectly controlled thrust, Taku realized they weren't even in the sa league.
With his skill, Takashi should be captain.
Everyone glanced around awkwardly. The vibe felt strange and uncomfortable… but no one objected.
In Japan, if you want to rise, you have two options:
Outlast your seniors—or dominate with overwhelming strength.
The love of strength—it's in this country's DNA.
"Senpai, I'm not interested in being captain. Just put on the roster."
Takashi just wanted soone to test his newly acquired skills on.
Other than the kendo club or a private dojo, there was nowhere else to do it.
"I see…"
Taku looked disappointed.
He genuinely hoped Takashi would accept.
He was in his third year. He'd graduate soon and needed to pass the torch.
Toji Rina's eyes lit up as she suddenly thought of sothing. Smiling, she asked, "Takashi-kun, can I submit your na for the Gyokuryu-ki Championship?"
Taku's entire body jolted.
Of course!
If he tead up with Takashi… this year's Gyokuryu-ki would be a total slaughter!
When Rina ntioned the Gyokuryu-ki, everyone's eyes lit up.
How could they have forgotten?
The Gyokuryu-ki is a prestigious high school kendo tournant held every sumr in Fukuoka by West Japan News.
No prelims. Over 500 teams in a massive brawl. One-on-five matchups are common. Other tournants exist, but none are as well-known as Gyokuryu-ki.
To all student kendo, it's like the Koshien of baseball.
In Japanese society, strong kendo skills earn real respect. Young kendo stars often beco police officers—public servants.
Every year, the top players in the All-Japan Kendo Championship usually co from the Tokyo tropolitan Police or other prefectural forces.
Takashi said seriously, "That's exactly why I'm here."
In truth, he didn't really want to compete.
Most tournants fell on rest days, and he didn't want to waste his breaks.
But he'd made a promise to Momo—
To humble the arrogant son of the police commissioner.
That was why he challenged Taku to a match.
If he had joined the club quietly as a regular mber, he'd never get a spot on the Gyokuryu-ki team.
It's fine to hide your strength sotis—but don't hide everything.
You have to show your value if you want others to recognize your worth.
"To restore Aoba Kendo Club's glory is my duty."
When Takashi agreed, Taku's smile stretched to his ears.
It was settled.
This year's Gyokuryu-ki was in the bag.
Not just for him—every mber of the club began to look forward to this year's tournant.
They finally had hope.
Taku subconsciously glanced at the honor wall.
A blank, spotless wall—clean as Tottenham's trophy cabinet.
But this year, he just might have sothing to put on it.
…
After changing out of the stinky kendo uniform, Takashi scrubbed himself raw in the shower with soap before walking out.
Outside the clubroom, Narii was idly playing on her phone to pass the ti.
When she saw Takashi co out, she put her phone away. The two of them left the school gate together and parted ways there.
There was no date planned today, so Takashi intended to head ho and get so proper rest.
Before going ho, Takashi subconsciously stopped by the supermarket for a bit of browsing.
"Senpai!"
Inside the convenience store, Takashi ran into Shirogane Kei.
"What are you doing here?" Takashi asked in surprise.
"I was waiting for you."
Biting her lip nervously, Kei softly said, "Senpai, you said you'd help find translation work."
"You finished reading the book I gave you?" Takashi raised an eyebrow.
"No, but I can keep reading and learning as I go," Kei replied in a quiet voice.
Thinking about Kei's family situation, Takashi nodded. "Alright, co with ."
"Thank you, Senpai."
Kei bowed politely to Takashi.
The two of them headed to a nearby shopping street, where they t up with a few store owners Takashi had already contacted, and discussed the translation work.
"Since it's Takashi-san recomnding her, we can give it a try."
Although the shop owners were skeptical about relying on soone as young as Kei, once Takashi said he'd take responsibility, they were willing to give her a chance.
After all, Takashi was steady and reliable. The convenience store he managed was always well-organized and had never run into any serious issues.
On top of that, he spoke well and was even willing to help their children with schoolwork from ti to ti. Their impression of him was very positive.
"Thank you," Takashi said politely, then handed over his class notes, saying they might be helpful for their kids' studies.
The store owners bead with joy.
As they left the store, Kei looked at Takashi with a trace of admiration in her eyes.
She hadn't expected Takashi to have so much clout in front of these adults.
At first, when they heard she was the one doing the translation, they had all shaken their heads and refused.
But once Takashi said he would vouch for her, they agreed imdiately.
'He's really amazing!'
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