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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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“Hmm? You look pale, Matsuda-kouhai.”
Chinami’s words greeted me the next morning as I entered the dining hall for breakfast.
I pressed my fingers against the skin around my eyes, massaging gently, and replied,
“I didn’t sleep well.”
“Why?”
Why, you ask? Because that bastard Tetsuya was snoring like a freight train. He said he didn’t snore, but he caused an earthquake in the room. It was my fault for trusting him.
I was lucky I managed to get some uncomfortable sleep in the lounge… If I had stayed up all night, I would be incredibly irritable right now.
“I guess I couldn’t adjust to the unfamiliar environment.”
“You’re surprisingly sensitive, Matsuda-kouhai.”
“Maybe. Did you sleep well, Master?”
“I didn’t wake up once until my alarm went off. I think the massage made me drowsy.”
“That’s good. Shall we eat?”
“Yes. Today’s side dishes are rolled omelet and grilled mackerel. Ask for more from the lady and eat your fill. We need to prepare for the free training after lunch.”
Chinami looked around, lowered her posture, and covered her mouth with her hand. Then, she continued in a small voice,
“I heard from Renka before going to bed… It seems Renka will be sparring with you directly.”
I thought she would put forward another senpai to spar with me, but she was doing it herself? I didn’t need to do anything. Well, considering how confident she was in her skills and how eager she was to teach me a lesson, this was only natural.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You’re talented, but you don’t know the rules well, do you? She said she needs to teach you by directly clashing with you.”
“Clashing directly”… That sounded a bit suggestive.
“I don’t mind, but… how will the training proceed?”
“I’m not sure. Renka didn’t tell me that much.”
“I see. I promised to spar with Miura, will there be time for that?”
“A spar with Miura? Did you agree on that beforehand?”
“We did, but… the captain doesn’t know.”
“Oh dear…! Beginners shouldn’t spar without the supervision of a senpai…! There’s a risk of things getting heated, and you won’t even be able to judge if there’s a clear winner…!”
Chinami scolded me, puffing out her mochi-like cheeks. I scratched the side of my head, feeling embarrassed.
“I thought the captain or you would supervise…”
“You should have asked us first about something this important… You’re so reckless, Matsuda-kouhai.”
“Now that I think about it, you’re absolutely right. I’m sorry.”
“Hmm… Still, it’s good that you admit your mistake quickly. As for the spar… I’ll discuss it with Renka.”
“Alright.”
Chinami nodded in satisfaction at my obedient reply and brought over a tray. We received our food and side dishes and were heading to the table, exchanging morning greetings with other members, when we ran into Renka, who was entering with Tetsuya.
“Ah! Morning, Renka-chan. You seem to be spending a lot of time with Miura lately?”
At Chinami’s cheerful greeting, Renka glanced at Tetsuya, who was grinning next to her.
“We just happened to run into each other on the way to the dining hall.”
“Is that so? But your eyes are dark too, Renka.”
“I didn’t sleep well.”
“Come to think of it, you also have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places, don’t you?”
“Yeah…”
Renka said, giving Chinami a look that said she couldn’t believe her. It seemed Chinami had done something in her sleep… She probably clung to Renka’s arm or put her leg over her body. Chinami always did that when she slept with Renka.
“You’re just like Matsuda-kouhai. He said he couldn’t adjust either.”
“Really…?”
Renka’s gaze turned to me. She looked surprised. I shrugged at her and sat down at the table, starting to eat. I needed to eat a lot to prepare for training.
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Inside the training hall at the lodge…
The club members, who had undergone even more intense training than yesterday, were smiling despite their exhaustion. Because now, the so-called “free training” time was about to begin.
Only four people remained in the training hall after the other members, eager to go to the valley, had left. Tetsuya and I, and Renka and Chinami. We tidied up the training hall and gathered in one spot without a word. The scent of blueberries and peaches wafted from Renka and Chinami. The problem was that Tetsuya’s foul odor was mixed in. Seeing him, who was as if someone had thrown dung into a flower garden, made my blood boil.
“From now on, I’ll be giving you individual training tailored to your styles.”
Renka looked quite sexy in serious mode. Especially the way her long neck glistened with sweat, it made me want to… kiss it.
“From now on, Miura…”
As Renka was about to start the individual lessons,
“Um… Renka-chan.”
Chinami cautiously called out to Renka.
“Yes?”
“There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Come over here for a second.”
Chinami took Renka to a corner of the training hall and started talking with a serious expression. It was probably about the spar between Tetsuya and me. And Renka’s expression hardened as Chinami continued.
Shortly after, Renka finished her brief conversation with Chinami and let out a long sigh. Then, she came over to Tetsuya and me and crossed her arms.
“Don’t decide to spar without senpai supervision again. What were you greenhorns thinking?”
At Renka’s scolding, which sounded angry, Tetsuya flinched and lowered his head.
“I’m sorry.”
“Do you really need to do this? It doesn’t seem like you’ll gain much.”
“I… I really want to do it.”
“Matsuda, what about you?”
Renka looked at me with a dubious expression. I clicked my tongue and replied,
“Well… if Miura wants to, I’m fine with it.”
“Really…?”
Renka’s gaze shifted between Tetsuya and me. She seemed to be gauging the difference in our skills. Noticing this, Tetsuya looked at Renka with a pleading expression.
“Please, Captain. You saw it during the short spar under the coach’s guidance just now. I’m not the same as before.”
“I acknowledge that you’re improving quickly… but if beginners spar…”
“You and Nanase-senpai will be refereeing.”
“Were you always this stubborn?”
“N, no. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not scolding you, I’m just surprised. It’s good to have a competitive spirit… Give me a moment to think, wait here.”
“Yes, Captain.”
Was she unable to say anything more because of Tetsuya’s disciplined response? Renka glared at us, then went over to Chinami and started whispering.
Tetsuya, watching Renka, quietly asked me,
“Did you tell her we were going to spar?”
“Of course. Did you think we were just going to hit each other without telling anyone? With no referee?”
“Not really… but it would have been nice if you had told her when we were together. I was a bit flustered…”
“I was flustered too.”
“Why?”
“I thought you would have told the captain. Since you came to the dining hall together today, I thought she knew. Aren’t you two… you know…”
“Y, you know… what…?”
Tetsuya stammered, flustered. I chuckled quietly, making sure Renka couldn’t hear, and said,
“Just kidding, idiot.”
“Don’t joke like that…”
“But the captain is pretty, right?”
“Hey…!”
“It’s just between us, what’s the big deal?”
“Well… she is pretty, but…”
See? Just a little coaxing, and his true colors showed. She was out of your league, so just admire her from afar. I patted his back and nodded knowingly.
“Go for it. I’m rooting for you.”
“G, go for it… what are you talking about… And be quiet. What if the captain hears you…”
As we whispered, Renka finished her conversation with Chinami and came back to us. Still with a displeased expression, she pointed at the temporary storage rack where the armor was placed.
“Put on your gear.”
Tetsuya’s face brightened. He bowed and thanked her.
“Thank you, Captain.”
“Best two out of three, just one match. No more than that.”
“Understood!”
She was softer than she looked. She was even considerate of Tetsuya, who was about to get crushed. Or did she think he could actually put up a fight against me? That would be a little disappointing.
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“Our stubborn Matsuda-kouhai finally got what he wanted.”
Chinami’s affectionate teasing came as she helped me put on my armor. I waited for her to tighten the straps of my men and apologized,
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. What’s done is done. Actually, I think this is a good opportunity. I have a tip for you, so please listen carefully.”
“Of course. Tell me.”
“For the first match, attack as soon as Renka gives the start signal. If it works, great. Even if it fails, Miura will be flustered, and it’ll be easier to find an opening after that. Understood?”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Keep your shout short and loud, focus on the ‘ki’ in ‘ki-ken-tai-ichi.’ This is important considering that Renka is the one who’s refereeing.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Now, stand up.”
I straightened my knees as instructed, and Chinami patted my back.
“Fighting! Since things have turned out this way, make sure you win. If you lose even one point, we’ll be training all night.”
Our Master was too enthusiastic. That’s why I liked her.
I should finish the first match quickly, just like Chinami advised. After that, I would toy with him slowly, and Tetsuya, feeling the difference in our skills, would react.
“Striking areas other than the designated ones will be considered a foul. Keep that in mind.”
Renka’s caution was directed at Tetsuya and me, who were ready to start. It was funny that she was giving me a warning, clearly conscious of me. I wanted to trip him and beat him senseless while he was down. But that kind of move was only allowed in police competitions. It was forbidden in regular matches.
So I shouldn’t use it. I would win fairly, so that Tetsuya wouldn’t have any excuses.
“Understood.”
“Get ready.”
I sat facing Tetsuya, bowed, and then stood up again, waiting for the start signal, listening to Renka’s voice, which sounded somewhat anxious.
Lack of sleep had made me somewhat out of it. I couldn’t concentrate properly, but this was what made it a challenge. Adversity always came to protagonists. Think of it as a handicap.
“…”
Tetsuya’s eyes, visible through the men, seemed to be burning with intensity. He had been exuding an air of inferiority complex, it was pathetic.
I closed and opened my eyes, focusing my scattered concentration, and waited for Renka to speak.
“Then… begin!”
And the moment Renka stepped back, shouting,
“Hup!”
I stomped my foot and thrust my shinai forward.
*Crack-!*
“Gah!”
At the same time, Tetsuya, who had been about to charge at me, let out a short cry.
The neck is one of the weak spots that can be exploited by thrusting forward into it. And that’s what I went for as my first move.
Seeing the way this bastard’s head bounced back and came back, it seemed like it worked.
“…One point.”
Renka declared, her hand on her forehead. Just like Chinami had advised me, she must have told Tetsuya to be careful of the first strike… She seemed disappointed that he had fallen for it so easily.
After scoring the first point so quickly, I crouched down on the line drawn on the floor, waiting for Tetsuya to recover. Grinning and taunting was something only amateurs did. Even if I just acted nonchalantly, as if it were nothing, Tetsuya would still be emotionally shaken.
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Thanks Neko!