Chapter 109: Setting Off for the Kendo Inter-High School Championship
As time sped by, the day of the long-awaited tournament had finally arrived. Hachiman, Saeko, Kotonoha, and their fellow Kendo club members boarded the school-arranged bus, destined for the competition venue in Fukuoka.
The tournament's rules were simple yet unforgiving—single-elimination matches. Each team comprised five key roles: the Vanguard, Second Vanguard, The Backbone, Vice-Captain, and Captain. The defeated would step aside, while the victors would stand their ground. If all five members of a team fell, they'd be disqualified from the competition.
Among the boys, Hachiman proudly held the mantle of Captain, with Fujita as his steadfast Vice-Captain. The remaining three male members had their positions determined by their skill levels, taking on the roles of Vanguard, Second Vanguard, and The Backbone.
For the girls, Saeko led the charge as Captain, with Kotonoha serving as her trusted Vice-Captain. The other three female members filled the positions of Vanguard, Second Vanguard, and The Backbone.
Ordinarily, first-year students like Hachiman and Kotonoha were limited to the roles of Vanguard or Second Vanguard. But their exceptional prowess set them apart.
Hachiman, despite his modesty, had risen to become the club's premier player after defeating Saeko.
Kotonoha, through arduous practice sessions with Hachiman, had made remarkable strides in Kendo. She now stood as one of the club's fiercest female members, and among the boys, only Hachiman and Fujita could rival her skills.
As they rode on the bus, enthusiasm brimmed among the students, especially the boys. The previous year, Saeko's presence had secured a championship in the girls' division, but the boys had faltered, reaching only the quarter-finals before elimination. That disappointment had cast a shadow over them.
However, this year was a different story. With Hachiman's addition and the already capable Fujita, victory in the boys' division seemed nearly assured.
The prospect of redemption had the boys buzzing with excitement. They couldn't help but anticipate their chance to make amends.
"Alright, tomorrow marks the official start of the Kendo Inter-High School Championship. The journey has been long, and we've already arranged accommodations for everyone. When we arrive in Fukuoka, take the time to rest, recharge your spirits, and prepare for the matches ahead," Saeko declared, addressing the Kendo club members.
"Yes, Captain!" came the enthusiastic response from the club members.
Chiba lay a thousand kilometers distant from Fukuoka, and the bus journey would stretch over nine hours to reach their destination.
Moreover, given the Kendo club's triumphant win in the girls' division championship the previous year, the school had placed lofty expectations on their shoulders. Naturally, for major tournaments like the Kendo Inter-High School Championship, the school generously funded their efforts.
It was safe to say that these Kendo club members were not only competitors but also recipients of an all-expenses-paid journey.
...
Following a lengthy journey, the Kendo club members at last arrived in Fukuoka.
They disembarked from the bus and made their way to the hotel they had pre-booked.
During this time of year in Fukuoka, not only were Kendo competitions in full swing, but there were also contests in Karate and Judo. Beyond the participants, many spectators flocked to witness these events live. To avoid any accommodation mishaps, countless people had secured their hotel reservations well in advance.
The chosen hotel was renowned for its soothing hot springs. Even in the summertime, the allure of a relaxing soak in these natural baths remained irresistible.
After obtaining their room keys at the front desk, Hachiman made his way to his own single room with a generously sized bed, courtesy of the ample funding they had received.
Once comfortably settled in, it was time for dinner. Hachiman planned to indulge in the meal before heading for a bath. Although his room had a private bathroom, given the hotel's reputation for its hot springs, it seemed only fitting to experience them.
Hachiman eventually found himself at the entrance to the hotel's hot spring bath, where he was met by fellow Kendo club members already immersed in the warm waters. Without hesitation, he eased himself into the inviting embrace of the spring water.
"Ah..."
A contented sigh escaped his lips as the soothing warmth enveloped his entire body. It was an incredibly relaxing sensation.
It was no surprise that hot springs held a special place in the hearts of the Japanese. Aside from frequent appearances in anime, hot spring scenes were a staple in many romantic action movies.
The truth was, the Japanese cherished hot springs for several reasons. Japan's geographical setting as an island nation surrounded by the sea and dotted with volcanoes made hot springs abundant. Furthermore, the health benefits and stress relief offered by these natural wonders were highly valued, particularly in a society where individuals often faced significant life stressors. Soaking in hot springs had naturally become a cherished form of relaxation for the Japanese.
Relishing the warmth of the bath, Hachiman let the soothing waters melt away the tension in his body, leaving him feeling entirely rejuvenated.
As he leisurely sipped his coffee, his gaze was drawn to Saeko and Kotonoha, who had just emerged from the women's bath. Their camaraderie was evident as they chatted and laughed while strolling together.
"Hey, Saeko, Kotonoha, good evening," Hachiman greeted them cheerfully.
"Good evening, Hachiman-kun," they responded with smiles.
Observing the two women in their yukatas, Hachiman's eyes sparkled with appreciation. With their hair tied up after the bath, their graceful napes were exposed. Their skin bore a rosy hue from the hot spring, adding to their allure. Moreover, their yukatas draped over their well-proportioned figures, revealing a hint of enticing cleavage.
Glancing at the alluring sight, Hachiman found himself a bit parched and lifted his coffee cup for another sip.
"Saeko, Kotonoha, what can I get you to drink? It's my treat."
"Thank you, Hachiman. I'll have a coffee milk," Saeko replied with gratitude.
"Thanks, Hachiman-kun. I'll have oolong tea," Kotonoha chimed in with her choice.
Handing them their selected beverages, Hachiman suddenly remembered that he hadn't invited them to the beach trip yet. So, he broached the topic.
"By the way, Saeko, Kotonoha, how about joining me for a beach trip after the tournament?"
In his initial plans, Saeko and Kotonoha were the only ones he hadn't extended an invitation to.
"Beach trip? Absolutely, count me in," Saeko enthusiastically accepted the offer.
"Will there be others joining us?" Kotonoha inquired.
"They'll be some of my friends, and, oh, I've also invited Miss Erina," Hachiman added with a grin.
"Erina?"
This puzzled Saeko, as her impression was that aside from the chance encounter at her home, Erina and Hachiman didn't interact much.
Sensing the girl's confusion, Hachiman elaborated.
"Yeah, a while back when I was at your place, I won a cooking competition against Miss Erina, remember?"
"Later, she wasn't satisfied and challenged me to another competition a couple of days ago. But, by some stroke of luck, I won again."
"So, to make amends, I invited Miss Erina to join us at the beach, and she agreed."