Time flies, and before he knew it, Saturday had arrived.
Hachiman jogged along his familiar route, absentmindedly patting his slightly rounder belly, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over him.
Over the past few days, both Yui and Kotonoha had been taking such good care of him.
They would bring him lunch every day, indulging him to the point where he even had the chance to accompany Zaimokuza to the canteen to buy bread.
It may have been a small thing, but he found himself unexpectedly missing it.
However, it seemed like the two girls had made some sort of unspoken agreement behind his back.
Since that day, there hadn't been a single instance where they both brought him lunch at the same time.
It was as if they had established a routine, taking turns each day.
Witnessing the harmonious relationship between the two girls, Hachiman couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.
Could this be considered as having grown a pair of wings?
Having completed his running routine and playfully flirting with Yui along the way, he returned home.
After having breakfast with Komachi, Hachiman stepped out of the house.
Today was the day he had agreed to visit Saeko's house and learn kendo at her family's dojo.
Before he left, Komachi made sure to remind him to make a good impression on Saeko, her senpai from the kendo club.
She emphasized the importance of leaving a positive impression and giving it his all.
In the past few days, through daily practice sessions with Kotonoha and another sparring session with Saeko, his proficiency in kendo had improved to (8350/10000).
He was just a step away from reaching the fourth level.
According to the address sent by Saeko, Hachiman quickly found her family's kendo dojo.
What came into view was a traditional Japanese-style house with an antique charm.
The backyard occupied a large area, which was likely where the kendo dojo was located.
Out of courtesy, Hachiman rang the doorbell a few times.
Before long, Saeko, dressed in a kendo uniform, opened the door.
Seeing Hachiman standing at the door, she greeted him with a bright smile.
"Hachiman-kun, welcome. Please come in," she said.
"Thank you for having me, Senpai," Hachiman nodded and followed her into the house.
The two walked in a single file through the quiet corridor.
They passed by a small courtyard where the sound of flowing water from a bamboo water feature could be heard rhythmically.
The bamboo water feature, also known as a "shizuku-take" or "ten-sui," was a common decorative element in Japanese gardens.
Its structure was quite simple, with a bamboo tube suspended on a bamboo frame.
One end of the tube had a flat opening to hold water, while the other end had a cut to let the water flow out, causing the tube to tilt upwards when it was empty.
A bamboo pipe was placed on top to guide the water flow, and as the water fell into the bottom bamboo tube, it would make a crisp sound when it hit the stone below.
Once the water was emptied, the tube would tilt back up to receive more water.
This repeating process of collecting and releasing water created a continuous and melodious sound.
Originally, this device was only used to scare away birds and animals in the fields.
However, people later discovered that it could provide visual and auditory enjoyment to individuals.
As a result, it has been passed down as a form of courtyard decoration.
In the tranquil summer atmosphere, with only the sound of cicadas remaining in the courtyard, it had already felt a bit monotonous and dull.
However, with the addition of the bamboo water feature, there was not only the sound of flowing water but also the crisp clinking between the bamboo and the stone, adding a touch of Zen.
Hachiman brought his gaze back and looked at Saeko's figure walking ahead of him.
Her tall and well-proportioned body filled the slightly loose kendo uniform.
From Hachiman's perspective, he could see the plump peach-shaped buttocks swaying from side to side with her every step.
Saeko noticed his gaze from behind and a faint blush appeared on her face.
However, she didn't say anything to stop him, but instead continued leading Hachiman deeper into the dojo.
Finally, the two arrived at a room of about 100 square meters, which was presumably Saeko's family's kendo dojo.
"We're here, Hachiman-kun. This is my family's dojo," Saeko turned around and introduced to Hachiman.
As Hachiman watched the disappearing peach-shaped buttocks, he felt a slight sense of disappointment.
However, he quickly regained his composure when he realized the two plump masses in front of him, which instantly lifted his mood.
"Thank you for guiding me, Senpai." He smiled at her and shifted his gaze towards the dojo.
Hmm, the floor was smooth wooden boards, and protective gear, bamboo swords, and wooden swords were placed on both sides of the room.
The space was quite large, so it would be no problem for any intense battles.
Nodding slightly, Hachiman followed Saeko into the dojo.
Upon entering the dojo, Saeko glanced at his clothes and said, "Wait a moment, Hachiman-kun. Let me get you a kendo uniform."
"Okay, then I'll trouble you, senpai, with it" Hachiman said as she left.
With nothing else to do, Hachiman carefully observed the kendo hall.
As he looked around, something caught his attention.
In the deepest part of the kendo hall, there was an authentic samurai sword on display.
Approaching it, Hachiman noticed that the hilt of the sword was engraved with the characters "Muramasa."
This surprised him. Could this be the legendary demonic sword, Muramasa, from the legends?
Speaking of Muramasa, it is most famous for its association with demonic swords in folklore.
However, it's important not to misunderstand. Muramasa is not the name of a specific sword, but rather a category.
Any sword falling into this category can be called a Muramasa.
Originally, these swords were crafted by a family of blacksmiths from the Ise region during the mid-Muromachi period.
This family of blacksmiths spanned three generations.
The first blacksmith in this family was named Sengo Muramasa.
Most of the swords forged by the Muramasa family were marked with the characters "Muramasa" and referred to as Muramasa swords.
During the turbulent Sengoku era in Japan, there was a high demand for swords.
The Muramasa swords gained a reputation for their exceptional sharpness and devastating cutting power, leading to their later association with being demonic swords during the Edo period.
Nowadays, the Muramasa blacksmiths are not limited to crafting just swords.
They produce various weapons, ranging from daggers to spears, and all Muramasa swords are adorned with exquisite decorations.
They are incredibly sharp, and the distinctive wavy pattern on both sides of the blade is a characteristic feature of Muramasa swords.
The displayed sword possessed all these characteristics, indicating that it was indeed crafted by a Muramasa blacksmith.
Just then, Saeko returned to the kendo hall, holding a set of black kendo attire in her hands.
"Hachiman-kun, this is my father's kendo attire. Your physique should be similar to his," she said, approaching Hachiman and handing him the kendo attire.
Taking the kendo attire, Hachiman curiously asked, "Senpai, is this sword a Muramasa?"
Upon hearing his question about the sword's origin, Saeko smiled.
"Yes, indeed, this is the Muramasa sword. When my father broke through to the realm of a kendo master, the Japan Kendo Association had someone find this generation's Muramasa swordsmith specifically to craft it for him."
Speaking of her father, Saeko's tone carried a hint of pride.
In her eyes, her father, who had reached the realm of a swordsman, was already a rare master of kendo in Japan and one of the most admired figures in her heart.
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A/N:
-Adding a touch of Zen refers to incorporating elements or creating an atmosphere that reflects the tranquility, simplicity, and mindfulness associated with Zen Buddhism. This can be achieved through various means such as minimalistic design, natural materials, balanced and harmonious arrangements, and creating spaces that promote relaxation and meditation. Adding a touch of Zen to a space can help create a peaceful and serene environment, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
-the phrase "having grown a pair of wings" is used metaphorically to suggest that Hachiman feels a newfound sense of happiness or freedom as a result of witnessing the harmonious relationship between the two girls.