Chapter 112: Hachiman's Desire for Skill Improvement
Saeko playfully commented, "I know every inch of your skin, Hachiman," which earned a resigned look from him.
"Saeko, you didn't come here today just to tease me, did you?" Hachiman inquired, aware that their past encounters had been more intimate. This wasn't the ideal setting, considering they were in the midst of a competition, and privacy was limited.
However, Saeko's intentions were different. With a slight adjustment to her posture and a smile, she clarified, "While I wouldn't mind that kind of thing, I didn't come today just to tease you."
Her purpose was to discuss the order of appearance for their upcoming matches. As captains of their respective teams in the male and female divisions, it was part of their responsibilities.
Hachiman considered the matter. "In the women's division, you should still be the last to go, Saeko. For the others, except for Kotonoha, their strengths aren't that high. We can have Kotonoha go first. If she loses her match, then it might be your turn."
Kotonoha had become a formidable contender after Hachiman's recent training, making her a strong choice for an early match.
Apart from Saeko Busujima, Kotonoha was undoubtedly a top-tier player in the women's division.
"If that's your decision, Hachiman, then let's proceed with that arrangement," Saeko gracefully accepted his choice, showing no disagreement.
"Now, let's discuss the men's division."
Hachiman proposed his strategy, saying, "In the men's division, we should have Fujita-senpai, who is the strongest besides me, go first. If he fails, then I'll step in."
Saeko Busujima seemed taken aback by the suggestion. After all, besides Hachiman, Fujita Shuji was the most powerful member of the kendo club. Even Kotonoha wouldn't be a match for him.
Fujita Shuji had achieved an impressive level of proficiency, reaching the pinnacle of level three. To ordinary observers, he could easily be considered a genius, often serving as a vice-captain or captain in other teams.
Hachiman confidently affirmed Fujita-senpai's strength, stating, "Indeed, Fujita-senpai's abilities surpass those of our other teammates. If he were to lose, there would be no need for anyone else to intervene."
This assertion of dominance stirred something within Saeko Busujima, sparking a feeling she couldn't quite put into words.
"Since you've made your decision, Hachiman, I'll stand by you," she declared, rising from the bed and preparing to leave.
Noticing her intent to depart, Hachiman also stood and accompanied her to the door.
Just as they reached the threshold, Saeko Busujima unexpectedly turned around. Before Hachiman could react, she delicately rose on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against the corner of his mouth.
The soft touch sent a surge of astonishment through Hachiman. While their journey together had encompassed various experiences, this was the first time she had kissed him. It dawned upon him that she was the first girl to ever bestow such a gesture upon him.
However, the kiss was fleeting, and after a brief moment, Saeko withdrew her lips.
"..." Hachiman want to speak but was swiftly interrupted by Saeko Busujima.
"Do not dwell on it too much. Consider this kiss as a reward," she murmured, her voice laced with a seductive allure.
She moistened her slightly parched lips and flashed a seductive smile.
"If you emerge victorious in the men's division, there will be more rewards awaiting you."
Without waiting for his response, she gracefully swayed her slender waist and departed, leaving Hachiman standing there, contemplating the implications of her words.
As Hachiman fixated on her graceful figure, a subtle hint of moisture formed at the corner of his mouth. Quietly, he muttered to himself, "She possesses an enchanting allure, even though she insists her intentions aren't to seduce me."
His curiosity wandered toward the other rewards she had alluded to, or perhaps the one he had begun to speculate about. Yet, for now, his concentration remained firmly fixed on the ongoing tournament. "Well," he mused, "I suppose I'll uncover the truth in due course."
For Hachiman, winning the championship in the men's division seemed like a reachable ambition.
The next day, the competition continued. Despite half of the teams being eliminated the previous day, a substantial number of participants still remained.
To heighten the excitement, the tournament organizers had divided the competition into morning and afternoon sessions.
Today, Sobu High's matches were scheduled for the morning. Their opponents were notably more formidable than those they had faced the day before, as the weaker teams had been eliminated. In fact, the women's team had even enlisted Saeko to compete.
Despite the young girl's participation, the matches didn't prove particularly intense. With a single precise strike, she effortlessly dispatched her opponents.
The crowd erupted with enthusiastic cheers upon witnessing the girl's effortless victories, and the nickname "Kendo Flower" echoed throughout the arena.
On the men's side, things continued to progress smoothly.
Following Hachiman's strategy from the previous day, Fujita took the stage first. After handling the opposing team's two forwards, Hachiman entered the fray and swiftly defeated three opponents in a row.
Keen-eyed spectators noticed that Hachiman didn't initiate attacks initially. Instead, he often waited for the opponents' moves and then struck with lightning speed, securing victory with a single decisive blow.
In this manner, Sobu High easily triumphed in their matches that day and secured a spot in the quarterfinals.
Upon returning to the hotel, Hachiman was pleasantly surprised to find that the skill proficiency he had gained through the swordsmanship competition was significantly higher than what he typically achieved during regular practice.
Originally, if he had practiced with opponents at the third-level water proficiency, he would have gained only one or two hundred points of skill. However, after achieving a one-strike-three victory today, his skill proficiency had increased by over a thousand points. Now, his kendo proficiency had reached around thirty-five thousand points.
The prospect of leveling up excited him, and he made his way to Saeko's room to discuss attempting a one-versus-five challenge the next day.
Naturally, the young girl agreed, well aware of Hachiman's abilities.
The third day's matches, the quarterfinals, proceeded smoothly as well.
Under Hachiman and Saeko's leadership, Sobu High's team proved nearly invincible.
Especially on Hachiman's side, there was no opponent who could match his skills.
However, to preserve his opponents' pride, he allowed them to make a few moves before finishing them off with a single strike. This resulted in the nickname "One-Strike Shura" circulating among the spectators.
Hearing this somewhat chuunibyou (middle-school syndrome) nickname, Hachiman couldn't help but shake his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Japanese people always seemed to come up with such chuunibyou nicknames, like "Burning Fighting Fighter" or "3 Demons," even for table tennis.
But despite its chuunibyou touch, "One-Strike Shura" didn't sound too bad.
Furthermore, the results of his leveling were remarkable. Under the one-versus-five conditions, he gained over two thousand points of skill proficiency.
At this pace, he had a genuine chance to ascend his kendo to level five in this Kendo Inter-High School Championship, reaching the highest echelon attainable in the world of Japanese swordsmanship.
He was on the path to becoming either a Swordmaster or a Kendoka Master!
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