In the morning, the tension was simply insupportable.
Today, it was the big day; the day that would be decisive of my fate and that of all the other scholarship students of the school. I had the same impression of a person who was in the hour of some surgical intervention or preparing to jump off a moving plane at high altitude with a lame parachute.
It was very hesitatingly and reluctantly that I approached the door of the gymnasium. I caught sight of the Shunsui and Gōjun immediately. They had already arrived, and so had the other scholarship students, but no one was in uniform, except for the reddish-brown-haired young man and Gōjun. Their expression was grave, while those of the scholarship students were agitated. These were sitting on the floor, holding their belly with their hands, their expression filled with affright.
The other students of the school hadn't arrived yet, but I knew that it wouldn't be long until they were here, and the gymnasium would become crowded. All classes had been canceled for the day and the teachers were to assist to the Kendō match just as well.
Pausing down in the doorway of the building, I gulped hard, hesitating to enter.
'Hime!' Shunsui called, the moment he caught sight of me, 'We have a big problem!'
My heart made a small jump in my chest upon his words.
'A- A big problem?' I stammered, taking an involuntary step backward.
'Yes!' he asserted, and crossing the hall up to me, he grabbed me by my forearm to drag me to where the other students and Gōjun were grouped.
'You'll be the third competitor!' the latter announced to me, in a matter-of-fact way.
'Huh?!' I uttered, my heart literally jumping to my throat this time.
If Shunsui had not had a grip on my arm, I would have most definitely taken to my heels by this instant in response to my instincts.
'B-B-But, why? I'm not any better than the other students!'
'That's true! But we don't have any other choice!' the reddish-brown-haired young man told me, and looking at the other students, he explained, 'All the other scholarship students are sick. I think it's gastroenteritis.'
I froze, all color draining out of my face.
Gastro- enteritis! They have gastroenteritis?!
No, it can't be! Not today!
I sank onto my knees on the floor, holding my head in-between my hands; fazed.
That's why they looked so pale and were holding their belly with their hands! They were scared, just like me, but there was more to it!
'Well, come on!' he said, putting a hand down onto my shoulder in reassurance. 'I'm exaggerating when I'm saying that we have a big problem! It's not all that big. In fact, all things considered, it's not really a problem. I already told you; Gōjun and I will win our respective matches. You won't even have to do anything. You just have to wear the uniform and watch us do!'
I lifted my head to look at his face, and that of Gōjun.
They are going to win their respective matches, aren't they? Because, if they have to count on me and my two left feet, we're doomed!
But I was convinced that if Shunsui chose a kendō match, he must have considered it properly by taking into account his own capacity and that of Gōjun.
'I'm sorry, I think I have to go to the washroom!' exclaimed one of male scholarship students, abruptly, the young man's expression having gone from white to purple, and springing to his feet, he rushed out of view.
He was very quickly followed by the young girl who had helped me with the cleaning on Saturday; Natsui Mizoroge.
'Sorry! Me too!' she exclaimed, and already, she was rushing out of sight.
The rest of the scholarship students were soon to follow.
Getting to my feet, I stared after them with an awkward smile, feeling sympathy for them.
Oh no! The poor guys!
As I was watching into their direction, suddenly, a young woman appeared in the doorway of the gymnasium. I didn't recognize her as being one of the school personnel.
The woman in question was of astounding beauty; so much that, her sight took my breath away, and I couldn't stare anywhere else.
She was in her late thirties, and was quite short, with incredibly long, curly, golden-blond hair that came down to her ankles. Her skin was creamy-white, and she was slender; her eyes, hazel. She looked very feminine, and was wearing a beautiful pair of golden earrings that had clips for the cartilage, mounted on a thin chain attached to the studs. She resembled one of those divas that can only be seen on the cover of magazines or on the television or adverts.
'What is she doing here?!' Shunsui uttered, in a loud gasp, and I looked at his face instantaneously.
He knows her?!
'Shunsui!' the young woman called, in a musical voice, giving him a wave of the hand, and she ran up to the reddish-brown-haired young man to embrace him.
'Wha- Wha- What are doing here?' Shunsui demanded at her in a stutter, grabbing her by her shoulders to hold her at a distance away from him.
He was apparently very shocked to see her.
'I've come to encourage you, of course!' she replied, with a large, cheery smile. 'Even if I don't approve of this match, I'm totally on the side of the scholarship students and therefore on your side!'
Her expression scrunched up at him, then, and pulling at his ear, she asked him, in an unhappy growl, 'Speaking of the match, can you tell me why it is the school who had to inform me of it, and not you?'
But, Shunsui did not hear her question.
'Ow! Ow! Ow! You're going to rip my ear off!' he was crying out.
Letting go of him, the woman turned to look at Gōjun and I after that, and her good humor returned.
She gave the two of us a pleasant smile, and addressing herself to me, she told me, 'I think we have not been presented to each other yet! You must be Hime Kirigakure- Ryutsuki-san's grand-daughter. It's so nice to meet you! My name is Tsubasa Shigeizumi.'
My heart skipped a beat. Tsubasa-sama?!
'And yes! I am the mother of this big and handsome young man here!' she exclaimed, joyously, and clinging herself at Shunsui's arm, she pulled him slightly downward and got on tiptoe to rub her cheek against his affectionately.
My mouth went slightly open at this action of hers.
Eh?
That was something that I had seen Shunsui do on numerous occasions!
Mother and son resemble each other!
A smile came to my lips, and I covered my mouth with my hand to hide it.
'Ah! Will you stop doing that?!' shouted Shunsui, half-panicked, half-irritated. He tried to push her face away, but in vain. 'Somebody might come in and see us!'
I couldn't hold myself back from giggling now, and he shouted at Gōjun and I to stop smiling to ourselves and come to his help.
At last, I was meeting Tsubasa-sama! And she was just exactly like Ojii-san had described her. She was filled with warmth and affection.
'Oh, by the way! I've got a surprise for you!' she declared at Shunsui, when she decided to release him, and digging her hand into her bag, she took out a T-shirt to show it to him, exclaiming, 'Tada!'
The reddish-brown-haired young man's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the sight of it, while I was completely captivated by it in adoration.
On the T-shirt was a printed picture of Shunsui and her, surrounded by small hearts and a large slogan expressing her love for him.
She put it on immediately.
'What- is- this?!' the reddish-brown-haired young man shouted, looking like he was going to burst a vessel as he stared at the T-shirt.
'You like it?' she replied, excitedly, 'Oh, but I've also got another one made for you!'
Digging into her bag again, she took out another T-shirt, which was identical to the first one, and she held it out to him, urging him, 'Come on! Try it on! Let me see how it suits you!'
The reddish-brown-haired young man made a large jump backward and crossed his arms to form an 'X', in front of himself, stating at her, 'It is out of the question that I ever wear this thing in my life! And you're not we-'
'What do you mean you're not wearing it!' she cut him off, pulling at his ear again, angrily. 'Oh yes, you're going to wear it, Shunsui Shigeizumi! And today itself after the match is over!'
'No! I'm not wearing this thing!' he protested, and she pulled at his ear harder, protesting back, 'Yes, you are!'
'Ow! My ear! My ear!' he cried, and gave in, 'Okay! Alright! I will! Let go!'
'Oh, really?' she exclaimed, her tone becoming ecstatic now, and she began to rub her cheek against his affectionately one more time. 'You're a such a love!'
Making an unhappy face, Shunsui looked the other way, but he didn't try to push her back this time.
By this point, I couldn't hold myself back from expressing myself anymore.
'Adorable!' I exclaimed, gazing at the T-shirt that she was wearing with my eyes full of stars.
It was such an original and superb expression of maternal love!!!
'You like it too?' Tsubasa-sama asked me, and I nodded, heartily.
'That's great! I've also got one for you, and in fact, for every member of the team!' she announced, with delight, putting a forefinger up, and this time, I really thought that Shunsui was going to burst a vessel.
'What?!' he exclaimed, his mouth going agape, but he was immediately cowed by a look of Tsubasa-sama, combined with a move of her hand towards his ear. 'I didn't say anything!' he uttered, spontaneously, and I couldn't help but giggle at his reaction.
When I glanced at Gōjun, I realized that it was the very first time that I was seeing him without that stern look he always wore on his face.
Ojii-san was right! Tsubasa-sama is someone truly incredible!
After this short episode, I left them to go and get changed, and by the time of my return, the hall was already crowded with students.
Most of the students and school personnel sat in the bleachers, except for the scholarship students who sat- not without pain- together with Shunsui, Gōjun, Tsubasa-sama and I, while our direct opponents sat on the other side, facing us.
A group of girls, who had dressed up as cheerleaders, stood close-by to encourage Shunsui and Gōjun, while three of our teachers, who were neutral to this dispute, were to act as referees.
The first match opposed Gōjun and Shuji Toriyama.
I was more that astounded by Gōjun's prowess. The match was over in less than two seconds; his opponent did not even get the chance to make a single movement, that Gōjun had defeated him in his first attack itself. No one seemed to understand what had just happened, and much less his opponent, so much he was rapid and skilled. I was left completely speechless. He was good! Really good!
With his victory, I was sure that we were only a few minutes away from winning now.
So great was my shock at the unexpected twist that took place during the second match opposing Shunsui and Aruto Hidaka.
I stood up in a jerk, as though the floor had kicked me to my feet, to stare at the reddish-brown-haired young man in stupefaction.
What… just... happened...?!
No one seemed to understand what had happened during this match either. At one moment, we all thought Shunsui was about to defeat his opponent with a strike when, he suddenly went immobile, leaving the other male the leisure to attack him.
Cheers uprooted in the bleachers as the referees rose their respective flags to announce the outcome of the match and declare Aruto Hidaka the winner, while on my side, I had the impression of being sunk in a black hole.
All color drained out of my face and I broke into cold sweat, my mind going blank for a minute, as I continued to stare at Shunsui, who was behaving in a strangely familiar way.
He was holding his belly with one of his hands, his face changing very quickly from sickly pale to purple. The next second, he had dropping his Shinai on the floor to rush for the door at full speed, shouting over his shoulder, 'I have to use the washroom!'
EH?!
My mouth went agape.
Don't tell me that he...
A few minutes later, he returned, dragging his feet under him, and still holding his belly with his hand, his face pallid.
'I think I have gastroenteritis too!' he told us, hanging his head. 'Sorry guys! A terrible pain in the stomach hit me just at the wrong moment!'
No! It can't be!
We understood better now what happened during the match.
'It's alright! It's not your fault!' the scholarship students told him, reassuringly, before everyone turned their anxious eyes onto me in expectation.
I couldn't help but make a jump backward, my heart pounding in my ears.
The other students and teachers were waiting for us to resume the match now. With a win on both sides, the next match would determine the winner. The fate of all the scholarship students, as well as my own, rested on my two shoulders.
All my hair stood on ends.
'I can't do this!' I wanted to shout, but my voice wouldn't come out.
We're doomed! It's impossible that I win this match!
I didn't have enough training; not that I was good in sports to begin with. And the implication attached to this match were way too important; the pressure making it all the worse.
Putting his hands onto my shoulder and staring into my eyes seriously, Shunsui stated to me, 'Hime, you have to fight this match and win!'
I stared back into his eyes breathlessly for a whole minute, before I turned to face Satori Hasegawa, who was standing in the distance, with a scornful sneer on his face, ready to combat; the only word echoing in my mind being "Impossible!".
Approaching me equally, Tsubasa-sama placed a hand onto one of my shoulders from behind, to speak in one of my ears, telling me in a whisper, 'Hime, I know that you're scared. Just think about why you're doing this, and you'll find your strength in it!'
At the blonde woman's words, my eyes went wide, my heart skipping another beat.
Why… I am doing this?
This question was closely linked to why this scholarship was important to me.
It was important to me because it has alleviated part of the burden that I represented for my grand-parents, and therefore I wanted to do this for them. They wanted me to study in this school, so that I have a bright future. And I was sure that it was the same for the parents of the other scholarship students. I wanted to do this to protect us from persecution. I also wanted to do it for Tsubasa-sama to show her my gratitude for the opportunity she has given to us. And I also wanted to do it to thank Shunsui and Gōjun for having stood by us in this ordeal.
As I stepped onto the field and performed the Sonkyo, my knees and my hands were still shaking, my heart was still beating frantically, and I was still unsure about whether I could win this match, but I was resolute to fight with all my might and strength.
***
'Shunsui,' Gōjun said, his expression agitated as he watched the dark-haired girl from behind, 'I think we should-'
'Don't worry!' the latter told him, 'Nothing will happen to her!'
Looking at the reddish-brown-haired young man's face instantly, Gōjun was about to deny that he was worrying for the girl's safety, but he couldn't bring himself to do it for he really was worried about her; an incorrectly performed thrust at the throat could cause serious injury to the girl's neck. They had been negligent in not restricting thrusting techniques.
'How can you be so sure?' he had been about to ask the reddish-brown-haired young man when, he caught the latter's expression.
Shunsui was sitting with his chin resting on his intertwined fingers in front of himself, his elbows resting on his thighs, with a small smile tugging at his lips, his half-narrowed eyes, full of mischief.
Gōjun knew that expression perfectly well. Shunsui was up to something; he simply knew it.
When his eyes returned onto the dark-haired girl, it was only to witness the most improbable occurrence.
The match had begun and while everyone had expected Satori Hasegawa to attack the dark-haired girl without any restraint, the young man did nothing of the kind. In fact, he stood frozen, with his hands shaking, leaving the dark-haired girl with an opening that the latter took advantage of to the perfection.
She struck her opponent right on the head just like Gōjun had himself taught her to do, leaving much of everyone, including Gōjun, floored.
***
Time seemed to come to a standstill.
Did I just…
I couldn't believe it, not even when the referees rose their flags to declare that I had won this match and proclaim the scholarship students the victor of this confrontation. It was not until the intense silence was broken by the cheers of the cheerleaders, and Shunsui, Gōjun, Tsubasa-sama, together with Natsui Mizoroge and the other scholarship students had rushed onto the field to felicitate me and our victory that my mind was finally able to register that we had won.
I didn't know exactly how it happened, but we had won!
When I looked back at Satori Hasegawa, it was only to see the latter rushing out of the door of the gymnasium, crying out that he had to go to the bathroom.
'Eh? Why do I have an impression of déjà vu?' Gōjun and I wondered together, and we looked at each other's face dubiously.
A few minutes later, the brown-haired young man returned to declare that he didn't accept the outcome of this match.
'Huh?! What do you mean you don't accept the outcome of this match?!' demanded Shunsui.
Shuji Toriyama and Aruto Hidaka, as well as several other students, had rallied themselves with Satori Hasegawa.
'I felt unwell during the match!' the latter stated. 'Without this, there is no doubt that I would have won this match! This girl stood no chance against me! I'm practically sure that it's all a ploy! Somebody must have poisoned me and we all know who it is! I was perfectly alright when I woke up this morning!'
'Eh?! I find it very funny that you're accusing us of poisoning you!' countered Shunsui. 'Should I point out to you that you're the only person in your team to be sick, while on our side, nine of the scholarship students are feeling unwell, together with myself?!'
Satori Hasegawa exchanged a look with his friends and supporters; no one really knowing what to reply to this.
'You know what?! I'm going to tell you what I think,' continued the young master. 'I think it's rather the other way around. I think that while one of your little friends were trying to poison us, he also poisoned you by mistake!'
Satori Hasegawa opened his mouth to protest, but still couldn't find anything to say. Everyone had to admit that everything seemed to point into this direction.
'I also wish to remind you that I became sick during my match against Hidaka equally, and I could very well say the same thing as you- that I don't accept the outcome of our match with each other- but I won't do so. It's not my style. The terms of our agreement were clear. The first team to obtain two win will be the victor. Don't start playing the bad loser!'
The brown-haired young man exchanged another look with his two friends and supporters. They didn't look very happy, but no one dared to complain.
'And so, moving on from this, can I conclude now that the scholarship students will enjoy immunity for the rest of the school year as agreed?'
'Alright, fine!' the young man muttered, stomping his foot in frustration.
At this action of his, suddenly, he found himself visibly hit with pain in the bowels again. His face changed color, and he held his belly with his two hands. A few seconds later, he was rushing out of sight at lightning speed, exclaiming, 'I have to go to the washroom!'
Turning to face us, Shunsui put his forefinger up, closed his eyes and smiled, saying, 'Well, all is well that ends well!'
And none of us could resist smiling either.
Thank you for reading!