Haruka lay motionless on the ground, her small hands clenched into fists. Despite her best attempts to hold back, tears still welled up in her eyes. She couldn't bring herself to look at Kazuya's triumphant expression.
In the midst of her suffering, she suddenly felt a weight on her back. She looked up surprisedly to see Kazuya extending one foot, stepping on her back, and slowly raising the bamboo sword. She exclaimed in fear, "W-what are you doing?"
Kazuya stepped on her lower back like he was stepping on a little turtle, preventing her from straightening up, "I won the duel, so naturally, I need to finish the event. Do you have any objections?"
Haruka angrily yelled, tears streaming down her face not out of fear but frustration, "You dare... You dare! I won't let you off!"
Ignoring her futile rage, Kazuya swung it down with his bamboo sword, landing a heavy blow on Haruka's head, symboling the decapitation as the final step in the duel.
Haruka's vision turned black as she was stunned, and the entire arena fell silent. Many girls clutched their chests, showing expressions of fear. Kazuya's posture seemed filled with murderous intent, as if he were really wielding a sharp blade to behead Haruka.
Yuma was the first to react, waving the red flag and shouting, "Red side wins!" Unfortunately, no one paid attention to him. After a moment, onlookers began speculating on the complex grudges and emotions between Haruka and Kazuya. They clearly tdared not speak too loudly, as Kazuya appeared somewhat intimidating when slowly leaving the arena.
Shin hurriedly approached to help Kazuya remove the kendo gear, "Kazuya, I didn't know you were so skilled."
Kazuya understood that Shin thought he had concealed his past experience in swordsmanship. However, it was hard to explain, so he sincerely said, "Shin, whether you believe it or not, I've only practiced for less than three weeks..." He then expressed his gratitude to Shin, "Thanks to you lending me books and equipment. I owe it all to Shin!"
Listening to his words, Shin blushed and muttered, "No need to thank me. You won by your own strength. I don't deserve it... Maybe I was overly suspicious. Sorry, Kazuya. I've always believed that there are geniuses in this world, and you are probably one of them!"
Shin changed the topic, "By the way, treating Sakura like this may be too much..."
Kazuya saw through this issue very clearly, "She provoked first, and it was a fair duel. I don't think there's anything wrong. If I had lost, do you think she would have let me off easily?" Given the personality of that little radish, she would have definitely taken the chance to insult him a few times if he had lost!
"Alright..." Shin nodded and turned to look at Haruka. He was kind-hearted and worried that Haruka might not be able to withstand such a blow. However, as he looked around, he didn't find her anywhere. At this moment, a resentful shout came from the entrance of the kendo dojo, "Kazuya, you bastard, just you wait! Now you're my lifelong enemy! I'll never forgive you!"
Haruka's hair was somewhat disheveled, tear stains covered her small face, and she waved the faceguard in extreme anger. With red eyes and an unwillingness to accept defeat, she shouted, and then turned and rushed outside, wiping away her tears, .
The kendo teacher who had just returned almost tripped over her. He touched his head, looked at Haruka running away barefoot, and asked in an odd tone, "What happened? Did they finish the match?"
All students fell into silence. How could they continue a match when one person had already been "beheaded"?
After the kendo class ended, it was time for dismissal. Yuma dragged Kazuya and Shin, insisting on treating them to ramen. He was the happiest today and used the excuse that Kazuya had worked hard in the match and needed to celebrate.
Kazuya declined firmly, claiming he was too tired and wanted to go home to rest. Yuma still tried to drag him along, but Shin took him away forcibly to visit the baseball club. Yuma was the giant of thoughts but the dwarf of actions: He said he wanted to reach Koshien, but he hadn't joined the baseball club to this day.
He walked leisurely on the street. Haruka was no longer a threat. Although she shouted "lifelong enemy" before leaving, her eyes were full of fear and she has lost her courage. Even if she wanted to provoke him next time, she would probably think twice.
He went straight back to the apartment. As he reached the corridor, he noticed Yoko sitting alone in the shadow, hugging her knees. Her school bag was in front of her. He was slightly surprised and approached her, "Yoko, did you forget your keys again?"
Yoko's expression was somewhat embarrassed. She shook her head gently, "No, Onisan. I'm just sitting here... Can you let Toratoro out to play with me?"
It seemed that she didn't want Kazuya to stay there. So she found a excuse to ask him to return to his own room.
To play with Toratoro, Kazuya naturally agreed with a nod. However, he still cared, "Is something wrong...?" Before he could finish his question, he heard a faint laughter, seemingly coming from Yoko's home: a woman and a man, with explicit words and flirting.
He immediately understood. Yoko's mother had brought a man home, and they were probably engaging in some adult activities. The room was small, and Yoko might destroy the ambiguous atmosphere there.
Yoko stopped speaking when Kazuya fell silent. She also realized that he had heard it. She stared at her own toes and pursed her small mouth tightly.
Kazuya had no good solution either. Yoko's mother was free to bring whoever she wanted home, and he couldn't just kick open the door and beat up the couple.
Seeing Kazuya's silence, Yoko raised her head, forcing a smile as she said, "It's okay, Onisan. It's okay..."
She said so, but her eyes were still red with embarrassment.
Kazuya reached out to pat her head. Her hair seemed dull and a bit dry. He said softly, "Don't sit here, Yoko. Let's go out for a walk... Um, you haven't had dinner yet, right? Onisan will treat you to something yummy!"
"No need, no need, Onisan. You go and do your own things..." Yoko didn't finish her words but was already lifted up by Kazuya. Kazuya squated down and looked into her eyes, "Let's go out for a walk, Yoko. Don't stay here."
Her mother brought a man home and didn't consider where her daughter should go. This was a poor neighborhood, and the streets were chaotic. Kazuya wouldn't wander around, let alone a little girl.
Yoko looked at Kazuya's eyes, and after a while, she turned her head away, wiping away a tear. She turndeback and nodded vigorously, "Okay, Onisan!"
Kazuya smiled at her, once again ruffling her small head. "Bring Toratoro with us. That guy is probably bored at home."
After letting Toratoro out, Kazuya led them downstairs. He asked, "What would you like to eat?"
Yoko tilted her head and thought for a while, then said a little shyly, "Eating outside is expensive. Onisan, We can just walk around nearby... I'm a bit scared alone, but with you..."
"It's okay. Today I want to treat myself." Kazuya interrupted her words, offering a more easily accepted reason.
"Treat yourself?"
"Yes, I defeated an annoying person so I feel good." Haruka had indeed been quite irritating, always wearing that arrogant expression as if she wanted to insult him. Now that he had given her a good beating, he felt much better.
Yoko didn't quite understand, but seeing Kazuya happily smiling, she felt pleased as well. She petted Toratoro's fur, "Then shall we go eat... How about ramen?"
Ramen shops were everywhere on the streets, and they were affordable. Yoko was probably thinking of saving money for Kazuya. However, having eaten ramen often in the school cafeteria, Kazuya shook his head, "Let's go for grilled meat!"
Meat?! Before Yoko could react, Toratoro got excited first. It straightened up from her arms and his doggy face was filled with anticipation.
Other than having government-subsidized meals at school, Yoko didn't have much experience dining out. She just obediently followed Kazuya.
The two strolled through the streets, and they found a semi-open grilled meat shop near a market. Though not many customers were there, the aroma of grilled meat was already enticing. At least, the sensitive Toratoro was showing signs of drooling.
"How about trying that one?" Kazuya asked.
Yoko seemed to be drooling a bit herself. She lowered her head and mumbled, "It's up to you to decide, Onisan."
Kazuya led her there. The stall was run by an elderly couple who warmly welcomed them. They didn't mind that Kazuya brought a dog along.