Her eyes focused solely on Kazuya, her tongue licking her pink lips, and her face filled with a smile. She executed a reverse cleave. Kazuya was unable to avoid it and forcefully blocked the strike but could not withstand the force, almost dropping to his knees. It seemed he had finally lost the strength to fight back.
Haruna switched her wooden sword to a horizontal sweep. She laughed heartily, "Ahaha, it's over! Cut!"
Kazuya suddenly lifted his head, sweat-soaked hair clinging to his forehead. However, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. Ignoring the horizontal slash that could have sent him to the hospital, he summoned the last of his strength for a desperate thrust, roaring loudly: "Die!"
Haruna felt a tremendous shock in her hand, not from hitting Kazuya, but from striking a tree that had appeared beside her, who knows when. Her sword penetrated over an inch into the tree trunk, causing it to shudder and groan, with leaves falling like rain.
She was momentarily stunned, only then realizing that she had entered a small grove chasing Kazuya. At this moment, Kazuya's figure was growing larger in her eyes, and the sword was aimed directly at her throat. Even in this abnormal situation, her reaction speed remained incredibly fast. She attempted to use the long handle to deflect the thrust, successfully flipping her wrist to knock Kazuya's wooden sword open. However, she couldn't stop him from continuing his full-force charge and was sent flying.
She landed first, a bit dazed. On the other hand, Kazuya, who had landed on top of her, felt considerably more pain.He regained his senses and momentarily forgot about gender differences, straddling her and raising the wooden sword as if to thrust it straight down.
However, even in the heat of battle, he retained some rationality. The sword ultimately hovered before Haruna's neck, preventing any disastrous outcome.
A sudden silence fell between the two. The cold wind swept through, lifting a few fallen leaves.
Kazuya, panting heavily, looked down at Haruna beneath him. Her large eyes remained bright, but her expression seemed confused and bewildered. It appeared she hadn't fully grasped what had just happened. Kazuya observed the defeated opponent beneath him and felt a slight tremor in his body. The hard-fought victory seemed particularly exhilarating.
After lying motionless for a while, Haruna finally understood what had happened. She looked at the hovering wooden sword, murmuring, "I lost?" She then sat up, paying no attention to her disheveled skirt and shirt. Meanwhile, Kazuya who was still on top of her felt as if the soft girl beneath him had suddenly transformed into a wild buffalo. He instinctively tightened his legs, but it was futile. He was easily toppled off.
Kazuya quickly got up again, raising the sword defensively in case Haruna went berserk again. But Haruna sat still for a moment before standing up. She didn't care about her messy clothes, and with a "plop," she knelt down, dejectedly saying, "You won. As agreed, I apologize by bowing. I'm sorry."
Her prompt concession left Kazuya stunned. He relaxed mentally and his grip loosened, causing the wooden sword to fall to the ground. However, he still couldn't get used to the Japanese custom of bowing and apologizing for mistakes. He stepped aside, refusing to accept the gesture, and modestly said, "It was just luck. Please don't take it to heart. Actually, your true strength surpasses mine by far."
Haruna stood up on her own after apologizing, dusted off her skirt, and quickly regained her composure. Evidently, she didn't consider kneeling as a big deal. She curiously observed Kazuya and then earnestly commented, "No wonder my sister lost to you. Turns out you're quite formidable!"
Kazuya scratched his head. Am I really better than that little radish? Why does it sound like you couldn't defeat her? Nevertheless, he graciously responded, "It was indeed a stroke of luck, Sakura. You don't need to take it to heart."
Haruna shook her head lightly and stated, "Losing is losing, no excuses! That's what my dad always says! After I go back, I'll engage in even more rigorous training and come back to compete with you again to determine the victor and loser definitively!"
With a serious expression typical of a child on her face, Haruna made Kazuya ponder for a moment. He wasn't sure if surrendering now would be too late. Did he have to fight again? The next time he might end up in the hospital.
After Haruna finished speaking, she picked up her sword, placed them in the scabbard. She said to Kazuya, "I'll take my leave now. Looking forward to the day we meet again! Let's wager our swordsman's honor, and I will appear before you in a more perfect form! On that day, we'll meet as worthy opponents, and it's do or die!" With that, she turned around decisively and strode away.
Kazuya looked at her departing figure, somewhat speechless. What a mess! Was saying "do or die" a way of praising his skill? Why the need for a life-or-death situation? Did they have such a huge grudge against each other?
Well, it's fine. At least she's finally going home.
Unexpectedly, after Haruna took a few steps, her figure swayed under the faint moonlight, and with a soft "plop," she knelt down again. Kazuya was immediately alarmed: did she get injured accidentally just now?
He hurriedly caught up a few steps, supporting her, "Sakura, are you injured? It wouldn't be good if a small conflict led to an injury." Although she seemed a bit foolish, Haruna had a certain charm. Losing graciously and being more straightforward than most men.
Haruna, kneeling, held her abdomen and looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm hungry, my stomach hurts..."
Who asked you to go looking for a duel in the middle of the night without going home for dinner? Kazuya couldn't express his frustration. It was so strange he didn't even know where to begin.
He helped Haruna up, "Can you endure until getting back home?"
Haruna's eyes appeared pure and moist in the moonlight, innocent and pitiful. She shook her head repeatedly, feeling disheartened. "I can't walk anymore. What should I do? The troops have not moved, but the supply of food has gone ahead. I was so busy getting Nobita to bring me wooden swords that I forgot to ask them to bring two rice balls. It's a major failure in life!"
Kazuya looked up at the sky, where a half-moon with a halo was visible. What a mess is all this? However, he couldn't leave her alone in the park at this late hour. Despite her foolishness, she was still his classmate. He reluctantly said, "Let me take you for a bowl of ramen before heading back!"
"I don't have money..."
"I treat you!" Kazuya gritted his teeth.
"Oh, really?! Thank you so much!" Haruna immediately perked up. It seemed that this suggestion made her forget about any pain. She energetically looked around and exclaimed, "Where's the ramen shop?"
"Let's go. After you finish eating, you should head straight home, okay?"
"Got it! No need, no need. I'll carry my sword bag myself. You've treated me to ramen. I can't trouble you further."
"Aren't you unable to walk due to hunger?"
"Well, I'm not starving to death. The motivation to move towards food is still there... I don't know if there's any food left at home. Probably not. The food at home is never enough. Most likely, even the rice crust is cleaned up."
Kazuya took Haruna to a late-night ramen shop near the station. They were greeted by the owner who asked them to sit at the counter and provided hot towels and barley tea.
After expressing gratitude, Kazuya ordered a bowl of ramen for Haruna and realized he was hungry too. He ordered a bowl of oden for himself. Soon, the ramen was ready, and the owner placed it in front of Haruna, saying, "Please enjoy!"
"Ah-ha! Itatakimasu!" Haruna clapped her hands, very excited.
Kazuya glanced at her, seeing her flushing face and vigorous slurping. Although hungry, she seemed tireless. As Kazuya wiped his hands with a hot towel and then covered his face to dispel fatigue, he looked at Haruna in amazement.
"Where's your ramen?"
"Eaten!"
"And the soup?"
"Drunk!"
Kazuya couldn't believe it. Did she really consume it all?
Haruna sniffed sadly and asked, "Still so hungry. Can I have another bowl?"