Naotaka gazed at him silently, with a complex expression in his eyes. After a long time, he spoke in a soft voice, "Self-studying for less than three years surpasses my teaching for over a decade. Talent is indeed something to be envied! I am a person without talent, an incapable person. I have achieved nothing in this life. I really envy those with talent like you. Sorry, forget my ramblings."
His desolate aura intensified as if he had suddenly aged several years. He reached for the wine jug to pour more, but Kazuya reached out and stopped him, "Mr. Sakura, I'm sorry, but please don't drink anymore."
Naotaka didn't get angry. Instead, he sighed and allowed Kazuya to move the wine jug aside.
After a moment of silence, he turned to the bookshelf behind him and took out a white envelope, handing it to Kazuya. "Enough of these decadent words. They aren't suitable for a young man. Let's talk about business... Matsuoka, you've come to bid farewell, haven't you? This is the recommended letter as agreed. There's also a small amount of severance pay. It's not much, so please don't refuse."
Kazuya hesitated and then took the envelope with both hands. "Thank you, Mr. Sakura." Dealing with intelligent people is both time and effort-saving. If it weren't for his daughter being so troublesome, working here would have been quite pleasant.
"Once again, I apologize to your on my daughter behalf," Naotaka bowed deeply.
Kazuya quickly returned the courtesy. "You are too kind. Please don't be troubled."
Naotaka raised his head and expressed regret, "I had hoped you could become friends with my daughter. My big daughter has a bad temper and has never had any friends since she was young, but she has accumulated over thirty pages of her enemies. You are around the same age as her but is mature and stable many times over... I'm sorry, this is just a small selfish desire of mine as a father... It's truly a pity."
Kazuya bowed again and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry for not meeting Mr. Sakura's expectations." He didn't find any positive qualities in Haruka. She seems like a walking time bomb. Inconsiderate, barbaric, lacking manners, petty, and willful... She has almost every human flaw imaginable.
"It's my fault for not guiding her properly, allowing her to develop such a stubborn temperament," Naotaka looked genuinely regretful. "When she was little, I was too immersed in my own affairs and didn't pay much attention to her. She was mostly raised by her mother who was very gentle and couldn't discipline her firmly. When her mother passed away, her behavior became even more peculiar. By the time I wanted to discipline her, I didn't know how to talk to her... It's all my fault."
Kazuya once again bowed slightly, choosing not to say anything. There wasn't much to say. Scolding a daughter in front of her father wasn't appropriate.
After a brief pause, Naotaka turned the conversation back to business. "Are you planning to resign directly?"
"I can wait until you find a replacement before leaving," Kazuya replied. He had a sense of responsibility, and working for a conscientious boss like this, even if he didn't want to breathe the same air as Haruka, he was willing to endure for a few more days.
"It's actually okay. Just cancel their alternating days off and it'll be fine. Our meeting is considered fate. I'm half a generation older than you. Therefore, this parting gift needs to be carefully considered..."
Kazuya hurriedly intervened, "You've taken care of me so much. There's no need to trouble yourself." With these words, Kazuya felt a hint of guilt for hitting Haruka so hard. After all, she would probably spend the next four or five days with a swollen face.
Naotaka continued, "Don't refuse, Matsuoka. Perhaps we'll meet again. Let me express my heartfelt wishes for your future endeavors."
"It's not anything valuable, just a small token of appreciation," Naotaka turned around and rummaged through the bookshelf for a while, pulling out two hardcover books and handing them to Kazuya. "If you don't mind, please accept this. It would ease my mind a bit."
Seeing that they were books, Kazuya breathed a sigh of relief. He gently took the books, thinking about how to repay this kindness. Ignoring the annoying little radish, if Haruna encountered any trouble at school, he could lend a helping hand.
He figured this middle-aged man had that kind of intention, trying to help his big daughter defuse his anger and avoid becoming an enemy. Additionally, he seemed to want to make him take care of his second daughter as much as possible.
However, this father in front of him was a bit too concerned. Haruna probably wouldn't encounter any trounle at school. Instead, it would be good enough if she refrained from picking fights. Fortunately, she was a kind-hearted girl. If she had her sister's temper, she could have become a schoolyard bully.
After expressing his gratitude, Kazuya glanced at the covers of the books, feeling a bit surprised. These two books, "Secrets of the Sasaki Ittoryu" and "Hard Body Techniques", were written in hand-brushed characters with strokes as sharp as a sword, fierce and imposing.
"Is this... appropriate?" Kazuya hesitated. This seemed like the kind of thing related to unique martial arts schools. Could it really be sent to an ousider?
Naotaka didn't mind at all. He gestured towards a framed document on the study wall. "It's okay, Matsuoka. I have the license to pass on the teachings."
Following his gesture, Kazuya looked at the wall and saw a framed certificate with a bold red seal that read "Menkyo Kaiden (免許皆伝)".
Kazuya, with some knowledge about martial arts now, glanced at the document and was genuinely surprised. "Menkyo Kaiden" wasn't something common.
In traditional swordsmanship schools, disciples are often categorized into various levels, such as "Okuiri(奥入)", "Mokuroku(目录)", "Kaiden(皆传)" and "Menkyo Kaiden(免许皆传)".
To describe it broadly, "Okuiri" corresponds to beginners in the observation period, focusing on basic exercises. "Mokuroku" implies being formally accepted into the school, starting the formal training, and acquiring some techniques within the school. "Kaiden" indicates mastering all the skills within the school and being allowed to represent the school in public competitions. Lastly, "Menkyo Kaiden" is even more advanced, allowing one to teach the school's techniques to others without seeking permission and qualifying to establish one's own school.
Naotaka seemed lost in thought as he gazed at the certificate of "Menkyo Kaiden". It was as if he was reminiscing about the vibrant years of his past.
After a while, he returned to his senses. "So receive it, this is a summary of my experiences with the Ittoryu swordsmanship. Take it back and flip through it when you have some free time. The book 'Hard Body Techniques' was left by a good friend I knew in my youth. Since he's no longer with us, and there are no descendants, it's rare to encounter a young person like you willing to self-learn ancient techniques. I believe he would like you to learn his manuscript."
In a somewhat self-deprecating tone, he added, "After all, modern society no longer has a place for these things."
Kazuya was unsure of what had happened in Naotaka's past, but he sensed a heavy atmosphere around him. The middle-aged man seemed to have completely lost his spirit of striving forward. However, Kazuya didn't feel it was appropriate to ask.
He gently stroked the cover of the books, thinking that taking them should be fine. This middle-aged man appeared generous yet shrewd. It was unlikely that he would entrust a rare and valuable item to Kazuya.
"Well, I appreciate it," Kazuya accepted the books.
Naotaka reached for the liquor jug once again. "I'm glad to hear that."
Seeing that he was about to drink again, Kazuya had no intention of persuading him. He thought he might be trying to drown his sorrows with wine.
He felt that there was nothing with staying here, "Mr. Sakura, I'll take my leave first."
Naotaka had no intention of getting up to see him off. He just nodded his head, "Please go slowly."
As Kazuya left, he glanced back into the room. Naotaka was lying down again. His silhouette swayed slightly, and the entire scene looked dim.
Kazuya shook his head lightly. Even though he wasn't a swordsman, he could sense that this man could no longer wield a sword. Perhaps weakened by physical ailments, crushed by repeated failures, or devastated by the loss of his beloved wife. Whatever the reason, he had lost the sharpness that pointed forward, the will to cut through everything.
This man, who jokingly referred to himself as a swordsman, had become a desolate middle-aged man. Even if he held an extraordinary divine weapon, it was just a piece of metal in his hands. He could no longer be called a swordsman.
Kazuya thought as he changed his clothes, carefully wrapping the books in a large plastic bag. Standing at the door of Pure Flavor House, he watched the heavy rain with a helpless expression. The weather was bad and the business hours had ended early today. He didn't plan to stay here any longer, but with the strong wind and heavy rain outside, should he endure getting wet on the way back?