Understanding that this was a compromise due to her shyness and modesty, Sasaki didn't show disappointment but instead 'breathed a sigh of relief':
"As long as Sakura is willing to get along with me, that's enough."
Seeing that he genuinely wanted to be with her, Miyajima Sakura, for the first time being so liked by a boy, awkwardly brushed her ponytail over her left shoulder under his intense, bright gaze:
"Am I really that... but we've just met for the first time."
"Yes~ It's true, even though we just met for the first time, I fell for you, Sakura. Maybe it's because you're so beautiful? Or maybe it's your unique spiritedness? I'm not sure, maybe it's all of it, but my affection for you is real, after all... Once things are settled, we'll become a couple."
"So, whether you think it's love at first sight or driven by your looks, my liking for you won't change."
Looking at her evasive eyes, knowing this was an easy question, Sasaki earnestly expressed his affection.
Though his words were somewhat flashy, the core idea was clear: I desire you, I'm honest, and I deserve praise.
Miyajima Sakura didn't show disappointment or disdain for his seemingly shallow affection.
It wasn't because Sasaki's looks made everything he said sound pleasant and reasonable, but because she found his answer normal and reasonable.
This was their first meeting, and they'd known each other for less than two hours in total.
If he claimed to like her inner qualities and character after such a short time and little conversation, it would feel fake.
Some people can't fully understand another even after years of interaction.
How could he, in such a brief interaction, claim to like her inner qualities and character?
So if Sasaki had said he liked her personality and character, Miyajima Sakura would have felt uncomfortable.
Martial artists are often straightforward and sincere, disliking convoluted ways.
Though Sakura's personality wasn't exactly open and cheerful, she similarly disliked dishonest people.
If he couldn't be honest at the beginning of their relationship, how could Miyajima Sakura have confidence in their future together?
Though his truth might seem crude to other girls, compared to someone who would deceitfully flatter her, Sasaki's words were more to her liking.
To respond to his affection, the inarticulate Miyajima Sakura showed her attitude through actions.
Since they were already arm-in-arm, fingers intertwined, her leaning against Sasaki's arm effectively pulled his arm into her embrace.
Feeling the soft kendo uniform made of multiple layers of cotton on his arm, Sasaki looked at the girl, who had started to be close to him, and gently said:
"Sakura~"
Looking at her eyebrows, sharper compared to the gentle Miyajima Tsubaki, Sasaki found her sudden dependence adorable.
Though he really wanted to lean down and kiss her, but after all,
they had been together for too short a time.
No matter how well he performed, the strangeness between them caused by their unfamiliarity would not be so easy to eliminate.
So, this thought had to be temporarily suppressed.
But there was still a way...
Meeting her shy gaze, Sasaki looked away, listening to the training ground's distant shouts, and softly said:
"Sakura likes kendo, right?"
"Yes, when I was young, my mother and grandfather taught me swordsmanship."
Because her public identity was the sole heiress of the dojo and a winner of various youth competitions, Miyajima Sakura was not surprised by his words.
If she didn't like kendo, as the only cherished daughter of the Miyajima family, her mother and grandfather wouldn't force her excessively.
They would only ensure she mastered some basic kendo to carry on the Miyajima dojo's legacy.
As for the various awards, those would certainly be out of reach.
"So, does that mean Sakura is very strong?"
"Fairly so."
Miyajima Sakura didn't boast about how many competitions she had participated in or how many awards she had won.
Disliking flaunting her achievements, she responded with a gentle smile.
Hearing the strong confidence hidden under her modest words, Sasaki gave a strange smile and suggested:
"So, does Sakura want to spar with me?"
Hearing this, the body pressed against Sasaki's arm straightened slightly.
Miyajima Sakura, who was passionate about kendo and enjoying combat, had learned about Sasaki from her mother.
Although he didn't practice traditional kendo, he possessed the legendary sword technique "Swallow Reversal" and had defeated her mother, whom she always saw as a target.
Before knowing her mother's situation, she was eager to spar with Sasaki.
However, because she had to become his wife, she suppressed her desire to spar with him to avoid ruining his impression of her.
Now that he had brought it up, Miyajima Sakura certainly wouldn't refuse.
"If Sasaki-kun wishes, it would be my honor!"
"Calling your fiancé like that isn't very nice~"
Not continuing with the sparring topic, Sasaki, who didn't like being addressed that way, gently bumped her forehead with his, hinting his slight displeasure.
Mumbling her thin, paper-like lips, Miyajima Sakura's cheeks blushed slightly as she met his expectant gaze and softly replied:
"Fuyumi"
"Although it's a bit different from the 'husband' or 'dear' I was hoping for, it'll do."
Winking at her, Sasaki continued the sparring topic.
"Of course, sparring is fine, but just sparring would be boring. How about we bet on something?"
"Bet?"
Having only learned the word but never engaged in such behavior, Miyajima Sakura tilted her head in confusion at Sasaki's suggestion.
"Yeah, like placing a bet on the outcome."
Miyajima Sakura wasn't an idiot.
From Sasaki's smile and words, she could naturally see his ulterior motives.
But with their engagement and her positive impression of Sasaki, even though she knew he wanted to take advantage, she had no intention of refusing.
Moreover, if he wanted to take advantage, he had to win first.
Having participated in many competitions and practiced kendo for years, she wasn't about to be defeated just because he knew one legendary technique.
Her years of accumulated confidence made Miyajima Sakura's fighting spirit soar, and she decisively accepted Sasaki's challenge.
"Sure, what does Fuyumi want to bet on?"
Hearing Miyajima Sakura's spirited response, Sasaki's already smiling lips curled even more, almost able to hang a soy sauce bottle.
Although he was very good-looking, his mischievous smile clearly indicated his ulterior motives.
But his confidence under the mischief further fueled Miyajima Sakura's competitive spirit.
The stranger Sasaki's smile, the happier he seemed, the more he seemed to underestimate her, and the more determined Miyajima Sakura was to win.
Not letting Miyajima stew in embarrassment for too long, the boy gave his answer after a light smile.
"We are engaged, after all. The stakes should be something only couples do."
Noticing Miyajima Sakura's slight change in expression, Sasaki smiled and flicked her forehead.
"What are you thinking? I meant kissing and hugging, of course."
Teasingly watching the girl's flushed face as she turned away, Sasaki leaned in, stifling a laugh, and asked in a curious tone:
"Or did Sakura think of something else? Can you tell me?"
Even though she had little in the way of leisure activities and hadn't watched much TV, Miyajima Sakura had attended basic health classes.
Thus, she wasn't completely ignorant about the matters between men and women.
She trusted that her fiancé knew more about these things than she did.
So, she understood that he was teasing her.
But due to their established engagement, Miyajima Sakura felt only shy rather than angry at his teasing.
Additionally, her traditional upbringing to obey her father at home and her husband after marriage made it difficult for her to go against her husband.
Despite the short time they'd known each other, she was momentarily conflicted and only managed to mumble a simple response.
"No, I didn't think of anything."
Not hearing what he wanted, Sasaki didn't mind.
His intention was just to tease her, and as long as she wasn't angry, it was a step forward in their relationship.
"So, Sakura, do you accept the bet? If I win, I want to hug you and kiss your cheek."
Gently caressing the back of her hand, Sasaki turned his head to look at her side profile, her fair neck tinged with a pink blush.
"Is that okay?"
By logic, of course, it wasn't okay.
Who would allow someone they had known for less than half a day to hug and kiss them, even if they were engaged, even if it was just a cheek kiss?
Although Miyajima Sakura didn't object, the progress was too fast...
She really wanted to say this, but remembering Sasaki's strange yet confident smile, she didn't want to back down in kendo and admit defeat.
As the heir of the Miyajima style, she nodded in agreement.
"Y-yes, it's okay."