When Hondo was forced to step back several paces, he realized he had been deceived; maybe this girl wasn't injured at all.
Seeing Rumi's even fiercer attack speed compared to the first round, everyone was stunned, and then loud cheers erupted, urging her on.
When the corner of Hondo's eye caught sight of the boundary line, he felt hopeless.
"Out of bounds! Red side wins!" the referee announced loudly.
Almost everyone stood up, cheering and clapping.
"Senpai, I won!" Rumi, without even removing her gear, ran straight towards Masashi.
"Why are you running? Do you still want to keep that foot?" Masashi joked as he helped her remove her gear and helmet, while Kazumi smiled and assisted.
"Mr. Omura," Masashi turned to Omura.
"I understand. I'll apply to the competition organizers for a withdrawal." Omura said, a little disappointed.
"Thank you. We'll take Rumi to the hospital now. Please handle the remaining matters." With that, Masashi picked Rumi up and headed for the exit, followed by Mafang Junko after she gave a bow to Omura.
At the hospital, after an X-ray revealed no bone issues, just a simple muscle strain, the doctor applied a cast, set up a follow-up appointment, and the four left the hospital.
"Rumi, how will you manage the next few days? Why don't you stay with me for a few days so I can take care of you?" On the ride, Junko suggested to Rumi.
"No need, Sister Mafang. Senpai has arranged for me to stay with him. But thank you for the offer." The thought of staying with Senpai and Kazumi made Rumi very happy.
"What? You're staying with him? Isn't that… I don't think it's appropriate," Junko barely managed to hold back from saying "living together."
"Why not?" Rumi looked at her, puzzled.
This naive girl, she knows nothing, Junko thought. Just as she was about to speak, Masashi interrupted, "Miss Mafang, my sister also lives with me. She'll take good care of Rumi. Don't worry."
Seeing the sincerity in Masashi's eyes, Junko felt surprisingly calm and said nothing further.
***
"I want to challenge you." More than a week after the match, one day, just as Masashi was dropping Rumi off at the kendo club and about to leave, he was suddenly blocked by Ogata.
Masashi frowned, "I'm not a member of the kendo club. Is this challenge necessary?"
"Are you afraid? Coward," Ogata taunted him with a sneer.
Masashi chuckled, unphased by this childish provocation.
"I'll pick you up after school. Don't wander around; your foot just recovered," he said to Rumi, ignoring Ogata.
"I understand. See you, Senpai." Rumi smiled sweetly.
Watching Masashi ignore him and walk out, Ogata couldn't contain himself any longer. He dashed in front of Masashi and pointed his bamboo sword at him. "Coward, don't you even dare to compete?"
Ogata's action immediately attracted the attention of all the club members, who gathered around with curious smiles.
Almost everyone knew that Ogata liked Rumi, but Rumi was not interested in him. On the other hand, everyone could see Rumi's deep affection and respect for Masashi.
It seemed they were in for some entertainment.
"Ogata, what are you doing?" Junko stepped forward, looking at him sternly.
"This is none of your business. I just want to challenge this guy," Ogata said, taking advantage of Omura's absence.
"I'm sorry, but I refuse." Such a match was nothing but a jealous rivalry.
"Coward," Ogata muttered, almost poking his bamboo sword at Masashi.
Just as he finished speaking, a bamboo sword deflected Ogata's weapon.
"Ogata, let's duel. I told you I would never allow anyone to disrespect Senpai." Rumi held her bamboo sword and looked at him coldly.
Junko and the other club members were shocked. They had never seen this side of Rumi before.
Rumi was known as the friendliest member in the kendo club; everyone adored her sweet and cheerful personality. She was always kind to everyone, never losing her temper, and even when she won practice matches, she remained humble and courteous.
But now, she had transformed into a drawn blade, exuding a chilling aura.
As the person involved, Ogata felt especially uncomfortable. He had only wanted to defeat Masashi in front of Rumi and everyone else, making him look bad. He never expected things to turn out like this.
"Children shouldn't talk about dueling so lightly." Just then, Masashi, who had been ignored, spoke up, taking the bamboo sword from Rumi.
"Senpai, you…"
"If someone wants to play, let's humor them. Consider it an act of kindness." Masashi said casually.
"Yes, Senpai," Rumi understood and stood to the side.
"Ogata, if you insist on challenging, I'm happy to oblige." Masashi then walked to the center of the room.
Overjoyed, Ogata quickly followed with his sword. The others gathered around to watch.
As Ogata donned his gear and stepped onto the floor, he realized Masashi wasn't wearing any protective equipment.
"Don't you have any gear? Take mine," Ogata said to another boy.
"No need. Let's start."
"Fine," Ogata's anger flared as he felt completely disregarded.
"If you don't start soon, Ogata, I'm leaving. I'm quite busy," Masashi said lazily.
"You… you're the one who didn't put on gear. It's not my fault." Ogata was infuriated.
"Rumi, is this okay? Even with bamboo swords, it would hurt to be hit, maybe even get injured," Junko said to Rumi.
"He won't hit Senpai," Rumi said confidently, her eyes gleaming with certainty.
Hearing Rumi's words, Junko was skeptical, but she watched the match with concern.
Gradually, she started to believe Rumi. No matter how fiercely Ogata attacked, Masashi, wielding his sword with one hand, blocked each move effortlessly.
He didn't parry in the usual way but would counterattack just as Ogata began a move, targeting his wrist, throat, or chest, forcing Ogata to defend or retreat. Whereas other swordsmen might seize such an opportunity to advance, Masashi remained rooted, waiting for Ogata's next move.
In the match, Ogata grew increasingly frustrated. Every time he attempted an attack, Masashi's sword would ghost to a critical area, forcing him to defend or retreat. This helpless feeling of being unable to land a blow nearly drove him to madness.
Junko and the other members watched in awe; they had never seen swordsmanship like this.
Standing beside Junko, Rumi watched intently, her eyes wide with admiration.
"Game's over, Ogata," Masashi suddenly said, lunging with his sword at Ogata.
No one could clearly see the move, nor could anyone describe it, but they all saw Ogata fly sideways through the air.
The heavy thud of Ogata hitting the ground left everyone in stunned silence, including Omura-sensei, who had just walked in.
"Please, join our kendo club. With you here, winning nationals wouldn't just be a dream," Omura said, grabbing Masashi's shoulders excitedly after sending Ogata to the infirmary with a few others.
"Sorry, I won't be joining." Masashi slowly removed Omura's hand.
"Why? Don't you want to be a champion? Tell me any conditions you have!" Omura was desperate.
"My sword isn't for competition," Masashi replied, turning to leave the kendo club.
"I won't give up," Omura called after him, sounding as determined as if he were making a marriage vow.