Her soft and plump figure felt light as a feather in his arms. Itō Yoshita carried Miyajima Tsubaki as they followed Miyajima Sakura into the room.
He opened the wooden door, which had a paper covering, and gently placed Tsubaki down on the tatami mat while opening the window to let in some fresh air.
"Sakura-nee, can you help Tsubaki clean up a bit and let her rest?" Yoshita asked.
"Of course, Yoshita. Why don't you go wash up in the bathroom?"
Sakura replied, accepting the towel that Yoshita had handed her.
"We can discuss the written exam later. looks like you're a bit tired too."
"Okay," Yoshita nodded.
To be honest, he didn't feel particularly tired; he was just concerned that Sakura might become too excited like Tsubaki had earlier and end up drained.
It wouldn't be great if there weren't enough staff to guide the students this morning.
Yoshita didn't use the public baths in the Miyajima dojo.
Every time he sweated profusely, he would instead clean up in Tsubaki's private bath.
His relationship with the Miyajima family was quite special.
Unlike the other students, he didn't have to take his dojo uniform home to wash.
Tsubaki would help him with that every time he visited.
He could just come over and change.
Since Tsubaki was too exhausted this time, Sakura helped her wipe her body clean, allowing Yoshita to commandeer the bathroom for himself.
He tossed his soaked dojo uniform into the laundry basket and picked up his own clothes to take a shower.
"Ahh, this feels great!"
As the hot water cascaded over Yoshita's solid body, the clear muscle lines gradually dissolved his fatigue.
After tidying up, Yoshita exited the room and bumped into Sakura, who was making her way over while holding a wet female dojo uniform.
"Yoshita, could you please put Oka-san's clothes in the laundry basket? I need to take her a change of clothes," Sakura asked.
"Leave it to me," Yoshita said as he took the dojo uniform and walked back into the bathroom to fold Tsubaki's clothes.
"Hmm? Why are the wet marks under Tsubaki's waist more pronounced than the others?"
Once he took care of the clothes, Yoshita headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the Miyajima family, which was part of his duties.
Clang!
Clang!
The sound of the knife meeting the cutting board echoed in the kitchen, showcasing the chef's skill.
"Yoshita, I'm here to help!"
Sakura declared, tying on an apron as she entered the kitchen.
"Thank you, Sakura-nee," Yoshita replied.
As they chatted away, Yoshita and Sakura prepared breakfast.
The roaring stove emitted immense heat, warming the kitchen. Sakura watched Yoshita's busy figure, and involuntarily brushed her lightly flushed cheek, feeling a warmth surge through her, filling her with a sense of comfort.
"It feels like a newlywed couple…" Sakura mumbled to herself.
"What's that, Sakura-nee?" Yoshita asked, curious about what she had said.
"Nothing! By the way, could you call grandfather and Oka-san for breakfast?"
Sakura responded, coming back to her senses with a smile. "I'll handle the last bit of preparation here."
"Okay."
Taking off his apron, Yoshita hung it on a hook nearby and walked toward the room of Miyajima Kichirō, the current head of the Miyajima family.
He moved along the sunlit wooden corridor, passing under the elegantly traditional eaves, and arrived at the center of the house—Kichirō's room.
Just as he reached the door, he noticed a dignified elder sitting cross-legged in the corridor, enjoying the sun while holding a pipe.
Puff…
Miyajima Kichirō exhaled smoke, placing his pipe down as he tucked his hands into his kimono sleeves, savoring the warm sunlight.
"Good morning, Grandpa Kichirō," Yoshita called softly to him.
"Ah, Yoshita," Kichirō replied, opening his eyes slightly to glance at him. His gravelly voice was slow and measured.
"Why haven't you been to the dojo in the past month?"
"I was in the hospital…"
"Oh, I see… Are you feeling better now?"
"I'm fine now. Sorry for making you worry."
"Hmm."
Kichirō paused, lifting his pipe for another puff. "Is there anything else?"
"It's time for breakfast."
"Has it gotten that late? I understand now."
"I'll go call Tsubaki then."
"Go ahead."
Yoshita retraced his steps through the eaves, going back to Tsubaki's room.
She had exhausted herself earlier, using up a tremendous amount of energy, and was already in a deep sleep.
"Tsubaki-san, Tsubaki-san…"
Yoshita gently called out twice, but received no reply.
He opened the door and walked inside.
Sunlight streamed through the window and bathed the beautiful woman in sleep.
Her long hair cascaded like a waterfall across her pillow, gently swaying in the playful breeze, resembling drifting clouds in the night sky.
Perhaps because of her recent exertion, Tsubaki's skin appeared as smooth as jade, exuding a youthful vitality, with a subtle glow that resembled the softest light of dawn.
Yoshita quietly approached her bedside and lightly shook her.
"Tsubaki-nee, wake up! It's time for breakfast."
Tsubaki frowned slightly, as if her sweet dreams were being disturbed.
Her long eyelashes fluttered gently, brushing against the edges of her dreams like butterfly wings.
A faint smile graced her lips, and she mumbled sweetly, "No, don't…"
Her adorable sleeping habits made Yoshita want to tease her.
He gently pinched Tsubaki's delicate nose; every time she attempted to swat him away, he would immediately pull back.
After several rounds of this playful torment, Tsubaki appeared quite fuzzy-headed, as if a flame of confusion stirred within her.
Suddenly, her long arm shot out, locking Yoshita's neck and pulling him into a warm embrace.
The delicate softness concealed beneath her bathrobe overwhelmed him, making it feel as if he were suffocating, blocking his mouth and nose.
"Mm, mm—"
Yoshita struggled momentarily, caught off-guard by Tsubaki's sudden action.
The fresh, elegant scent of her feminine charm spread through his body like wildfire.
'No, if this continues…'
Yoshita began to wriggle free, his head shaking back and forth, his hair brushing against Tsubaki's chest, tickling her.
She grew impatient and affectionately rubbed his head.
"Don't be naughty!" she mumbled groggily before drifting off to sleep again.
With no other option, Yoshita's hands slipped under her robe, finding Tsubaki's slim waist.
He remembered that Tsubaki was very ticklish. If he touched her sensitive spots, she would tremble and lose all her strength.
With careful precision, his fingers glided over her smooth torso, honing in on every sensitive spot he remembered.
"Stop it, mm!"
In the dark, it felt like electricity coursed through her veins, waking Tsubaki from her slumber.
"Ha-ha-ha!" The ticklish sensation made her giggle uncontrollably, finally jolting her awake.
"Yoshita, you're so bad, always bullying your aunt."
Upon waking, Tsubaki quickly realized the intimate nature of their position, with her soft curves almost crushed against him.
The familiar, reassuring scent indicated that it was indeed Yoshita. A blush crept onto her radiant face. Thoughts of the day played through her mind, mixed with strange dreams she had just experienced, where the protagonist was right beside her upon waking—embarrassing her slightly.
"Yoshita really loves to be spoiled," she said in a soft voice, unable to conceal her delight as she gently caressed the top of his head.
'Could it be that Yoshita is starting to view me as a beautiful woman? Can't help but want to do… something with me?'
As a teenager brimming with energy and vigor, it was inevitable he would have such thoughts about women.
If Yoshita were to pursue another woman…
No way!
She wouldn't allow that!
Tsubaki's grip tightened as she clenched her fist, seemingly making a firm decision.
'Sakura, Oka-san will never let anyone take Yoshita away from you! I swear it!'
"Wah, wah, wah!"
Yoshita struggled, his face turning red as he gasped for air. He shot a bewildered glance at Tsubaki.
"It's not my fault! You suddenly hugged me so tightly that I nearly suffocated!"
"Humph! I don't care! It's still your fault for always bullying me."
'Huh?'
Yoshita adjusted his hair and looked at Tsubaki, who was pouting like a little girl.
He felt a bit puzzled.
Normally, apart from events related to Kendo, Tsubaki was always mature and wise, leaving an impression of a gentle and virtuous woman.
What had her feeling so needy today?
However, there was something charming about a mature woman acting coy.
Yoshita couldn't help but smile in response.
"It's because Tsubaki-nee is too cute! It's hard to resist bullying you."
"You're impossible!"
Tsubaki blushed deeper, her soft hand gently pinching Yoshita's arm like the drizzle in Jiangnan, tender and full of sentiment.
"Tsubaki-nee, we should go eat. We can't keep Grandpa Kichirō and Sakura waiting too long."
Tsubaki propped herself up, smoothing out her slightly tousled collar. She smiled while looking at Yoshita and said, "Yoshita, you go ahead first. I need to change my clothes. Or are you going to help Auntie change?"
"If you don't mind, haha—"
"Really?"
Tsubaki's smile turned even more enchanting as she pulled at the hem of her clothing, her delicate collarbone appearing even more fair in the sunlight, suggesting a deep, inviting curve.
Tsubaki keenly sensed Yoshita's gaze lingering on her bosom and couldn't help but smile with mild pride.
'I still have my charm…'
"Um, Oka-san… I'll take my leave then, so you should hurry and get ready."
Yoshita reluctantly pulled back his gaze, feeling that continuing might lead to an awkward situation. The instinct to glance was natural, but looking away signified respect.
—
In the spacious dining room, the four of them were seated around a square table.
"Yoshita's cooking skills has improved again!"
Sakura exclaimed, lifting a piece of fish and tasting it, finding it to be exquisitely tender and delicious. She complimented him wholeheartedly.
"Isn't it? It's even better than what Auntie makes!"
Tsubaki chimed in with a bright smile.
"As long as you like it."
Tsubaki observed the warm, familial atmosphere, which felt pleasantly cozy. Her father, Kichirō, remained dignified and imposing, yet the softening of his brows indicated that he enjoyed the atmosphere.
Sakura occasionally joked, maintaining a calm and pleasant demeanor. And then there was the cheerful boy whose laughter filled the gaps left by the absence of men in the Miyajima home.
As Tsubaki soaked in this comforting ambiance, she was transported back to a time when Yoshita had just begun his Kendo practice at the dojo.
Back then, Tsubaki was still married.
Her husband, Miyajima Sousuke, flamed with ambition as they fell in love during high school.
Tsubaki was youthful and energetic, and after years of training in Kendo, she had become increasingly confident in her martial prowess, developing a slightly rebellious streak in the process.
Due to an impulsive decision during their school days, she and Sousuke had become intertwined, and soon enough, she was pregnant.
When Tsubaki led Sousuke to Kichirō while clutching the pregnancy test report, her father, in the prime of his life, erupted with fury over the shocking news, reaching for his bamboo sword to discipline Sousuke.
Had Tsubaki not intervened, Sousuke would have surely faced dire consequences that day.
Eventually, given the circumstances, Kichirō reluctantly accepted Sousuke as his son-in-law.
Yet soon after, Kichirō fell gravely ill, seemingly drained of his vitality, transforming into a frail old man. It was during that time Tsubaki first experienced regret for her impulsive decision.
At that moment, she had not yet completed high school and chose to drop out to focus on her pregnancy.
To ensure the Miyajima dojo continued, Kichirō set forth a condition: Sousuke must marry Tsubaki and adopt the Miyajima surname after graduating from high school.
In Japan, patriarchal beliefs ran strong, and Kichirō's insistence on Sousuke carrying his family name meant Sousuke felt slighted and lost respect.
Yet Sousuke ultimately accepted, enticed not only by Tsubaki's beauty but also by the dojo's deep-rooted legacy.
However, this would plant a small rift in their relationship, an initial crack that would widen with time, ultimately causing a fracture.
After graduating high school, Sousuke fulfilled his promise and married Tsubaki, integrating into the Miyajima family. However, their bond didn't resemble that of a couple, where they were inseparable and cumbersome.
After Tsubaki gave birth to Sakura, she also refrained from continuing her studies, instead choosing to stay at the dojo, focusing on supporting her father and helping handle dojo affairs.
Sousuke, meanwhile, went to college, and thus he did not reside at the Miyajima dojo, only seeing his wife during holidays.
In the following two years, he didn't even return during the breaks. He explained that he was busy preparing for his job search as graduation approached, leaving Tsubaki increasingly lonely.
Tsubaki found it strange.
Wasn't he supposed to inherit the dojo as previously agreed with her father? But she would not think much of it back then.
Upon graduating from college, Tsubaki had expected to see more of her husband. Instead, he often used business trips as an excuse to be away from home, leaving little time for her.
But during this time, the remarkable Itō Yoshita came to the dojo to learn Kendo.
A bright spot for Tsubaki, whose life had become heavy with her husband's disinterest. Under her guidance, Yoshita's innate talent blossomed, allowing Tsubaki a sense of fulfillment and delight in the mentorship, helping alleviate her growing loneliness and helping her forget the unsatisfactory elements of her relationship with Sousuke.
Until one fateful day…