It was several hours later when Sakurai realized he had been tricked by Kaguya Shinomiya.
However—he didn't care much.
Wasn't it just one less defeat CG? There would be more in the future.
But would he really not care? Sorry—impossible!
On the Shinkansen—Minister Kojima of the Kendo Club looked at Sakurai, finding a hint of resentment on his face.
"Sakurai—did you not sleep well yesterday?" Minister Kojima asked.
"I couldn't sleep."
If you can't see Kaguya Shinomiya dance—can you sleep? I certainly can't.
Sakurai was very angry.
At that time—the announcement was only a few millimeters from his mouse—but a miss by a hair is a miss by a mile. He was just eager to see the results and didn't observe the announcement—allowing Kaguya Shinomiya to escape.
Moreover—Sakurai found it difficult to go back on his word afterward—because he had been the one to propose it—that is—the request to change the bet.
Yesterday—Sakurai thought for a long time. He felt that as a Superpower user and a male—he couldn't wear women's clothes and dance for other women—it was too embarrassing.
"Are you a primary school student from somewhere? This isn't a field trip," Minister Kojima said with a smile.
"You wouldn't understand," Sakurai sighed.
It was still more than three hours to Hakata—where the Fukuoka Prefecture government is located—and they had already been driving for two hours.
"Alright. When we get to the station—we'll have lunch first—then go check out the Kendo hall," Minister Kojima explained the itinerary.
"The competition starts in four days—on the 28th. The total duration is four days: two days for preliminaries and two days for elimination rounds. It's divided into left and right halves. We're in the left half—and our first opponent is a local high school from Fukuoka."
Sakurai: "Only two days for preliminaries?"
"One venue—dozens of competition areas. It only gets more formal in the elimination rounds—with two schools fighting each time," Minister Kojima explained.
Otherwise—with hundreds of schools this time—fighting one by one—when would it ever end?
"Click, click—human games are so weak—not fun at all."
Shinobu gave her evaluation.
I really hope for some fun—otherwise—just slaughtering them is too boring.
Hakata is famous for mentaiko—or pollock roe—but Sakurai had no interest in it.
So—after leaving the station—Sakurai ordered a very ordinary chashu ramen with an extra serving of meat at a ramen shop.
When the members of the Kendo Club saw him add an extra serving of meat—they all followed suit.
Of course—the expenses were covered by the Kendo Club. At the beginning of the semester—at the club joint meeting—Shirogane allocated a lot of funds to sports clubs—especially the Kendo Club.
Sakurai hadn't expected that this money could also be spent on him—he originally didn't think he would benefit from it.
In the afternoon—they arrived at the Kendo hall Ohmonto Saburo had reserved.
Upon entering—the Kendo Club members felt the cold air and all looked at Ohmonto Saburo.
'Why is there air conditioning here—but not in our club?'
They only dared to express their protest with their eyes—they didn't dare to speak—or they would surely be lectured later.
"Alright—stop standing around foolishly. You've eaten and rested enough—give me your swords!" Ohmonto Saburo shouted at the top of his lungs.
Why are they all standing there dumbfounded?
"Hey! Kondo! Turn off the air conditioner! It's 38 degrees outside! Let these boys endure it with guts!"
He shouted at the dojo owner next to him.
"Guts? Minister Kojima—do you believe in such a thing?" Kinoshita Yota rubbed his bald head and asked.
This isn't the Showa era anymore—talking about guts. Who understands that stuff?
And we're not the navy—are we? Playing this game?
"I believe it. When I practiced Kendo in the summer—I didn't turn on the air conditioner either," Minister Kojima nodded.
When he said this—the expression on his face didn't change—as if he was serious.
"Have you heard of 'mind and sword as one'? My father told me that swords have souls," Minister Kojima said earnestly.
"Really?" Kinoshita Yota asked in surprise.
"I'm so strong because I trained under the sun in summer and practiced suburi in the snow in winter."
Sakurai heard their conversation from the side—then rolled his eyes.
Anyone who believes that is a fool.
"Good! I'll train like that from now on!"
Oh no—there really is a fool here.
Halfway through practice—another team walked in from the Kendo hall entrance.
They were carrying Kendo bags—and it was clear what they were there for.
Subsequently—Ohmonto Saburo went to this group and exchanged a few words with their leader.
After a while—he returned to his team members.
"Alright, boys—next we're going to spar with another school. Don't embarrass me!" Ohmonto Saburo glanced at Sakurai Saki—finding that he lacked fighting spirit: "Sakurai—you'll be the captain."
After he finished speaking—he also picked a few substitute members—seemingly preparing to train his troops.
The Kendo Club of Shuchiin Academy was quite good—and Sakurai Saki didn't feel the need to play—at most—he was a last resort.
A few minutes later—the sparring began.
"Three-point match! First bout!" Ohmonto Saburo served as the chief referee.
To the side—
"Sakurai—why aren't you even changing your protective gear?" Minister Kojima glanced at him and walked over.
"Do you think they'll lose?" Sakurai yawned.
Shuchiin Academy's substitutes were all second-dan players. It's important to know that third-dan has an age limit of 18—so high school students reaching second-dan is basically the limit.
They can't lose—no matter what.
"The opponent is Shimabara High School from Nagasaki Prefecture—a top four team in last year's Tamaryokki Championship. They've won championships before—don't underestimate them," Minister Kojima explained.
Sakurai is overly confident.
"According to the Tamaryokki Championship rules—one person can defeat five—so even if I'm the only one left—I can still win," Sakurai narrowed his eyes—he hadn't slept well yesterday.
It was all Kaguya Shinomiya's fault—he thought about her all night.
She was all he could think about—even more absurd than dating Ai-chan.
"And it's impossible for them to field too many of their main players—they're probably also using main players to hold the fort," Sakurai said—and just as he spoke—Shuchiin Academy's substitute member—student Koyama—lost.
"Very aggressive fighting style," Minister Kojima murmured.
A few sword strikes almost knocked Koyama's sword away.
In Kendo matches—dropping the sword means defeat.
A sword is a swordsman's life—losing a sword is no different from losing one's life.
"Fine—I'll go change my protective gear."
Sakurai said and left.
By the time he returned—all of Shuchiin Academy's substitutes had been defeated.
As a school that had won championships—their opponent's strength was indeed impressive.
"You're finally here. What—you didn't even change your protective gear just now—are you looking down on me?" The boy in Kendo uniform said unhappily.
Sakurai took the bamboo sword in his hand and walked to the starting point: "Why don't you tell me your name first? After all—I never ask the names of those I defeat."
"Yagyu Munehide—Kendo Third Dan!"
"Sakurai Saki—no dan rank."
After Sakurai finished speaking—he noticed the other party's body trembled slightly—becoming somewhat unstable.
Perhaps he was wondering why they would send someone without a dan rank as a last resort.
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