Sakurai-kun and Nakano Maruo's casual chat didn't last long.
He left after soaking for a while.
After leaving the bathhouse, Sakurai-kun bought a can of coffee milk at the bathroom entrance. Halfway through drinking it, he saw Nino and Itsuki approaching together.
"Sakurai-kun?" Itsuki asked, surprised.
Although they knew that this family trip coincided with Sakurai Saki's schedule—they didn't expect to stay at the same hotel.
A hint of shock was also visible in Nino's eyes.
Clearly—she hadn't expected it either.
'Perhaps this is fate's guidance?' Nino thought, feeling delighted.
However—this secret joy didn't last long.
"I just ran into your father."
Nino froze.
'Father?'
Itsuki asked curiously: "What did you talk about?"
Sakurai-kun didn't directly answer Itsuki's question: "What are you doing in Fukuoka? There's nothing particularly fun here."
Only ramen and mentaiko are famous.
"What do you mean nothing? The ramen here is delicious—we had it for lunch," Itsuki said with a serious expression.
"..."
Sakurai-kun realized he might have misunderstood.
Itsuki might genuinely like ramen—which is why she agreed to Nino's suggestion.
She eats too much and loves to eat too much—it's making me cry.
As for Nino—Sakurai Saki couldn't do anything about her.
"I want to cheer you on. The Kendo competition is at the Prefectural Gymnasium, right? I checked," Nino whispered.
'If I came secretly—he'll definitely scold me.'
She lowered her head slightly—preparing for Sakurai Saki's sharp tongue.
To her surprise—Sakurai-kun didn't react much: "I probably won't be on the field until the elimination rounds."
He had specifically told Ohmonto Saburo that the intensity of the preliminary rounds was so low that he couldn't even be bothered to participate—unless he encountered a strong opponent.
"Sakurai-kun—we are Shuchiin Academy students after all. Even if you don't play—it's normal for us to cheer for others, right?" Itsuki said, glancing at Nino: "Right, Nino?"
Nakano Nino's gaze drifted into the distance: "Probably."
To be honest—Nino wasn't very interested in matches where Sakurai-kun wasn't playing.
She barely knew any of the Kendo Club members.
Nino was like some young girls who watch soccer games—she only knew one star player and clearly wasn't there to see everyone's skills—but just to see a face.
For her—Sakurai-kun was more important than the Kendo competition.
She didn't even understand Kendo rules—but did that stop her from watching the match? Sorry—not at all!
"Hey! Nino—you didn't come on this family trip just for Sakurai-kun, did you?"
Nino fell silent.
Of course—part of the reason she came was for the four sisters.
After all—she was the one who cared most about her family among the Nakano Five Sisters.
But to say she didn't come to see Sakurai Saki—would be a complete lie.
Mid-conversation—footsteps approached from beside them.
"Tap, tap~"
Nakano Miku also came over—holding her yukata.
"Saki-kun?"
Her soft—pleasant voice rang out nearby—and Sakurai-kun looked at her.
Miku approached Sakurai-kun and her sisters—her face full of curiosity.
"Nino—aren't you going in? You've been out of the room for a long time. Have you been chatting with Saki-kun the whole time?" Miku asked softly.
"No—we just… just got here," Nino stammered.
"Sakurai-kun—I'll be there to cheer you on during your match! Bye!" Nino said—blushing—and then pushed a bewildered Itsuki inside.
Nino was incredibly embarrassed internally: 'Has it been a long time? I didn't feel it at all…'
Miku didn't follow them in.
She looked up at Sakurai-kun—her expression gentle: "Saki-kun—there's a temple fair nearby on the day the competition ends. Want to go together?"
Sakurai-kun didn't refuse—instead asking: "Is this a wish ticket request?"
He had also given out two wish tickets this time for the final exams—also to the two who performed best.
Even if Miku used one wish ticket this time—she would still have one left—because Nino owed her one.
"If I don't use a wish ticket—Saki-kun—would you still be willing?" Miku lowered her head and whispered.
Sakurai-kun thought for a few seconds—then said uncertainly: "Probably not."
"Oh—then I'll use it," Miku said—taking out a wish ticket written by Sakurai Saki from her pleated skirt pocket.
This simple slip of paper allowed Sakurai Saki to help fulfill one wish—as long as it didn't go against his will.
Sakurai-kun's gaze followed her movements.
She was wearing a white short-sleeved top and a black pleated skirt today—without her usual black tights.
It was probably too hot.
It's hard to imagine what kind of hell it would be to wear tights in the summer.
Taking her wish ticket into his hand—Sakurai Saki spoke:
"Your wish has been received."
"On the night of July 31st—I will go to the temple fair with you."
Miku smiled slightly at him upon hearing this: "Okay."
Sakurai-kun was somewhat stunned by her smile—only coming back to his senses when she turned and entered the bathroom.
It was indeed a bit stunning for a usually expressionless—quiet girl to suddenly do something like that.
'This should count as a date, right? Just a boy and a girl.' Sakurai-kun thought for a few seconds.
'But Miku's affection for me isn't as exaggerated as Nino's—so going to the temple fair should be fine.'
Sakurai-kun threw his coffee milk can into the trash and prepared to head back.
There wasn't much to say about the subsequent training camp—it was just daily sword practice and sparring. Yagyu Munehide—who had been defeated by Sakurai-kun once—was somewhat unconvinced. He had a similar personality to Miyazaki Ikki—forgetting the pain once the wound healed. Naturally—Sakurai Saki didn't go easy on him—even taking care of his teammates along with him.
Sakurai-kun couldn't understand how such a weakling could be a club Minister.
If the minister of the top four teams was only this level—then the competition would truly be without suspense.
On the morning of July 28th—the Shuchiin Academy Kendo Club team arrived at the Fukuoka Prefectural Gymnasium by car—ready for the left-half bracket preliminaries.
This had nothing to do with Sakurai-kun—he didn't think he would be on the field today.
In the stands—Kojima and Sakurai-kun sat together.
They didn't look like they were there to compete—but rather to watch.
"The Tamaryokki Championship has a Fighting Spirit Award. The person who defeats the most opponents consecutively without a single loss can earn the title of 'Peerless in the West Country'," Kojima asked. "Aren't you considering going for it?"
"Why don't you go?" Sakurai-kun rolled his eyes at him.
We're from Tokyo.
If you win the title of 'Peerless in the West Country'—are you sure you can leave this venue? Although that title is indeed very cool!
"All I can tell you is that previous Fighting Spirit Kings were all from Kyushu and Shikoku."
"Is that political correctness?"
"Not exactly—it's just an unwritten rule. But you could try to get it—your path to becoming a Keishicho officer would be very bright. People in the Keishicho all love Kendo—and there are even Kendo competitions specifically for police officers," Kojima egged him on.
"I don't want to work for the Keishicho," Sakurai-kun said—glancing at the Shuchiin Academy team's match.
They were right below.
Inside the entire gymnasium—no fewer than 30 Kendo matches were taking place simultaneously.
The elimination rate was like a meat grinder—like a battlefield. Within minutes—a school would exit the competition stage.
Some unlucky teams even hit the jackpot at the start—clashing with last year's top eight or even top four—which was extremely unlucky.
Suddenly—there was more movement in the venue.
"Over there—someone was knocked down."
Sakurai-kun said.
"That big guy is last year's runner-up—the vice-minister of Kyushu Academy's Kendo Club—a school from Kumamoto Prefecture," Kojima provided the information.
A black mascot suddenly popped into Sakurai-kun's mind.
To be honest—his only impression of Kumamoto Prefecture was Kumamon—he knew nothing else.