Chapter 10
The Second Test
Next day (29th April 2015)
My body was aching, I actually felt hurt whenever I walked. My soles were covered with blisters.
Still, I fed the rabbit that was given to me. After reassuring my dad that I was alright for the 10th time, I was frustrated but I knew that he was only worried about my health.
'At least this task helped me reconcile with mom' I thought, checking mom from the corner of my eyes. When Dad went home last night after dropping me at the Takagi Manor and explained what happened to her. She didn't waste any time coming to Takagi Manor. There was a lot of crying and shouting but in the end, we reconciled.
I was also promptly taken home.
We also decided to not breach the topic of my suspension from the school. We simply agreed to not talk about it. As a result, from now on all of my school matters will be handled by my Dad while my Mom will not interfere with my training and studies. Though I had to keep my grades in the top tier,
Still, there was some gap between us which will take some time in healing. Our relationship was not like before. We had to think before breaching any topic with each other. Still, it was a lot better than cutting all ties. I actually felt at peace after arriving home. Call whatever you like but there is nothing better than your own home no matter how many luxuries are provided. Takagi manor wasn't home, it was a house – admittedly a good one but nonetheless, it didn't compare to home.
Only Saya was sad to see me go back home. She actually grew on me during the time I spent at Takagi Manor. Only when I promised to visit regularly, did her tears stopped. I could clearly see she had a teenage crush on me. While I tolerated her now, I still wouldn't date her. Still, in anime, she had the biggest boobs bar Shizuka and I wouldn't mind getting a piece of her when she is older. Already I could see a hint of budding breasts.
Although I promised to visit her, I wasn't planning on it. I didn't want to be in a position where she would ask me to date and I had to say no just to see her burst into tears.
'Maybe I should get a girlfriend, this way she wouldn't get any ideas' I mused
I don't know why Miku came to my mind when I thought of getting a girlfriend. She would undoubtedly become hot but she would also be in the Shido group.
'Maybe I could convert her to our group. She already has a crush on me. Maybe I could take advantage of this situation. Or maybe I have already changed that when I saved her from Rape. It could have been the reason why she was like that' I wondered.
On the 3rd day, I was getting bored sitting all day at home. My body was back to normal but blisters were still there so I had to remain in the house. Thankfully they were healing at a fast rate. I was rescued from boredom by Hisashi who came with Takashi when I asked him to. We played some cards and video games to escape from boredom. He was surprised when he learned that I could become Yamamoto's disciple.
Nonetheless, he was happy for me. I had to promise him a party if I get selected by Master Yamamoto. I also assured him that our bi-weekly spars wouldn't stop in any case.
On the 6th day, I was good as new. I did some light exercise but mostly stayed away from hard work. Yeah, it's another different thing, I noticed in this world. People could heal fast than in my previous life and I could heal at an amazing rate.
...
A week later (6th May 2015)
On the 7th day I was ready to go. This time I was joined by Mom too. She said she wanted to support me but I think she just wanted to give a piece of her mind to Master Yamamoto. I don't know for whom I feared the most. I really pity him if he got to spend some time with my mom.
When we reached there in his office, he was already waiting for us. There was also a staredown between mom and him. My mind was playing tricks for sure, I actually think Yamamoto was actually nervous meeting mom when we introduced her to him.
At last, he cleared his throat and asked us to leave us alone for 2nd task. Mom clearly wanted to remain but thank god Dad persuaded her otherwise. She left but not before giving him an evil stare. I think I even hallucinated when he sighed when mom got out.
"So did you bring my gift?" He asked me, taking me out of my thoughts.
I nodded and showed him the cage. He hummed for a few seconds and said: "Take him out".
I did as he asked and took out the Bugs Bunny. The little fucker grew on me in the last week so I named him the iconic character. I know my naming sense is bad but still, I decided to call it Bugs bunny.
He walked towards me and said "Now your 2nd task is to kill him" He said producing a knife towards me out of nowhere.
For a second I froze. I looked at him incredulously but it seems he was getting impatient. "If you want to learn, you will have to follow my commands to the letter, what better way to test this. So I will ask one more time – Kill him" He said in a serious voice.
With a jolt, I realized he is serious. Now you have to understand that for a whole week I fed him, in that time anyone can get attached to a pet. I was mostly bedridden so we had quite some time to bond. I even decided to keep him as a pet. He was my first pet in either life. Clearly, Yamamoto also knew this and that's why he asked me to do feed him myself.
I could now understand his tests. The first was the physical test while the second test was about mental capability.
'If this is what it will take to learn from him, I should do it. A rabbit's life doesn't compare to my life. Zombies are coming, I need this type of skills to survive' I thought.
I mentally berated my mind for dark thoughts. In the end, I sighed and withdrew my hand. I put down the rabbit in the cage and started walking towards the exit. It wasn't like I was squeamish about it. I had cut some chickens up in both my life so I wasn't squeamish in the least. I just couldn't do it to him.
Before exiting I bowed to him "It was a pleasure meeting you sir but profitable, it was not. Thank you for your time Sir" I said and turned around.
'Man it was a total waste of time. I will have to find some other teacher and in the last case, if I don't find one, I will have to start on Kendo 'I mused internally planning for my next move, I was on the door when Yamamoto's voice stopped me.
"Stop" He yelled
I turned and saw him coming towards me he said: "Are you sure you won't do this? You will not get this type of chance in the future". I don't know-how but his presence was actually demanding or you could say compelling me to obey him.
I took a deep breath and said in a most serious voice I could muster when his presence was bearing on me "I think I am good as it is Sir. Like I said in our first meeting you are not the only one who teaches Kenjutsu. It will definitely take time with a second-rate instructor but I am sure I will prevail in the end. Who knows I might find that is better than you" I taunted, in the end, feeling a little angry at him.
A smile suddenly formed on his face after listening to me (I was clearly surprised and confused seeing his out-of-the-box expression) and the presence disappeared "Very well, you pass" He said.
Now I was confused and it must have shown on my face as he started explaining "There have been many students who came here seeking what you now seek (learning Kenjutsu) but only a few were accepted. Not because they were lazy, incompetent, or slackers. They were refused because they were ready to do anything, be it killing a defenseless animal, playing dirty and sabotage their friend, and much more" he said
"If one can kill a defenseless animal for some knowledge, he will not hesitate to end someone else's life for his goal. Once you cross that path, it is very difficult to come back" He said in some mysterious sagely voice as if he was telling me some secret.
I just remained silent and stared at him, now understanding the whole situation. Well, in my opinion, he was quite wrong. I definitely was learning it for selfish reasons. Still, I was not about to tell him that.
"The rabbit was not in any danger if that's what you are worrying," He said giving me the knife. I took it and pressed my finger on the knife which gave in and went back in the handle. Its edges also turned out to be blunt.
"You can start your lessons tomorrow. Also, don't talk to anyone about this. We don't want rumors flying around about the task, do we?" He said slyly giving me a wink and walking back to his chair.
I was dumbfounded by the events and my brain crashed down. It took some time for switching it on. I was very happy that I got selected and it showed when an involuntary smile formed on my face. It was more of a grin from one ear to the next. I turned around and start walking towards my parents. I was in a daze; it didn't register my mind until my dad asked me the outcome.
After telling them the result, we got out of the Busujima Residence and celebrated with the Takagi family.
I then celebrated with all of my friends, the next day, as I promised Hisashi to give him a party. I also got an amazing idea to introduce them to each other though Saya already knew Takashi and Hisashi from her school. I couldn't ask Yuuki for obvious reasons.
Asami, on the other hand, was quite happy to meet me and my other friends. We do not meet much nowadays as she is busy when I am free and I am busy when she is free. I just hope she doesn't get any ideas to become my girlfriend.
'Though she will not be a bad choice for 1st girlfriend' I mused.
With brown hair which reached her shoulders, she was plain as they come, though her blue eyes were quite a bit attractive. Standing at 5 feet, she was the shortest among us bar Saya though there was not much difference. It is ironic that she was also the oldest among us. Checking her out from the corner of my eyes, I let my eyes roam over her body. Even now, she looks like a boy if you remove her long hair and girls' clothes and replace them with short hair and boys' clothes.
She really had a very small bust.
Still, even if I ignore all her small bust, I am still wary of letting her become my girlfriend.
I knew our friendship will be damaged if that happens and I was low on friends as it is. Still, the idea had merit. Just in case, I fail to get a girlfriend, she is a good backup. Asami is just 4 months shy of an acceptable age where I can date her.
With that out of my mind, I also joined in the festivities.
All in all, it was a great day.
…...
Edit: Here are the ages of MC and other characters so that the timeline doesn't confuse you.
Saito Sakazuki:
15 years 1 month +: At the end of the chapter.
Saya Takagi:
12 years +: At the end of the chapter.
Hisashi Igou:
13 years 7 months +: At the end of the chapter.
Miku Yuuki:
14 years 3 months +: At the end of the chapter.
Asami Nakaoka:
15 years 8 month+: At the end of the chapter.