章 36: Mirror Match

It had been too fast. All that who saw it couldn't believe their eyes because the strike to Tomoyo's throat was done with so much speed and control that even Tomoyo herself didn't realize that she was hit until she felt it herself. One of the judges even wanted to see the footage just to make sure that Kazuya had not moved before the call to begin was given.

"This cocky kid" Jirou snorted. "He's trying to school my granddaughter"

"School your granddaughter?" Miyamoto repeated his words confusedly into a question. He didn't understand but Jirou had gained some insights on the situation.

"He's basically emulating Tomoyo's moves but on a very different scale. He's showing her how it should have been like. I really can't believe that he's Old Kou's grandson… what a little monster" he may have said it frustratingly but Miyamoto could see the impressed smile on Jirou's face.

"…" the move from before still left Tomoyo dumbfounded. She tried to remember what she just witnessed and slowed down ever detail in her mind. It had been really quick and compared to her previous strike, Kazuya had controlled it so that it wouldn't be a fatal blow.

"Contestant Kouzuki, about your tsuki strike…" The referee approached.

"Are you prohibiting me from using it despite the control you've witnessed?" he was annoyed. There already has been enough interruptions.

"Well we did ask contestant Shiroyuki to refrain from using it so it wouldn't be fair if we didn't restrict you as well" he tried to reason after sensing some hostility from the child.

"Then let her use it" Kazuya refused to budge.

"But your safety…"

"I'm aware of the risks and take full responsibility. I want her to show her best capabilities in this match"

"I see… then please be careful" the referee sighed. There was indeed some danger especially when it came to Tomoyo's strength and lack of control but since the contestants themselves didn't heed the warning, they decided to keep watch and stop the match if there was any danger.

"Did you hear that robot girl? Hold nothing back. Remember the state you were in earlier" he spoke before taking a deep breath and once again gave off a silent indifferent expression. He went back to position and waited for the next round to start.

"BEGIN!"

Both contenders stayed still. Tomoyo, who still couldn't wrap her head around the situation tried to look under the mask only to see a stoic and expressionless gaze. It was then that she understood what he had been doing. She felt warmth in her chest after realizing that he had not just trained as she stubbornly hung around him. He had been watching her.

Tomoyo knew that this was another lesson. The capabilities he showed were what she was supposed to have. She felt excited. She wanted to see what he would do next. Her desire to not let this end as quickly as possible ignited her potential once more as the pressure pressing down on her lightened as she eased up. Everything looked like it was when she was fighting with Ayame. She entered a state of concentration and had nothing else in her view but Kazuya.

"(Looks like she got it)" Kazuya tried to hold back a smile as he noticed her slowly inching closer.

*PANG* *PANG*

Continuous simultaneous strikes. The two of them struck each other with the exact same strikes like a person fighting against a reflection. There were no indications of who was winning but their pace was increasing as they continued.

Kazuya had not actually completely copied her style by heart but was only using his superior senses to match her moves. He was waiting for an opportunity while silently gauging her limits. His intention of taking charge of this girl were sincere so that she wouldn't grow up to be the person he hated. He did not know that he had already changed Tomoyo's future from the moment he stepped into the Shiroyuki dojo.

The version of the robot girl he very much despised had grown up spoiled by her grandparents and had a distrust for people. She only had an interest in two people aside from her family and they were Kouzuki Kou and his grandson, Kouzuki Kazuya. She had grown up without a friend and was educated with the fantasy that Kou's grandson would be the person entrusted to her by Kou.

Of course, when she found him, the boy showed no talent for kendo. She wondered if it was because of his lost memories because it was said that he was quite the athlete before his accident. Tomoyo thought of training him before she presented him to his grandfather. Her lack of empathy didn't let her think about how he would feel or think about her which was the cause of their misunderstanding.

Kazuya did not know this. Nor did he know that the legend of this girl in the kendo scene only started when Kuronuma Ayame had moved on to middle school where she had been left uncontested. She eventually did beat Akabane Nanami but she was only second to Kuronuma until Ayame graduated.

Needless to say, her feat of beating Ayame in her second grade greatly deviated from the life she led in Kazuya's previous life. He did not know what kind of life he'd led before he actually arrived here but Kazuya did not care. He was moving so that the tragic future he and his loved ones will face shall never come to pass. Tomoyo's change was one of them.

"Those two are amazing" Mahiru appeared beside Miyamoto. She was already given medical attention as her arm was on a sling.

"Are you fine now Sawada?" Miyamoto looked concerned. He couldn't believe what had happened right under his nose but he was their coach and teacher. He couldn't really blame or hate her for what she did.

"I'll be fine sensei. I also want to tell you that I'm resigning from the club. I'm sure you heard about what I did" She bowed apologetically and tried to hide the tears that were slowly forming in her eyes.

"Do you have to go that far? You're on a scholarship and I'm sure Kouzuki will get over it in time. He's not an unreasonable kid" Miyamoto didn't want her to leave. He understood her circumstances and like Jirou, he felt pity towards her.

"Do you really think so sensei?" Mahiru felt hesitant. She didn't really want to quit the kendo club.

"Leave him to me. You just worry about your situation" Miyamoto comforted.

"Thank you, sensei. But I will resign from my position as captain. I've failed everyone and I'm not fit to lead them. I'm really sorry for what I did sensei. I betrayed everyone's trust" Mahiru bowed even further as tears fell towards the ground.

"Hold your head high Sawada. You're still captain until the end of the day. Watch how your juniors leave everyone in awe so you can proudly say that you were once the captain of these two prodigies" Miyamoto patted her shoulder.

The battle that had left everyone speechless was almost out of time. Some who were looking at the countdown clicked their tongues and wished the match should last longer. They hadn't seen such an exciting match and it didn't feel like they were watching an elementary school bout. The two competitors have not slowed down in the least and were still going at it.

It was sudden but a change occurred in the match. The two who seemed like they were fighting against themselves were separated and were now doing different stances. All those who watched and were awed by Tomoyo's performance knew the stance she took. It was the devastating tsuki strike she did earlier that blew Ayame's headgear. They were at the edge of their seats the moment she took that stance and immediately went in for the kill.

Those who knew kendo on the other hand found this scenario to be familiar. The same thing had happened between Ayame and Tomoyo's match, the only difference was that Tomoyo's style had been different. They were not mistaken but Tomoyo had other plans. She wanted to feint using tsuki but her real target was a strike to Kazuya's arm.

Tomoyo used all her remaining strength for this one strike. She was utterly satisfied. This was even better than winning the tournament. The match between the two of them felt like their very own world. Unfortunately, her stamina couldn't keep up with the toll of activating her potential.

*PANG*

"As expected. Truly a brilliant performance. I hope you learn from this Tomoyo" Jirou commented as he looked at the unanimous flags raised by the judges.

"Point Kouzuki!" it ended with both of them facing each other's backs. Unlike the bout with Ayame, both swords were intact.

A round of applause and cheers burst from the audience as they watched the replay of the brilliant ending shown on the screen. Tomoyo's strike was precise and everyone thought that she was going for a tsuki to the throat but Kazuya's immovable sword grazed hers and changed the trajectory magnificently as he attacked with a strike to the top of her head.

Kazuya wasted no time and dropped his sword after the call was made. He turned around and grabbed the robot girl's collar to prevent her from falling down. He pulled her up like a kitten and signaled Miyamoto to bring her some oxygen. She had really pushed herself to the limit.

"You should treat my granddaughter better kid. She really gave it her all you merciless punk" Jirou carried Tomoyo off after saying his piece.

"[You really know how to kick someone when they're down]" A voice popped up in Kazuya's head. He glanced towards Ayame who was frowning after witnessing their match.

"[I did not take advantage of you. It should be 'adding salt to someone's wound' instead]" He took off his helmet and showed her a grin.

"[You!! You won't even let me have this!]" Ayame's frown worsened.

"[It's not my fault you used the wrong expression. Besides, you also should have gained some insight from that match yes? I look forward to our district's performance in the nationals]" He turned to walk away before halting his steps again to turn back at her. "[I'm also closing this connection so I wont be able to hear you. Goodbye naïve girl]"

"[Wait I—]" Kazuya didn't listen anymore and continued on his way. That was his last match and would only wait for the awards ceremony after the respective rankings have been finalized.

Kazuya decided not to stop over by Tomoyo's side. He saw Mahiru and didn't want to have anything to do with her so he headed straight for the locker rooms for a shower. He changed into a set of their academy's sportswear.

It wasn't time for the awards ceremony yet so he took out his phone and sent a message before heading towards another school's locker room. There he met with five nervous looking students that shivered at the sight of him.

"I'm not very good with remembering names so I'll just call you Zako Leader and from the tallest Zako 1,2 ,3 and 4 for now. Okay?"

"Yes!" They all answered in unison instantly.

"Good. Now, where is he?" The five of them led him into the bathroom where a man had been tied up and gagged on the floor. "I have to say, you guys are quite reliable after all"

"Mhphh!! Mmmph!!" The man tried to shout as he glared at him. He felt a cold shiver on his back as Kazuya's gaze met with his. He was grinning evilly and had an ominous presence that made even the five behind him take a step back.

"Hello there coach. Or should I say…" he took out the ID from the wallet given to him by Zako 1. "Ousame-san" he read out loud. "I'll make this simple for you. Answer all my questions truthfully and follow my instructions. We will have nothing to do with each other once you have done your part" Kazuya signaled them to let him sit up. He asked them to remove his gag.

"Heh! You don't know who you're dealing with kid. I'll have you—" Kazuya signaled them to gag him once more.

"I see you want to do this the hard way Ousame-san. I really don't mind it. I have 30 minutes to make you understand your situation and do you know what that means?" He made the boys take off his shoes and socks. "It means that I won't waste time in asking for your cooperation" He reached for the wooden sword leaning on the wall. Kazuya gave an ominous grin as he used one hand to immediately strike towards Ousame's left foot.

"MMPHHH!!! MMMPPMHHHHHH!!!" He writhed and tried to scream in agony. The shivering henchmen tried to hold him in place. There was no blood but the finger that was struck was obviously broken as the bone bent so unnaturally.

"I really have to thank you for not spilling the beans too quickly. I still haven't vented off the frustration I had earlier" He smiled. "Do you know that I hate greedy schemers and their conspirators as much as I hate traitors? Sawada Mahiru was lucky that grandpa Jirou was there. I was this close to snapping that traitorous neck of hers" he raised his hand and then slowly closed it to a grip before laughing maniacally.

"MMPHH!! MMPH!!" Kazuya signaled for them to take off the gag. "I'll talk! I'll talk!" he shouted before Kazuya grabbed him by the neck and lifted him up with a hand. This was a grown man so they couldn't help but be shocked by this.

"I advise you to keep your petty tricks to yourself. I may look like a kid but I care little about your cooperation. I will find those behind you sooner or later. Your only value is making it shorter so I'd rather use you to vent off stress" He threw him down on the ground. Kazuya then moved to cover Ousame's mouth with his hand and used the other to grab one of Ousame's fingers before breaking it.

Ousame tried to scream but he could only made muffled sounds. He thought he was going crazy when he realized that this ruthless boy was able to hold him down all on his own. His whole body felt like he was being pressed down by a large animal. Ousame's mind going blank. The seemingly little boy in front of him was not a kid at all. He was a demon!