Godsent Son in law..
Well, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
He didn't really understand kendo; he didn't even know the proper way to hold a sword or the basic stance.
His 'pseudo-Tsubame Gaeshi' was merely executed by leveraging his extraordinary physical capabilities to rapidly deliver three cuts.
In truth, if his strike had connected with this beautiful mature beauty, it would have only caused one impact, because his three strikes were sequential, not simultaneous.
It only appeared to be three simultaneous strikes because of the extreme speed, creating that visual effect.
To those unfamiliar with the true 'Tsubame Gaeshi,' what Sasaki performed might seem like the real technique.
In normal human reasoning, three simultaneous strikes would imply superhuman ability, something beyond mere speed.
After all, how could it be possible for three simultaneous slashes to be struck at the same time?
It's just that the speed is so fast that the human eye can't react.
So, according to normal reasoning, his version of 'Tsubame Gaeshi' would be what people imagine it to be.
However, rather than dwell on this, he needed to think about how to explain his ability to perform 'Tsubame Gaeshi.'
Facing Miyajima Tsubaki's curious and eager gaze, Sasaki swallowed nervously, his mind scrambling for an excuse.
Thoughts flashes as a vague memory surfaced; his family did once run a kendo dojo.
When he was very young, he remembered overhearing a conversation between his parents about whether to return to their old home to clean up the dojo, which his father had declined.
Plus, his grandfather, whom he had never met and only knew by name, suggested that the dojo had likely closed during his father's generation.
Regardless of how it ended, having the dojo as an excuse was convenient.
With this backstory in place, Sasaki met those curious beautiful eyes, and nodded slowly, "I'm not sure if it's 'Tsubame Gaeshi' because I just tried mimicking what I read in a book I found at home."
"Also, Auntie, you don't need to be so formal with me. I only know that one move, and as you've seen, I don't even know how to hold a sword properly."
He couldn't very well admit that he had forcibly executed the move using his superhuman physique.
So Sasaki made up a story about finding a book; after all, as long as he didn't explicitly confirm that his technique was 'Tsubame Gaeshi' or that he was a descendant of Kojiro, others could think what they liked.
This ambiguity was also a safeguard in case he actually met descendants of Kojiro in the future.
Not acknowledging it meant it remained an excuse; acknowledging it would turn it into a lie.
Hence, a vague explanation sufficed.
Although he didn't admit it but Miyajima Tsubaki, who was already convinced that she had witnessed 'Tsubame Gaeshi,' didn't probe further.
After all, sword techniques are often closely guarded family secrets and foundational to a dojo's reputation.
To have witnessed or even felt such a legendary technique was already a great honor for many.
Exhaling softly, Miyajima Tsubaki, with the help of Natsuha Shinomiya, slowly stood up on her unsteady legs, looking earnestly at Sasaki,
"In the martial world, prowess is respected above all. You have defeated me fair and square, and thus you certainly deserve respect."
Picking up the bamboo sword that had fallen to the ground, the boy sighed in resignation, "Whether I deserve it or not is another matter. Using honorifics for me, what would Aunt Shinomiya and Shinomiya-san call me? Doesn't it seem odd? Besides, this was just a guidance session, not a serious duel. There's no need for such formalities."
"This ... "
Seeing that she seemed about to say more, Sasaki, who didn't want to get too entangled in this kind of thing, subconsciously used the tone he would use to scare idiot Chifuyu and Otome: "Just listen to me!"
"Alright, alright...ok."
Startled by his suddenly stern tone, Miyajima Tsubaki instinctively straightened her soft body that had been leaning against Natsuha Shinomiya.
However, realizing her legs were still weak, she nearly collapsed again.
It wasn't that she was feeble.
After all, who in this peaceful era has truly faced death?
Although she practiced swordsmanship, she had rarely, if ever, experienced a fight for her life.
So, not shaking uncontrollably after facing such a real threat was an achievement in itself.
Noticing that she was about to fall to the ground, before Natsuha Shinomiya could react, Sasaki took the first step to support her.
Holding her body, which, despite being clad in kendo gear, felt as soft as cotton and as warm as a hot water bottle.
Placing his hands appropriately on her lower back, Sasaki hesitated for a moment before bending down to scoop up her legs, lifting her into his arms.
Hearing her surprised exclamation, he apologized softly as he headed towards the storehouse, "I'm truly sorry, Aunt Miyajima. It was my first time using that technique, and I didn't control it well. It's my fault you were startled."
"You also..." Despite feeling a mix of panic and disarray, Miyajima Tsubaki was, after all, a mature woman so she managed to suppress her urge to struggle and reasoned within herself.
"Shinomiya-san came here to call us for dinner, If she follows suit and supports Auntie, then Aunt Shinomiya will be anxious."
After speaking, he looked sideways at Natsuha Shinomiya, who was stunned on the spot, and asked softly, "Right, Shinomiya-san?"
Coming to her senses and realizing what Sasaki had done, Natsuha blurted out, a bit indignantly as she lightly hit him, "That was rather rude of you."
"I was just trying to prevent Aunt Miyajima from falling again since you didn't catch her,"
Wearing a protective gear, paying no attention to her beatings that hurt as much as tickles.
Sasaki rolled his eyes and placed the blame on the girl as they made their way to the storehouse.
Although part of the blame was hers, Sasaki's refusal to take it seriously annoyed Natsuha further.
"It was you who suddenly got so serious and raised your voice. Why did you have to do that?"
She couldn't say that he scared her, so Natsuha protested subtly, her voice tinged with reproach as she hit him again.
"I had no choice,"
The boy replied, looking away from frozen Miyajima Tsubaki, who was visibly embarrassed and uncomfortable in his arms.
After speaking, he quickened his pace to the practice area's adjacent storage room.
Gently placing Miyajima Tsubaki on a chair, he put the two swords back into the sword basket and then began to remove his own cumbersome and hot protective gear.
After a few minutes of rest, Miyajima Tsubaki, also regained her composure and quickly returned to her original clothes.
Putting the protective gear and culottes back to their original positions.
As the three of them walked back to the living room of the back house, discussing the battle process just now.
Looking at the trio enter the living room still engaging in a lively discussion, Natsuha's mother, Chiakko Shinomiya, greeted them with a warm smile as she arranged the plates, "Welcome back, did you have fun?"
"Quite enjoyable," Sasaki responded, showing none of the boastfulness typical of some young people who might brag about their victories.
After responding with a smile, he took his seat at the table, following Mrs. Shinomiya's inviting gesture.
But different from his simpl simple, Miyajima Tsubaki, who didn't feel embarrassed about losing to Sasaki, praised him genuinely: "Sasaki-kun is much stronger than me. I lost the match just now."
"Ah?"
Hearing her words, Chiakko Shinomiya, who knew her friend's strength, covered her mouth in surprise.
She knew Tsubaki wasn't one to joke lightly, so she didn't doubt the truth of her words.
Yet, this made her even more surprised and confused.
"It's not that much stronger. I only know that one move, please don't joke about me."
Already aware that he really only knew the half-baked 'Tsubame Gaeshi', Sasaki didn't get carried away with Miyajima Tsubaki's flattery.
After all, he had only benefited from his physical capabilities that weren't something he was born with or trained hard to get, so there was nothing to be proud of in that.
But seeing how humbly and calmly he behaved after defeating her, Miyajima Tsubaki's appreciation and esteem for him increased even more.
At the same time, she began thinking about introducing her daughter to Sasaki.
After all, both were about the same age, good-looking, and possessed exceptional kendo talent.
This seemed like a perfect match sent from heaven.
A godsent son in law...
The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed to her, and her gaze towards Sasaki became more softer and more approving.
"This isn't a joke. Being able to defeat someone is a real skill, and not many can withstand that move of yours."
Sitting at her place and hearing them repeatedly mention 'that move', a completely oblivious Chiakko Shinomiya tugged at her daughter's side, and asked.
"What move are they talking about?"
Still stunned by the event, Natsuha Shinomiya softly whispered in response, "It's 'Tsubame Gaeshi', the famous technique of that legendary swordsman."
"Ah? Isn't that just a legend?"
Having grown up in a kendo dojo, Chiakko Shinomiya was certainly not unfamiliar with legendary sword techniques.
So hearing her daughter's response, her eyes widened in shock, and her lips partes in astonishment.
Not surprised by her mother's reaction since she had also thought it was just a legend before, Natsuha Shinomiya nodded towards Sasaki, who was chatting with Aunt Miyajima, "It's true. His family used to run a dojo; he might be a descendant of that swordsman."
Though she hadn't heard it directly from Sasaki, Natsuha couldn't think of another explanation for his mastery of such a venerable sword technique.
After all, how could such a profound skill be learned by outsiders?
Unaware of the Shinomiyas' speculations about him, Sasaki briefly spoke with Miyajima Tsubaki before they were called to dinner by the Shinomiya family.
Thanks to a specific request from him, the dinner table did not have raw foods like sashimi.
Instead, it featured dishes like tempura, sushi, and grilled meat.
After a dinner where host and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly, Sasaki chatted a bit more with the three women before mentioning it was getting late and he had someone waiting at home, prompting him to take his leave.
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