"The bento was really delicious. Please thank Mrs. Yuigahama for me."
Hearing Hachiman's words, Kotonoha's heart was filled with ripples.
Mrs. Yuigahama, Yui's mother, making lunch for Hachiman? Could it be that they were in a romantic relationship and it had reached the point of meeting parents?
"Hehe, it's nothing, my mom said it's just a way to thank you." Yui chuckled in response to Hachiman's words.
So it's just a way to express gratitude?
Kotonoha breathed a sigh of relief.
"But Hikki, don't you usually bring lunch? You always say you're a great cook."
"Lunch? I'm not used to bringing lunch." Hachiman shook his head. It wasn't just him; even Komachi rarely brought her lunch.
Since his sister didn't bring lunch, Hachiman naturally didn't prepare one for himself.
"I see..."
Upon hearing this, Yui seemed to think of something, and not only her but also Kotonoha on the other side had a subtle change in their expressions.
Hachiman doesn't bring lunch regularly? Maybe I could prepare one for him.
Kotonoha was quite confident in her cooking skills.
I'll prepare one for Hachiman tomorrow and see how it goes.
She made up her mind.
On the other hand, Yui had a similar idea.
I should talk to my mom about it and prepare an extra lunch for Hachiman every day.
The two girls coincidentally had the same thought.
From then on, Hachiman would have a satisfying lunch every day.
---
After school, at the Kendo club.
They changed into their uniforms, and Hachiman and Kotonoha began their practice for the day.
"Kotonoha, come at me with all you've got." Hachiman smiled as he looked at the girl with her long ponytail.
"Yes, Hachiman-kun, please be careful." Kotonoha was well aware of his abilities, so she didn't hold back and immediately launched her signature Iaido strike.
Facing her attack, Hachiman simply lifted his sword and blocked her advance.
However, he didn't rush to counter-attack. Instead, he took a step back, inviting her to attack again.
"Keep going, Kotonoha."
Kotonoha nodded and took two steps back before adopting her attack stance again.
Swish, swish.
Receiving the two consecutive Iaido strikes from the girl, Hachiman confidently smiled at her.
"Kotonoha, now it's my turn to attack, so be careful."
Hearing his words, Kotonoha focused her mind. She knew Hachiman's strength and couldn't afford to let her guard down.
Seeing her on high alert, Hachiman smiled faintly.
He was aware of the gap in their abilities, so he didn't plan to use his full strength.
"Be careful." Saying this, Hachiman swung his sword down.
Kotonoha clearly saw the trajectory of his strike, and she crossed her hands to block his attack.
"Huh?"
The two wooden swords clashed, and the girl was somewhat surprised that the wooden sword wasn't as heavy as she had imagined.
"Kotonoha, don't lose focus."
His attack blocked by Kotonoha, Hachiman didn't mind at all. He followed up with another strike, his intention being to challenge the girl.
"Understood."
The girl sharpened her focus, continued to concentrate, and did her best to parry every one of Hachiman's moves.
Swish, swish, swish, swish...
The sound of wooden swords clashing repeatedly filled the air. Hachiman's strikes were perfectly calibrated in terms of strength and speed, always within the range that Kotonoha could handle.
Observant Kotonoha had also noticed this. Having experienced Hachiman's full force before, she was well aware of how ferocious his attacks could be.
Is Hachiman going easy on me?
I'm really useless, I can't even perform well as a sparring partner. If it were Busujima-senpai...
The girl's old habit of feeling inferior resurfaced. Lost in her thoughts for a moment, she failed to block Hachiman's next strike.
"Ah." Due to her distraction, she couldn't secure the attack she should have caught, and she was pushed back a few steps, eventually falling to the ground.
"Kotonoha, are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere?"
Seeing this, Hachiman quickly approached and crouched down beside her.
"I'm fine..." Kotonoha's face didn't look good at the moment.
"Kotonoha, what's wrong? Can you talk to me about it?" Concerned, Hachiman asked when he saw her uneasy expression.
Hesitating for a moment, Kotonoha finally lowered her head and spoke in a subdued tone, "Hachiman, do you ever think I'm useless?"
"Why would you say that?" Hachiman was curious.
"Because... because in kendo, I still need you to hold back."
"If your opponent was Busujima-senpai, you'd definitely be able to go all out, right?"
"Hachiman, you shouldn't worry about me anymore. You should practice with Busujima-senpai instead. That way, your kendo skills will surely improve faster."
"I guess I'm just not skilled enough."
As she finished speaking, Kotonoha buried her face in her knees, appearing quite despondent.
For someone with upbringing like Kotonoha, not being able to help the person she cares about is a mark of her own inadequacy.
While Hachiman isn't someone she loves in an exaggerated sense, he does hold a special place in her heart, which makes her feel even more disheartened by her perceived shortcomings.
Listening to her words, Hachiman understood the situation.
Kotonoha believed that he was intentionally going easy on her because he thought her skills were weak.
While Hachiman did indeed not use his full strength, it was with the intention of giving Kotonoha more opportunities to practice and improve her kendo skills.
However, it seemed his good intentions were misunderstood.
Seeing the girl sitting on the ground, arms wrapped around her knees, Hachiman felt a mixture of helplessness and hesitation.
He gently placed his hand on her head.
"Kotonoha, don't be too hard on yourself. It's not about being useless. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. You're doing great in kendo, and there's always room for improvement. Besides, it's not a competition; we're here to support each other and grow together. If practicing with Saeko-senpai helps me improve, it doesn't mean I value your progress any less. We're friends, remember?"
"And It's not because you're weak, but because I've reached a plateau in my kendo skills. I think I need to learn some sword techniques from Saeko-senpai to make a breakthrough."
"So, Kotonoha, you need to keep your spirits up and not be sad." As he spoke, Hachiman couldn't help but gently pat the girl's head.
"Really?" Hearing his words, Kotonoha raised her head slightly, looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"Of course, I wouldn't lie to you."
Seeing her hopeful gaze, Hachiman's heart softened. He continued to pat her head, much like stroking a cat.
"Um... Hachiman, your hand..." Feeling his actions, Kotonoha blushed with shyness.
"Cough, it's involuntary, it's involuntary." Since she spoke up, Hachiman naturally felt embarrassed to continue, so he withdrew his hand with a sheepish smile.
"Come on, Kotonoha, let's continue practicing." Hachiman encouraged her after retracting his hand.
"Kotonoha, you have to work hard. We'll be practicing together in the future."
"Yeah."
The girl understood his meaning. If her kendo skills were too far behind his, they wouldn't be able to practice together.
So she had to put in the effort to improve her kendo.
I can do it. I will definitely catch up to Hachiman.
With this determination, Kotonoha's face once again showed a confident smile.
"Please teach me more in the future, Hachiman..."
She stood up and resumed her attacking stance.
"Huff... That's it for today, Kotonoha."
Looking at the girl who was sweating on her forehead, Hachiman stopped his wooden sword and breathed out.
"Thank you for your hard work today, Hachiman." Kotonoha wiped the sweat on her forehead and thanked him.
The girl who had resolved her knot, in order to keep up with Hachiman's pace, had devoted herself wholeheartedly to the training, and she believed that her swordsmanship level would also improve greatly.
He looked at the time, and he had already practiced for more than an hour today. He should go back too.
"Kotonoha, I'll go back first today. Let's continue tomorrow." He said goodbye to the girl and turned to walk into the dressing room.
But when he finished showering and changed his clothes, he found that Kotonoha had also changed her clothes and was waiting for him at the club entrance.
When she saw him come out, the girl showed a bright smile on her face.
Seeing him come out, the girl's face showed a bright smile.
"Hachiman-kun, let's go home together today."
"Sure."
He naturally wouldn't refuse the invitation from a beauty, and nodded his head.
The two of them left the kendo club together.
Not long after they left the kendo club, Busujima Saeko, who was delayed by some trivial matters, appeared at the club entrance again.
"Did I miss him again? It seems that Hachiman-kun has already left."
She didn't find the figure she wanted to see, and sighed.
But this time she didn't choose to leave directly, but went to the resting room.
She took out the club member application form and started flipping through it.
"I found it."
As she looked at the application form, a smile appeared on Saeko face.
It was indeed the membership application form for Hachiman.
She found the contact information section and recorded the number. With a satisfied heart, Saeko left the lounge.
If waiting passively doesn't work, then she has no choice but to take the initiative and make a move.
.......
As they walked together on the way back home, Kotonoha couldn't help but feel a faint sense of reassurance with Hachiman by her side.
Today, there was no rain, and they didn't share an umbrella, nor did she bury herself in his embrace.
There was no romantic atmosphere between them.
They simply walked side by side, calmly and casually. Yet, Kotonoha found solace in this simplicity.
Being someone who had never really had any friends before, Hachiman, her one and only friend, was incredibly precious to her.
In her eyes, their relationship didn't need grand gestures or intense emotions.
As long as they could maintain this calm and ordinary bond, she would be content.
As they reached a crossroad, Hachiman looked at Kotonoha beside him and spoke, "Kotonoha, I'll be heading in that direction now. See you tomorrow."
"Take care, Hachiman. See you tomorrow," the girl nodded.
...........
At the Hikigaya residence, the clock had just struck 8 o'clock in the evening.
Hachiman was deeply engrossed in his phone, tapping away on the screen, when an unexpected sound broke his concentration.
"Ding, ding, ding."
Intrigued, he picked up his phone and saw a message from an unknown number.
It was unusual for him to receive a text from someone he didn't know, and his curiosity got the better of him.
"Who is this?" Hachiman wondered as he opened the message.
[Hachiman, I hope this message isn't too intrusive. I'm Saeko Busujima.]
The name Saeko Busujima struck a chord with Hachiman. How had this alluring and enigmatic senior student come into possession of his phone number? The puzzle deepened.
[I apologize if this seems forward, but I found your number on the club application form. I hope you don't mind my reaching out this way.]
Hachiman's initial bewilderment gave way to understanding. The source of her contact information was clear. He responded with genuine curiosity.
[Not at all, Saeko-senpai. I'm quite intrigued. How can I assist you?]
[Well, Hachiman, I had something I wanted to discuss regarding the study of Busujima-ryu swordsmanship.]
Hachiman's interest was thoroughly piqued. The prospect of learning the art of the Busujima style of swordsmanship had always fascinated him.
[I'm honored, Saeko-senpai. If it's convenient, would this Saturday be suitable for you?]
[Absolutely, Hachiman. My father has been abroad lately, and our dojo is empty. It'll be just you and me, undisturbed.]
Ummm
I noticed something off about what you said, but let's forget it; perhaps I'm just feeling a bit aroused.
But the thought of learning the art of the Busujima style of swordsmanship directly from Saeko Busujima herself filled Hachiman with anticipation.
[In that case, let's set it for this Saturday at 9 AM. I look forward to learning from you, Saeko-senpai.]
[Very well. The address of my family's dojo is...]
[I'll be eagerly awaiting your arrival this Saturday, Hachiman-kun.]
[No problem. See you this Saturday, Saeko-senpai.]
After sending the text, Hachiman patiently awaited Saeko Busujima's response.
Meanwhile, at the Busujima residence, the spacious dojo stood silent, with Saeko Busujima, dressed in her kendo attire, kneeling in solitary anticipation of Hachiman's visit.
The silver moonlight streamed through the window, casting a delicate veil of radiance upon her form.
Bathed in this silver moonlight, Saeko Busujima, who had once been as alluring as a poppy flower, now seemed to exude an aura of purity and beauty.
Setting aside her phone, she reached for the katana that had been resting on her lap.
The gleaming silver blade shimmered in the moonlight, reflecting her lovely countenance.
"Hachiman-kun," the girl murmured to herself.
In the next instant, a silver flash cut through the air.
The scarecrow that had been standing before Saeko Busujima was cleaved in two, its sharp blade glistening with an icy glint under the moonlight.
"Let's meet on Saturday..."
...........
In the Yuigahama household, a voice echoed gently, "Yui, it's time for your bath."
Emerging from the bathroom, Mrs. Yuigahaima, clad in a bath towel, was drying her hair.
She spoke to her daughter, who was engrossed in a television show on the couch.
Despite being in her thirties, Mrs. Yuigahaima retained a youthful aura that was reminiscent of a young girl.
Her skin was fair and supple, a testament to her meticulous skincare routine.
The bath towel was stretched taut over her ample bosom, adding to her youthful appearance.
Her face bore a striking resemblance to her daughter's, with a similarity that was uncanny.
If they were to walk down the street together, they could easily be mistaken for sisters rather than mother and daughter.
Mrs. Yuigahama's youthful appearance was not just a result of good genes, but also a testament to her healthy lifestyle.
She was a firm believer in the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise, and it showed in her radiant complexion and toned physique.
Her daughter, Yui, had inherited her mother's good looks, and it was clear that she was growing up to be just as beautiful.
The Yuigahama household was a warm and loving one, filled with laughter and shared moments.
Despite their busy schedules, Mrs. Yuigahaima and Yui always made time for each other, cherishing the bond they shared.
As Mrs. Yuigahaima continued to dry her hair, she watched her daughter with a fond smile.
She was proud of the young woman Yui was becoming, and she looked forward to seeing what the future held for her.
However, they can still be distinguished. Although the mother and daughter bear a striking resemblance, Yui retains the vivaciousness and innocence typical of a teenage girl.
In contrast, Mrs. Yuigahama's exquisite features, identical to her daughter's, exude the gentle and refined qualities specific to mature women.
Her speech is soft-spoken and carries the elegance characteristic of a traditional Japanese woman.
A wife like that would likely make many LSPs (Light Novel Protagonists) exclaim, "Madam, I adore you!"
--------------------------------------
Chapter 60: If You Don't Even Dare to Enter a Police Station, How Can You Claim to Like Her?
Chapter 61: The Girls' Bentos
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