Chapter 109: Setting Off for the Kendo Inter-High School Championship
As time sped by, the day of the long-awaited tournament had finally arrived. Hachiman, Saeko, Kotonoha, and their fellow Kendo club members boarded the school-arranged bus, destined for the competition venue in Fukuoka.
The tournament's rules were simple yet unforgiving—single-elimination matches. Each team comprised five key roles: the Vanguard, Second Vanguard, The Backbone, Vice-Captain, and Captain. The defeated would step aside, while the victors would stand their ground. If all five members of a team fell, they'd be disqualified from the competition.
Among the boys, Hachiman proudly held the mantle of Captain, with Fujita as his steadfast Vice-Captain. The remaining three male members had their positions determined by their skill levels, taking on the roles of Vanguard, Second Vanguard, and The Backbone.
For the girls, Saeko led the charge as Captain, with Kotonoha serving as her trusted Vice-Captain. The other three female members filled the positions of Vanguard, Second Vanguard, and The Backbone.
Ordinarily, first-year students like Hachiman and Kotonoha were limited to the roles of Vanguard or Second Vanguard. But their exceptional prowess set them apart.
Hachiman, despite his modesty, had risen to become the club's premier player after defeating Saeko.
Kotonoha, through arduous practice sessions with Hachiman, had made remarkable strides in Kendo. She now stood as one of the club's fiercest female members, and among the boys, only Hachiman and Fujita could rival her skills.
As they rode on the bus, enthusiasm brimmed among the students, especially the boys. The previous year, Saeko's presence had secured a championship in the girls' division, but the boys had faltered, reaching only the quarter-finals before elimination. That disappointment had cast a shadow over them.
However, this year was a different story. With Hachiman's addition and the already capable Fujita, victory in the boys' division seemed nearly assured.
The prospect of redemption had the boys buzzing with excitement. They couldn't help but anticipate their chance to make amends.
"Alright, tomorrow marks the official start of the Kendo Inter-High School Championship. The journey has been long, and we've already arranged accommodations for everyone. When we arrive in Fukuoka, take the time to rest, recharge your spirits, and prepare for the matches ahead," Saeko declared, addressing the Kendo club members.
"Yes, Captain!" came the enthusiastic response from the club members.
Chiba lay a thousand kilometers distant from Fukuoka, and the bus journey would stretch over nine hours to reach their destination.
Moreover, given the Kendo club's triumphant win in the girls' division championship the previous year, the school had placed lofty expectations on their shoulders. Naturally, for major tournaments like the Kendo Inter-High School Championship, the school generously funded their efforts.
It was safe to say that these Kendo club members were not only competitors but also recipients of an all-expenses-paid journey.
...
Following a lengthy journey, the Kendo club members at last arrived in Fukuoka.
They disembarked from the bus and made their way to the hotel they had pre-booked.
During this time of year in Fukuoka, not only were Kendo competitions in full swing, but there were also contests in Karate and Judo. Beyond the participants, many spectators flocked to witness these events live. To avoid any accommodation mishaps, countless people had secured their hotel reservations well in advance.
The chosen hotel was renowned for its soothing hot springs. Even in the summertime, the allure of a relaxing soak in these natural baths remained irresistible.
After obtaining their room keys at the front desk, Hachiman made his way to his own single room with a generously sized bed, courtesy of the ample funding they had received.
Once comfortably settled in, it was time for dinner. Hachiman planned to indulge in the meal before heading for a bath. Although his room had a private bathroom, given the hotel's reputation for its hot springs, it seemed only fitting to experience them.
Hachiman eventually found himself at the entrance to the hotel's hot spring bath, where he was met by fellow Kendo club members already immersed in the warm waters. Without hesitation, he eased himself into the inviting embrace of the spring water.
"Ah..."
A contented sigh escaped his lips as the soothing warmth enveloped his entire body. It was an incredibly relaxing sensation.
It was no surprise that hot springs held a special place in the hearts of the Japanese. Aside from frequent appearances in anime, hot spring scenes were a staple in many romantic action movies.
The truth was, the Japanese cherished hot springs for several reasons. Japan's geographical setting as an island nation surrounded by the sea and dotted with volcanoes made hot springs abundant. Furthermore, the health benefits and stress relief offered by these natural wonders were highly valued, particularly in a society where individuals often faced significant life stressors. Soaking in hot springs had naturally become a cherished form of relaxation for the Japanese.
Relishing the warmth of the bath, Hachiman let the soothing waters melt away the tension in his body, leaving him feeling entirely rejuvenated.
As he leisurely sipped his coffee, his gaze was drawn to Saeko and Kotonoha, who had just emerged from the women's bath. Their camaraderie was evident as they chatted and laughed while strolling together.
"Hey, Saeko, Kotonoha, good evening," Hachiman greeted them cheerfully.
"Good evening, Hachiman-kun," they responded with smiles.
Observing the two women in their yukatas, Hachiman's eyes sparkled with appreciation. With their hair tied up after the bath, their graceful napes were exposed. Their skin bore a rosy hue from the hot spring, adding to their allure. Moreover, their yukatas draped over their well-proportioned figures, revealing a hint of enticing cleavage.
Glancing at the alluring sight, Hachiman found himself a bit parched and lifted his coffee cup for another sip.
"Saeko, Kotonoha, what can I get you to drink? It's my treat."
"Thank you, Hachiman. I'll have a coffee milk," Saeko replied with gratitude.
"Thanks, Hachiman-kun. I'll have oolong tea," Kotonoha chimed in with her choice.
Handing them their selected beverages, Hachiman suddenly remembered that he hadn't invited them to the beach trip yet. So, he broached the topic.
"By the way, Saeko, Kotonoha, how about joining me for a beach trip after the tournament?"
In his initial plans, Saeko and Kotonoha were the only ones he hadn't extended an invitation to.
"Beach trip? Absolutely, count me in," Saeko enthusiastically accepted the offer.
"Will there be others joining us?" Kotonoha inquired.
"They'll be some of my friends, and, oh, I've also invited Miss Erina," Hachiman added with a grin.
"Erina?"
This puzzled Saeko, as her impression was that aside from the chance encounter at her home, Erina and Hachiman didn't interact much.
Sensing the girl's confusion, Hachiman elaborated.
"Yeah, a while back when I was at your place, I won a cooking competition against Miss Erina, remember?"
"Later, she wasn't satisfied and challenged me to another competition a couple of days ago. But, by some stroke of luck, I won again."
"So, to make amends, I invited Miss Erina to join us at the beach, and she agreed."
Chapter 110: Hachiman's Change of Mood
"So, that's the story," Saeko said, nodding in understanding.
"But Hachiman, you're truly remarkable. It's not just Kendo; your culinary skills are outstanding as well," she commented.
Hachiman responded with a modest smile, saying, "Oh, it's nothing special, really. I happen to be decent at these two things, and I practice them quite a bit, so I've improved over time."
Saeko found herself momentarily at a loss for words upon hearing his humble response.
"How much practice have you actually put in?" she wondered.
She was unaware of his culinary skills, but in terms of Kendo, besides the daily one-hour club training, she only knew about the weekend sessions at her family's Kendo dojo.
"Hachiman, remember this, sometimes you need to recognize your own talents. Excessive modesty can come across as arrogance," she added, her tone carrying a touch of seriousness.
Her words gave Hachiman pause for thought. In his mind, he attributed all his skills to what he called his "system." Without it, he believed he'd be an ordinary person. While he used knowledge from his previous life to lead a more relaxed existence compared to the original Hachiman, he still didn't see himself as truly exceptional. However, to outsiders, it was a different story. As he became increasingly proficient in various areas, his talents began to shine in the eyes of others: writing, Kendo, culinary arts – he was perceived as a genius in these fields.
Perhaps, it was time for Hachiman to adjust his perspective. Regardless of whether his "system" would eventually disappear, the abilities he currently possessed were undeniably genuine.
"I understand now. Thank you for the reminder, Saeko."
With this newfound awareness, it was as if Hachiman had cast off a heavy weight, leaving him feeling more at ease.
What he didn't notice was that, in his mind, the proficiency levels of various skills had suddenly surged, particularly in Kendo, which had increased by five thousand points, nearly reaching a total proficiency of thirty thousand points.
Yet, Hachiman remained oblivious to these subtle changes.
With Saeko's positive response firmly in hand, Hachiman turned his attention to Kotonoha, who was nearby.
"Kotonoha, how about it? Would you like to join me for a beach trip in early August?" Hachiman asked.
Upon hearing his invitation, Kotonoha's face lit up with a joyful smile, but then she hesitated.
"I really want to go to the beach with you, Hachiman-kun, but my parents won't be at home during that time, and I have to take care of my little sister, so..."
"I understand. That's perfectly fine. You can bring your little sister along, and my sister, Komachi, is also coming. They should be able to become good friends by then," Hachiman reassured her.
"Really? Thank you so much, Hachiman-kun."
With her concerns resolved, Kotonoha eagerly accepted the invitation.
"Saeko, Kotonoha, I'm going back to my room. Make sure to get some rest too," Hachiman said.
"Yes, goodnight, Hachiman-kun."
"Goodnight."
Once in his room, Hachiman took a moment to review his modules:
[Host: Hikigaya Hachiman]
[Age: 16]
[Modules Loaded:]
- Cooking Level 4 Expert (2,500/50,000)
- Learning Level 4 Expert (1,200/50,000)
- Kendo Level 4 Expert (28,300/50,000)
- Writing Level 4 Expert (3,400/50,000)
- Physique Level 4 Expert (1,600/50,000)
- Conversational Level 4 Expert (500/50,000)
- Acting Level 4 Expert (500/50,000)
- Fighting Level 4 Expert (1,000/50,000)
- Coding Level 4 Expert (3,400/50,000)
- Stocking Level 3 Advanced (8,800/10,000)
- Tennis Level 3 Advanced (5,400/10,000)
- Baseball Level 3 Advanced (200/10,000)
- Basketball Level 3 Advanced (100/10,000)
- Volleyball Level 3 Advanced (300/10,000)
- Football Level 3 Advanced (300/10,000)
- Swimming Level 3 Advanced (8,000/10,000)
- Drawing Level 3 Advanced (1,000/10,000)
- Singing Level 2 Intermediate (200/5,000)
Hachiman couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as he saw the progress he had made in various skills. He was well on his way to becoming an expert in several areas, and the system's recent update had opened up new possibilities. It was a journey he was determined to embrace wholeheartedly.
Hachiman couldn't help but reflect on how he had acquired some of these sports-related modules. It was likely due to his school's physical education classes, which always emphasized the importance of being familiar with various sports.
As for the drawing module, it made sense. Many school projects required some level of artistic skill, and he had evidently been practicing.
And the singing module? Well, that was probably a result of his habit of humming Marshmello song from time to time. It seemed the system was quite perceptive in picking up on his activities and experiences.
With a sense of contentment and purpose, Hachiman settled down for a peaceful night's sleep, looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges that awaited him in the days to come.
...
Early the next morning, the Kendo club members embarked on a bus journey to the tournament venue, ready for the competition that awaited them.
As they disembarked from the bus, they found themselves surrounded by a swarm of eager reporters who had gathered to cover the event.
Being the defending champions in the women's division from the previous year, Saeko Busujima naturally drew the spotlight. Reporters wasted no time in bombarding her with questions.
"Competitor Saeko Busujima, what is your goal for this year's competition?"
"Competitor Saeko Busujima, do you have any thoughts on this year's competition?"
"Competitor Saeko Busujima..."
In the face of the relentless questioning, Saeko maintained her composure.
"My goal this year is, of course, to win the women's division."
As for her thoughts, a hint of a smile graced her lips.
"This year, our school aims not only to retain the women's division championship but also to secure the men's division championship!"
Upon hearing her declaration of victory, the reporters' cameras went into a frenzy, capturing images of Saeko and the Kendo club members standing resolute behind her.
Just as the reporters were about to continue their barrage of questions, Saeko took the initiative.
"All right, everyone, the competition is about to commence, and it's time for us to enter the arena."
Recognizing that they had already secured their headline news, the reporters reluctantly stepped aside, allowing the team to proceed.
The highly anticipated Kendo Inter-High School Championship was finally about to begin. Hachiman, Saeko, and the rest of the team made their way to the changing room to prepare for their matches.
As the team entered the competition venue, the audience erupted into cheers.
"Look, it's Saeko Busujima!"
"Where? Is that Saeko Busujima?"
"She truly deserves the title of Kendo's Flower. I believe she'll be this year's women's division champion."
Hachiman wasn't surprised by Saeko's popularity. The spectators in attendance were all Kendo enthusiasts, and Saeko was an exceptionally skilled Kendo practitioner. Having won the women's division championship the previous year, she naturally had a significant following.
Moreover, Saeko possessed a striking beauty. Her captivating face and flawless figure had earned her the title of Kendo's Flower. When combined with her skill, it was only natural that she had garnered such a devoted fan base.
"It's no wonder the captain is so popular," one of the female team members whispered excitedly.
"Indeed. If you're new, you might not know this, but our captain won the championship last year all by herself, defeating four opponents. It was truly remarkable," an experienced member who had participated in previous competitions chimed in with pride.
"Really? Single-handedly against four opponents? That's incredible!"
"Yes, she's our Kendo club's captain, after all."
Even the newly joined members couldn't help but be in awe of Saeko's achievements. It wasn't just their team; even members from other schools who were slated to compete against her wore expressions filled with caution when they saw her enter the venue.
On the other side of the venue, there was a girl observing them, and her surprise didn't stem from the girls' beauty but rather from the guy with the seemingly lifeless eyes – Hachiman. It seemed as if they had crossed paths before, sparking her curiosity.
Glancing at Hachiman beside her, Saeko offered a warm smile and said, "Don't worry, Hachiman. This time, as the captain, if you win the championship, you'll receive this kind of applause and honor too."
As the captains of the men's and women's teams, they naturally stood side by side.
Hearing Saeko's encouraging words, Hachiman smiled with newfound confidence. "Don't worry, I'll give it my all."
The sensation of being in the spotlight, with all eyes on him, was something every young person had likely fantasized about. In the past, Hachiman might not have welcomed such attention, but he had come to terms with it recently. Since he was now perceived as a genius in the eyes of others, why not embrace the glory and recognition that came with it? It was a change in perspective that he had adopted on this new path to happiness.
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