Ren Amamiya wanted to learn swordsmanship to deal with the Shadows in Mementos; naturally, he needed practical, real-world combat techniques.
But as the words left his mouth, he realized "Hokushin" Mei was just an ordinary, beautiful kendo practitioner. Although she was the Kendo Club captain, her skills were likely focused more on the performance aspects of kendo, not the lethal combat style Ren required.
Of course, Ren didn't intend to give up on learning from her just because of that.
Even if Raiden Mei didn't know practical combat techniques, she could certainly help a complete novice like him build a solid foundation in swordsmanship.
Learn kendo basics while raising her Confidant rank.
Once his foundation was solid and their bond (Confidant rank) was high enough, Ren planned to use Mei's connections as the Chiba Academy Kendo Club captain to seek out true masters of practical swordsmanship and learn lethal techniques from them.
"Swordsmanship for lethal combat... I understand. Amamiya-kun, you don't seem like the type to misuse swordsmanship to bully the weak. You likely want to learn practical kendo to protect yourself and others, right?"
Raiden Mei seemed to have made a decision.
A look of firm resolve entered her amethyst eyes as she sought final confirmation from Ren. Anyone who would stand up for her when she was being bullied couldn't possibly be a bad person, she reasoned. He surely wouldn't misuse the skills he learned. Maybe he'd even use them for heroic deeds, protecting the vulnerable.
"Of course."
Ren nodded without hesitation, replying decisively. His goal was to defeat Shadows in Mementos and conquer the Palaces of distorted individuals—which, if you rounded it up, was protecting the weak and saving the world!
"Amamiya-kun wishes to learn practical, lethal swordsmanship. Coincidentally, my family's style, Hokushin Itto-ryu, fits your requirements exactly. If Amamiya-kun doesn't mind, I am willing to teach you Hokushin Itto-ryu."
Raiden Mei had already achieved the highest rank of proficiency (Menkyo Kaiden) in Hokushin Itto-ryu. If she wished, she could teach it to anyone. And Ren Amamiya would be the first person she chose to pass the techniques onto.
"Hokushin Itto-ryu... Now that you mention it, that name rings a bell!"
Hearing the name of the sword style, Ren's eyes lit up even more. He didn't know much about Japanese sword schools, only recognizing a few famous names fragmentarily. Hokushin Itto-ryu happened to be one of them.
While he didn't know its specific strengths and weaknesses, a famous style was surely more worth learning than an obscure one. Judging by Mei's (family name inconsistency ignored, sticking to "Hokushin") connection to the style, it was likely passed down through her family, preserving its original essence.
This Hokushin Itto-ryu... definitely worth learning!
"Then I'll be in your care, Hokushin— I mean, Hokushin-senpai! Um, Hokushin-senpai... no, Hokushin-sensei, is there anything you like? In situations like this, I should probably bring a gift for starting lessons, right?"
Ren agreed without a shred of hesitation, deciding to learn Hokushin Itto-ryu from Mei. After replying, he frowned slightly, pondering what kind of gift would be appropriate. What kind of presents do Japanese high school girls like...? A cute teddy bear? Or maybe a trendy new skirt? He drew a blank. Reality wasn't a game that hinted which gifts suited which personality.
"H-Hokushin-sensei?!"
Hearing Ren call her "sensei" (teacher), Raiden Mei's face flushed crimson. She became completely flustered, even her delicate earlobes turning bright red.
"N-no, you don't need to call me something so formal! Although I have the Menkyo Kaiden rank, I'm still very inexperienced... I don't deserve to be called 'sensei'! Amamiya-kun, just call me... just call me Mei!"
Mei quickly waved her slender hands frantically in front of her, rejecting the title "Hokushin-sensei." After a slight pause, her face still flushed, she requested Ren just call her Mei. If Ren kept calling her by her family name, Hokushin [Error in source], it wouldn't be good if others who knew her heard... Yes, that's the only reason.
"Then I'll call you Mei-senpai! Mei-senpai, what kind of gift would you like?"
Ren readily agreed but still tacked on "senpai" after her name.
It wasn't like he was suddenly calling her his big sister; just addressing the high school girl who was about to teach him practical swordsmanship as his senior felt right.
Although mentally older than Mei by a few years, Ren, being physically a year younger, actually found calling her "senpai" novel, exciting, and fun.
Though often translated as "senior," the Japanese term was simply "senpai." As Ren playfully repeated the word, "Senpai, senpai," Mei shivered slightly, seeming to get lost in the sound, her amethyst eyes growing a little hazy.
"...Huh? Ah! A gift really isn't necessary! I'm just teaching Amamiya-kun as a friend. There's no need for a formal student gift."
After being called "Mei-senpai" several times in quick succession, Mei finally snapped back to attention. She cleared her throat softly and once again refused Ren's offer of a gift.
As a sword style passed down since the Edo period, Hokushin Itto-ryu is quite difficult to learn; it relies heavily on natural talent, Mei thought internally.
While she didn't want to discourage her enthusiastic junior, the reality of kendo was harsh: if you didn't have the aptitude, you wouldn't improve much, even with years of practice. Still, she reasoned, even learning just the basics should be enough for Amamiya-kun to defend himself, maybe even take on ten ordinary opponents.
Having agreed to teach Ren, Mei wouldn't go back on her word. Regardless of his talent, she would do her best to guide him—unless he himself chose to give up.
"The Kendo Club should be empty right now. Amamiya-kun, if you don't have other plans, would you like to head over there with me and start training?"
Before Ren could insist further on the gift, Mei played her trump card, inviting him to the Kendo Club to begin learning Hokushin Itto-ryu immediately.
"No problem! I'm totally free right now!"
Seeing Mei ready to start teaching him practical swordsmanship, Ren's spirits soared. He nodded eagerly.
Even though he'd already explored Mementos today, he wasn't tired! As long as no talking cat jumped out and told him he was tired, then he wasn't tired!