There were dozens of pairs of eyes in the kendo dojo, all looking at the two people at the door. For a moment, a strange silence fell over the room.
The guy with the spiky hair elbowed his blonde companion and whispered, "Mihashi, did we come to the wrong place? This looks like the middle school kendo club."
Mihashi Takashi noticed the faces in front of him, all younger than his, and realized he had indeed gone to the wrong place. But he had already made his grand declaration, and backing down now felt impossible. He quickly composed himself and quietly roared at his friend, "Ito! We're delinquents now! Delinquents have to act the part! Since we're already here, we might as well teach these kids a lesson. Just go easy on them, a little scare is all it'll take. Do you want to go back to being a goody-two-shoes?!"
Ito Shinji heard this and fell silent. Both of them had just transferred to Soyo High School this year. They had been good students for so long that they felt a rebellious urge and decided to become delinquents in high school because they thought it would be cool. They even got their exaggerated new hairstyles yesterday.
This afternoon, they were targeted by a real delinquent group and were challenged to a fight on the rooftop. They, a duo, managed to win against a group of over ten, which gave them a huge boost of confidence. After their victory, most of the delinquents submitted to them. But one particularly arrogant kid talked a big game, saying his older brother was the strongest man in the Soyo High School kendo club and would teach them a lesson. So, Mihashi and Ito, as a new team, decided to take the initiative and conquer Soyo Middle and High School step by step. Their goal was to become the kings of the high school delinquents, just like in the now-defunct Suzuran High School.
Takamachi Kyoya took off his face mask and turned to the two at the door. "What can I do for you? I'm the club captain."
"You're the strongest one here? Good. Let's fight!" Mihashi Takashi raised an eyebrow and said menacingly with a lisp characteristic of delinquents. He spread his arms wide, looked around, and finally locked his gaze on Takamachi Kyoya. "Remember my name, Mihashi Takashi of Soyo High! If I win, this place will become the king's new territory!"
After hearing Mihashi Takashi's speech, the other kendo club members' faces showed a mixture of confusion and annoyance. How shameless was it for a high school student to come to the middle school and boast so shamelessly?
Just as Takamachi Kyoya was about to step forward to accept the challenge, Hiratsuka Ryosuke held him back. Ryosuke, too, had removed his face mask. He glanced at Mihashi Takashi, then turned back to Takamachi Kyoya. With a calm demeanor, he said softly, "Captain, our match can wait. I'll handle him."
"Hiratsuka, what...?" Takamachi Kyoya frowned slightly, a puzzled look on his face, as if asking why Ryosuke would do this. After all, he was the captain, and it was his duty and responsibility to protect his club members.
"I don't like trouble, but when it comes knocking, it's best to solve it quickly. Otherwise, it could lead to bigger problems," Ryosuke stated. "If you can help with a simple gesture but stand by and do nothing, you'll regret it. I'm helping to avoid regret. That's all."
Takamachi Kyoya took in Ryosuke's words and nodded thoughtfully, stepping aside. He understood that these were the beliefs of a true swordsman.
"Mihashi-senpai, this is a kendo club. Let's decide this with our swords," Hiratsuka Ryosuke said calmly.
Mihashi Takashi saw that he would be fighting a younger opponent and assumed it would be an easier fight. He didn't care about the method, only about winning. This whole fight was unnecessary, a result of him going to the wrong door and trying to save face. So, Mihashi decided he would hold back and try not to cause too much harm to this overconfident junior. Just a small lesson would be enough.
In the middle of the dojo, Mihashi Takashi and Hiratsuka Ryosuke put on their protective gear and faced each other. The other club members formed a circle around them. Since there was no real animosity, Ryosuke planned to use a simplified move to reduce the lethality. He just wanted to end the fight as quickly as possible.
"Begin!" the referee shouted.
Ryosuke struck first. He pushed off the floor with a powerful thrust of his foot, flying forward. He raised his sword above his head, took a large step, and was in front of Mihashi in an instant. With a powerful swing generated from his waist and legs, he unleashed a violent strike.
Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu—Ryu Tsume Sen!
BANG!
The bamboo sword collided with the metal face mask, making a dull sound. The sword bent to its limit before it broke with a snap. The metal of Mihashi Takashi's face mask was even dented. The force of the strike from the front unbalanced him, and he stumbled back several steps before sitting down hard on the floor.
In just one strike, Mihashi Takashi was down before he could even raise his sword. The kendo dojo fell silent. The club members' mouths hung open, their words caught in their throats. They couldn't believe the fight ended so quickly.
Takamachi Kyoya frowned. The speed and power of that strike would have been difficult for him to dodge as well.
Ito stood frozen in place. He knew his partner's strength and couldn't believe he was taken down in a single blow.
Mihashi Takashi, the real victim, was lying on the ground, his head spinning. He recalled what the owner of the barbershop, a man named Takiya Genji, had said to him yesterday. The man's words were earnest, but Mihashi hadn't taken them seriously at the time.
"'You're becoming a delinquent today? But don't get into fights. There's nothing good about being a delinquent.' 'Don't try to become the school boss by challenging the head of the delinquents, a guy who's like a king of beasts.' 'Because doing that will just cause a lot of trouble for a lot of people.'"
Mihashi felt a bit of relief now. At least he was wearing a face mask, and his opponent's weapon was a practice bamboo sword. If it had been a real sword, he might have been dead already.
Hiratsuka Ryosuke's single strike had shattered Mihashi Takashi's delinquent dream. Mihashi Takashi gave a self-mocking laugh. He had gotten into Soyo High because his grades were good. Why did he want to be a delinquent in the first place? Because it was cool? If he had gotten into a real fight and gotten hurt, his parents would have been so worried.
With a newfound clarity, he sat up and took off his mask. Like a defeated rooster, he had lost all his earlier arrogance and quietly said, "I lose." Mihashi Takashi looked at his partner and gave a wry smile. "Let's go, Ito. From now on, let's study hard and get into a good university. Making our families proud is more important than anything else."
Ito Shinji helped the shaky Mihashi up, and they left the kendo dojo. Their delinquent career, which had lasted just one day, was over.
Nibutani Shinka walked up to Hiratsuka Ryosuke, and from out of nowhere, pulled out a black book. Hiratsuka Ryosuke's eyes widened. He reached out to stop her, but he was too late. With a look of solemn reverence, Nibutani Shinka held the book in her left hand and raised her right arm high.
"Rejoice! The most benevolent, most righteous, most supreme, and most powerful Guardian Knight has arrived! He is the savior who dispelled great evil and will lead the kendo club toward a brand new future! He is the one who protected the kendo club's honor!"
Someone started clapping, and soon the whole room was filled with applause and praises. Nishimiya Shoko smiled, a nostalgic look in her eyes. It was just like in elementary school when the kind, strong, and righteous Ryosuke had saved her. Hayama Hayato smiled and clapped his hands, joining in the celebratory atmosphere. He was beginning to understand what Haruno's words had meant. Hearing Nibutani Shinka's declaration, he secretly nodded in agreement.
A sketchbook appeared in Eriri's hand. On a blank page, she quickly drew a dashing portrait of Hiratsuka Ryosuke defeating his opponent with a single strike. In her drawing, Ryosuke wasn't wearing any protective gear. The boy on the page was handsome, with sharp eyes, an unwavering presence, and an unstoppable aura. He looked like a knight who would defeat any enemy to save the princess in the castle.
But at the center of the crowd, Hiratsuka Ryosuke felt no joy. The words "Guardian Knight" made his face grow even darker.