Ten minutes earlier.
Doraku Utage walks into the kendo club's room. Her small stature immediately attracts the attention of many of the club members.
Is that an elementary school student?
As the club president, Takamachi Kyouya, asks with a gentle smile, "I'm the president of the kendo club. Is there something I can help you with?"
Doraku Utage takes the lollipop out of her mouth, nods, and says seriously, "You're the president? I'm the kendo club's advisor, Doraku Utage."
Many people's attention was already focused on Doraku Utage. Her voice isn't loud, but her single sentence sends the entire club into a buzz of discussion.
This red-haired loli is a teacher?
Even the usually calm Takamachi Kyouya looks surprised. The kendo club's advisor has been a nominal position for the past few years, with several different people filling the role in less than three years. He used to pay attention to who the advisor was in the first year, but because they changed so frequently, he stopped caring.
"Ms. Doraku, what brings you here?" Hayama Hayato walks up to Takamachi Kyouya and asks respectfully.
His voice snaps Takamachi's thoughts back to reality. Takamachi repeatedly signals to Hayama with his eyes, as if asking, Are you serious, kid? This little girl is a teacher?
Hayama Hayato, who is an expert at "reading the air," understands the question in his president's eyes and nods. Seeing his confirmation, Takamachi takes a sharp breath.
Doraku Utage says unhurriedly, "I'm here to select the participants for the Gyokuryu Flag tournament at the end of the month. This year, the tournament has a junior high division."
Her calm words are like a stone causing a thousand ripples. The members immediately begin whispering to one another.
The Gyokuryu Flag tournament is to kendo what the Koshien is to baseball. When a player performs well at Koshien, they are easily noticed by professional teams and can go on to become a famous and highly paid professional baseball player.
Similarly, people with a high level of kendo skill are highly respected in Japan. Top performers at the Gyokuryu Flag are given special consideration by the police department as potential recruits. Since firearms are strictly regulated and rarely used, a police baton is the most common tool for a Japanese police officer, and the police department also has positions for practical sword combat instructors. Even Takamachi Kyouya's goal is to follow the path of his seniors by participating in such a tournament and preparing for a smooth entry into the Metropolitan Police Department.
The club members' spirits soar. Like newborn calves unafraid of a tiger, they, with their limited experience, fantasize about making a name for themselves at the tournament.
"General Yoshiteru has arrived!" a voice full of chuunibyou yells from the doorway.
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru, as usual, greets everyone in his own unique way. But as soon as he steps inside, he feels the atmosphere is different from usual. The little chubby guy quickly finds the source of the change. He walks up to Doraku Utage, puts on what he thinks is a kind smile, and says in a voice as if he is trying to coax a child, "Hey, where did this cute little sister come from? Are you lost?"
The words are barely out of his mouth when Doraku Utage's face darkens. Because of her build, she hates being treated like a child. Hayama Hayato and Hirata Ichiro, who are standing in the corner, see Zaimokuza's words and their pupils constrict. They feel they can already see Zaimokuza's miserable end.
Takamachi Kyouya sees this and quickly pulls on Zaimokuza's sleeve, whispering in his ear.
Since Doraku Utage is a teacher, she takes a deep breath to calm herself down, deciding not to bother with this plump boy for now. Just as she is about to continue speaking, Zaimokuza's gasp enrages her again.
"What?! President, is this for real? This little loli is actually a teacher?!" Zaimokuza stares fixedly at Takamachi Kyouya, his face full of disbelief.
"Hey, kid, are you questioning my identity as an advisor? Then let's have a match," Doraku Utage says, her face dark as she flexes her fingers, making a crackling sound.
Even Takamachi Kyouya has given up.
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru instinctively takes a step back when he sees her intimidating aura. He actually believes she's a teacher, but with everyone's eyes on him, he can't back down. Plus, after reading that light novel, he has been practicing kendo very hard and considers himself to be no worse than most people.
"Fine. Then, please go easy on me, Teacher!"
Soon, a fully-geared Zaimokuza walks to the center of the training area. He notices the teacher isn't wearing any protective gear. "Teacher, are you really not going to wear any gear?" he asks tentatively.
Doraku Utage just stands there, her lollipop in her mouth, completely still. Without a word, she hooks her finger at him.
Zaimokuza, worried that his powerful skills will injure her, takes an attack stance and kindly warns her, "Be careful, Teacher. I'm very strong." With that, he grips his bamboo sword with both hands, like a swordsman from the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, and charges forward without the slightest hesitation.
Bang!
A dull thud echoes through the club room. Doraku Utage's punch is like a cannonball, hitting Zaimokuza's protective gear with a devastating force. Even with his gear, he can hear his internal organs crying out.
Clatter~
The bamboo sword falls to the floor. Zaimokuza drops to his knees, lies on the ground, and can no longer get up.
Hayama Hayato and Hirata Ichiro had already anticipated this, so their faces remain relatively calm. The other club members are all terrified, as if they've seen a horrible monster, and don't even dare to breathe.
How can such a small body have such terrifying power?
Hiratsuka Ryosuke has just walked in and witnessed this scene.
Doraku Utage shakes her fist. Her pair of green eyes scans the crowd like a hungry wolf looking at a flock of chicks. The members' faces are ashen, and they tremble where they stand. She sighs internally, then begins to lecture them seriously. "It's good to have the courage to face a strong opponent. But courage is not recklessness. You must have a basic level of respect for an unknown enemy and never underestimate them. Arrogance is humanity's greatest enemy. I hope you learn to be humble."
Ryosuke finds this strange. Usually, Doraku Utage's words and actions are more like a delinquent loli. Many people privately call her "Big Sis" instead of "Teacher." Why is she acting like a teacher today?
Doraku Utage's gaze sweeps the room and lingers for a moment on the newly-arrived Ryosuke. She then retracts her gaze and says with a light laugh, "Now, if anyone else wants to participate in the Gyokuryu Flag, you can tell me."
After what just happened, the once-noisy kendo club is now silent.
"Teacher, I want to participate," a boy with a plain face says, raising his hand and walking up to Doraku Utage with a serious expression.
"Hirata? Good. You're very different from the first day of school," Doraku Utage says with a smile, praising his courage.
Hirata puffs out his chest, as proud as an underling recognized by a gang leader.
After that, others raise their hands, and Doraku Utage calls their names one by one. "Takamachi, Hiratsuka, Hayama. Good. We still need one more."
Doraku Utage glances at the remaining people with a calm gaze and feels disappointed when she sees they don't even dare to look her in the eye. Do today's students not even have the most basic courage when facing a strong opponent?
"Teacher, I... I want to go too," a weak voice says from the floor. It's Zaimokuza, who is shakily raising his hand. He has seen a true master, so he's been practicing kendo very hard. No matter the outcome, he wants to show everyone that Zaimokuza is not a useless fat guy.
Doraku Utage nods. "Not bad, little chubby guy. You're in."
After the members are confirmed, she turns and walks to the door, stopping beside Ryosuke. Doraku Utage seems to remember something, pulls out her phone, and checks the time. She turns back and warns everyone, "Okay, for those who are participating in the Gyokuryu Flag. We'll meet at the school gate at 8 AM on the day after the final exams. If anyone dares to stand me up or be late..."
Crunch!
Doraku Utage chews her lollipop, her eyes narrowed.
The others hear the crunching sound and feel as if Doraku Utage isn't chewing candy but their bones. Feelings of fear and terror flood their hearts, and a cold shiver runs down their spines.
Hirata Ichiro sees this and bravely takes a step forward. He stands at attention and takes the lead, yelling with a full-throated roar, "Yes, Teacher!"
Japanese people are excellent at reading the air. Seeing someone take the lead, all the other members, whether they signed up or not, stand at attention and bow in unison to Doraku Utage.
The members yell in unison, "Yes, Teacher!"