This island is bigger than I thought.
How many times have I thought that? There's the actual land area, but there are also magical space-expansion techniques, technology to build high-rise buildings, and technology to construct structures on the seabed.
You can't see the whole island just by looking at the surface.
That said, even on this island that's a blend of Japanese and Western styles, human and demon cohabitation, and science, magic, and sorcery, this particular building is just crazy. To go to the trouble of creating such a magnificent stone staircase, gate, and Japanese house with a tiled roof...
How much money would it take to build a house like this?
We—Aine, Kirin, and I—were in the dojo of that magnificent Japanese house.
Today, thanks to Nove's introduction, the opponent for our two practice matches is the dojo's head instructor, Mikaya Schevel. She was dressed in appropriate Japanese attire—or rather, a dojo uniform—and held a greatsword in a simple, unadorned white scabbard.
She's the perfect image of a dignified woman who walks the path of the sword.
The Tendo-ryu style that Mikaya uses is a sword art school of a similar scale to Kirin's Toudou-ryu. If Toudou-ryu's selling point is precise, continuous slashes, Tendo-ryu's is the one-hit-kill art of drawing the sword.
Mikaya was chosen as an opponent to counter slash weapons, which are a difficult foe for a combat-type fighter.
"I'm honored to have been nominated as your practice opponent," Mikaya said, standing in front of the two, who were seated in seiza.
"However, I'm also a competitor. I can't waste this precious time before the tournament. I won't go easy on you. If you don't stay focused, you'll get hurt."
"I don't mind."
"It's exactly what I'm hoping for."
Not only Aine, but Kirin also responded with confidence.
Of course, Aine is always gaining experience by fighting masters of the sword like Kuuro and Kirin. But this time, her opponent, Mikaya, is a master of swordsmanship, specifically the art of drawing the sword. She'll gain a different kind of experience than usual.
Nove seems to have judged it that way. In addition, Mikaya's best result was finishing in third place in the main tournament. If they progress smoothly, she is an opponent they will undoubtedly face.
"From what Nakajima-chan told me, you're a combat-type striker and a bona fide close-quarters infighter. And you are the daughter of the main family of the famous Toudou-ryu."
She looked at Aine and Kirin in turn.
"For me, the main focus is a countermeasure against close-quarters infighters. I wanted to train to cut down infighters like you without letting them do anything. Oh, but of course, I'm also interested in the Toudou-ryu techniques. Toudou Kirin. I've heard your name often. I'm really looking forward to testing my pure swordsmanship against you."
Due to their school styles, I thought there might be a rivalry between them, but Kirin, uncharacteristically, seemed to be filled with fighting spirit.
The problem is Aine. Just like when we went to Yagami-san's house to get her device, she seems to be absent-minded.
That time, she was only avoiding me, but now she seems to be avoiding Kirin as well.
Last time, I chose to let it go, but since it's been a week, I might have to be a little more forceful to find out the reason.
This weekend's practice matches were to be held at this dojo, with us staying overnight on both Saturday and Sunday. They had prepared meals and sleeping arrangements. Everything was taken care of.
Nove-san told me to take care of the two of them, but there wasn't much for me to do. I'm not a competitor, so all I could do was handle some chores. But even those chores were mostly done by the house assistants, so I was really just watching.
"But this was really unexpected."
"What is?"
"Oh, no, it's nothing."
Seated next to me in the same seiza was the other head instructor of the dojo and the only daughter of the main family, Tendo Kisara.
Tendo-san, a character from Black Bullet. She has straight hime-cut hair. She's wearing a sailor uniform that isn't from Butei High.
In the original story, this person uses a sword art called "Tendo-shiki Batou-jutsu" (Tendo-style Sword-Drawing Art).
Well, I thought something like this would happen. I don't know if anyone noticed the details, but the name of the sword art Mikaya-san uses is "Tendou-ryu Batou-jutsu" (Tendou-ryu Sword-Drawing Art). Both "Tendo" and "Tendou" are pronounced the same, 'tendou.'
It seems these two existences have been merged in this world. It's probably to avoid confusion.
Just like with Yuuki, I've been meeting a lot of unexpected people lately. It's like I'm unintentionally setting off flags for incidents, or scattering landmines as I walk.
Well, even if I step on a landmine, I just have to keep going.
"Aren't you competing? Not in the Inter-Middle, but maybe the Phoenix Star Battle Festival? I think you'd do well."
"I don't have any plans, really."
I have to be free to deal with any incidents. The prize money is a little tempting, though.
"What about you, Tendo-san? Aren't you competing? You're not even a Butei, are you?"
If I were to say that, Mikaya-san isn't a Butei either. What I want to know is whether one of the 'elements' from the original story exists in this world as well.
"No. I have a bit of a weak body. Even though I'm an instructor, I can't swing a sword for long periods."
In the original, Tendo-san could cut things from 10 meters away without using her abilities. She was a talent who could develop new 'forms,' including the so-called flying slash.
However, in the original story, she had a kidney disease that prevented her from fighting for long periods.
It seems that this setting is also alive in this world.
After confirming this, I said "I see" and changed the subject.
"I'm not really a competitor. I'm not very interested in mastering techniques or competing in matches."
"So, it's just a means to an end?"
"I don't want to get into a deep discussion, but something like that. I have a very pragmatic personality."
"...No, I have no right to blame you. I'm the same."
"..."
And there's another major setting, but I can't just ask about that so easily, and I can't say anything here.
While we were chatting, the sparring match had already begun.
First up was Mikaya-san and Kirin.
Their swords clashed fiercely.
Wow, seeing it now, you can tell the difference even with an amateur's eye.
I've seen Kirin's swordsmanship countless times, but this is my first time seeing the art of drawing the sword. It's certainly fast. Even Kirin is barely able to defend herself. Mikaya-san's skill is incredible.
I'll make sure to watch carefully. My eyes are Sharingan, or rather, my perfect memory eyes. I'll copy everything I see.
Perhaps because I was staring so intently, Tendo-san, who was sitting next to me, started to giggle.
"You're really into it, aren't you?"
"Well, yeah, Kirin is my sister-in-arms."
In reality, I was secretly trying to steal her techniques.
"Those two are very well-trained. They're about on par with me when I was their age."
She said they're "on par"?
"I think if they were the same age as you, they would have already surpassed you."
Now it was Aine's turn. Both Mikaya-san and Kirin still had plenty of energy left. It seemed that the match was just a light warm-up.
Aine took Kirin's place and stepped forward. On her shoulder was a cat plush toy—the device Yagami-san made for her, Astion.
The sparring began.
It's a testament to her strength that she can casually block a sword moving at that speed with her bare hands. One wrong move and her arm would be gone.
But,
"What's wrong with that girl?"
Tendo-san also seemed to have noticed something was off.
"I'm sorry if I'm mistaken... but I feel like that girl, Stratus-san, isn't very focused...?"
"You think so too, Tendo-san?"
While Aine's emotions are difficult to read, they don't prevent her actions from showing something is wrong.
Her body movements were too stiff. It wasn't that she couldn't react to Mikaya-san's speed, but rather that her body wasn't moving as she wanted it to.
She wasn't focused on the fight. She was distracted by something else.
It must have been obvious if Tendo-san, who was meeting her for the first time, noticed it too.
And finally,
"Tendo-ryu Sword-Drawing Iai, Suigetsu!!"
"!"
With a single, lightning-fast strike from Mikaya-san, Aine was slammed into the wall and knocked unconscious.
Fortunately, she woke up after about five minutes, but the mysterious tension never left her, and the rest of the day's training was not productive.
---------
"So, how were the two of them?"
"Hmm, their skills aren't bad, but there was something that concerned me."
That night, Mikaya and Nove were on the phone. The two of them were friends. Because they were friends, this practice match could be arranged.
However, as a coach, she couldn't just leave things be. So, she was having Mikaya report on what happened that day.
A translucent display floated in the Japanese-style room, out of place with the decor, but the two of them continued their conversation without a care.
"Something that concerned you? Oh, you mean the part about them both being in love with Sho?"
"Hmm? No, not that. I was talking about how the close-quarters infighter you sent me wasn't in good form."
"Aine? What about her?"
Their stories were at odds.
"Yes. She was absent-minded all day. She wasn't putting her heart into her training. If she goes into a match in that state, she's going to get hurt."
"Hmm? Did something happen at school? I can't really get involved in that."
"Besides, are you sure those two are in love with Yoizuki-kun? Can you say that for certain?"
"I can, can't I? It's obvious if you watch them."
"Is that so...?"
"Or rather, that's not even the half of his philandering ways. If you saw it in person, you'd be dying of laughter."
"Unfortunately, I've lived a life so far removed from such things that I'm not sure if I'd enjoy watching it."
Their conversation had strayed to Sho's way with women, but that wasn't the main topic.
"However, if that's the case, doesn't it mean the problem's cause is Yoizuki-kun, the man at the center of it?"
"I don't think so. If it were something that could get so complicated, he'd have been stabbed by now."
"...Is that so?"
Hearing that, Mikaya became genuinely interested.
"This isn't getting us anywhere. Putting romance aside, what should I do? At this rate, we'll both be wasting a valuable weekend."
"Well, you just have to deal with the romance."
"...I think that's impossible, and reckless, but I'll ask you what I should do, just in case."
It was a pain for Mikaya to not be able to use her precious weekend practice time effectively. She was willing to cooperate even if it was something she wasn't good at.
"It's not that hard. They're middle school students, you know. They know who they're in love with, and they're staying at your house overnight tonight. If you just give them a little push, things will naturally progress."
"Really?"
Mikaya tilted her head. The act of "giving a little push" was something she had no experience with, but it was better than being asked to play matchmaker. It would probably be easier to give them a push. Yeah. Probably.
Nove also had no experience, so he was taking a hands-off approach, believing that if he pushed them a little, Sho would take care of the rest.
"Sigh, well, Kisara is also clueless about these things. I'll give it a try."
"Alright! Let me know what happens!"
"You sound like you're enjoying this a little."
Mikaya ended the call and reluctantly got up.
---------
"Haaah..."
Aine sighed as she sank into the bathtub.
Compared to Hotel Alpino, it might have been a little less luxurious, but the bathroom was very spacious. To match the building, the bathtub was a large hinoki cypress tub.
A simple shower would be enough to run a dojo, but Kisara lived here, and Mikaya often stayed over, so a proper bath was a necessary facility.
Aine and Kirin were in the bath together.
"Um... did I do something to upset you, Aine-san?"
Kirin timidly asked Aine, who was clearly avoiding both her and Sho.
"Huh? N-no! Not at all..."
"But, Aine-san, you seem unwell... If you have something on your mind, you can talk to me about it. It might make you feel a little better if you share it with someone."
"You're right... I've been so distracted lately. It was fine until a little while ago, but now, I just can't seem to calm down even during training."
"Hmm..."
Kirin wasn't slow. She immediately understood that Aine was thinking about Sho. Her attitude toward him had been awkward.
However, something didn't make sense. Why was she also avoiding Kirin?
"Oh, you two, how's the water?"
The bathroom door opened, and Mikaya entered. Needless to say, she was wearing nothing but a towel. She had deliberately timed her entrance to catch them during their bath for a certain purpose.
"Oh, it's perfect!"
"Yes. It's a very magnificent bath."
"Haha. Well, that's good."
Mikaya washed herself and then sank into the tub. Her curvaceous body, even more so than Kirin's, stretched out pleasurably in the hot water.
"Fuuuh..."
The large tub had plenty of room for all three of them.
Suddenly, Aine spoke up apologetically.
"Um, I'm sorry about today. I couldn't focus at all and I caused you trouble..."
Mikaya, who had been wondering how to bring up the topic of romance, and whether to just ask outright or subtly hint with a question like 'Do you have a crush on anyone?', was grateful that Aine had brought up the topic herself.
"Ah, don't worry about it. These things happen. But you know, if you stay like this, it'll affect the tournament."
"Yes, you're right..."
"Do you know of any good way to deal with this? A way to concentrate better?"
"It's simple. The best way is to eliminate the cause."
Just as she'd planned, Mikaya opened her mouth.
"From what I observed today... I think you two have some feelings for Yoizuki-kun, don't you?"
"!!"
(...So what Nove said was true after all.)
Even Mikaya could see that both of their faces were bright red. They became flustered and fanned their faces with their hands.
"Hahaha, was it that obvious?"
"I, I'm not...!"
In truth, she hadn't noticed at all, and had only been focused on the practice before the tournament. She would have noticed under normal circumstances.
Mikaya told herself that.
"U-um. So, I think the best thing to do is to cut down that seed of worry."
Her language was getting a bit strange, but she continued to say things that sounded right.
"In other words, you should just confess your feelings."
Her suggestion was a direct, no-holds-barred strike.
It was exactly the kind of advice you'd get from a friend: 'Oh! Then just tell him how you feel!'
Nove had told her to "give them a push," but he hadn't said to push them off a cliff with such a direct suggestion. However, this was Mikaya Schevel. She was completely unfamiliar with the tedious art of flirting.
"T-that's... that's too difficult!"
"But, if you don't resolve those feelings, won't it be hard to concentrate?"
"Well, that's true, but..."
Before I knew it, Aine, not just Kirin, had fully joined the conversation.
"Um, if you don't mind me asking, have you had a similar experience, Mikaya-san?"
"Eh?! Ah, well, I guess you could say that..."
"You have?! That's a surprise...!"
Here, Mikaya, the elder, chose to boast. In her life, she had never had a boyfriend, let alone ever had feelings for a man.
But she couldn't take back what she had said.
"That's right. I remember feeling much better after confessing my feelings. I was rejected, but I was able to use that frustration to push myself in training... Yes, that's about it."
"B-but I don't want to be rejected!"
"Ah... yes. That's true. But the most important thing is to get your feelings out there. If you get rejected, you can use it as a springboard like I did, and if he accepts you... well... even if he accepts you, you two aren't the type of girls who would neglect your training or matches, are you?"
"I don't know... this is my first time feeling this way, and I don't really understand these feelings..."
"Resolving my feelings... resolving them, huh... Yes, you're right."
(Hmm? Did I say something wrong? Is this a little different from what I expected?)
If you were to ask what she got wrong, it was everything.
She had succeeded in pushing them, but she had chosen the wrong person to push in such a grand way.
Kirin, who had never asked for relationship advice before, was easily convinced. Her tendency to be easily influenced might have also played a part.
The conversation about romance in the bath ended up setting the course for the rest of that night.
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