Ryoka finally tore her gaze from Satoru, turning to the girl beside her.
Miyajima Sakura.
Captain of Shirao High's kendo club.
A legend in her own right, one of the school's untouchable idols.
Her swordsmanship was unmatched, her demeanor refined, her beauty like a modern Yamato Nadeshiko.
Even Ryoka, hailed as the "karate idol," felt waves of pressure under Sakura's radiant presence. She was practically a goddess.
When had she shown up?
Caught up in the crisis, Ryoka hadn't noticed the sidelines.
Only when Satoru returned the bokken did it click—his sword came from her.
Did they already know each other?
Ryoka didn't ask, but Sakura answered anyway.
She took the bokken with one hand, smiling lightly. "No need for thanks—I didn't do much. I don't think we've met… Are you with Yotsumoto-san after school? Karate club?"
Sakura didn't recognize Satoru.
Or if she had seen him, she'd forgotten.
But Ryoka? She knew her. The karate club's star, who'd led Shirao High to shine at nationals, elevating the school's rep. Impressive skills, stunning looks…
Sakura would bet half the boys in karate club joined just to ogle their captain.
Though asking Ryoka, her eyes roamed Satoru up and down.
"…No," Ryoka shook her head.
Truth be told, she barely knew Satoru before the Aihara Yamato incident. She'd considered asking him to join karate club—for mutual protection and to toughen him up—but who'd have thought he'd unleash such insane swordsmanship in this fight?
Swordsmanship…
Ryoka's gut twisted, sensing something ominous.
Sakura's elegant purple eyes narrowed, her lips curving slightly, clearly pleased with the answer.
"Your name?"
"Koba… Kobayashi Satoru," he said.
"Interested in joining the kendo club?" Sakura asked softly, then added a single line to justify her invite. "I like… your sword."
L-Like?!
Ryoka's pupils dilated, her breath quickening.
Sure, she'd tacked on "your sword," but it still hit like a bombshell.
The kendo club was one of Shirao High's hottest groups. Applicants flooded in, but rumor had it they'd hit max capacity and stopped recruiting.
Why? Miyajima Sakura. For most members, kendo was secondary—catching a glimpse of her grace was the real draw.
And Sakura personally recruiting someone? Unheard of.
Satoru had just earned that honor.
Ryoka glanced at him, heart inexplicably tight.
Logically, no one could refuse Sakura's invitation—especially face-to-face. They stood so close, even Ryoka caught the faint, pleasant scent wafting from Sakura.
"No thanks," Satoru said.
"?!"
Ryoka gaped. "Why?!"
She wasn't sure she wanted him in kendo club.
But him refusing? She blurted out the question before Sakura could.
It was just… too shocking.
Sakura's eyes flickered, surprised, but she masked it well, unlike Ryoka's open astonishment.
"I'm not into kendo," Satoru said with a grin.
Ryoka stared, baffled.
Even Sakura couldn't hold back a twitch of emotion.
Not interested?
Not interested, yet you dropped that "Had I, Kobayashi Satoru, not been born" line? Not interested, yet you soloed a dozen delinquents with one sword? That's your "not interested"?!
Satoru rubbed his chin, choosing his words.
Saying "not interested" might've been too much flex. His swordplay screamed master—like saying a billionaire's "not into money."
"For me, a sword is a weapon, and swordsmanship is the art of killing. No pretty words can hide that truth," Satoru said, voice low. "I draw my blade to protect, not to perform… or compete."
A sword is a weapon… swordsmanship is the art of killing.
His words were calm, but to Sakura, they thundered like a revelation.
This boy, younger than her, had reached such a realm… The gap between them was a chasm.
She gripped the bokken he'd used, fingers whitening.
"Thank you for the lesson, Kobayashi-kun. I'll come bother you again—hope you'll forgive me."
Sakura bowed deeply to Satoru.
The sky darkened as evening settled. Sakura said her goodbyes and left. Satoru stretched his neck, noticing Ryoka hesitating to speak.
"You…" Her lips parted. "With Miyajima-senpai…"
Before she could finish, Satoru pointed to a nearby utility pole.
A scrawny boy crouched there, cheek bruised, clearly caught in the fight's crossfire.
"Ah!" Ryoka snapped out of it. "Ayumu!"
She rushed to help her groaning childhood friend.
Caught up with Sakura, she'd nearly forgotten him.
"Since it's all settled, let's split here," Satoru said, waving casually. "I'm turning anyway."
"…Okay," Ryoka swallowed her question.
"Didn't peg you as that badass, Kobayashi…" Ayumu managed a weak smile, wincing as it tugged his sore muscles.
Satoru glanced at him, then at Ryoka, who towered over her frail friend. Visually, Ayumu's twig-like limbs didn't hold a candle to her strength.
"You," Satoru sighed. "Train or something."
"Huh?" Ayumu blinked, confused.
But Satoru was already walking off.
The boy strode into the mottled sunset.
His mind buzzed.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the quest "One vs. Many? I'll Take You All!"]
[Calculating rewards… Bullshitting upgraded to LV.3, acquired skill Predator's Gaze LV.1, and earned one lottery draw!]
[Would Host like to draw now?]
(No.)
[Alright, preparing the draw—wait, what?! No draw?! Beep. Ai-chan stares in disbelief!]
(…)
[Seriously?! You're holding back?! Beep. Ai-chan gasps—Is Host the type who can watch an AV without skipping to the good parts?!]
(Shut up.)
[Congratulations, Host, for unlocking a hidden achievement! Acquired skill Inhuman Endurance!]
…
…