Chapter 65: No Ripples, No Waves
No ripples, no waves. For a while, life fell back into a state of tranquility.
Going to work, coming home, opening the shop, sleeping, and then heading to work again the next day to repeat the same tasks.
To be honest, this is the most common form of life.
That thing people call "burning passion" is really just an ornament in life. Life needs ornaments, of course; otherwise, it would be like a stagnant pond that slowly rots away.
April passed, and May arrived. The cherry blossom trees at school were now covered in lush green leaves. The season had officially declared the arrival of summer.
Most students had already ditched their school blazers, opting to wear only the white shirts underneath. The female students began to show off their graceful curves.
The Sobu High uniform consists of two parts: a blazer and a shirt. The outer layer is a black, Western-style blazer, while the inner layer is a very crisp white shirt.
Actually, the physical education curriculum at Sobu High changes every month. Previously, Akishin hadn't followed the schedule; first, because he wasn't used to it and no one reminded him, and second, because he wanted to try his own methods.
This wasn't mandatory—there were no rules dictating a specific way to teach. Theoretically, the PE period is entirely at the discretion of the instructor.
In the beginning, Akishin did exactly that.
However, after trying it for a while, Akishin ran into a major problem. Once the warm-up was over and he told the students to engage in "free activity," they took it literally and did whatever they wanted without any direction!
Some immediately ran back to the classroom to play games or read novels. Gradually, the number of people doing this grew, while the number of students left on the field dwindled. At its lowest point, only Hayama's group remained.
After that, Akishin issued a ban on returning to the classroom. But these students were resourceful; they brought their phones and novels with them, finding shade under the trees to gather and play.
So, Akishin made exercise mandatory: running for over ten minutes, followed by frog jumps, push-ups, long jumps... Once this circuit was finished, the students complained everywhere. Very few could complete it without whining.
Because of this, some students reported him to the school administration. The higher-ups even had a gentle talk with Akishin about the matter.
To make matters worse, some parents actually called specifically to ask what was wrong with their child. Why was their kid coming home complaining that the PE teacher was a demon, and asking if he had been abusing them?
And so...
Akishin chose to compromise. He didn't plan on being too harsh. For students, studying is the most important thing; he only needed to train Hachiman properly.
After that, he negotiated with the students: high-intensity training (relatively speaking) would only be held once a week, tentatively set for Saturdays, for the sake of their own health. At other times, activities would follow the school's normal PE curriculum.
Akishin took a step back, but he had no intention of retreating completely. The basic responsibility of a teacher had to remain.
The students finally compromised. Ironically, Hayama Hayato's words were more effective here than Akishin's own.
Hayama Hayato only had to say a few sentences about how training the body is good for one's health, and those stubborn students all agreed.
Against these students, Akishin couldn't exactly release his aura to intimidate them. Besides, this was the normal state of a student; if he recalled his own vague school days, most of the students in his class back then were just like that!
Anyway, back to the main topic.
Starting this month, PE classes were held jointly for three classes. Sixty male students participated in sports activities, while the female students were handled by another female PE teacher. (Author's note: Whispering quietly, this was also one of the reasons Akishin compromised. Akishin: Get out of here!)
Last month, the other classes did volleyball and track and field; this month, it changed to tennis and soccer.
Akishin had the students warm up and then divided them into groups. Through a fierce game of Rock-Paper-Scissors (jan-ken-pon), the groups were successfully split into two.
Hikigaya Hachiman remained in the tennis group, while his best friend, Zaimokuza Yoshiteru, resignedly had to join the soccer group. As he left, he couldn't help but cry out:
"Hmph! Hachiman, it is truly a tragedy that you cannot witness my [Magic Ball]... Without you here, with whom shall I practice my passing?"
Look at that—there goes a genius. In just one sentence, he clearly explained the sorrow of someone with no friends, even though even if Hachiman were there, Zaimokuza still wouldn't be able to practice passes with him.
Zaimokuza Yoshiteru tried to stay stoic, but he cast a teary-eyed look for help that was quite memorable.
Staring into Hachiman's dead-fish eyes, which were looking back at him with a silent plea for help, the corner of Akishin's mouth twitched slightly. Helpless, he approached Atsugi-sensei, who was in charge of soccer, and asked for Zaimokuza to be moved.
Once Zaimokuza arrived, Akishin handed him over to Totsuka Saika; at least there was someone willing to play tennis with him.
Meanwhile, Hachiman had to practice Kendo with him—the afternoon hours were used for club activities, so training could only be done during PE.
Akishin then called Hayama Hayato over, asking him to help supervise the tennis courts and report immediately if there were any issues. After that, he led Hikigaya toward their usual spot by the side of the school building.
A cardboard box containing the Kendo uniform and Shinai had already been placed under a large tree before the lesson began.
While helping Hachiman put on the Kendo gear, Akishin asked casually, "Has your Service Club been doing any activities lately?"
Hachiman, who was tying the strings of his chest protector, replied without looking up, "Nothing. Aside from the requests from Yuigahama and Zaimokuza, there were no other tasks last month. Besides, if you think about it, a club consisting of three high schoolers... if someone really has a problem, they wouldn't think of asking us for help, right? If it weren't for Hiratsuka-sensei's recommendation, no one would ever seek out the Service Club."
What Hachiman said was true. Even if there were difficulties, people wouldn't seek help from a "Service Club" filled with a few students.
Any normal person hearing the club's mission would think these students were just playing around.
Akishin had thought so at first too, but he wouldn't deny the original intent behind it. In essence, it was a good thing.
In the eyes of outsiders, it looked ridiculous, but that kind of "ridiculousness" is exactly what they lack. Precisely because they are unable to do it themselves, they mock those who can.
There have been many people like that throughout history.
"Just take it slow! Go about your own business and stay true to your heart."
Akishin picked up a Shinai and walked to the opposite side. He held the Shinai with one hand and stood in a simple stance, but his aura shifted.
Hachiman stared at Akishin through the face guard. He took a long, deep breath, positioned his feet, and gripped the Shinai tightly with both hands.
Whoosh!
In the next second, Akishin had already appeared in front of Hachiman. The air pressure he generated caused the leaves on the ground to swirl upward again.
After more than three weeks of sparring, Hachiman no longer panicked. No matter how formidable the incoming attack, he was able to maintain his clarity of thought.
Aiming at the swinging Shinai, he raised his sword with both hands to parry upward. The two bamboo blades collided with a sharp crack.
Thack!
...
Ten minutes before the lesson ended, Hachiman opened his eyes and let out a long breath.
His stamina had basically recovered. He stood up carrying his Shinai, bowed to Akishin, and began to take off the Kendo gear.
"Sensei, do you happen to have any free time lately?"
"What is it?"
Akishin inspected the damage on his Shinai. These things really didn't last; after just a few uses, it was already full of bamboo splinters, and some of the slats showed cracks. He estimated that if he applied just a bit more force, the blade would shatter.
This was also due to his teaching method. Who had ever seen Kendo instruction that involved full sparring every single day?
Normal Kendo dojos usually have their students swing at thin air. Being able to spar once a week was considered impressive, and even then, they fought strictly by the rules—not like him and Hachiman, who swung the Shinai like clubs.
Hachiman glanced at him and said, "My parents want to meet you."
"You told them about me making you do the formal apprenticeship ceremony?"
"Yeah, I did."
"How did they react?"
"They were all for it. After all, Sensei, you're famous now. At first, they didn't believe me and thought I was lying, until I showed them the photo at the Kendo arena and Komachi gave her testimony. Only then did they believe it."
Actually, the main factor was probably Komachi's testimony. Ah!! Damn it, that daughter-doting father... the difference in treatment between me and Komachi is way too large!
Akishin gave a faint smile. This was one of his goals for participating in the Kendo competition. He set down his Shinai and looked at Hachiman. "So, when do your parents have free time? I'll pay a visit to your house."
"No, that's not it, Sensei. You misunderstood!" Hachiman shook his head. "What they meant was that they would come to visit you. They wanted to know what day you're free so they can meet you."
"...Visit me? Alright. Today is Wednesday, tomorrow is Thursday... Let's say Saturday. I have free time Saturday afternoon, and your parents happen to be off work then, too."
"Understood, I'll let them know. Thank you again, Chishima-sensei."
Hachiman bowed deeply to Akishin once more. This time, it was very formal. He was grateful that Akishin had taken notice of him, and grateful that Akishin was guiding him; it was a sincere expression of gratitude for the kindness he had received.
Hachiman didn't think he was anything special. He still felt inferior, but he also had parts of himself he was proud of.
"Don't worry about it. All of this is the result of your own hard work in seizing the opportunity. I only gave you the chance."
Akishin waved his hand, walked back to the tennis courts, and gathered the students to dismiss the class.
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