Edo, somewhere, the residence of Niitsuma Kan—
Niitsuma Kan, who had already laid out the bedding and slipped into the quilt early in the bedroom, tossed and turned restlessly.
As soon as he closed his eyes, scenes from the swordsmanship competition today flashed rapidly before his eyes.
He originally thought Tachibana Aoto was at most on par with him, yet he displayed sword skills far surpassing his own. Adachi, Morioka, and Tsuzaki, who were all known as equals to him, were no match for Aoto; they were all defeated by him in a single strike...
The most dazzling performer of the day, Aoto, would evoke waves of excitement and agitation from the spectators each time he stepped onto the stage...
Even Chiba Shigetarou, who was usually cold towards him, and Chiba Eijiro, whom he had never had the chance to meet before, showed an unprecedented warmth towards Aoto...
