She furrowed her brows slightly and thought carefully, "If this continues and Grandpa still can't gain a major advantage, then considering his aging body and his lack of physical strength, Junior Kenji will be the one who wins in the end." She analyzed slowly, her voice soft but serious.
"Yes, but... does Senior Kiichirō really have a way to find a breakthrough?"
Saeko bit her lower lip gently, her eyes full of disbelief.
In their eyes, the current Kenji was like an immovable mountain, with no flaws to speak of.
If it were them, they might have already lost this duel long ago.
Only now did they realize, as if waking from a dream, that Kenji hadn't used his full strength against them from the start. Their previous encounters were merely a "warm-up" for him... "You kid! You're really not bad!"
Miyajima Kiichirō panted heavily, the wooden sword in his hand creating a gust of wind as he swung it. He looked at Kenji with eyes full of both admiration and reluctance.
"You too! Old man! Even at your age, it seems you haven't neglected your training!"
Kenji was equally unyielding. The wooden sword in his hand collided with the one in Miyajima Kiichirō's with a crisp sound.
"This is called being vigorous despite old age!"
Miyajima Kiichirō roared loudly, as if trying to prove his strength.
Miyajima Kiichirō gripped the wooden sword with both hands, his eyes becoming sharp as he tried to attack Kenji's lower body.
He had already tried all the upper-level moves but still couldn't break through Kenji's defense, so it was time to try the lower-level ones.
The wooden sword poked toward Kenji's crotch at an extremely tricky angle, like a sinister venomous snake wanting to give Kenji a fatal blow to his manhood.
"You old geezer!"
Kenji widened his eyes in annoyance, reacting instantly by jumping back, while cursing loudly.
This old guy was starting to disregard martial ethics now, using deception and sneak attacks!
If he got hit there, wouldn't he be left weeping in regret for the rest of his life? That would be too tragic.
"You old geezer, I advise you to watch yourself!"
Kenji warned loudly as he jumped away.
"Tch!"
Miyajima Kiichirō, however, nonchalantly picked his nose, seemingly not taking Kenji's warning to heart at all, and continued to swing the wooden sword at Kenji's lower body.
Kenji couldn't take it anymore; his "little brother" was so important, he had to protect it!
Kenji simply threw martial ethics out the window too. He gripped the wooden sword tightly with his right hand and clenched his left hand into a fist, using both the fist and the sword.
Miyajima Kiichirō didn't react in time. Kenji saw the opportunity and punched the old geezer right in his right eye!
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
The old geezer lay on the ground clutching his right eye, letting out continuous groans of pain.
Today's match ended with Miyajima Kiichirō having a bruised right eye... This trip was indeed worth it!
Gaining all of Miyajima Kiichirō's swordsmanship experience made the trip worthwhile on its own.
Miyajima Sakura's mother, Miyajima Tsubaki, very gently brewed tea for Kiichirō and Kenji.
"Here, have some tea," Miyajima Tsubaki said, handing a cup to Kenji with a smile. "Kenji is truly young and promising to have such extraordinary strength. In the future, please look after Sakura's swordsmanship training."
"You're joking, Aunt Miyajima Tsubaki."
"Since you're a friend of Sakura and Saeko, just call me Aunt Tsubaki from now on~"
Miyajima Tsubaki said gently... The afternoon time slipped away slowly like a trickling stream.
During this time, Kenji mostly devoted his energy to sparring with Saeko and Miyajima Sakura.
During the previous sparring session with Miyajima Kiichirō, Kenji was like a dry sponge, frantically absorbing swordsmanship techniques and experience, and his own strength improved rapidly.
Looking at them now, Miyajima Sakura and Saeko were no longer a match for him at all.
After another round of intense clashing of sword shadows, Miyajima Sakura finally couldn't hold on and collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.
She panted heavily, waving her hand repeatedly. "I can't do it, I can't do it. I really don't have any strength left."
Saeko, however, was the most persevering. She gritted her teeth, her eyes revealing an unyielding stubbornness, and insisted on clashing with Kenji for two more rounds.
Until finally, she too was drenched in sweat, which slid down her fair neck and soaked her clothes.
She panted slightly, her eyes full of admiration as she said, "Kenji-kun has indeed become stronger again. This rate of progress is simply astonishing..."
Miyajima Sakura also sat slumped to the side, sighing in agreement. "So powerful. It feels like fighting Grandpa in his youth; every move carries such a sharp aura that it's hard to withstand..."
Even Miyajima Kiichirō, who was watching from the side, sighed repeatedly. He stroked his chin, his eyes filled with surprise. "This kid's talent is truly the best I've ever seen. In just a short while, he has completely mastered all the moves of the Miyajima Style. The younger generation is truly to be feared..."
In contrast, Miyajima Tsubaki didn't have any particularly deep views on swordsmanship; she was more concerned about her daughter, Miyajima Sakura.
Seeing Sakura and Kenji cheerfully exchanging swordsmanship insights with youthful smiles on their faces, Miyajima Tsubaki felt very gratified, and the corners of her mouth curled up involuntarily. "As expected, it's easier for people of the same age to communicate. Seeing them chat so happily is truly heartwarming."
Time passed quietly, and it was soon six o'clock in the afternoon.
Kenji took a quick shower at the Miyajima residence to wash away his fatigue.
Afterward, it was dinner time.
At Miyajima Sakura's warm invitation, Kenji and Busujima Saeko stayed to enjoy dinner together.
In the spacious and bright dining room of the Miyajima house, the lights cast a soft glow over the table.
Miyajima Sakura's father didn't come home for dinner. According to Sakura, the police station had been exceptionally busy lately.
There had been a series of serial murders in the city with identical methods, and there were faint hints of a cult behind the cases. The police suspected it was the work of a gang and had to solve it as soon as possible, so Sakura's father had been working overtime at the station these days.
At this moment, the mother and daughter, Tsubaki and Sakura, were busy moving between the kitchen and the dining room, bringing out dishes that were excellent in color, aroma, and taste one by one.
The steaming miso soup gave off an enticing aroma, the tender grilled fish had a golden and crispy skin, and the green vegetable salad was refreshing and delicious.
Meanwhile, Kenji, Miyajima Kiichirō, and Saeko chatted casually at the dining table.
Miyajima Kiichirō was like most old men and women in Japan, especially fond of "checking the household register" at the dinner table, asking questions about everything.
"Kid, do you plan on going back to America in the future? Do you intend to settle down in Japan?" he asked with interest while picking up some food.
Kenji replied with a smile, "I don't have any plans to go back for now; I'll probably stay in Japan for good. But we'll see about the details when the time comes. I need to finish my three years of high school first, and then there's university."
Miyajima Kiichirō's eyes lit up, and he followed up with another question, "Do you have a girlfriend yet? Why not consider our Little Sakura?"
When he said this, Saeko, sitting next to him, clearly became alert.
Although she still pretended to be calm on the surface as she picked up her teacup to drink, Kenji clearly felt her whole body stiffen. She instantly became tense, like a small beast ready for battle.
Kenji found it extremely amusing.
"Little fellow, if you don't have a girlfriend yet, consider our Little Sakura! Look at her!"
As Miyajima Kiichirō spoke, he enthusiastically pulled Kenji's hand and pointed to Miyajima Sakura, who was busy serving dishes in the kitchen. "Look, she's beautiful and virtuous. Girls like Sakura are very rare nowadays. With my support, you should seize the opportunity!"
"Okay, okay..."
Kenji scratched his head somewhat helplessly, finding it both funny and a bit awkward.
It seemed that old people all over the world were the same; once they reached a certain age, they loved playing matchmaker for the younger generation.
Finally, it was Miyajima Sakura and Miyajima Tsubaki who brought over the last few dishes, and the family officially began dinner, breaking the slightly awkward situation.
However, during dinner, Miyajima Kiichirō continued to chatter incessantly, praising Sakura's cooking one moment and hinting for Kenji to take his chance the next. Sometimes he made Miyajima Sakura blush so much that she didn't dare to look at Kenji.
Poor Busujima Saeko didn't say a word. She just ate her meal quietly, occasionally glancing at Kenji and Miyajima Sakura out of the corner of her eye.
When dinner was over and Kenji said goodbye to Miyajima Sakura and the others, he spoke up out of concern for Busujima Saeko, "Saeko, let me walk you home."
Saeko was slightly taken aback, then readily accepted... The two walked side by side on the dim and quiet path. The streetlights on both sides emitted a faint and hazy glow, casting long shadows of them.
At first, both were somewhat silent. The only sounds around them were their light footsteps and the occasional chirping of insects.
Until Busujima Saeko was the first to break the silence. She turned her head slightly, her gaze carrying a hint of shyness and unease, and asked Kenji softly, "Kenji... would you like an unworthy girl like me?"
Busujima Saeko's tone was somewhat bashful, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz and carrying a bit of fear, as if she was afraid of getting a negative answer.
Miyajima Kiichirō's constant matchmaking today was a blatant attempt to set up Kenji and Miyajima Sakura, which made Busujima Saeko feel a sense of urgency.
She even felt that she might truly be unable to compare to the ladylike Miyajima Sakura.
Hearing this, Kenji was first taken aback, then shook his head gently. He stopped walking and softly took Saeko's somewhat cold hand, looking at her with a firm and affectionate gaze.
"Saeko, don't have any more dissatisfaction with your current self. To me, you are perfect. Perhaps for ordinary people, someone like you might not be understood by them, but for me, it's different. I think you are very charming, Saeko. Whether it's your tenacity or your gentleness, they are all types that I like."
"Is this a confession?"
Busujima Saeko asked following his lead, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"As for a confession... to be honest, there are actually quite a few women around me. I might not be able to be completely exclusive..." Kenji frowned slightly and said with some hesitation.
"You're really such a playboy!"
Hearing this, Busujima Saeko couldn't help but let out a soft huff, but there wasn't much blame in her tone.
"Do you hate playboys, Saeko?" Kenji followed up.
Busujima Saeko was silent for a while, her eyes showing complex emotions as she slowly said, "Well, I should say that few women like playboys. However, I've seen a lot of it and gotten used to it."
Thinking of this, Busujima Saeko felt somewhat emotional. She sighed softly and continued, "Well, for an outstanding boy like you, Kenji, I can already imagine there will be many girls throwing themselves at you... After all, handsome people are always more popular."
"True..." Kenji nodded with a bitter smile.
"Come on, I'll walk you back." Kenji said, taking Saeko's hand again, and they continued toward her residence... Soon, they arrived at her door.
Kenji stopped, looked at Saeko with eyes full of tenderness, and said, "Saeko, how about I ask you out for dinner alone next time?"
Saeko brushed a strand of hair from her temple, a playful smile appearing on her face as she laughed, "You want to go on a date with me, is that it?"
"Haven't I just not had the chance? I said before that I would come to your dojo to spar with you, but I never had the time..." Kenji explained somewhat helplessly.
"Idiot!" Busujima Saeko suddenly interrupted Kenji and then quickly pressed up against him.
"Kenji..." The two were now pressed tightly together. Kenji once again felt the sensation of his chest being squeezed by her large breasts; that soft and elastic touch made his heart race involuntarily.
Kenji lowered his head and met Busujima Saeko's affectionate gaze.
Busujima Saeko looked away, not meeting his eyes. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the lips.
The fruity scent on her lips and the fragrance of the young girl instantly filled his mouth.
Kenji was first taken aback, then responded passionately. Their tongues intertwined as if they wanted to melt all their love into this kiss.
"Kenji-kun, thank you for your company today. As expected, I still like you very much. I want you... stay and accompany me, okay?"
After the kiss ended, Busujima Saeko panted slightly, leaning into Kenji's embrace as she spoke softly.
The kiss just now, through the Love Potion Fluid skill, had already affected her.
Her body began to heat up slightly, and her love for Kenji became even harder to control.
Kenji didn't say anything in response to Saeko's actions; he simply returned the deep kiss, his hand unconsciously stroking her back gently.
Neither Kenji nor Saeko stopped their hands. While kissing intensely, they stripped each other of their clothes and, under Saeko's slow guidance, moved toward the bedroom inside.
Their clothes were scattered all over the floor. By the time they finally reached the bedroom, they were naked before each other.
Kenji carried Saeko to the bed. Looking at the beautiful woman before him, he said softly, "let's begin, Saeko."
...
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