'Wow… a house like this can exist in Tokyo?'
Kasumi stood frozen in front of my house, still holding the grocery bag.
'Yeah.'
She stared at the building.
Then at the gate.
Then at the garden.
'…Are you rich?'
'No, just have connections.'
With a deity.
'Because apartments here are expensive and this place is—'
'—Big, yes.'
She was practically vibrating with curiosity.
So I unlocked the gate.
The moment it clicked open, she followed right behind me like a duckling chasing its mother.
I went straight to the kitchen and placed the groceries on the counter.
'If you want, you can explore while I unpack these.'
Kasumi tried to act calm
She failed immediately.
'Then okay.'
She said it very politely.
Then she sprinted away like an excited golden retriever.
'Meet me back here.' I called out.
No response.
She was already gone.
———————————
[The Explorer, Kasumi]
Sato Kasumi, a renowned explorer, had arrived in a mysterious new land.
Thanks to a generous travelling companion, she had been granted permission to explore while he handled the 'boring logistics.'
Her journey began.
Before her stood an incredible sight.
A forest.
In a land called Tokyo.
Actual trees.
Grass.
How such a place survived the urban environment was a mystery.
But Kasumi wasn't going to question miracles.
She marched forward.
The forest welcomed her with calm winds and rustling leaves.
Flowers of various colours dotted the ground.
Bamboo swayed gently in the breeze.
For a moment she forgot she was in an urban area.
'Whoa…'
She crossed a small wooden bridge.
Below it, a river flowed quietly toward a peaceful pond.
Fish with colourful patterns swam beneath the surface.
Birds chirped nearby.
Some drank from the water.
Others hopped along the rocks.
Kasumi clasped her hands together.
'This place is amazing…'
Soon she spotted a building deeper inside the garden.
Curious, she approached.
She slid open the door.
Inside was a large wooden room.
Clean.
Spacious.
Lined with swords along the wall.
Wooden dummies spaced out around.
'…A dojo?'
Before stepping inside, Kasumi carefully removed her shoes.
She stepped in.
Then her eyes widened.
'Whoa!'
The room was enormous.
Back at her house, if she stretched her arms, you could fit two Kasumi inside.
Here?
She could probably run laps.
She inspected the swords carefully.
Not touching them.
Just admiring them.
After a while, Explorer Kasumi decided it was time to return to her travelling companion.
The expedition had been a success.
———————————
Back in the kitchen, Kasumi returned looking slightly dazed.
'I didn't know something like this could exist in the heart of Tokyo.'
'Now you do.' I said.
*Ding dong*
'Our guest has arrived.'
I walked to the gate and opened it.
Saki stood outside in her school uniform, holding her bag.
'Welcome.' I greeted.
She stepped in and immediately looked around.
'…This your house?'
'Yes.'
She stared at the garden.
The trees.
The house.
The bridge.
Then she muttered.
'Fucking rich people.'
She continued walking while mumbling things like:
'If only…'
'I wish…'
'I bet the toilet seat is heated too.'
I interrupted her.
'Do you want to relax first, or are you ready to lose?'
A vein popped on her forehead.
'You?!'
Then she laughed.
'You're pretty cocky.'
That's when she noticed Kasumi standing nearby.
'Who's that?'
'That's Kasumi. A friend I made in school.'
Kasumi nervously walked over.
'I-I'm Sato Kasumi… n-nice to meet you.'
She bowed.
Saki squinted at me.
'Tch.'
'You already have her and now you're aiming for Hina.'
Kasumi panicked instantly.
'S-sorry for being a nuisance.'
She bowed again.
Saki immediately waved her hands.
'Wait wait wait! I wasn't talking about you!'
She pointed at me.
'I meant this guy!'
Kasumi kept bowing.
Saki started sweating.
'Please stop bowing! I'm the one who should apologise!'
Now it was a bowing competition.
Each bowing repeatedly.
Eventually, Saki said.
'Nanase Saki. Nice to meet you.' She bowed.
Kasumi looked at her.
'N-nice to meet you, Nanase san.'
—————————————-
[Saki's pov]
When I first saw Kasumi, my first thought was:
Whoa.
She was beautiful.
Elegant.
Quiet.
She looked like the type of girl who would calmly drink tea while reading classical literature.
Then she started stuttering nervously and bowing every five seconds.
My brain crashed.
She was shy.
And innocent.
Dangerously innocent.
…Which made her even cuter.
I liked her instantly.
Which made me even angrier at the guy standing next to her.
This bastard already had such a pretty girl around him.
And now he was also hanging around Hina.
Unacceptable.
Don't worry Hina.
As long as I'm alive, I will protect your purity.
Even if it costs me my life.
'We're having dinner at five,' the guy suddenly said. 'Are you staying or leaving?'
'Who's "we"?'
'Kasumi and I.'
He pointed at her.
Then at himself.
My brain went into hyperdrive.
First name basis.
Dinner together.
At his house.
Alone.
That can only mean one thing.
'I'm staying!'
I answered immediately.
I cannot allow this innocent girl to fall into this villain's trap.
Don't worry, Sato san.
You don't need to thank me.
I'm simply fulfilling my duty as a protector of justice.
I'm such a good person.
—————————————
[Dylan's pov]
'This is the dojo.'
I led both of them inside.
Kasummi wanted to watch the match, so she followed us.
Saki looked around.
'Whoa…this is better than my school.'
She told me earlier that she practised kendo outside school.
She had been training since middle school.
Not the best in her class, but definitely above average.
Why did she practice?
Her answer was simple.
'To protect the people I care about.'
Spoken like a hero.
'So,' I said, stepping into the ring.
'Are you ready, or do you need more time?'
She smirked.
'I'm ready to smash that cocky attitude of yours.'
I turned to Kasumi.
'Pick any sword from the rack.'
She hesitated.
'Are you sure?'
'Any sword.' I said. 'It won't change the outcome.'
Kasumi slowly picked one and handed it to me.
'Thank you.'
She blushed and quickly stepped aside.
I faced Saki.
'Ready?'
'Always.'
Kasumi nervously raised her hand.
The moment she gave the signal—
The fight would begin.