Only then did Yotsumoto Ryoka shift her gaze from Hayato to the girl beside her.
Miyajima Sakura.
The captain of Shirakawa High School's Kendo Club.
She could be described as a well-known figure, and also a very famous 'high mountain flower' among high school students.
She was highly skilled in swordsmanship, graceful in demeanor, and possessed a beauty akin to a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Even a girl like Yotsumoto Ryoka, who was hailed as the 'Karate Idol,' would feel waves of pressure under her radiance. She was like a goddess.
When did she get here?
Due to the imminent danger, Yotsumoto Ryoka had not noticed the changes on the sidelines.
Only when Hayato returned the sword did she realize that Hayato's sword was borrowed from her.
Did they already know each other?
Yotsumoto Ryoka didn't ask, but Miyajima Sakura still answered her question.
She took the wooden sword with one hand and chuckled,
"Don't mention it, I didn't help much. I don't think I've ever seen you… You're with Yotsumoto-san after school, are you also a member of the Karate Club?"
Miyajima Sakura hadn't seen Hayato.
Or rather, she had seen him but forgotten.
But she had a strong impression of Yotsumoto Ryoka, the ace of the Karate Club.
This year, she led the Karate Club to a remarkable performance in the national competition, elevating Shirakawa High School's reputation to another level.
Impressive strength, coupled with a beautiful appearance…
Miyajima Sakura was certain that many boys joined the Karate Club just for this captain.
Although Miyajima Sakura was asking Yotsumoto Ryoka, her gaze was scanning Hayato up and down.
"…No," Yotsumoto Ryoka shook her head.
In fact, before this, she didn't know Hayato. After the Aihara Yamato incident, she had also hesitated, thinking of asking Hayato to join the Karate Club, not only for mutual support but also to let him train his physique. She never expected him to unleash such powerful 'sword skills' in this battle.
'Sword skills'…
Yotsumoto Ryoka found something not so good, and it was indeed as she had expected.
Miyajima Sakura narrowed her ancient and elegant purple eyes slightly, her lips curving upward, seemingly quite pleased with the answer.
"What's your name?"
"Hayato… Kobayashi Hayato," Hayato said.
"Are you interested in joining the Kendo Club?" Miyajima Sakura asked gently, then she used only one sentence to state the reason for inviting him, "I like your sword."
L-Like!?
Yotsumoto Ryoka's pupils trembled.
Although the words 'your sword' were added at the end, it still made her breathing quicken slightly.
The 'Kendo Club' was one of Shirakawa High School's most popular clubs.
Students wanting to join the Kendo Club were endless, and it was rumored that the Kendo Club's membership was already full, with recruitment closed.
The reason for this was none other than the handsome and beautiful Miyajima-senpai. For many members, Kendo wasn't important; seeing Miyajima-senpai's heroic figure was.
As for Miyajima Sakura personally recruiting someone… that was unheard of.
Yotsumoto Ryoka looked at Hayato; she didn't know what she was nervous about.
Logically speaking, almost no one could refuse Miyajima Sakura's invitation… and a face-to-face invitation at that. Moreover, they were so close that even Yotsumoto Ryoka could smell Miyajima Sakura's faint and pleasant scent.
"I refuse," Hayato said, however.
"!!"
Yotsumoto Ryoka was shocked: "Why!?"
She felt that she probably didn't want Hayato to join the Kendo Club.
But when he actually refused, she found herself asking the reason on behalf of the captain.
Because…
It was simply too unexpected.
Miyajima Sakura's eyes narrowed slightly, also quite surprised, but she skillfully masked her emotions, not expressing them directly like Yotsumoto Ryoka.
"I'm not interested in Kendo," Hayato said with a smile.
Yotsumoto Ryoka looked at him strangely.
Even Miyajima Sakura was a little unable to maintain her composure.
No, not interested?
Not interested? Then why did you say, "The Heavens did not give birth to Me"? Not interested? Then why did you take on over ten delinquents alone with a single sword? You call that not interested!?
Hayato stroked his chin, carefully choosing his words.
Saying "not interested" did seem a bit too much like showing off. Given the sword skills he had just displayed, it felt like Jack Ma claiming he wasn't interested in money.
"To me, a sword is a weapon, and swordsmanship is the art of killing. No matter how beautiful the words, they cannot hide this fact," Hayato said gravely. "I draw my sword only for self-preservation, not for performance... or competition."
"A sword is a weapon... swordsmanship is the art of killing."
Hayato said this calmly, but to Miyajima Sakura, it sounded like a thunderclap.
This boy, younger than herself, had already reached such a level... Indeed, there was a qualitative difference in their standings.
Miyajima Sakura gripped the wooden sword, which Hayato had used, even tighter, until her knuckles turned white.
"Thank you for your guidance, Hayato-kun. I will trouble you again in the future, and I hope you will forgive me."
Miyajima Sakura bowed to Hayato.
As dusk approached, Miyajima Sakura finished speaking and stood up to leave. Hayato stretched his neck, then noticed Yotsumoto Ryoka hesitating, as if she wanted to speak.
"You..." Her lips moved. "And Miyajima-senpai..."
Before she could finish, Hayato pointed to a utility pole not far away.
A scrawny boy was squatting there, his cheek bruised and swollen; the previous fight had affected him.
"Ah!" Yotsumoto Ryoka suddenly remembered. "Ayumu!"
She quickly rushed over to help Matsuzono Ayumu, who was groaning.
She had been so focused on Miyajima Sakura that she had almost forgotten her childhood friend.
"Since the matter is resolved, let's part ways here," Hayato waved his hand casually. "I'm just about to turn the corner."
..."Okay," Yotsumoto Ryoka swallowed the question she was about to ask.
"Hayato, I didn't realize you were so strong..." Matsuzono Ayumu forced a weak smile, which tugged at his sore muscles, making him wince again.
Hayato looked at Matsuzono Ayumu, then at Yotsumoto Ryoka, who was even taller than him. Visually, this guy's scrawny arms and legs didn't seem as strong as Ryouka's.
"You, huh," Hayato sighed. "You should train hard."
"Huh?" Matsuzono Ayumu didn't understand.
But Hayato had already turned his head.
The boy walked under the dappled evening sun.
At the same time, a voice began to echo in his mind.
[Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission "One-on-one? I'll take on all of you"!]
[Calculating rewards... "Nonsense lv.5" has been upgraded to "LV.3", you have learned the skill "Strong Person's Gaze Lv.1", and you have received one lottery chance.]
[Would the Host like to draw immediately?]
(No)
[Okay, immediately arranging for the Host's draw... Eh? Not drawing immediately? Beep, AI shows an expression of disbelief.]
(...)
[Really? You can even resist that!? Beep, AI exclaims, could the Host be the kind of person who can watch adult films without fast-forwarding!?]
(Shut up.)
[Congratulations, Host, for completing a hidden achievement! You have obtained the skill "Extraordinary Endurance"!]