CHAPTER 346: CHAPTER 262 BUSHIN HALL

There are many things in life to be cautious about, if you’re not careful, you might be ostracized.

Uesugi Sakura had seen a lot of hotheaded youths in middle school, those guys didn’t know the meaning of hard study and worshiped unrealistic things every day.

He sat on the sofa in the living room, with the TV on.

The hosts of the Japanese variety shows always brought exaggerated expressions and humorous punchlines.

"Shio, what’s the actual situation?"

Uesugi Sakura’s gaze shifted to Uesugi Shio, her dry, sleek long ponytail, the emerald green hook jade on her chest, and the casual way she ate a lollipop made her look effortlessly relaxed.

"I thought you’d ask why Master isn’t here," Uesugi Shio replied, handing him a blueberry-flavored lollipop from the coffee table.

"There’s nothing to ask about such a big venue." Uesugi Sakura took it with his right hand, unwrapped it, and started eating it with a raised stick.

He had to admit, his sister’s milk formula was indeed quite good.

The lollipop had no taste for him.

Uesugi Shio stared at the flashing images on the TV, remained silent for a moment, then said:

"Nothing much, just lost a match."

"Were the people from the Capital City really that strong?" Uesugi Sakura noticed she didn’t look defeated at all.

"They were quite strong, my thrust didn’t hit her once."

Uesugi Sakura frowned internally, "Sis, even your thrust didn’t hit?"

A few years ago, his cousin was the champion of the Kantou Women’s Kendo Individual Competition, bringing up the Kendo Department again in her senior high years and won numerous awards.

She got into university entirely on the school’s recommendation, without any tuition fees.

Uesugi Sakura couldn’t believe his cousin’s thrust technique didn’t score a "point" at the Kyoto Prefecture competition.

"She was quite skilled, a year younger than me," Uesugi Shio said while watching the TV, "she probably learned classical swordsmanship."

Modern kendo and classical swordsmanship differ, kendo is a sport, swordsmanship is combat.

The significance of learning swordsmanship lies in accumulating experience and quickly responding in actual combat.

Sword styles vary greatly, some strange techniques can lead to a favorable and diverse situation.

Uesugi Sakura was a little curious who could defeat his cousin.

Since she came to Tokyo, she hadn’t lost a match, mostly winning with three perfect rounds.

Not to mention, their affordable master always guided her.

"By the way, Sakura, Master asked us to visit his dojo this afternoon."

"Why should I go?"

"Master said you must go, otherwise he would have your father-in-law invite you."

Uesugi Sakura suddenly felt like laughing, how could his father-in-law, who had been at odds with him, possibly force him to do something?

Uesugi Sakura understood what his easy-going master wanted him to do.

It was nothing more than asking him to participate in the national kendo competition.

Originally, he planned to claim the championships in both kendo and kyudo within two years.

But plans never catch up with changes.

In the first year, he flew to the UK for a few months and missed the kyudo competition.

And wanting to participate in the kendo competition in the second year was thwarted by a typhoon delaying the event.

By the graduation season, the timelines for the kyudo competition, kendo competition, and college entrance exams almost overlapped.

Is entering Tokyo University more important, or is the kendo competition more important?

Of course, going to Tokyo University is more important.

Given three options, choose two.

He could only give up the relatively exhausting kendo competition.

Hanamaru Hanabi came out of the kitchen carrying freshly cut fruits, the knife work neat, the watermelon evenly sliced.

Uesugi Shio finally had a chance to glance at her and said, "Hanabi seems to have grown taller."

"Really?" Hanamaru Hanabi seemed a bit happy, pressing her hand flat against her head.

Uesugi Sakura calmly said, "No, not even a bit."

Uesugi Shio once again sized up Hanamaru Hanabi’s figure, "Should have gotten a few centimeters taller."

"A few centimeters taller is still a little shortie." Uesugi Sakura maintained his previous tone.

"Sakura!" Hanamaru Hanabi grumbled, calling his name.

Her height wasn’t actually short for a girl.

Uesugi Sakura just wanted to tease her, to see her getting a little pouty, "How about we go for a walk at Uncle’s this afternoon?"

"Is Sakura going to practice kendo?"

"No," Uesugi Sakura immediately countered, "it’s hot, sweaty, and tiring to wear the gear, who would want that, in any case, I absolutely absolutely won’t practice today."

Hanamaru Hanabi couldn’t even remember the last time she saw him practice kendo, instinctively saying:

"Seems like it’s been a long time since you practiced, Sakura—"

"Was it impressive?" Uesugi Sakura asked nonchalantly.

"Hmm, very impressive."

"Hanabi is right, I’m actually going to practice kendo."

Hanamaru Hanabi asked suspiciously, "Sakura just said you wouldn’t practice...?"

"That was just then."

Beside him, Uesugi Shio silently ate a watermelon, watching the Japanese variety show on TV.

————————————————

Finished lunch.

It was time to catch the train again, heading to Chiyoda District.

Uncle lived in that area.

Uesugi Shio had specially changed her clothes, in a white top and black hakama, sleeves just past the elbows.

The hook jade given by their grandmother rested on her chest, hanging just so it nestled in the middle of her chest.

There were a total of four hook jades, one was lost.

"What color was the other hook jade?" Uesugi Sakura asked.

Uesugi Shio replied, "I don’t know, Granny said it was lost long ago, but since both of yours are red, the other half of mine should be green as well."

Oh well, overthinking such things was meaningless.

Uesugi Sakura watched Hanamaru Hanabi slip her little foot, wrapped in white silk, into the round-toed leather shoes and then walk towards him.

——————————————

The air conditioning in the subway was far more comfortable than being outside, Uesugi Sakura held onto the handrail, shielding Hanamaru Hanabi so she could stay close to him.

A man holding a newspaper kept glancing at her from the side of the carriage.

This made Hanamaru Hanabi a bit nervous.

"Sakura... that person..."

"It’s okay, just stay close to me."

Hanamaru Hanabi lowered her face upon Uesugi Sakura’s chest so he could block her from view, ensuring the man couldn’t look at her.

She tilted her eyes slightly, looked up, and all she could see was his chest and face.

"Hanabi... being a little shorter is nice too..." Hanamaru Hanabi muttered to herself in a small voice.

"Haven’t you always wanted to grow taller?" Uesugi Sakura smiled, he could clearly hear her words.

"Being a bit taller is nice, but being shorter isn’t bad either," Hanamaru Hanabi said quietly, her soft voice heard only by the two of them in the train, "like right now... Sakura can help Hanabi..."

Her gaze met his for a moment before quickly looking down again:

"Thank you..."

"Aren’t we partners? Why are you always thanking me."

"Because... Sakura is Sakura... Hanabi is always grateful you can stay by her side..."

"Isn’t it exhausting being so formal with each other?"

"No," Hanamaru Hanabi said with her face against his chest, "’Thank you’... is never tiring..."

.

*

The train retraced its path, heading back to Chiyoda District, and then they switched to another train at Otemachi.

After alighting, the man with the newspaper was no longer in sight.

Hanamaru Hanabi felt much more at ease.

Her biggest fear was people secretly following her.

Uesugi Shio walked ahead, exiting the station and following the street straight.

Uncle truly wasn’t boasting; he indeed had a reputation known as the "Heartless Sword Saint".

Bushin Hall was his family’s dojo, located in Sarugaku-cho 1 Chome of Chiyoda District, not far from Meiji University.

Initially, Uesugi Sakura thought he was a bachelor, not fond of money, seeming utterly carefree.

Constantly talking about things in such a cringe-worthy manner.

Until he returned from London, Uncle Sakihara instructed him to find him at a place named "Bushin Hall" in Chiyoda District.

Then he discovered his affordable master was indeed a person of wealth.

To say how did he realize it.

It’s simply from seeing a courtyard with a pond in front of his dojo—it was apparent.

Uncle Sakihara’s residence included the private residence, the kendo dojo, and a Japanese garden...

And the land price in Chiyoda for 42 square meters is 60 million yen.

As for why he went to Shikoku.

According to him, it was always because he was searching for something.

Bushin Hall is a dojo of the One-Mind One-Sword Style.

Sakihara Yishin is the current Master of Bushin Hall, renowned and prestigious.

This is why Uesugi Shio immediately knew who Sakihara Yishin was upon hearing the name One-Mind One-Sword Style.

It’s a bit clichéd, but it is also on par with Genbu Hall, Shigakukan, and the Military Training Hall—dojos that have been passed down since the Edo Period.

She is now Sakihara Yishin’s disciple and has the keys to open the gates.

Walking through the gravel path and seeing the low black pines inside, this place seemed extraordinarily secluded.

The courtyard lay on the outside, the dojo was inside.

Coming inside, one would notice the plaque with Bushin Hall written on it hanging outside the dojo.

The calligraphy was quite artistic; Uesugi Sakura thought he could write at this level.

Even without entering the dojo, one could see many apprentices practicing swordsmanship there.

Bushin Hall never lacks kendo learners.

Many come drawn by its reputation.

But Bushin Hall doesn’t accept everyone; after all, there’s only so much space that can’t hold too many people learning at once.

Initially, Uesugi Sakura assumed Uncle Sakihara wanted to take him on as a disciple because nobody else wanted to be his disciple.

When he first arrived at Bushin Hall, he realized Uncle indeed had this establishment.

Why accept so many disciples, and then decide to take me, too?

After accepting disciples, he even dragged Uesugi Sakura to the Shinjuku Police Station to block Hanamaru Hiroki after work.

Indeed, they encountered his father-in-law after work.

Uncle was visibly excited, dragging Uesugi Sakura to boast to Hanamaru Hiroki about how talented his son-in-law was, placing the titles like Yagyu Jubei, Miyamoto Musashi, Yagyu Munenori, and Uekusa Nobunaga on his head.

Uncle remained the same middle-aged man with delusions.

The father-in-law remained the father-in-law.

He merely looked at Uesugi Sakura, saying nothing at all.

pPerhaps considering how this guy hooked up with his son-in-law and accepted him as a disciple?

Indeed, Hanamaru Hiroki apparently knew Uncle Sakihara as well.

But, upon reflection, it made sense; how could one rival his father-in-law without deep roots or strength in kendo?

After all, the Hanamaru family, his father-in-law’s side, is a police family who passed down the Jigen Style.

Uesugi Sakura just thought Uncle’s personality didn’t match his skills, generally known as unreliable.

As soon as Uesugi Shio arrived at the dojo, the apprentices all paused and bowed, calling "senior sister."

Uesugi Sakura didn’t receive such treatment, although he was also a disciple of Uncle Sakihara.

"Shio."

Walking out from inside the dojo was a woman in a simple outfit.

She was Uncle Sakihara’s daughter, Sakihara Shion.

Older than Uesugi Shio by a few years.

Her personality... according to Uesugi Sakura’s standards, was as calm as Hanabi’s.

— He initially thought the middle-aged Uncle was a bachelor... never expected him to have such a well-established home.

Calm as she was, Sakihara Shion managed Bushin Hall.

Uncle Sakihara was just a carefree overseer, going wherever he pleased.

It wasn’t him, the Master, who taught kendo.

"Also, Sakura, Hanabi."

Sakihara Shion smiled, respectfully bowing to the three of them, "Father is dining in the bedroom; he told me you could go see him at any time."

Both Uesugi Sakura and Uesugi Shio were disciples of Uncle.

Sakihara Shion usually took on an elder sisterly role when interacting with the two of them.

She didn’t practice kendo, but everyone showed her the utmost respect.

In Uesugi Sakura’s view, speaking with Senior Sister felt warm and friendly.

"Hanabi, I have some extra wagashi (Japanese sweets) from the morning, would you like to eat them in the side room?"

Hanamaru Hanabi felt a bit embarrassed, as every time she visited, she seemed to bum treats from Uesugi Sakura’s senior sister.

Sakihara Shion immediately understood her thoughts, smiling, and said, "Don’t worry, Sakura and Shio have gone to see Father, and with you being a girl left to watch others practice kendo, as the host, I’d feel rather neglectful and guilty."

Then Uesugi Sakura saw Hanamaru Hanabi nodding in agreement.

He understood, Hanabi just wanted to eat snacks.

Little gourmand, better be careful not to get fat!