CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 78 SHOUKO GETS A LITTLE CURIOUS_1

The after-school bell had rung some time ago. The normally bustling academic building had grown deathly still, almost devoid of sound. The students’ vitality had poured into other places—for instance, to the club building, specifically the Kendo club.

"Men!"

With a forceful shout, a bamboo sword, like a streak of brown lightning, swiftly struck a helmet. The powerful blow sent its recipient sprawling to the ground.

Aozawa exhaled sharply. "Next!"

He stepped back to his starting position.

At the entrance of the Kendo club, a girl with black hair that covered her ears sat formally in seiza, the traditional Japanese kneeling position. Her pale blue jacket puffed out, creating an eye-catching curve. Her hands were neatly folded on her lap, pressing down on her water-blue pleated skirt. Her posture wasn’t the informal "duck sit" but a very proper, traditional kneeling style.

Hojo Shouko was waiting for Aozawa to finish his club activities.

Although Aozawa had assured her that the message he sent to Hojo Tetsuji was sufficient to make him reconsider joining a monastery, Shouko grew uneasy. She had sent several messages herself without receiving a reply or even seeing a "read" receipt, and now she wanted to discuss a backup plan with Aozawa.

"I’m not disturbing Aozawa-senpai here, am I?"

"Not at all."

After such a brief exchange, Shouko sat contentedly in the Kendo club, watching Aozawa train.

This indirectly sent the other members of the Kendo club into overdrive.

First, there was the fashionable and sexy Hot Girl, and now a junior with a gentle and cute appearance had arrived.

Some first-year students explained to their seniors that despite Hojo Shouko’s quiet and cute demeanor, she possessed a sharp tongue. For instance, when someone confessed to her, she once retorted, "Shouldn’t you take a look in the mirror first?"

And yet, such a sharp-tongued freshman was willing to wait here for Aozawa to finish his Kendo club training.

Such a rom-com-esque development frustrated the single students. How could they not be angry?

In this country with its declining birthrate, for Aozawa to be pursued by two beautiful girls at once was an offense worthy of a thousand deaths!

If this world were a game, a crimson mist labeled "Rage" would surely have billowed above the Kendo club members’ heads.

Aozawa chose to dispel their fury with his bamboo sword.

He focused on his training.

Shouko also watched attentively, not feeling her presence was impolite in the slightest.

Because she had asked Aozawa beforehand.

Shouko treated her friends with sincerity and naturally believed their words to be truthful, devoid of any pretense. This was why, despite appearing very polite, she often did things that left others stunned. Shouko wouldn’t try to divine hidden meanings in her friends’ words; instead, she chose to believe their answers were entirely sincere. That was Hojo Shouko’s principle when it came to friends.

Perhaps this aspect of her personality would change after graduation. But for now, during her blooming high school years, her character wouldn’t alter in the slightest.

The Kendo club training ended.

Aozawa took off his protective gear and handed it to the freshmen for cleaning.

The second and third-year Kendo club members didn’t leave with Aozawa as usual. Instead, they made flimsy excuses and departed one by one.

No matter how jealous they felt, they wouldn’t intrude on Aozawa’s time with his junior.

"Aozawa-senpai is really strong. No wonder he can be friends with Brother," Shouko said. Her smile wasn’t as radiant as Ayatsuki Ayaka’s; when she smiled, she rarely parted her lips, merely tilting the corners of her mouth upwards, exuding a reserved and tranquil beauty.

"It’s still not enough," Aozawa said, shaking his head. "With my current strength, without some kind of cheat, winning the Jade Dragon Flag championship will be extraordinarily difficult."

This statement wasn’t mere modesty. In his heart, he could never forget the boy who had defeated him at last year’s Jade Dragon Flag tournament. That upraised bamboo sword, like an unstoppable force of nature, had shattered his dream of championship glory, leaving an indelible mark.

Hojo Shouko clenched her small fists. "Aozawa-senpai, keep it up! Your hard work and sweat won’t betray you!"

Aozawa smiled and flicked her forehead. "You’re right."

"If I’m right, then why did you flick me?"

Confusion filled Hojo Shouko’s large, almond-shaped eyes.

Aozawa thought for a moment. "Because I felt like it."

A glimmer of understanding appeared in Hojo Shouko’s eyes. She muttered, "So that’s it. Aozawa-senpai enjoys inflicting a certain degree of unprovoked violence on girls to satisfy himself. His interests are quite broad indeed."

"Shouko, you’re wasted if you don’t go into gossip journalism," Aozawa retorted, then steered the conversation back to her main concern. "Don’t worry. Tetsuji has seen my message; he definitely won’t join a monastery."

"Then why are the messages I sent to Brother still showing as unread?"

"He probably ran into some trouble. Tetsuji has a knack for getting caught up in strange situations."

As they talked, they walked along a road lined with cherry blossom trees and spotted a boy at the school gate.

Hojo Shouko’s eyes lit up, and she immediately ran towards him. "Brother, did you get into another fight?"

Hojo Tetsuji was filthy from head to toe. His leather jacket and jeans were no longer as pristine as they had been that morning, and there were even distinct bloodstains on his trouser cuffs.

The disheveled state of his clothes couldn’t conceal his exuberant spirits.

"For some reason, all those delinquents heard I was back. Like a bunch of idiots, every single one of them declared they wanted to become the strongest delinquent in Tokyo and challenged me."

As he spoke about those guys, a hint of anger crept into Hojo Tetsuji’s voice. "I was planning to enjoy a sweet school life with Yoshikawa, and now look! School’s already over!"

The sky is already painted with sunset hues, Aozawa thought. What else would you expect?

Aozawa reminded him, "Make sure you’re on time for school tomorrow."

"Yeah!" Hojo Tetsuji nodded vigorously, an infinite fighting spirit igniting within him like a burning flame. He declared, "I’ll be on time for Kendo club training tomorrow! My goal is the national championship!"

"Our school was eliminated in the regional qualifiers," Aozawa stated flatly. "We don’t qualify for the national tournament."

I’m all burned out...

Hojo Tetsuji felt as if he had turned to white ash.

A flicker of helplessness crossed Hojo Shouko’s eyes. Every time her brother seriously tried to do something, reality would cruelly douse him with a bucket of cold water, effectively telling him not to even dream of it.

"You could join the Guzheng Club," Aozawa suggested. "A delinquent taking up a refined instrument, fists used for fighting now plucking strings... The contrast itself could be charming. You might win Yoshikawa’s heart that way. Coincidentally, Shouko is in the Guzheng Club. She can teach you how to play."

"Oh!" Hojo Tetsuji’s spirits reignited. He thought Aozawa’s suggestion made sense and asked in surprise, "Shouko, you’re in the Guzheng Club?"

"Yes." Hojo Shouko nodded, her almond-shaped eyes blinking. "How does Aozawa-senpai know I’m in the Guzheng Club?"

"I heard it from some first-year students," Aozawa said, hastily fabricating an excuse. He then quickly cut the conversation short. "I’m heading home. See you tomorrow."

He turned and left.