Chapter 115: Monster
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 115: Monster
She was like a placid lake.
That was my impression as I studied Renka’s eyes through the grill of her mask.
She seemed to have no stray thoughts, focused solely on our match.
I could already feel a noble fighting spirit emanating from her.
I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was now certain that scoring even a single point would be an unimaginably difficult task.
“I’m not going to judge based on the unity of spirit, sword, and body, except for breathing. What’s important is maintaining awareness after a strike and the validity of the strike itself. I want you to focus only on that during the match.”
If the unity of spirit wasn't a factor, that was good for me.
Was she doing this for my sake?
No, with so many rounds, it seemed she was trying to conserve both our stamina as much as possible.
“I see. Understood.”
Renka would judge objectively.
Given her personality, her pride wouldn't allow her to mix personal feelings into her judgment.
All I had to do was show her everything I had.
“When a round is over, don’t sit on the line. Remain standing.”
It sounded like she meant to start the next round immediately after one ended.
She doesn't waste any time.
I nodded, then closed my eyes and let out a long breath.
Then I opened them again.
“I’m ready.”
“…..”
Renka paused for a moment, meeting my serious gaze.
Was she nervous? Or surprised?
With most of her face hidden by the mask grill, it was hard to read her expression.
“I’ll consider you ready five seconds after you take your stance. When I nod once, that’s the signal to begin.”
“Yes.”
“Well then… shall we begin?”
“I am ready for your instruction.”
My tone was different from this afternoon, laced with formality.
I bowed my head slightly to show respect before taking a high stance.
Renka, who had looked surprised, let her eyes settle.
Nod.
She gave the signal to start.
The instant her head nodded, I stomped my foot and brought my shinai down.
In that moment,
Clack—! Crack!
My shinai was knocked slightly upward, and a heavy impact struck the torso protector at my waist.
“One point.”
“…..”
Renka announced the call while watching me from her mid-level stance.
I could only stand there, stunned, having been hit with a counter to the torso in an instant.
She’d scored before I could even make a move.
Even if she had predicted my opening, that was just too fast.
Her distance, power, speed, and movement were all perfect.
‘This is…’
I was so dumbfounded I couldn't speak.
Was this how fierce a serious Renka was?
At this rate, I wasn't sure if I could score even one point, let alone three.
Gritting my teeth, I stared straight at Renka and reset my stance.
Focus. Just focus.
@@
Still, his physique was always intimidating to look at.
And on top of that, the offense-oriented high stance… I’d thought it before, but it really suited him.
But that was all. With his fundamentals not yet properly established, he was no match for me.
Crack—!
“One point.”
Thwack! Crack—!
“One point.”
Craaack—!
“One point.”
That’s what I thought, right up until Matsuda had lost seven straight rounds to me.
Scrape—!
‘Ugh…!’
Now, in the eighth round, Renka failed to block Matsuda’s charge for the first time.
She had never imagined he would be the one to initiate a clash of guards.
They were so close their forward feet were nearly touching.
Looking into Matsuda’s eyes, Renka could feel that he was exerting his utmost concentration.
His gaze was sharp, as if unwilling to miss even the subtlest muscle movement, and his minutely shifting pupils were menacing, like they were monitoring her every move.
And that look in his eyes wasn't just for show.
As time went on, it became progressively harder to land a valid strike on him.
She could see Matsuda’s skill growing in real time.
Just moments ago, he had been taken down helplessly, but not anymore.
He would step or twist his body to evade the valid strike zones, all while never ceasing his own attacks, putting her in a difficult position.
Screeeech…!
‘Ugh…!’
Currently, she was being helplessly pressed back by the innate difference in strength between men and women.
She couldn't call it unfair.
Utilizing one’s physical condition was a given in any sport, and besides, Matsuda was pouring his entire being into the match.
It meant he was purely, earnestly trying to defeat her.
He deserved praise, not criticism.
Deciding this couldn't continue, Renka shuffled her feet to the side, breaking away from Matsuda who was bearing down on her.
As she did, she thrust her shinai toward his torso.
Just then,
Clack-clack—!
With timing so precise it could have been a single sound, the impact of strikes echoed from both their bodies simultaneously.
A heavy sensation traveled up from her wrist.
Renka was shocked that she had been hit by Matsuda’s attack.
‘N-No way…’
From that angle, I thought the only counter he could aim for was my head, but he went for the wrist…
That could injure his hand… his obsession is incredible.
Moreover, their strikes had landed at the same time, and both had hit a valid target area properly.
When both fighters’ strikes succeed simultaneously, it’s called a simultaneous strike.
When this happens, even if the attack would have scored a point, the point is nullified.
A simultaneous strike is rare even in a real match, yet it had just happened in a spar.
‘That was a close call…’
It was fortunate for her.
If his attack had been just a fraction of a second faster, she would have given up a point.
Swallowing hard at Matsuda’s all-or-nothing blow, Renka said.
“…. It’s a simultaneous strike.”
“A shame.”
He didn't sound disappointed at all. His voice was so calm it sent a chill down her spine.
She had a feeling that if she didn't get her head straight, she was going to lose quite a few points.
Nod.
Crack—!
The moment she gave the signal to restart the eighth round, which had been nullified by the simultaneous strike, they exchanged blows again.
The ferocity in Matsuda’s attack traveled through his shinai and into her arm.
Renka endured the stinging sensation and was about to counter when—
Swoosh!
Matsuda’s shinai shot toward her neck at incredible speed. She tried to swing her arm.
‘Block it and go for the wrist…’
Craaaack—!
But then, a clean sound rang out from the very top center of her mask, and she couldn't hide her bewilderment.
‘Huh…?’
I just… got hit.
I gave up a point to Matsuda’s animalistic reflexes.
Power control, distance, movement… a perfect strike where all three elements were in harmony, far more developed than the one he’d used against Tetsuya’s neck this afternoon. I was hit before I even had a chance to react.
I was sure I had prepared for every possibility, but I missed that fleeting moment.
I had given up a point in just the eighth round.
Her stomach churned, but she had to make the call first.
She had to acknowledge what was due.
“…. One point… You scored 1 point.”
“Yes.”
He should have been happy, but Matsuda just answered nonchalantly and returned to the line.
Shudder.
Watching Matsuda, who was focused with his emotions completely suppressed, Renka felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine and spread throughout her body.
He looked like a monster. Was she imagining it?
Swoosh…
Seeing Matsuda raise his arms above his head as he stood on the line, Renka cleared her mind of all distracting thoughts.
He wasn't thinking about what had already passed; he was focused only on the present.
She had to do the same. There was no room for stray thoughts.
Now was the time to show him everything she had.
To keep him from straying any further, she had to crush his spirit here and now, before he could grow any stronger and try to devour her.
* * *
Crack—!
A sharp pain shot through my left wrist.
My brow furrowed as I looked up at the ceiling and let out a hollow sigh.
Renka retrieved her shinai and spoke.
“Pant… pant… One point…”
“…. I’ve lost.”
30 matches, 3 wins, 27 losses.
That was my record when the match ended.
I had scored exactly three points, my target.
I should have been happy, but the sadness was greater.
I had thought I could lose as many times as necessary to achieve my goal, but the act of losing itself was infuriating.
And twenty-seven times at that.
I had trained so hard in secret, but I guess the difference in experience is just something you can't ignore.
Still, I should think positively.
I’ve only been learning kendo for a short time.
And in that time, I managed to take three wins from Renka—a girl who not only possesses immense talent but also never slacks off, having dedicated her entire life to the sword. I should be satisfied with that.
Getting too greedy will only bring trouble.
I got what I wanted, so now I can go home in a good mood.
The moment I took off my mask in front of the window, a cool breeze enveloped my face, cooling the sweat.
I could finally breathe a little easier.
The drain on my stamina and mental energy was so immense… I felt like I could fall asleep without even showering.
After shaking out the sweat-stained collar of my uniform, I approached Renka, who was leaning against the training room wall catching her breath, and gave a slight bow.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…..”
Her hair was completely soaked, sticking to her skin. She looked incredibly sexy.
Putting her personality aside, her face just oozed sensuality.
The blueberry scent, stronger than usual, was dizzyingly potent.
Suppressing the urge to pounce on Renka right then and there, I continued.
“It was a complete defeat. I think all three points I scored were just luck.”
Did she not expect me to say something so humble?
Renka’s eyes widened.
She stared up at me blankly as if organizing her thoughts, then steadied her tired body and gave my back a light pat.
“It wasn’t luck. You earned those points with your skill. I could see you’ve worked hard. You and Chinami must have been training diligently.”
“Are you just saying that?”
“I’m serious. Honestly… it was unexpected. I thought I’d win every round, or at worst, lose just one point to a fluke.”
Renka didn't look too happy.
Was she in a sour mood because she’d meant to put me in my place but ended up losing three rounds?
“Did you learn anything from this match?” Renka asked.
I grabbed a nearby towel, wiped my face, and answered.
“Yes. I now understand how the people I’ve faced must have felt.”
“Why is that?”
“Most of my 27 losses were helpless defeats. Every time, my pride took a hit. It also annoyed me a little when you, the captain, looked at me with those indifferent eyes. This is what you call putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, right?”
“Well… something like that.”
“Or is it a taste of my own medicine? Anyway, from now on, I’ll try to think about how my opponent feels during a match.”
“…. Is that so?”
Seemingly pleased with my answer, Renka’s mood softened considerably.
We might go back to how we were tomorrow, but… for now, right after the match, with a mutual acknowledgment of each other’s skill, it felt okay to enjoy this atmosphere.
“I also realized what an incredible person you are, Captain.”
“Stop with the flattery. As promised, I’ll drop the ones digit from the score.”
Renka brought up the topic of the wish.
I gave a sly grin and said, “So that’s two for you, Captain? If there’s anything you want, just let me know anytime.”
“…. And you… when are you going to use yours?”
“Me? Well… I’ll see how things go.”
“We… didn’t seem to set an expiration date. Shouldn’t we decide on one now?”
She asked about the scope of the wish earlier, too… She’s so particular.
Is she that anxious?
“How about one month?”
“One month…? Alright.”
Renka nodded slowly and headed to the water purifier for a drink.
I learned a lot from sparring with her today.
So much that I was grateful.
But gratitude is gratitude, and a wish is a wish.
I won’t be going easy on her.