Chapter 198: Kendo Tournament Wrap-up
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 198: Kendo Tournament Wrap-up
In any story with a "youth" tag—be it sports, a corporate drama, or an action flick—you're bound to run into an opponent who uses dirty tricks.
It's an absolute cliché. I've never seen a story without it.
That's why the moment I saw my opponent's slightly sleazy expression, I prepared for a foul. And thanks to that, I handled the situation just fine.
Getting my revenge with some unsportsmanlike conduct of my own was just a bonus.
I could have fought cleanly against a dirty player and won.
But I'm not the protagonist of a shonen manga. I'm just a piece of trash who's always thinking about banging girls.
I acted accordingly, so my conscience is clear.
If I'd had my way, I would have humiliated him even more, but I held back, knowing it might just fuel the next opponent's desire for revenge.
Then again, I'm not sure if a piece of trash like me should be this considerate of his teammates.
After scoring another point against my completely demoralized opponent, I easily wrapped up the vanguard match and switched with Tetsuya.
As I did, I offered him a piece of advice.
"Watch your legs."
"My legs?"
"He tried to trip me earlier."
"Ah... Yamazaki-senpai also said your opponent looked shady... Is that why you almost fell?"
"Yeah. They seem like a dirty team, so stay focused."
"Got it, thanks."
After the switch, I returned to where the other club members were and gave the stern-faced Yamazaki a grin.
"You're not mad that I played dirty, are you?"
Yamazaki just shook his head as if to say he didn't know what to do with me.
"Why would I be mad at you? I'm mad at what your opponent was doing. Anyway, you did well. You worked hard."
The subsequent second-in-line match was a total mud fight.
Tetsuya, being the dirty bastard he is, clung to his opponent, playing a sticky, tenacious game.
He was on high alert for fouls, his concentration maxed out. I could see he'd improved dramatically since the first match.
I don't like that this bastard is also growing in real-time, just like me.
Makes me wonder if I should have given him that tip.
In any case, his style of play was infuriating just to watch. What must it be like for the guy fighting him?
He must be grinding his teeth, right?
Just as I was thinking that,
Crack-!
Tetsuya got caught squarely by his opponent's counter-attack to the torso, giving up a point. I sighed internally.
I told him to focus, and he focused so hard he's losing. That crazy bastard.
The future looks bleak. Does this mean we have to rely on the center, the captain, and the general?
I picked up the water bottle next to me, soothing my dry throat as I quietly watched the match.
* * *
Fortunately, our team advanced to the finals with a total score of 3-2.
Things looked grim when Tetsuya, the second-in-line, and Mori, the center, lost their matches back-to-back. But Ikeda, the captain, and our general managed to secure hard-fought victories.
The fouls we were worried about didn't happen again after the vanguard and second-in-line matches.
It almost led to a small confrontation when the match ended, but an enraged Goro had a firm talk with the opposing team's coach and made them apologize to me and Tetsuya, so the matter was settled for now.
After a short break, the final match began, drawing everyone's attention.
Not just the spectators in the venue, but also the kendo clubs from other academies waiting for the award ceremony.
With only two teams left competing in the vast arena, it was only natural.
"You've all worked hard to get here. Not only did you earn a spot in the upper tournament, but making it to the finals is truly unexpected."
Goro gathered us together for a pep talk.
Seeing Tetsuya's slumped shoulders, he continued.
"Miura, I know your rhythm was broken and you're angry, but focus. I plan to speak to the association myself and resolve what happened in the last match. What's important now is to get your head straight. You've done well so far, haven't you?"
Tetsuya flinched at that, his eyes widening.
Is he burning with competitive spirit? It really doesn't suit him.
"Yes, Coach."
"Even if the result isn't what you want, I'll be satisfied as long as you fight a match you won't regret. Give it everything you've got."
Usually, this is the cliché setup for getting second place. He's making me nervous.
After our final cheer, I slapped my men-gane a few times with my palm and stood at the edge of the court to prepare for the vanguard match.
Just then,
"Matsuda-kun, you can do it!"
Miyuki's clear, resonant voice carried from a distance.
I glanced at the stands and saw her, her face bright red.
Was she embarrassed to shout while getting all that attention? So damn cute...
Chinami and Renka are next to her, too. Looks like they came as soon as their matches were over.
I wonder how much they saw. They probably watched the quarterfinals or semifinals... I'll find out when I talk to them later.
Shaking off my thoughts, I followed the referee's signal and slowly walked to the center line, facing my opponent and performing the kneeling ritual.
The moment we stood up, I took a high stance.
"....."
Through the bars of my mask, I could see my opponent's eyes. They were resolute.
His build is similar to mine. Having made it to the finals, his skill is undoubtedly top-notch.
I have a feeling this is going to be a tough match.
Watching every single move of my opponent, who was emanating the aura of a strong fighter, I took my first step.
Kuuung-!
* * *
Inside the venue where the award ceremony was taking place.
While our faces were grim after the final match, the opposing team's expressions were incredibly bright.
Well, they won the championship, so of course they would be.
We lost with a total score of 3-2.
It was a somewhat hollow defeat, with the outcome already decided by the time the captain's match was over.
The only ones who saved face were me and Yamazaki, who both won our matches 2-1.
The rebellion of the underdog, Yebonie Academy, ended with a second-place finish.
When the match ended, Goro told us that even second place was a great achievement and that he was proud of us, but the hollow feeling remained.
Who remembers second place? It doesn't even get written into the history books.
Maybe if we'd gotten second place dozens of times, it'd be a different story... but this result is unsatisfying.
-Next is the overall MVP. The MVP award will be presented along with the rookie award. Yebonie Academy first-year, Matsuda Ken, please come up to the podium.
Still, I won an award, so I guess it's fine.
Being named MVP among nearly 180 athletes, including substitutes, is a good result.
And I got to show off for Miyuki, Chinami, and Renka, so it's okay.
Comforting myself like that, I walked onto the podium, listened to a brief congratulatory speech from a judge, and received a certificate and a prize.
Then I turned and looked up at the stands. Miyuki and Chinami were clapping wildly.
Bread Girl was being held by the class president with a piece of bread in her mouth. Is she some kind of scene-stealer?
My eyes are drawn to her every time I see her.
I stepped down from the podium to the applause of my teammates and examined my prize.
It was a square box wrapped in white paper.
It was pretty big, but surprisingly light. What could it be?
Tamping down my excitement, I opened the box and immediately scrunched my brow.
'What the hell?'
Inside the box lay two thin, rectangular pieces of paper.
I took a closer look and saw they were two 10,000-yen gift certificates for a department store affiliated with the local district.
Don't they usually put department store gift certificates in a fancy money envelope?
They put these in a box?
Empty vessels make the most sound, as they say... This is ridiculous.
Still, it's free money, so I should make good use of it.
I'll use this to buy presents for Miyuki and Chinami.
After the boring award ceremony ended, my teammates and I forced the sour looks off our faces and took a picture.
Afterward, I ran into Renka, who was organizing the members outside.
"Where's Master?"
"She's moving the equipment."
"I'd better go help her. Did the girls' team win?"
"Yeah."
"What was Master's record?"
"Undefeated."
That's my Chinami.
She must have been scurrying all over the place.
"Without giving up a single point?"
"That's right."
"And you, Captain?"
"Same for me."
"Is it just me, or does that sound like you're bragging?"
"You think that sounded like bragging? You should get your eyes checked."
"Thanks for the concern. You worked hard today."
"...You worked hard too. You did well."
She might have sounded reluctant, but her voice was sincere.
I guess I really did do well, if it's enough to make Renka say that.
"Thank you."
"But I was a little disappointed you gave up a point in the finals. It was such an obvious attack."
Look at her, getting all prickly again because she'd be embarrassed to only give praise.
Such a tsundere.
"Hey, why are you suddenly criticizing me when things were going so well?"
"I'm just saying it so you'll do better in the next tournament."
This tournament was fun, but I have no intention of participating in the next one.
Although, if Renka offered me some kind of reward, I might consider it.
"And what do you mean, obvious? It was a hard attack to see coming when you're right in front of it."
"It was obvious."
"No, it wasn't."
"If you had a slightly wider field of vision, you would have seen it."
"So my vision was too narrow?"
"Something like that."
"Anyway, I did well, right?"
"I already said you did."
"Then, Captain."
"Absolutely not. No way."
Renka turned her head away, looking disgusted.
My eyes widened. "I haven't even said what it is yet."
"You were going to ask me to grant you a wish."
"Thank you. I'll tell you what it is soon."
"Are you even listening to me?"
I gave the dumbfounded Renka a smirk. Just then, I saw Chinami walking this way carrying a large box, and I rushed over to her.
"Why are you carrying this alone? We could have done it together."
"It's better to get the work done quickly so we can go home and rest. Ah, and Junior."
"Yes."
"This master is so proud of her disciple, I can hardly stand it. I can die happy now."
Chinami, still talking like an old lady.
I chuckled, took the box from her, and loaded it into the bus's luggage compartment.
In the distance, I could see Miyuki talking with Tetsuya.
Even while they were talking, she kept glancing my way. The way she completely ignored Tetsuya was so cute I could die.
Anyway, is this it for the kendo tournament?
I'm satisfied, for the most part, but there's a lingering, unsettling feeling.
It's probably because I'm still disappointed we couldn't win.
I shouldn't dwell on it. It's time to focus on final exams and the school trip.
After exchanging "good work" with the other members, I finished up and walked over to Miyuki to rescue her from Tetsuya's toxic waste-like aura.