Chapter 182: The Day of the Decisive Battle
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 182: The Day of the Decisive Battle
The next day.
I woke up early in the morning and did some light stretches.
It was to loosen up my muscles, which felt a bit stiff since I hadn't been able to get a proper workout in for the last two days, and get them back to their original condition.
"321, 322, 323…"
It’s something I feel every time I train, but as I swing my arms and legs, all the sounds around me seem to vanish, and my mind clears of idle thoughts.
A trance-like state, you could say.
By the time I finished my dawn workout, practicing Hayate, the secret martial art of the Fuma clan, the sun was already rising.
Has it gotten this late already?
Belatedly realizing I was drenched in sweat, I took off my top to cool down.
As my bare skin was exposed, white steam rose from my body, likely from my body heat.
"Hoo—"
It was at that very moment.
"Amazing!"
A cheerful, lively voice suddenly came from behind me.
"What?"
Turning my head, I was startled to find Hattori, with a sparrow perched on her shoulder just like yesterday.
I hadn't sensed her presence at all.
"How long have you been watching?"
"Since you were flailing your arms around doing that weird Tai Chi-like exercise?"
So, basically from the very beginning.
A mistake.
To think I was so focused on my workout that I didn't even notice someone approaching.
She walked over with light steps and looked at my body.
"Wow, Kim-kun, your body is incredible. It's like a Greek statue."
"I-Is that so? Thanks."
It was a type of compliment I'd never heard in my life, so I could only laugh awkwardly and play along.
But her praise wasn't just empty words; she came closer and placed a hand on my bicep.
I became conscious of her touch, and my pulse quickened.
"How long did it take to build a body like this?"
"About three years, I guess?"
"…Are you on steroids, by any chance?"
"I get that misunderstanding a lot, but definitely not."
I just have more male hormones… no, more yang energy than most people.
"Heehee, just kidding."
Hattori said with a mischievous smile, then took a step back.
"It's about time for breakfast. Let's head back to the inn."
I nodded and put the yukata top I had taken off back on.
"By the way, what brought you all the way out here?"
"Just a simple walk. I like breathing in the fresh morning air."
Hattori said with her hands behind her back, then turned her head as if remembering something.
"If you don't mind, can I ask you one thing?"
"What is it?"
"Out of the three, who do you like, Kim-kun? Or is it someone else?"
She didn't specify who, but I knew what she was asking without her having to say it.
"That's a difficult question to answer."
"Aw, come on, don't be like that. Just tell me honestly. My lips are sealed. I'll even give you advice."
Her eyes sparkled as she said this, proving she wasn't kidding about being interested in other people's love lives.
So I gave a vague answer.
"It's a bit awkward right now. I'll tell you when we get closer."
"Ah! You're no fun!"
Hattori grumbled beside me, but I had no intention of properly answering her question.
After that, we returned to the inn and, like yesterday, had a Japanese-style breakfast in the dining hall.
Then came the morning assembly.
"If anything happens, you must contact a teacher! And when we call to check on you, you have to pick up! Be sure to return to the inn by 6 PM!"
Today's theme was a free day, so Yamada emphasized the importance of staying in contact more than ever. He let out a small sigh and spoke to the assembled second-year students in a pleading tone.
"Please, just don't get into any trouble. It'll tarnish the school's name. If you cause trouble, the first-years won't get a free day on their school trip next year. Just like how you guys lost Hawaii."
""Yeees~""
"You're all good at answering, at least."
Matsuda, still shaking his head with worry, finally ended the assembly by saying, "Have a good time."
"Yoo-Sung, who are you hanging out with?"
At Satoru's question from beside me, I scratched my head and answered.
"I'm planning on going alone today. I promised to meet someone in Kyoto yesterday."
"Huh? Who? A girl?"
"It's a guy, you punk. Why does your mind always go there?"
"Ouch!"
As I said that and tapped his shoulder, Satoru feigned injury and took refuge behind Ryuji, who was chatting with Yaguchi.
The two, who had started dating yesterday, didn't seem all that different from before.
Part of it was because they were already so close people called them a married couple, but it was probably also because they knew each other so well.
"Ah, should we try going here?"
"Where's that?"
"It's a shrine famous as a couple's spot. They say couples who pray here never break up."
"I love it!"
I stand corrected.
Their actions hadn't changed, but their way of speaking had become that of a cringey, lovey-dovey couple.
I turned to Chiaki, who was biting her nails and staring enviously at the new couple, and asked quietly.
"Are you okay?"
Contrary to the cold atmosphere that felt like a blizzard was about to hit, Chiaki's reply was surprisingly normal.
「Yeah, I'm fine. It's more bearable than I thought.」
From Chiaki's perspective, it might feel like she was suddenly NTR'd.
If she hadn't died from an incurable disease, the one standing next to Ryuji right now would have been her, not Yaguchi.
「No matter how much I like Ryuji, the living should marry the living. If it's for Ryuji's sake, I can endure anything.」
Mahes looked at Chiaki with a softened gaze.
He looked like a grandfather watching his praiseworthy granddaughter.
「To possess the power to easily defy the laws of the underworld, yet to not break them for the sake of one you love. How admirable.」
「Shut up. I didn't say that to get a compliment from you, you know?」
Chiaki shot a glare at Mahes, but he didn't seem to mind.
In fact, he just smiled and opened his arms.
「Fuhahaha, I am magnanimous, so I shall gladly accept such petulance. Young lady.」
These two, they bicker, but they really do get along.
Anyway, the time for my appointment is approaching, so I should get going.
"See you guys tonight."
As I waved, Ryuji, Satoru, and Yaguchi all waved back.
I left the inn alone and was heading for the bus stop when a familiar voice called out from behind me.
"Ryu-chan!"
I turned around to see Rika, dressed in casual clothes that looked more stylish than ever.
As expected of a former reader model, she seemed to glow just by standing there.
With a slight blush on her face, she said to me.
"If you're free, would you like to spend today with me…"
"Sorry. There's something I absolutely have to do today."
Flinch—
As I cut her off firmly, Rika hesitated before asking.
"What is it that you have to do?"
"There's someone in Kyoto to whom I owe a great debt. And right now, that person is in trouble. So I have to go help."
"……."
After hearing my reason, Rika fell silent for a moment.
Then, she smiled faintly and nodded.
"If that's the case, then it really can't be helped. I was hoping we could hang out today, though."
She looked so sad that I found it hard to say anything.
Just then, the bus I needed to take arrived at the stop.
The rear door of the bus opened.
"……."
I hesitated, then just before boarding the bus, I said to Rika.
"I promise. Once this school trip is over, let's go somewhere together."
"!"
Rika looked up, her expression surprised.
I took a seat by the window and waved to her.
Soon, the wide-open rear door closed, and the bus slowly started to move.
I leaned my head against the window.
'If you're afraid of hurting someone from the start, you can never begin anything, huh.'
It was a phrase that gave me a lot to think about.
*
The bus I was on drove for about twenty minutes before arriving in the heart of Kyoto city.
After paying the fare and getting off through the front door, the red torii, a characteristic feature of Japanese shrines, greeted me up ahead.
I checked the time on my phone; I still had about ten minutes to spare before the appointment.
As I slowly walked into the shrine grounds, I saw a tranquil shrine surrounded by green trees, and an offering box.
I tossed a 5-yen coin from my coin purse into the offering box, then clapped twice.
After that, I shook the rope for the bell hanging above the box a couple of times.
Clang! Clang!
"What did you wish for?"
A familiar voice came from behind me.
Holding a bag with a suit in one hand, I turned around naturally and said.
"I prayed that what I'm doing today will be a success."
Standing in front of the torii was the Vice President, looking different from usual.
He wore sunglasses instead of glasses, a black suit, and brown shoes.
Anyone would think he was a bodyguard from a private security firm.
He slowly approached and spoke.
"Let's go. There isn't much time left until the young lady's engagement ceremony."
"Yes. But I'll have to change my clothes first."
As I said that and gave the bag in my right hand a little shake, the Vice President let out a small sigh and gestured.
"Follow me. I'll show you a place where you can change."