Chapter 191: Harunaka’s Sword Power!
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Kimura Kazuki did not reject Ikioi Ito’s overwhelming enthusiasm.
On the contrary, he now wished that he could have more contact with the people from the Deity Rising Palace. Ikioi Ito’s family could be a good place to start.
While Kimura Kazuki was considering this, it was already his turn to compete.
historical
The audience was already impressed by Kimura Kazuki during Sakura Kyu’s team competition. Now every time he appeared on stage, his presence was accompanied by waves of cheers.
Every cheer of “Head of Department!” had an impact on the other competitors’ mental strength.
To the audience, Kimura Kazuki was already the Tokyo champion this year. They all had their hopes pinned on him to represent Tokyo in the National Jade Dragon Flag Competition, and for him to clinch the title of champion.
Besides the audience, Kimura Kazuki’s fan club, formed by Natsui, was also present. This fan club had expanded beyond their school walls and established themselves on the internet. However, as their online fan group was not well organized, Natsui had started a few Line groups instead of managing Kimura Kazuki’s online fans.
As it was newly established, the online group members were a mixed group of people. Therefore, Natsui had planned to organize several core groups. At present, only Sakura Kyu High School’s ‘Kimura Kazuki Fan Club’ was the primary group.
The Kimura Kazuki Fan Club that was present at the competition was formed by a bunch of female high-schoolers. They cheered Kimura Kazuki on with their bright and melodious voices, causing much envy among the male contestants.
On the other side of the arena, there was a group of boys holding up posters with feminized versions of Kimura Kazuki’s image. They were yelling Kimura Kazuki’s name as if they were trying to suppress the cheers of the fan club.
It was a good thing Kimura Kazuki was not in the habit of surveying his audience. If not, he would be sorely tempted to bash up this damned bunch of nerds in the audience.
The competition was coming to an end.
“Next round, Kimura Kazuki vs Furuhashi Harunaka.”
Hearing the announcement, Natsui was momentarily stunned. She did not know if she should cheer for Kimura Kazuki or Harunaka. She looked at the competition table displayed on the screen above. Kimura Kazuki and Harunaka’s match was already among the top four in the individual event. This meant that Harunaka had already advanced onto the national level.
She had successfully advanced in both the team and individual categories.
So... Natsui yelled sweetly instead, “Head of Department Kimura, gambateh!”
Akino looked at Natsui scornfully and yelled unyieldingly, “Go Harunaka, defeat the big bad king.”
Fuyuno watched silently by the side, she could not be bothered to come between these two. At the moment, Kimura Kazuki and Harunaka had entered the arena.
“Senpai!” Harunaka never thought she would have to face Kimura Kazuki. At the thought of his skill and ability, she was in no mood to fight. Her hands that were holding her bamboo sword were trembling slightly.
“Fight well.” Kimura Kazuki seemed to have noticed something and was frowning slightly, “No matter how great the disparity between you and your opponent, if you do not have the spirit to win, your swordsmanship will never progress.”
Slightly shaken, Harunaka took a deep breath and spoke solemnly, “Alright!”
When the referee announced the start of the match, once the two of them had bowed to one another in greeting, Harunaka immediately yelled out the sound of Kiai. As she had never encountered the Kageyama Kiai Style, Harunaka’s shout was just a normal one intent on emboldening and terrorizing.
In the next moment, Harunaka had gone on the offense.
She knew that if she did not initiate the first move, Kimura Kazuki would be able to defeat her in just one stroke. She only had one chance to win if she could remain on the offense. It was the same with kendo and with life. She could only obtain affirmation and attention from Kimura Kazuki if she took the initiative. Only then could she be his girlfriend.
She knew that she could only be in his life if she advanced her skills. She could only offer him help if she was strong enough. Only then could she have the chance to be his girlfriend.
So, she had to be active, and she must take the initiative. She did not want to have regrets in the later stages of her life. Holding these strong thoughts, Harunaka held her sword with both hands. Her eyes blazed with fire, and with an unstoppable force, she swung down in a flash. The speed of her sword was at a critical point.
Was that the Sudden Flash?
Kimura Kazuki was taken aback by the sight of her moves. But he rejected that thought in the next second. It was just that Harunaka’s sword speed had hit a critical limit, that was why her speed was so quick. But even then, she had impressed him.
With this stroke, he could feel Harunaka’s unstoppable determination. He never expected that his simple encouragement could evoke such strong and explosive feelings from Harunaka. It was as if there was a force of aggression and gentleness that was exploratory and sharp in her sword power.
Yes, sword power!
He had always felt that Harunaka had a talent with swords, but he did not expect that she would master the sword power so quickly. Even though she had 10 years of foundation training in Kendo, it has only been less than a month since Harunaka started learning the traditional Kendo sword style.
He believed that his intuition was not wrong. Harunaka’s attack carried a sense of her sword’s consciousness, although it was still taking shape. It was because the emotions were too jumbled in the sword’s intent. It was obvious that Harunaka was still lost within her swordsmanship.
Even now, it seems that Harunaka has not advanced onto the right path ahead. If that is the case...
Kimura Kazuki blocked Harunaka’s advance, and in the split-second between Harunaka’s next attack, he reprimanded her lightly, “Harunaka! What are you perplexed about? If you have found your target, chase after it. Do not bother about whether the path is right or wrong. Ultimately it will be the path you create, as it is your heart’s choice and desire. So, do not hesitate!”
Kimura Kazuki’s reprimand was delivered using the Kageyama Kiai Style, his voice exploded in Harunaka’s ears. Though Kimura Kazuki’s control ensured that his deliverance did no harm, the words still boomed in Harunaka’s ears!
Shaken once again, she stared at Kimura Kazuki with a surge of strong emotions.
Kimura Kazuki’s words echoed in her ears. At the same moment, the words yelled by Akino regularly came to her mind...
What was it again? It seemed to be... hesitation will be your downfall!
“Senpai... thank you. I will pursue it with all of my life. I will protect this love with my life too!” Harunaka’s pink lips trembled as she said this determinedly. In the next moment, Harunaka’s bamboo sword gained speed as she waved it down toward Kimura Kazuki’s hands.
A hint of surprise flashed in Kimura Kazuki’s eyes as Harunaka’s sword power had become stronger. The jumbled emotions had started to meld together, and it was a burst of gentleness, warmth, and determination.
“Good! ” Kimura Kazuki did not fight back. He knew that Harunaka was getting into the zone, and with every attack, she was gaining awareness. He could not hinder her progress.
The audience stared wide-eyed as they saw Kimura Kazuki defeated and forced back again and again. As they looked toward Harunaka, they could no longer see the bamboo sword in her hands.
Besides the loud clashing of swords, there was nothing but the shadows of Kimura Kazuki and Harunaka’s bamboo swords.
Their speed had broken through the limitations of the human eye.