Chapter 29: Monster
Up on the platform, Nino Kitagawa wore a gentle smile as the kendo club bustled around her.
Then, abruptly, the room fell silent.
Miyuki realized a split second later what had just been said. She hurried forward and grabbed Nino’s arm.
“Nino, don’t say things like that.”
“But Nino isn’t lying,” the girl replied, grievance flashing across her face.
“Running away without even fighting, that’s cowardice, isn’t it? Or should I fight you several times instead? If we go by rounds, you won’t be scared, right?”
“If you’re still scared after that, then you don’t even deserve to call yourself a kendo—”
“Nino!”
Miyuki was startled. She had never imagined such sharp words coming out of Nino’s mouth. In panic, she covered Nino’s lips with her hand.
But it was already too late.
The words had spread, and the dojo erupted into an uproar.
It was a naked provocation.
Someone immediately stepped forward.
“Alan isn’t here today. I haven’t seen him at all. I’ll fight in his place.”
Nino Kitagawa glanced at him, gently pried Miyuki’s hand away, and asked calmly.
“If you lose, will he come?”
“…?”
Maheda blinked, completely caught off guard, especially since the question came from a girl. His expression darkened.
“If I lose, he’ll come.”
“Really?”
The corners of Nino’s lips curved faintly. A trace of doubt flickered in her clear eyes.
“You won’t go back on your word again, right? That would be against—”
Before she could finish saying "the spirit of kendo," Miyuki quickly pulled a rice ball from her pocket and stuffed it into Nino’s mouth.
Then she pinched Nino’s waist hard and shot her a fierce glare.
We’re here to learn kendo, not make enemies!
“Mmm…”
With her mouth full, Nino couldn’t speak. She chewed slowly and looked toward Saku with questioning eyes.
Saku’s brows had been knitted together for a while now.
Even though he was friends with Miyuki, being challenged so openly in front of everyone still stung.
He nodded curtly.
“If you can beat Maheda, I’ll make sure Alan comes. Even if I have to drag him here in a taxi.”
Still chewing, Nino mumbled,
“It’s a deal.”
Saku nodded again.
He didn’t believe for a second that Nino could be that strong.
She didn’t look particularly sharp, and her words had been deliberately provocative. Calling her reckless wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Besides, Maheda was one of the strongest members in the club, someone Saku considered to be on the same level as Alan.
After Alan declined to participate in this year’s national tournament, the spot had gone to Maheda instead.
Maheda might lose, sure.
But losing to a girl?
That seemed impossible.
***
Inside the changing room, Miyuki fastened Nino’s armor while frowning.
“Nino, what exactly are you trying to do?”
“Uh…”
Nino remained silent, lips pressed together like someone practicing deliberate muteness, her face wearing an innocent expression that clearly said I don’t know anything.
“Do you know this Alan guy?”
“…”
“What’s your relationship with him?”
“…”
“Does he have some kind of grudge against you?”
Miyuki stared at her, noticing the evasive look in her eyes. She immediately sensed something was wrong.
“You know him, don’t you?”
“You have to see him today, right?”
Nino’s gaze grew even more evasive.
Miyuki had never seen her like this, so obviously hiding something.
She hesitated, then ventured carefully, “Don’t tell me… you like him?”
As if a hidden switch had been flipped, Nino’s hand trembled slightly.
Miyuki noticed at once.
Her hands froze mid-motion, eyes widening in disbelief.
“You really like him?”
Nino bit her lip. A faint blush spread across her pale cheeks.
An iron tree blooming.
The phrase popped into Miyuki’s mind.
She understood instantly, and couldn’t help growing curious about this Alan.
She knew how simple Nino was. She had never once seen her show interest in romance. Her entire life revolved around kendo.
If not for her obsession with food, Miyuki might have thought Nino was nothing more than a single-minded kendo machine.
Then something clicked.
Miyuki couldn’t help asking, “So when you drew lots earlier… you cheated, didn’t you?”
“…”
When Nino guiltily looked away, like a child caught doing something wrong, Miyuki had her answer.
She pinched Nino’s fingertips in exasperation.
“After you meet Alan, you’re apologizing to Saku with me.”
“Okay.”
This time, Nino didn’t pretend to be mute.
She lowered her head and agreed.
Miyuki had never doubted that Nino would lose to Maheda. After nearly a year together, she knew exactly how terrifying this girl could be when she got serious.
And sure enough…
***
Moments later, Nino stood on the dojo floor, bamboo sword in hand.
When Saku’s hand dropped as the signal, she surged forward like a bolt of lightning.
Maheda reacted instantly, raising his bamboo sword to block. But the moment their weapons collided, his wrist went numb.
He tried to counterattack, but Nino’s next strike was already there.
Crack. Crack. Crack.
The bamboo sword in Nino’s hands became a blur, striking Maheda’s head repeatedly.
The sounds merged into a continuous roar, each blow fierce and precise. In mere moments, Maheda was forced back.
Then… his sword was knocked aside.
“Men!”
With a sharp shout, the girl delivered the final strike.
The crisp impact echoed through the hall.
Maheda staggered, nearly collapsing.
Silence swept the entire venue.
Aside from the students from C School, everyone stared in stunned disbelief.
The fight had ended in an instant, less than half a minute.
To the onlookers, it was violent artistry.
There had been no real exchange. Only Nino Kitagawa charging forward, overwhelming her opponent with relentless strikes, then finishing with a blow so fast it was almost invisible.
Had Maheda not been wearing protective gear, that final strike would have split his head open.
Is she really a girl?
What kind of monster is this?
The earlier hostility vanished completely, replaced by shock and awe.
She was terrifyingly strong.
That speed, that power, none of them would have lasted even three seconds against her.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
After a brief pause, sparse applause broke out.
Standing beside Makoto, Gido snapped back to reality and couldn’t help patting his shoulder.
“Captain… did you see that clearly?”
Makoto turned to glare at him, then let out a relieved smile.
“No. All I saw was a monster running rampant.”
“Gido.”
“Yes, Captain?”
“You’ll referee the next match.”
Gido froze, confusion written all over his face.
“Huh? Then what about you, Captain? The match isn’t over yet—”
“I’m going to call Alan.”
“…”
***
Off to the side, Miyuki knelt down and covered her forehead after witnessing Nino’s merciless strike.
When Nino removed her protective gear and sat beside her, Miyuki couldn’t help scolding.
“You went too far, Nino.”
“…”
Nino said nothing. She quietly knelt there, took a seaweed rice ball from a plastic bag, and bit into it.
She didn’t really understand what too far meant.
She only knew that this way, she could see him sooner.
***
Alan, meanwhile, was completely unaware of the chaos unfolding inside the kendo club.
He strolled casually toward the club building, explaining the rules of kendo matches to Nozomi Sakura.
“Usually it’s best-of-three. Whoever scores two valid hits first wins.”
“The valid targets are the face, throat, wrists, and torso…”
“But just hitting isn’t enough. The strike needs proper spirit, posture, and zanshin.”
“Oh, I see.”
Nozomi Sakura nodded vaguely. She’d never paid much attention to kendo before. She’d watched a couple of matches with Mia, but they hadn’t interested her.
Listening to Alan explain the techniques now, she found it surprisingly fascinating, and even considered buying a bamboo sword herself.
As they climbed the stairs, she glanced at him.
“So, are you okay for the match? Don’t you need to warm up?”
Alan shook his head.
“No need. I train every morning. I’ve practiced kendo since middle school, I actually like it.”
“Oh? So you like kendo.”
Nozomi Sakura narrowed her eyes slightly, committing it to memory, then smiled.
“Your skills must be pretty good then. No wonder the club captain called you to back him up. Sounds like you’re confident.”
“…”
Alan slowed his steps, recalling Makoto’s phone call earlier. A faint unease surfaced.
“I wouldn’t say I’m backing him up. And I wouldn’t say I’m confident either. But it should be a good fight.”
“Oh.”
Nozomi Sakura nodded, amused internally.
Practicing every day since middle school and still calling it a good fight.
Waiting to win so he could be praised by her, huh?
Still, she didn’t mind his "false modesty". In fact, she was pleased, already thinking about how to compliment him afterward without overdoing it.
Before she realized it, they had reached the entrance of the kendo hall.
Alan pushed the door open.
Before he could even look inside, the sharp clash of bamboo swords rang out.
Makoto stepped forward to greet him.
“Alan. You’re finally here.”
