Chapter 125: Did the Senior Sister Get Hurt?

Stepping into the kendo club after a long absence, Aoki Tsukasa felt a strange sense of nostalgia as his feet met the soft wooden floor.

The club members currently practicing froze the moment they saw him enter. Although this wasn't his first time appearing at the club, and while they were stiff with apprehension, they at least didn't drop their gear and run. Aoki wasn't exaggerating; when he passed the first-year classroom next door earlier that day, a female student had been so startled by his appearance that she actually dropped her phone.

The thought gave him a headache. Shaking it off, he scanned the room, only to realize that Saeko Busujima was nowhere to be seen. Given that she was the type of person who spent even her lunch breaks in the dojo, her absence at this hour was unexpected.

"Aoki-kun!" The joyful sound of Kusuo Saiki’s voice made him pause. He walked over to where Saiki was waving at him.

"Good afternoon," Aoki greeted, then asked with a frown, "Is Senior Busujima not here today?"

Saiki thought for a moment before replying, "I heard from someone in her class that she took the day off. It seems she isn't feeling well."

"Is that so..." Aoki scratched his head. "Do you have her phone number? I think I'll give her a call to check on her."

He also wanted to know exactly what was wrong. She lived alone in such a large dojo; if she were sick, there would be no one to look after her, which could be trouble. Remembering how much he had relied on Yosuga for care just a few days ago, despite his own robust physique, he couldn't help but feel concerned.

Saiki scanned the club members and spoke to Aoki with a respectful air, "Wait here a moment, Aoki-kun. I'll go ask someone."

"I appreciate it," Aoki smiled, patting him on the shoulder. "You don't need to be so formal with me; we’re friends, after all. I’m not some elder, so it feels a bit strange."

"Really?" Saiki’s voice rose in surprise. Seeing Aoki jump, he quickly added, "Aoki-kun is a person worthy of respect, that is beyond doubt. But... am I truly considered your friend?"

To Saiki, an ordinary person like himself was, at best, just a passing acquaintance whose name Aoki happened to know. "Friend" seemed like a stretch, especially since Aoki was the school’s top dog and leader of the delinquents. Could someone like him really be friends with someone like that? Honestly, Saiki felt it would be conceited of him to think so.

"Eh?" Aoki scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, we should be friends, shouldn't we? Or did you never think of it that way?"

They had practiced kendo together for many days and had interacted quite a bit. Saiki was a good guy, and in Aoki’s mind, that qualified as friendship.

"I..." Saiki was visibly moved, but he quickly calmed himself. Seeing that Aoki wasn't just teasing him, he nodded firmly. "Yes, we are friends!"

"Alright, alright, you make it sound like we're confessing our love," Aoki waved a hand, feeling that such a serious conversation was becoming cringe-worthy.

Saiki turned, his back to Aoki, and whispered, "Thank you."

Watching him trot off to find the contact information, Aoki couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself: it seemed his friendship was quite valuable after all.

Before long, Saiki returned with his phone, displaying Saeko Busujima’s number. "Aoki-kun, this is her number."

"Thanks," Aoki smiled, saved the number to his own phone, and dialed.

The phone rang a few times before a voice that was both familiar and somehow distant answered. "Hello, who is this?"

Aoki held the phone away for a second to clear his throat. "It’s me, Aoki Tsukasa."

"Aoki-kun?" Saeko sounded genuinely surprised that he was calling.

Aoki sat in the corner of the dojo, his tone gentle. "Yes. I hope calling you so suddenly isn't an intrusion."

"Not at all... just surprised. Is there something you needed, Aoki-kun?" Her voice, husky yet alluring, was unmistakable. The gentle tone she used now felt like a warm breeze against his ear, instinctively making him feel a sense of closeness.

Aoki hesitated for a moment before getting to the point. "I have a friend who wants to join the kendo club. I was planning to ask you about it in person, but I didn't realize you wouldn't be here today."

"I see," Saeko paused, then continued, "That’s fine, but..."

"But?" Aoki frowned slightly.

"I might be away from school for a few days. Would you mind looking after the club members for me? Just supervise their training. If you’re willing to help them improve their technique and mindset, that would be even better."

Listening to her request, Aoki nodded. "Alright, I agree."

"Thank you," Saeko replied in her usual unhurried, soft-spoken manner. "You’ve done me a great favor."

Aoki let out a dry laugh. "It’s nothing..."

*I’m the one who owes you, Senior Busujima.* He paused before asking, "If it’s not too forward, may I ask what’s wrong?"

"Hmm..." Saeko’s voice carried a hint of playfulness. "Is this Aoki-kun showing concern for me?"

"Of course. You live here all by yourself; it would be a real problem if you were sick." Aoki felt himself blushing slightly.

A soft laugh echoed through the phone. After a few seconds, she continued, "It’s nothing serious. I just injured my finger, so I’m taking a day to rest and see a doctor."

"Your finger?" Aoki frowned with concern. "Is it serious?"

For a swordsman, the fingers were vital. If the injury were severe, even if it healed, it would surely affect her grip on the sword in the future. What kind of swordsman couldn't grip their blade firmly? Unlike him, Saeko’s entire life was tied to the way of the sword; if she were permanently injured, it would be a disaster.

"Don't worry," Saeko said, perhaps feeling a bit unaccustomed to his concern. She paused before explaining calmly, "It should be healed in a week. There shouldn't be any issues."

"I see..." Aoki hesitated for a long while before asking cautiously, "Then... may I come to visit you?"