Chapter 126: The Method of Training

If it was serious enough to require a hospital visit, it would probably be the kind of situation where only one hand could move, right? Saeko Busujima seems to cook for herself every day; having only one hand would be quite inconvenient for her.

The last time Saeko Busujima cared for him while he was unconscious, Tsukasa Aoki felt responsible to return the favor this time.

Saeko Busujima remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, “Today?”

Tsukasa Aoki thought it over. From her tone, it seemed today wasn’t very convenient for her, so he said, “If today isn’t good, tomorrow works too. Will you be taking the day off from the kendo club tomorrow, Senpai?”

“Hmm…” Saeko’s voice hesitated slightly.

Without wasting time, Aoki decided, “Then it’s settled. After the kendo club activities tomorrow afternoon, I’ll come see you. Please don’t bother preparing anything—just rest well.”

Judging from Saeko’s usual demeanor, if he were to visit, she’d probably prepare dinner and tea. If she had to work so hard with an injured hand, Aoki thought it might be better not to go at all.

Saeko’s tone lightened, “Alright, just call me before you come tomorrow.”

“Okay, I won’t keep you any longer.” Smiling, Tsukasa ended the call. “Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

After hanging up, Saeko lay on her bed, staring blankly at her phone screen. After a long pause, she clumsily saved the number under “Aoki-kun” using her left hand. Her right hand was wrapped thickly in bandages, resting before her, swollen noticeably.

She gazed at the dark screen for some time, then let out a long breath, a mixture of anticipation and melancholy on her face. “Aoki-kun...”

In the empty bedroom, Saeko’s long hair spread out like a blooming purple datura on the bed. The thin quilt outlined her slender, well-proportioned figure, making her appear like a fairy born from flowers. Her flawless face, usually so spirited and bold, now held a vacant, listless gaze, her charming phoenix-shaped eyes slightly downturned.

She reached out her right hand uncertainly. The thick bandages wiped away the unrealistic hopes in her mind, and her expression returned to calm as she murmured, “What a strange time to come...”

After ending the call, Tsukasa Aoki thought for a moment and sent a text to Sora, letting her know he’d be home a little late today.

Sora quickly replied with a simple “Mm.”

“Aoki.” Tsukasa waved to Nanami Saiki not far away. Nanami immediately approached. “Aoki-kun? How is she?”

Aoki scratched his head and smiled. “Senpai said it’s nothing serious. She just needs a few days to rest at home. She wants me to help out with the kendo club for a few days... but I’m not sure what I can teach them. Nanami, do you have any ideas?”

Since he had promised Senpai, he was determined to do a good job! Hopefully, by the time Saeko returned to the kendo club, everyone would have improved noticeably.

Nanami thought for a moment, then suddenly said, “Why not practice sparring?”

“I think if they can swing their swords at you without fear, Aoki-kun, their skills will definitely improve a lot.” Nanami eyed Aoki cautiously after speaking. “What do you think?”

After hearing this, Tsukasa felt the idea was quite feasible.

Looking around, every time the kendo club members noticed his gaze, they immediately stiffened and froze.

Aoki rubbed his face, clicked his tongue, and smiled. “Then let’s do it! Nanami, you organize it. Let’s give it a try.”

With that, Tsukasa quickly began preparing his protective gear.

Nanami smiled wryly as he went to coordinate with the other members.

Once Tsukasa was fully equipped, Nanami brought over a tall, sturdy third-year member.

“A-Aoki-kun, hello.”

The third-year wore a mask hiding his face, but his nervous eyes were fixed on the ground; his body trembled slightly.

“Relax. Just treat me like Senpai Busujima,” Tsukasa said, lifting his shinai. The familiar feel excited him.

“Y-yes!” The member’s voice trembled. His hands holding the shinai were like lead, shaking continuously.

“Relax. Attack me.” Tsukasa smiled wryly at the sight. His muffled voice behind the mask made the member straighten instinctively. “Yes!”

He cautiously raised his shinai and thrust forward at a painstakingly slow pace of ten centimeters per second.

Tsukasa’s mouth twitched under the mask, slightly annoyed. With a sharp crack, he intercepted the attack, knocking the opponent’s shinai to the floor in one strike. “Again.”

The member trembled as he retrieved his weapon.

After two more rounds, Tsukasa glared at the opponent whose shinai he’d sent flying again and scolded, “You’re a third-year, right?”

“Yes!” The nervous third-year answered, frozen in place. “I’m a third-year.”

“Then show the spirit of a senior! After three years in kendo, you still can’t even hold your sword steady when facing an opponent?” Tsukasa’s rebuke stunned the kendo club into silence; it was unnervingly quiet.

He looked up, removed his mask, and loudly declared to the anxious members watching, “Everyone will spar with me today, and I won’t stop until I’m satisfied. Anyone who’s afraid to swing their sword, don’t expect to go home!”

He glanced at the third-year member, who kept his head down, silent. Tsukasa huffed, “You watch from the side!”

The third-year quietly picked up his shinai and stepped aside.

“Nanami! Put on your gear!” Tsukasa strapped his mask back on and gripped his shinai tightly.

Nanami hurried to gear up and pulled out a shinai. “Aoki-kun?”

“Attack me!” Tsukasa’s voice brought back memories of days when Nanami was under his command. But unlike the earlier third-year, Nanami didn’t shy away. He assumed a stance. “I’m ready!”

“Come!” Tsukasa shouted.

“Ha!” Nanami’s spirit and shout were loud and clear as his shinai slashed toward Tsukasa’s face.

Though Tsukasa’s vision was slightly obstructed by his face guard, he accurately raised his shinai to block the downward cut, then swiftly countered with a horizontal strike that rang clearly on Nanami’s armor.

“Keep going!” Tsukasa and Nanami stepped back to reset.

Nanami smiled wryly, clearly sensing the huge gap between them. “I didn’t expect Aoki to be this strong now... it’s like you’re on a whole different level compared to before.”

“Of course,” Tsukasa replied. He’d finally regained the feel of sparring, though Nanami was much weaker than the former Saeko, which made it hard to stay interested. Still, having promised Saeko, he intended to follow through.

“Ha!” Nanami mustered courage and launched another attack.

The watching kendo members could only see Nanami repeatedly forced back by Aoki’s strikes. Whether Nanami’s cuts or thrusts, Aoki skillfully dodged or blocked, counterattacking precisely. It was a one-sided slaughter!

“Did Nanami do something to offend Aoki?”

“This is terrifying; just watching makes me ache all over...”

“It’s only practice—does he have to be this serious?”

“Is he in a bad mood and using the kendo club to vent?”

Ignoring the whispers, Nanami focused on each strike, giving his all.

Behind his mask, Aoki’s expression was cold. Hearing those words, a cold smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

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P.S.: A new week begins, and it’s time to submit recommendation votes again~ Also, to those whose comments I’ve deleted, please consider the harm your words do to me, the author, and the story. Kindly refrain from leaving negative remarks. Thank you very much. (When bowing, I accidentally revealed my phone with admin privileges—screen showing options to delete and mute... (*￣︶￣))

Also, heartfelt thanks to the great Fentu Kusou for the chapter recommendation. Your unexpected support means the world to me—keyboard covered in milk, hands greasy... but I won’t be spoiled away! Feel free to keep sponsoring me! (Feeding me with recommendation votes is a must; starving me would be cruel~~)