Chapter Forty-Three: Complex Feelings (Extra Update Ends)

"Saeko, you seem a little distracted today," gasped Aoki, setting down his wooden sword and removing his mask.

Saeko also took off her mask, revealing a stunning, delicate face beneath her slightly damp purple hair, making her appear even more alluring. She pursed her lips and frowned, "I heard... Kaita Ishihara came to see you this morning?"

"Ah... yes," Aoki replied, sitting cross-legged across from her. Noticing the concern in her gaze, he smiled gently, "Don't worry, I'll deal with it."

Saeko was silent for a moment. The usual brilliance in her phoenix eyes dimmed, flickering with a hint of apology. "Ultimately, this matter involves me as well. I originally planned to talk to Kaita Ishihara directly, but thought it best to hear your thoughts first. Personally, I’d prefer to avoid this conflict. But... whatever your decision, I’ll respect it."

Unconcerned, Aoki wiped sweat from his face and twisted his neck, grinning, "Senpai, you don't need to worry. These things, you can avoid once but not forever. Sometimes, stepping back only emboldens certain people. I already know how I want to handle it, so don't overthink it. Since trouble’s come, better to resolve it all at once than let it fester and invite even greater problems."

If he asked someone for help, those delinquent boys would lose begrudgingly, and if they clung to excuses—bad luck, poor state—and came back for more, it would be troublesome.

Saeko scrutinized Aoki for a few seconds, her gaze sharp. Seeing he wasn’t merely forcing bravado but genuinely confident, her eyes softened. "Alright, I’ll leave it to you."

As if realizing she might be meddling too much, Saeko added, "Aoki, you’re the man I acknowledge, and I grant absolute trust to the men I recognize. Since you have a handle on things, I won’t say more. I believe you have your own methods."

To preserve a man’s dignity is a woman’s reserve.

A good woman respects a man's resolve.

Saeko looked at Aoki’s smiling face, feeling a faint anticipation rising in her heart.

Let me see how Aoki will resolve this.

Aoki had no idea what Saeko was thinking, but he admired her composure and sense of propriety. Her words and demeanor were nothing like a typical high school girl, and her unguarded regard for him made him a bit embarrassed yet also proud—after all, he was a man, and being recognized and respected by a beautiful girl naturally brought such feelings.

“Ha, I won’t let you down, Saeko,” Aoki said, then suddenly chuckled, “I wonder if Kaita Ishihara will still come to the kendo club after this.”

“He’s practiced kendo long enough and has a solid foundation, but he’s arrogant, conceited, and narrow-minded. Such a person’s kendo, in my view, is third-rate at best.” Saeko spoke earnestly. “Kendo is not just a contest of skill and strength. The higher the level, the more it demands innate talent and mental attitude. His talent is mediocre, so even diligent study won’t bring much achievement, let alone his impure motives—he already believes his skills are exceptional and refuses to put in hard work.”

“If after this he gives up kendo, it only proves his character is limited,” Saeko concluded, her words objective but tinged with disdain.

Looking at Saeko’s heroic brows and extraordinary presence, Aoki suddenly felt his heart race. He suppressed the strange feeling and asked seriously, “So, senpai, what kind of person am I in your eyes?”

Saeko paused, meeting Aoki’s gaze. The sharpness in her features faded into softness. She laughed lightly, her fingers tapping her knee imperceptibly, lips pursed as she pondered, before finally giving an ambiguous answer.

“Aoki... in my eyes, you’re a very mysterious man.” Saeko smiled gently, a complex emotion flashing through her long phoenix eyes without further explanation.

Young yet mature, difficult to approach yet unexpectedly gentle—and always, beneath that familiar smile, something hidden, unknown.

Aoki is someone who likes to conceal his true self—a man who makes one curious. Saeko always found traces of herself in Aoki, which is why she refrained from deeper analysis. It always felt as though she was dissecting herself, and as for her so-called true self... Saeko disliked it greatly.

A fleeting sadness flashed in her eyes, but outwardly all was normal.

Aoki blinked, his heart skipping, but he didn’t press further. He laughed, “How am I mysterious? Perhaps you’re just too kind to point out my flaws.”

Both laughed softly, tacitly avoiding the topic and soon fell silent. After resting awhile, Aoki stood and smiled, “One more round?”

“Alright.” Saeko donned her mask, hiding her face, her expression beneath it complicated.

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Author’s Note: Lately, quite a few people have commented in the review section that the story is a bit slow, or the pacing is dragging. I’ve thought about it, and as for those who call it ‘dragged out,’ I won’t argue—that term’s vague and hard to define. But the pacing is indeed not fast. Mainly, I focus on character development through dialogue and internal monologue, which does slow the plot progression. But I always felt this book is fundamentally a slice-of-life story, so making the protagonist’s daily life interesting is my aim... Still, I admit the plotline itself is sluggish at times. I’ll do my best to improve and accelerate the story with richer developments.

If there’s anything that makes your reading experience less pleasant, I sincerely welcome comments and feedback in the review section (please avoid posting in the chapter comments, as I can only check those via phone and can’t reply). Please be gentle—don’t be too harsh... I may not reply to every comment, but I promise I read them all, none are missed.

As a new author, I still feel like a newcomer at heart. There’s much to improve in my writing and storytelling. I hope readers will grant me more support and tolerance, and give me space to grow. I am deeply grateful. I’ll repay your support with better writing and stories, and hope I live up to your expectations and become an author you love.

Thank you again for your love of this book. You’re welcome to join the Q group for discussion and updates (QAQ—though you already push me plenty). The number was listed in a previous notice.