After finishing the work handover, Tamanawa Jun said his goodbyes to Hojou Kyousuke.
But before leaving, he suddenly turned back and asked Kyousuke to repeat that line of English he said earlier.
This time, he recorded it on his phone, vowing that next time they met, he definitely wouldn't lose.
He spoke entirely in Japanese the whole time — not a single English word escaped his mouth.
"What a weirdo," muttered Hatake Gorou, shaking his head.
"You've got time to worry about other people?" Kyousuke gave him a sharp look. "At this rate, you're definitely going to fail English again. If you don't want to stay after school for makeup lessons, you'd better pray for a miracle."
Before Gorou could reply, Kyousuke chopped him on the head with a swift hand strike.
"If I skip practice to study," Gorou retorted cleverly, rubbing his head, "doesn't that mean I'm wasting twice as much time?"
Kyousuke didn't bother wasting brainpower on his idiotic subordinate.
With a flick of his bamboo sword, he smacked Gorou to the ground — making his stance clear.
Missing one practice wasn't a big deal, but if his grades got too low and the school banned him from competing, that would be serious.
Even Kyousuke's influence wouldn't be enough to smooth that over.
And if word got out, it'd be bad for the school's reputation.
Without needing to be told, Kisaki Tetta, who was following right behind, pulled out a small notebook and started scribbling.
Seeing that, Gorou froze — no need to guess.
Kisaki was probably scheduling "remedial lessons" for him.
Not the kind where a kind-hearted girl gently tutors you after school, but the kind where two or more seniors.
Strong enough to crush him with one hand—would stand on either side and force-feed knowledge into his skull like pouring cement.
'Clap clap!'
Kyousuke clapped his hands twice, his voice ringing out clearly:
"Alright! Warm-up time!"
At once, everyone turned toward him.
The members of the Rampaging Angels, the Kaihin High students who were still trying to get familiar with others, even Keiichi's cousin — all gathered around.
"It's starting, it's starting!" Katou Keiichi whispered excitedly. "We finally get to see Hojou-sensei's legendary swordsmanship in person!"
Blending naturally into Kaihin High's group, Keiichi looked so at home that no one even questioned it.
They all assumed he was some upperclassman from another school assigned to assist them.
Hearing him, Mikiyo and the other Kaihin High members started buzzing with excitement.
They were Kyousuke's classmates and also kendo practitioners — people who'd grown up hearing his name like a legend.
The "Kendo Demon" who once cut down thirty opponents in a single national tournament match — anyone who'd seen that would never forget it.
None of them expected they'd actually get to train with him one day.
Even if they didn't learn anything new, just being here would be unforgettable.
Warm-ups in the kendo club were different from other clubs.
Every stretch and exercise involved a shinai — even partner stretches like back-to-back pulls or seated leg presses.
To represent her school's spirit — and maybe show some friendliness between the two teams.
Saimeiji Mizuki, the vice-captain of Kaihin High's kendo club, stepped forward with a blush and called out loudly:
"Captain Hojou! Let me help you with your stretches!"
…Hm? Why did that sound like an echo? Both sides of the hall were open — how could there be an echo in a place this big?
Hearing the exact same line from multiple directions, Mizuki turned her head — only to see several of her own school's girls rushing forward, hands raised, faces flushed with excitement as they looked at Kyousuke.
And it wasn't just their school.
The girls from that fancy Roppongi private academy who'd been chatting earlier were also running over.
Their flawless makeup and designer perfume practically filled the air as they shouted things like, "I'm really good at stretching!" "I can massage!" "I'm the most flexible!"
'Ugh, please.'
Mizuki grimaced inwardly. 'Shameless! Are you really trying to help him stretch, or just trying to get close to him?'
She'd already noticed something off about those Roppongi girls earlier.
Sure, they wore the same kendo uniforms — but theirs were clearly several price tiers higher.
Their makeup, perfume, even their hair ties screamed money.
They looked like they belonged in a fashion magazine, not a sweaty dojo.
And when she talked to them? Total beginners — couldn't even grip a sword properly.
Back then, Mizuki had felt a bit smug, thinking, Ha! At least there's someone worse than us.
Now, seeing them crowding around Kyousuke, everything clicked.
'We came here to improve our technique — but to those Roppongi girls, Hojou Kyousuke himself is the grand prize.'
'Shameless!'
This was supposed to be a sacred dojo, not some flirting ground! Even the girls from Soubu High weren't acting like this!
Fueled by righteous fury, Mizuki's well-trained body moved instinctively.
With a sharp step, she lunged forward, using her bamboo sword to nudge aside the perfumed heiresses who'd gotten too close.
'Only I truly want to help Captain Hojou stretch for the sake of interschool friendship!' she told herself proudly.
'See? The girls from Soubu High aren't objecting — that means they approve!'
As she imagined getting to pin down the legendary "Kendo Demon" during partner stretches, her heart raced.
Just being that close to such a strong, handsome senpai — one who could even make Tamanawa Jun back off — was thrilling!
'What a lucky day! This training camp is the best!'
But then… she noticed something strange.
The Soubu High girls were staring at her with odd expressions — some looked pitying, others almost sorry for her.
'What's that look supposed to mean? Are they judging me for acting like a country bumpkin? Or… are they showing off that they get to see Hojou every day?'
Confused but determined, Mizuki pushed forward, forcing the "perfume squad" aside, ready to greet Kyousuke with her most sincere smile—
Only for a shadow to suddenly step between them.
"Sorry," said Kisaki Tetta, his face wearing a polite but chilling smile. "The captain's muscles are pretty stiff. He'll need someone stronger to help him. We'll take it from here, Vice-Captain Saimeiji."
That smile — calm, sharp, and terrifying make Mizuki and all the Roppongi girls froze in place.
'Are you kidding me? If I let any of you girls get that close to the boss, I can already imagine what the ladies back at the dorm would say about me! '
'You have no idea how terrifyingly cold-hearted my boss can be—don't drag me!'
"Oh… o-okay…"
Finally realizing why the girls from Soubu High hadn't moved a muscle, Saimenji Mizuki forced a strained smile and hurried back into line.
The Roppongi girls' entourage also scurried away—only for a wave of angry chatter to erupt from their side.
"Hey, hey, this isn't what we were promised!"
"Yeah! Weren't we supposed to get some quality time with Hojou-kun?!"
"Ugh! I want my sponsorship money back!"
"Last week when I helped your subordinates get their car back, this definitely wasn't part of the deal!"
"Oi, Haitani! Is this how you and your brother handle things? Maybe we're being ignored because you're all so useless!"
"…"
The girls' shrill complaints mixed with the pitiful voices of the Haitani brothers, desperately trying to calm them down.
"...Not now! Geez, you girls are way too aggressive! Can't you at least pretend to be reserved? My boss isn't the type to just fall for anyone!
At least wait for the right moment—have some class!"
Kisaki muttered under his breath, trying to hold the chaos together.
Meanwhile, all eyes were drawn to Kyousuke—tall, sharp, and impossibly composed in his kendo uniform, the very image of calm masculinity.
His mere presence was enough to quiet the storm.
The Roppongi heiresses finally began to settle down—only for a new wave of laughter to break out from the Soubu girls' side.
"Tch, as if those flashy posers could ever get close to our treasure!" one of them whispered proudly.
"Even without Sakura, Nishimiya, or Yukinoshita here, we'd never let anyone steal him away!"
The two groups glared daggers across the training hall—only Hojou's steady authority kept them from turning the "joint practice" into an all-out war zone.
Watching this ridiculous scene unfold, Michiyo and Keiichi could only stare, mouths hanging open.
"...This... this is the kind of battlefield Megumi will have to face someday?" Keiichi thought, half in awe, half in fear.
He couldn't help but worry.
His cousin Megumi was just a quiet, ordinary girl—nothing like these rich, assertive beauties from Roppongi.
'How is she supposed to compete with them?'
The thought gnawed at him.
He still couldn't figure out how his unremarkable cousin had managed to catch Hojou's attention at all.
Not just notice her—actually treat her differently.
That made no sense.
Even he, her own cousin, often failed to notice her presence unless she spoke first.
He'd asked her countless times how she and Hojou met.
At first, Megumi only replied vaguely, "Maybe because Hojou-sensei has really good eyesight."
—which he knew was her way of mocking him for being dense.
When he kept pressing her (and even threatened to tell her parents), she finally gave a more cryptic answer:
"Well… even normal people can be the lead in a movie sometimes, right?"
"A movie with a normal person as the lead?" he'd muttered, completely lost—until his older sister, Hiromi, explained it for him.
"Even a plain background character becomes the protagonist when the camera focuses on them. How to make them shine—that's up to the director."
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻)
Keiichi nearly lost his mind dealing with these two cryptic sisters. They always spoke in riddles!
If Megumi hadn't threatened to never introduce him to Hojou if he kept prying, he would've tattled to their parents long ago.
Still… he had to admit, when Megumi was with Hojou, she did look different—like the world itself was framing her as the main character.
He remembered tailing them on a date once; even in a crowded restaurant, he spotted her instantly. Normally, she'd blend into the background—but that day, she stood out.
'Maybe… maybe Hojou really can turn Megumi into the heroine of her own story.'
The absurd thought flashed through his head—but he quickly dismissed it.
'No way. She's way too plain for that.'
But then again… as her cousin—and for the sake of his own future peace—he had to help her!
With that heroic determination, Keiichi spun on his heel, puffed up his chest, and glared fiercely at the Roppongi heiresses.
"Hey! You ladies over there!" he called out boldly.
"Huh? You got a problem?"
A tall girl with wavy crimson hair and diamond-studded earrings shot him a glare.
Her tone oozed irritation and confidence—the kind only the rich can pull off.
Just as Mizuki had thought, these girls might be wearing kendo uniforms, but everything about them—designer perfume, flawless makeup, expensive hair ties—screamed money.
Even the way their hair shimmered looked expensive.
Keiichi, who was still a med student struggling to climb the social ladder, had never faced this kind of aristocratic pressure before.
But for Megumi's sake, he clenched his fists and spoke up:
"Of course I've got a problem! Acting like this is just making things harder for Hojou-sensei!"
That one line made the girls nearby—Mizuki and Michiyo—look at him in surprise.
Whoa… gutsy. Guess he really is part of the kendo camp.
The red-haired heiress—Himeno Seiko—arched a perfectly shaped brow.
She didn't care much about "manners," but being told she was inconveniencing Hojou hit a nerve.
Seeing her pause, Keiichi felt a surge of confidence. Yes! I've got her attention. Megumi, you owe me for this!
He straightened up, smiled suavely, and said, "I actually have Hojou-sensei's personal contact. How about we exchange info? I can—"
Before he could finish, Seiko rolled her eyes and turned away with a scoff.
"Ugh. Spare me."
"Wait, hold on! I really do! I can introduce you to him!" Keiichi shouted after her, voice cracking.
Even Mizuki and Michiyo were now giving him looks of disgust.
"He's literally standing right there," one muttered.
"Yeah, if we can't get his contact in person, what makes him think he can?" another snickered.
Seiko's friend—a girl with sleek princess-cut hair—kicked him lightly in the shin. "Buzz off, scammer."
Across the room, Hojou Kyousuke rubbed his forehead, staring at Kisaki Tetta with a look of resigned disbelief.
"...He's already trying to squeeze donations out of rich girls. If this guy ever goes into politics, I can already hear the TV narration…"
"President Hojou Kyousuke — net worth: X million yen. Vice President and Senate Secretary Kisaki Tetta — donations received: X million yen. Former Vice President Makki Hojou embezzled funds: X million yen..."
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