Chapter 28 – An Invitation from Busujima Saeko!
Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to head to school.
Just like the day before, the Yukinoshita family's car was already waiting downstairs, ready to take both Yukinoshita Yukino and Yukinoshita Akira to Sobu High.
"Off you go."
"Yes, Second Lady."
The low purr of the engine filled the air as the car set off smoothly.
In the back seat—it was the same position, the same people.
However, unlike yesterday, Yukinoshita Yukino no longer wore an expression full of cynicism and rejection. In its place was something much softer—trust, and perhaps… a hint of guilt.
"This is for you, Second Lady."
Akira handed her a piece of paper.
It was a club registration form. He had found it in his bag but had no idea how or when it got there.
Still, after agreeing to Haruno's request this morning, he figured he might as well handle everything in one go.
"Hm? A club registration form? You want to join the Service Club?"
Yukino blinked in surprise as she took the form, her voice filled with disbelief.
The club she founded—the Service Club—hadn't had a single member all year, even after she entered her second year. No one had ever joined, nor even come seeking help.
And now, out of nowhere, Yukinoshita Akira was submitting an application to join. Of course she'd be confused.
"That's right. Your sister hired me to protect you."
"So this is Nee-san's doing..."
She gave a small nod, her voice tinged with resignation. It did sound just like something her older sister would arrange.
Yet somewhere deep in her heart, a strange sense of loss began to stir—something she herself hadn't noticed.
Maybe… just maybe… she had started to feel something different toward this boy.
The tale of a hero rescuing a girl in distress—it never goes out of fashion.
"Alright, I'll accept it. Once we get to school, I'll submit this to our faculty advisor. But don't forget to show up at the Service Club this afternoon. You know where it is, right?"
"Uh… not really."
"Hah… it's on the first floor of the club building, at the very end of the hallway. The room without a nameplate. That's the one."
"Got it. Thanks."
Akira nodded with a slightly confused look. He'd never been to the club building before, let alone some secluded room hidden in a corner.
Still, it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. If necessary, he could always ask Shizuka-sensei.
Before long, the car arrived at Sobu High.
As they stepped out onto the school grounds, Yukino's gaze briefly lingered on the sword bag slung over Akira's shoulder.
She couldn't help but wonder. Where did that katana come from? He hadn't taken any of the swords from her house, so where had he gotten that one?
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san, Akira-kun."
Just as their feet touched the pavement, a gentle voice called out to them. Both of them turned.
Standing before them was Busujima Saeko, dressed in Sobu High's official uniform. Like Akira, she had a sword bag strapped to her back.
But unlike his real katana, hers only carried a bamboo shinai used for practice.
"Good morning, Busujima-san," Yukino responded politely. As the Second Daughter of the Yukinoshita family, she never forgot her manners.
Although their families differed in influence, both girls had grown up under strict discipline and etiquette.
"Morning, Busujima-san."
Akira's tone, on the other hand, was casual and relaxed. It stood in contrast to Yukino's formal greeting—but Saeko didn't seem to mind in the slightest.
She simply offered a faint smile.
Born into a traditional family of kendo masters, she was raised under rigid and conservative values.
In that world, women were seen as supporters—meant to serve and depend on men. That was the legacy of the Busujima household.
In fact, if she hadn't been the only child of her family, she wouldn't have been allowed to study swordsmanship at all.
But her father was a gentle man who deeply loved his wife. Even though she was a girl, he still passed down their family's sword style—the Busujima-ryū—to her.
Growing up in such an environment, Busujima Saeko became a symbol of perfection, talent, and strength. Untouchable. Distant.
That was the image people had of her.
But everything changed the moment Yukinoshita Akira appeared. With overwhelming strength and talent, he crushed her pride in one single match.
For the first time in her life, the teachings she had grown up with—that women must serve men—actually felt real.
Because finally, there was a man she could acknowledge.
After that day, she went home and told her father everything.
And the moment he heard that Yukinoshita Akira was a prodigy with supernatural sword skills—someone who had nearly mastered the Busujima Style after just one encounter—her father's eyes lit up with joy.
He saw Akira as the perfect heir to the family legacy. A once-in-a-generation genius.
Having a daughter instead of a son had always been his greatest regret. But if he could gain a son-in-law like Akira, and pass on the Busujima bloodline through their children...
Then everything would be worth it.
After all, Akira's background wasn't a secret. An orphan raised in an institution, later adopted by the Yukinoshita family.
People might call him "The Yukinoshita Family's Heir," but that meant little to the Busujimas.
To them, the Yukinoshitas were just regional nobility. Even a Murata Katana of "Sando" grade couldn't be issued without the family head's permission.
If Akira hadn't earned their approval, Saeko wouldn't even be allowed to carry the sword on school grounds.
"Akira-kun, my father would like to meet you. Do you have time today?"
The moment Saeko spoke, Yukino's gaze instantly sharpened.
"So… you told your father everything?"
"I'm sorry. But ever since that incident started spreading across the school forums, my father began asking questions. I had no choice but to explain what happened. Don't worry—he means no harm."
"I don't mind. Tell him I'd never decline a senior's invitation."
"Then… how about today?"
"After I'm done with club activities, I'll go with you to the Busujima estate."
"Alright."
A smile bloomed on Saeko's lips.
Though her face remained composed, her eyes burned with a fiery determination.
This man—who had defeated her, who had completely overwhelmed her—had shaken her heart in a way no one else ever had.
Aside from her father, only Akira could ignite that passion for the sword within her. Only he made her feel truly alive with every movement of the blade.
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