Shibuya, a prefecture located in Tokyo in western Japan, is a major commercial center.
The Toyogasaki Academy's Kendo Club didn't make Yusei take the train… this was also Yusei's request because he wanted to bring Utaha and Shiro along.
Taking the train felt somewhat inconvenient, and the bus was just easier.
After some time, they finally arrived around noon at the hotel arranged by the organizers for the competition period.
Yusei didn't have much luggage because the competition would end in the afternoon, so the hotel was just for meals and temporary rest.
Seeing Yusei ready to go explore Shibuya as soon as they got off the bus, Utaha couldn't help but speak up.
"Aren't you planning to rest? If you have a match this afternoon, conserving your energy would be the best choice, right?"
Yusei glanced at her and shrugged, "True, but I always have plenty of energy. I don't need to rest."
"I hope you don't complain about being tired later." Utaha was indifferent.
She didn't actually believe Yusei could win the championship. In fact, she found his winning streak these past few days unbelievable.
It might be better if he got eliminated early, avoiding the final one-on-one match, so he could accompany her around Shibuya.
Actually, Utaha really wanted to explore too. Having seldom travel, preferring to stay home writing novels during holidays, she was quite curious about the places mentioned in travel guides.
The three had lunch together and headed to the venue when the afternoon matches were about to start.
Since Yusei was a competitor, he asked the Kendo Club to get two tickets. Utaha and Shiro found their seats early.
…
Backstage at the Kendo Tournament's venue, a black-haired girl in a sleek Kendo uniform stood gracefully. However, her seemingly 'unapproachable' cool expression held a hint of helplessness.
And her helplessness was precisely because of her best friend in front of her.
This was a pink-haired girl with a cute face and a full figure. She looked somewhat dorky and cute, occasionally giving the black-haired girl a silly smile.
"Kaguya-chan, I'm serious! I saw it that day. He really could cut a bullet with a sword. You have to believe me!"
The girl shook the black-haired girl's arm, acting coquettishly, which made the black-haired girl feel quite helpless.
"Alright, alright, I believe you, okay? But you don't even know his name. How are you going to find him? You should give up on that Prince Charming dream."
Hearing this, the pink-haired girl's face flushed, but she also felt somewhat indignant and snorted cutely.
"I don't believe it! That day, he really appeared before me like a savior, drove away all the bad guys. The way he cut the bullet with a wooden sword..."
As she spoke, the girl drifted into reminiscence, her face full of satisfaction and happiness.
Born into a political family, she had witnessed all sorts of scheming and intrigue since childhood, which had significantly honed her mind.
However, her family still protected her quite a bit. So, on one hand, she maintained her innate innocent and lively nature… on the other hand, she possessed the cunning to easily manipulate her enemies.
Regarding romance, her original attitude was firmly against it because she knew she might have to marry into another family for an alliance in the future.
But now it was different. After being kidnapped by her family's political rivals last time, nearly meeting disaster, and then being rescued, her heart became tied to the boy from that day.
In her mind, he was the Prince Charming from the fairy tales her mother told her when she was little, and she was the Snow White who almost died from the poisoned apple.
So, she started becoming interested in romance. She had begun reading books on the topic and sharing her thoughts with her best friend.
For this Kendo tournament, because it involved swordsmanship, on the surface she was accompanying her best friend, but secretly she hoped that boy might also be participating.
She just didn't know what grade he was in. In her hazy memory, Fujiwara Chika hadn't seen him clearly.
But she felt he should be at least middle school age or older. But what if he really was a middle school student?
Chika felt a torn, but soon she showed a smile again.
'An older woman-younger man relationship would be fine too. That way, I could take care of him. Taking care of someone shouldn't be too hard, right? Probably just like taking care of Pes!'