Wow. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
I’m really sorry for the late chapter. Things started piling up again and then I realized I only translated half a chapter. So yeah, the second half was done in a rush ^^;;
If you enjoyed this release, please leave a like or a comment below! Oh gosh, can you believe we only have 10 chapters left?!
Chapter 48:
High School – Twenty-eighth Part
The day of Kenshin’s match.
I’m at the national tournament’s match venue, sitting in the cheer area next to Teruki and Suzaku-kun. The two of them led me to the match grounds—such a great help.
Genbu-senpai had been worried, so when I was on the way there, I felt anxious and thought that something might happen. I was relieved when I arrived at the venue without a hitch.
From the cheer area, I can see Kenshin and the others from Shinjin Gakuen’s kendo team a.s.semble.
When Mizuki notices us in the bleachers, he waves his hand fervently and breaks into a smile. I sneak a peak at Kenshin.
He’s been practicing hard up until now. That self confidence has transformed into vigor, and now it’s overflowing from him.
My childhood friend is really cool.
While I’m fascinated in secret, Kenshin’s line of sight aims towards me. Our eyes meet. He smiles only once, turning away from me.
He’ll fight for the sake of victory.
Power gathers in my hand and I grasp tightly out of instinct, my thumb coming in contact with the ring on my index finger.
I examine it.
When I was leaving the house this morning, I was kissed by Genbu-senpai and promised never to remove the ring. Recalling the time he slipped it on my finger, I feel my cheeks grow a bit warm.
There’s still some time before Kenshin’s match, so I decide to go fetch some purifying water (御手洗).
Teruki offers to accompany me. Suzaku-kun stays behind to save our seats.
He’s in the meeting place, crammed in with the other people cheering and the members of the kendo club.
Yuu: “…Teruki, the first match started a little while ago! I’m so nervous.”
Teruki: “I see…Yuu, for the time being don’t separate from me. At any rate, with so many people here, it’ll be hard going to the bathroom.”
Yuu: “Really crowded huh…Ah?”
I blink.
For a moment, I thought I saw Hasumyouji-senpai.
He probably has some friends in the kendo club, so it’s not too much of a stretch to see him here. In fact, I met some cla.s.smates who came to cheer on the club too.
Teruki: “Yuu…What is it?”
Yuu: “…Yeah? Nothing…”
I walk into the crowd, b.u.mping into someone.
Yuu: “…Excuse me…”
That person flashes an unpleasant smile.
Stranger: “…Found you. You’re Amano-kun, right?”
Yuu: “…Eh?”
The stranger is dressed in a black hoodie and has several piercing on his ears. He looks at me and smirks. Then he reaches out in my direction and tries to drag me by the hand.
Stranger: “Won’t you follow me?”
Teruki: “Yuu?”
Teruki supports me as I’m about to be pulled away.
As it is, he gives the other party a roundhouse kick, taking me back and checks the surroundings.
Teruki: “…Four people, huh? Well, do you think you’ll manage somehow?** …!”
Teruki brings each of them to defeat by using the large crowd around us. With each person, he knocks down one more bad guy. His body jolts in an agile manner; it’s as though he is a golden beast.
Then, noticing the surroundings and the uproar at that moment, he grabs my hand and sprints off.
Teruki: “…Run Yuu! Go!”
Yuu: “…Yeah!”
We dash.
I hear a shout behind us, but I run anyway. For how long do we keep going?
My legs are getting tangled, looking like I’m about to trip.
Teruki: “…Sorry, Yuu. Are you okay? …Are you ready?**” (それそろええか)
I plop down on the spot.
Even though I’m breathing okay, Teruki is out of breath.
Teruki: “Haah…Somehow we got out of there just fine…Really, things are going just according to Genbu-senpai’s a.s.sumptions, huh? …Scary~…That guy is scary…”
Yuu: “…?”
Wheezing and panting over his shoulder, Teruki explains the situation to me.
In case something were to occur on my trip, Genbu-senpai predicted several patterns of attack and came up with methods to deal with them, driving them all into Teruki’s head.**
He was right on the money; this time, the foiled plan was to kidnap me while I was in a crowd. We acted out the countermeasure, making a dash for it once beating them all, and I try to recover myself. Slipping into the crowd is not a problem.
I tilt my head.
Yuu: “…Why did they want to kidnap me?”
For some reason, Teruki’s face loses its spirit.
Teruki: “…Genbu-senpai…It seems like the target himself doesn’t understand the motive but…oh well. It’s hard to explain.”
He stares straight at me. En route back to the seats, he asks me to listen to Genbu-senpai and pets my head.
I take in Teruki’s expression.
His mouth is bruised from the brawl.
Yuu: “…Teruki, you’re hurt from all the fighting…I’m sorry…Because you were protecting me…for my sake…”
I clutch his shirt. He fought because of me. I’m so sorry. The dam holding my tears back breaks.
Teruki murmurs into my ear. “Did I protect you?”
Yuu: “Yes, you did.”
Teruki: “Then that’s good. And with these marks of honor too?…When I was in middle school, I could only watch as you fell down the stairs…This time I finally took your hand…I finally protected you..!”
He holds me in his arms.
Hands trembling just a bit.
I rub my hands on his back, clinging to him.
Teruki: “You’re honestly safe and sound. Thank goodness.”
We stay in one another’s embrace for a while.
Eventually, Teruki breaks the silence. “…! That reminds me, shouldn’t Seiryuu-senpai’s match have started already?”
We both give one another a stare.
After that, we sprint back to our seats in a hurry.
When we get there, Suzaku’s fuming from head to tails.
Suzaku: “You guys! Reply to your phones! …Seiryuu-senpai keeps glaring over here because he doesn’t see Amano! Since you guys weren’t coming back, I was worried that something happened…Did something serious actually occur?”
Suzaku catches the bruises on Teruki’s mouth, knitting his brows.
Teruki: “Sorry Suzaku. I’ll tell you about it later… Yuu, it’s already the finals from now on! We just made it…”
Kenshin’s match in the finals is just about to commence. We rush to settle in our seats.
Kenshin faces his opponent, thanking him for the match. He spares us barely a glance.
Then, as soon as he notices us in the bleachers, he walks closer to us. As one would expect, the crowd is surprised and causes a racket.
As if confirming something, Kenshin watches both me and Teruki mutually, I think. I face Teruki and drop my head in a deep bow. Afterward, he looks straight our way one more time. He doesn’t do anything after that and returns back to where his opponent is standing.
And then he prepares his bamboo sword.
His movements entrance me.
The noises around us fade into the backdrop.
Yet, his beautiful, serene swordplay(剣裁き) s.n.a.t.c.hes away my heart.
I thought it would go on forever, but before I know it it comes to an end.
The match concludes with Kenshin’s victory.
I’m so moved, the tears refusing to stop their flow.
Teruki and Suzaku-kun both stroke my head.
Ending Notes: Wooo. The drama is about to start.