Living in Tokyo, all I want to do is laze around.

Uesugi Kai continued, "I just think you're incredibly rude. Ms. Sakakibara told me that you deliberately knocked over someone's things in the hallway, didn't say a word, and just walked away. I want to ask you, what happened to your apology back then?"

Besides Fujino, one of the students in the audience also realized what Uesugi Kai was talking about.

He was also present at the time as Fujino's companion.

“Master… what do you want me to do…?” Fujino addressed Uesugi as ‘Master’ with great reluctance.

"How do you do it? Ha."

Uesugi Kai knew that he was still somewhat unconvinced. Even after being beaten down, he still harbored a bit of arrogance. However, due to the situation, he didn't want to stay here any longer and wanted to compromise quickly and leave.

"Do I need to teach you how to do it? Even elementary school students know how to say those five words."

Five words?

Fujino mentally counted the five words on his fingers, and after a long while, bracing himself against the knife, he said:

"right--"

"Wrong!!"

Suddenly, Uesugi Kai's loud shout made him take another step back, his entire foot stepping off the playing field. "You're not talking to me! Who should you apologize to? You're over twenty years old, don't you understand?"

"Takizawa!"

"Hi!" The student named Takizawa stood up immediately when he heard the instructor call his name loudly.

Uesugi Kai glanced at him sideways and said, "You were there at the time, so I'm sure you know who Fujino should apologize to. Take him to the courtyard to apologize to that person!"

Upon hearing his instructions, Takizawa quickly stepped out from among the group of students, grabbed Fujino's arm tightly, and left the dojo under everyone's watchful eyes.

As soon as Fujino left, the atmosphere instantly became quiet.

The rest of the group, including the leader, all looked towards Uesugi Kai in the center of the dojo.

The oak knife in his hand had already cracked, and his opponent's knife had broken into two pieces. This kind of resilient wood is the least likely to break, so you can imagine how much force was used to swing the knife.

Even now, they still feel a thumping sound in their ears.

Those students who had experienced Shi Fan's swordsmanship were well aware of his skill, but no one could understand how he achieved such a level.

......

Afterwards, Uesugi Kai helped them resolve their current difficulties. After sitting quietly in the rest area for several hours, he confirmed that there was nothing more he could do to help them. He then changed back into his everyday clothes and prepared to leave the Mushinkan Dojo.

"Uesugi Shihandai!" Tachibana Yuga called out to him from the corridor outside the dojo.

"What, is there another problem?" Uesugi Kai turned around.

"With his current strength as a teacher, he definitely has a chance to win the national competition." She meant that he could participate now.

"Win the championship?"

Seeing that Tachibana seemed to care a lot about this, Uesugi Kai asked, "What's the point of winning the championship?"

"Prove yourself."

"Winning the championship is more about vanity. Standing at the top, looking down at all the defeated people below, and having everyone hear the title of number one in swordsmanship gives you a deep sense of respect."

"I don't deny what the teacher said; vanity is something everyone has."

Do you think I lack this?

I said, "Most of the time, it's unnecessary."

Kai Uesugi said, "Compared to this kind of fame and achievement, I prefer small joys: being able to drink a glass of ice-cold water after exercising, the bento box I often buy at the supermarket suddenly going on sale, suddenly finding a few hundred yen more in my purse, or a shower of cherry blossoms falling in front of me when I go out..."

Tachibana Yuwa smiled and said, "Shifan Dai has the kind of style that young girls like."

"is it?"

"In my experience, no young girl can resist a boy like Dai from a teacher training college."

Kai Uesugi felt that it was mostly because of his face, which matched the image of a male protagonist in a shoujo manga that girls longed for, and Hanabi often stared at him in a daze.

"Has Uesugi Shihan ever been in a relationship?"

Ju said that because she considered herself the older sister.

That's true, he's definitely a bit older than 18-year-old Uesugi Kai.

“We’re already engaged,” Uesugi Kai said, raising his hand to change the subject. “So, what brings you here, Tachibana?”

"I just want to ask why someone with the ability of a teacher's college student didn't try to participate in the national competition."

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t attend,” Uesugi Kai said. “I’ll take my leave now.”

As I watched him walk away on the wooden planks, I thought to myself, someone with that kind of skill shouldn't be unknown in the world of swordsmanship.

With doubts in her mind, she went to the dojo's rest area, took out her phone, and searched for the name "Uesugi Kai" online.

The results came out quickly.

I curiously flipped through the menus on my phone's browser.

The large amount of information that comes into view is all titled with phrases like "Number One in the New Generation of Archery," "Unparalleled Shooting Star," and "National Archery Contest."

Some even included videos, with titles such as:

"Highlights of the 73rd All Japan Men's Archery Championship, Yutori Naka".

When you click in, all you see are images of Uesugi Kai dressed in white robes and black hakama, drawing a bow.

The highly-rated comments below analyze his shooting style, going on and on and on.

----------

A street scene in Tokyo at 1:39 p.m.

Cold rain sprinkled across the transparent umbrellas that were being used to walk between the high-rise buildings.

"Welcome to 7 Days Convenience Store."

"Hi, Seunghye, 300 yen."

"Sir, starting in September, you'll be charged for plastic bags. Here's your change: 190 yen. Please keep it safe."

Thank you for your patronage. We look forward to welcoming you again.

After leaving the convenience store, Uesugi Kai, whose chin was now covered in stubble, walked home alone, holding an umbrella.

The whispers of raindrops hitting the umbrella's surface filled my entire body with a chill.

Kai Uesugi didn't react much, letting the chill invade his body as he continued walking through the rain-soaked streets of Tokyo.

He answered the phone, carrying a clear plastic bag containing two cup noodles.

It is the mother.

【Akai, the letter from the University of Tokyo has arrived.】

【Um. 】

[It says on the sign that the entrance ceremony will be held on April 1st!]

That's really lucky.

[Yeah, yeah! I can't believe you actually got in, A-Zhao! This past year must have been tough, right? What do you want to eat tonight?]

Kai Uesugi glanced sideways at the two packs of Nissin Cup Noodles in his plastic bag.

The pattering raindrops continued to fill my ears.

I've already bought some instant noodles.

[Instant noodles? No way! That's unhealthy. When you get home, just wait for me to go grocery shopping; it'll be ready in a minute.]

【Um. 】

Kai Uesugi hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket.

Unexpectedly, it rang again.

It's Goto.

【Hello.】

[Haha, Uesugi, I passed! I passed!]

【Congratulations.】

Hey, you have no idea how tough it's been for me lately. Every night I wait for the envelope to arrive at home.

【Um. 】

Kai Uesugi, phone in hand, gazed at the passersby under their umbrellas as they brushed past him.

[Hey, Uesugi, are you alright? You don't sound very happy. Could it be that you...]

You've passed; don't worry.

[You passed? Haha, that's great! The University of Tokyo... I can't even dream of it. There's a class reunion on Friday, everyone's coming. Are you coming?]

【never mind.】

Hey, no way! The class reunion wouldn't be complete without you! You're a celebrity at our school! Do you know how many girls have asked me for your phone number?

[It wouldn't be much different without me.]

【How can you say that! Every classmate is important! If you don't come, Tsubokawa and I will drag you here!】

There's no need.

"Uesugi, this is necessary. We're worried about you." Goto's tone suddenly became serious.

What do I have to worry about?

[Anyway, it's settled then. 2-6-12 Ginza. Remember to come on time Friday noon, you absolutely have to!]

Kai Uesugi put the phone he had just hung up back into his pocket.

On the way home, the sound of the plastic bag swaying and the rain hitting the umbrella were clearly mingled together.

The words Goto had invited me to the class reunion kept echoing in my mind.

To say it's perfect is an understatement; it's been imperfect for a long time now.

Uesugi Kai continued walking, the sky overcast with rain, filled with an unyielding chill.