I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"Can you tell me the name of the person you photographed?"

Chapter 132 The National Tournament Begins

As it was a national competition involving two different events, the Kyoto University Gymnasium was bustling with activity by 9:00 AM, with voices audible from every corner.

Not to mention the participants, there were also many young people in the stadium who came to watch the excitement. Most of them were students from nearby colleges or universities. They stood on the second-floor platform and looked down at the athletes who were ready to compete, pointing and talking loudly.

As a participant, there's naturally no need to squeeze in with the crowd of onlookers.

Led by staff, they entered the stadium through a private entrance.

Of course, only members of the kendo club who had registered in advance could stay in the competition area on the first floor, while the three girls had to go to the second floor to watch the match.

The huge stadium is divided into many areas. In order to save time, multiple games will be held at the same time, and it is a brutal elimination system.

Once a winner is determined, the loser is immediately eliminated, with no chance of a comeback match. So, the eliminated teams either have to go home immediately or make the most of Kyoto before the tournament ends, so as not to have come for nothing.

Amidst the gradually rising clamor, the stadium was now packed, with many people even standing and leaning on the railings, waiting for the match to officially begin.

Numerous cameras were set up in various locations, ready to broadcast live and conduct interviews, connecting the footage directly to television channels to ensure this national competition received the attention it deserved.

Yuu Tenkuji thought that at this moment, Kasugano Sora should have already turned on the TV, munching on potato chips and looking forward to her brother's heroic performance.

...If only that were the case.

I stayed up all night playing games last night and couldn't get up without him. Although I completely missed the live stream, I had recorded the game beforehand with a video recorder, so it wasn't a problem at all—that's more like what my homebody sister would do.

With the thought that it didn't matter what happened, Yuu Tenkuji and the Kendo Club members entered the rest room under the guidance of the staff. After quickly changing into their kendo protective gear, they filed into the competition area.

The competition venue for Zongwu High School is No. 5. It has already been set up. The 9 by 9 meter square venue is so clean that it seems to reflect light.

After winning the match, they can go back to the lounge to rest and wait for the winners of other venues to emerge, and then draw lots to go to other venues to compete.

Today we'll make it to the quarterfinals, tomorrow is the semifinals, and the day after tomorrow morning we'll have the championship decided along with the fencing competition. After the awards ceremony, we can take the Shinkansen back home—the reason we're not using the bus anymore is because Yuu Tenkuji was concerned about Yukinoshita and the others, and she specifically discussed it with the coach.

Honestly, it's not like we don't have the funds. There's no need to spend eight hours "training" yourself on a journey that can be completed in two hours.

"I've already told you about our opponent this time. It's the top school in Hyogo Prefecture, Toyo Ōhimeji High School... They're very strong, so the first battle will be a tough one. Don't underestimate them."

As the coach solemnly instructed them, everyone turned their attention to the students who were also being guided to the opposite field by staff. Deep breaths filled the air, and then, except for Yuu Tenkuji, everyone nodded solemnly.

"Oh my god! Give it your all!"

Teams that make it into the national competition are not necessarily the strongest in their county or city. There are also many second-tier teams that take advantage of the competition to let other strong teams fight each other first, and then rely on luck to climb up the ranks.

But it was clear that the Toyo Daihimeji High School in front of them was imposing and steady, responding to their gaze without the slightest fear. One of their captains even raised his chin defiantly at them, his eyes full of confidence.

If they are careless, even as the top team in Chiba Prefecture, Soubu High School could be defeated here.

More and more contestants entered the venue.

The atmosphere on the first floor was heavy and somber, while the second-floor platform was even more lively. Countless eyes swept across the various areas, some staring intently at the teams they cared about, while others looked left and right with amusement, laughing and discussing which contestant's bald head was the shiniest and whose buzz cut was the ugliest.

As both players removed their masks and sat calmly on opposite sides of the court, awaiting the start of the match, the coach quietly approached Yuu Tenkuji and whispered to him:

"Tenkuji-kun, Himura-kun predicts that the first four rounds of this match will be tied, and the final victory will depend on you."

Tenkuuji Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise: "What, does he also have a combat power detector?"

“No…” the coach smiled wryly, “Himura said it’s a martial artist’s intuition. Even without watching the opponent’s past match videos, his eyesight and intuition have always been very accurate and he is basically never wrong.”

"I see." Looking past the coach, Tenkuji Yuu looked at Himura, who was sitting with the vice-captain.

Captain Himura smiled and nodded at him, but the expectant and ardent gaze made him feel uneasy. Tenkuji Yu quickly turned his head back and said to the coach, "I understand. Don't worry about it, leave it to me."

The coach patted him on the shoulder, as if placing a responsibility on his shoulders, and muttered as he turned to leave, "If Himura-kun could also play, with two strong players on our side, the national tournament would be a piece of cake..."

Although it was somewhat unethical, Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but sigh, "These people have inexplicably high confidence. Aren't they afraid of producing a player even stronger than Captain Himura?"

It's not like his family is the only one in Japan who runs a kendo dojo. Aren't there many other styles like Kashima Shinden Jikishin-ryu, Keishi-ryu Kitachikata, and Yakumaru Jiken-ryu?

This is a national tournament. Who knows if some unknown monster high school student will suddenly appear and crush all the other competitors with some family-inherited swordsmanship?

I guess he was so scared of being beaten during training that he genuinely believes no one is stronger than Captain Himura.

That's why I have such strong confidence that I "absolutely cannot lose" after defeating him twice.

Looking towards the competition venue, Tenkuji slowly exhaled, his gaze gradually sharpening, and his expression becoming serious.

"There are always people better than you, and there's always a higher level to reach. I can't be too careless... If I can still lose to others even with a system cheating, I might as well drop out of school and go back to the countryside to take care of my child."

My girlfriend is still watching from upstairs, so as a man, I naturally have to show my most handsome side.

Time passed gradually.

The referee walked into the arena, holding a chess piece and raising his hand to indicate that the match was about to begin. The vanguard representatives of Sobu High School and Toyo Daihimeji also entered the arena, bowed to each other, and squatted down.

The bamboo sword was pointed directly at the opponent, its tip trembling slightly.

"start!"

As the flag fell, both sides stood up simultaneously with their swords drawn, and the moment the sword tips fell marked the official start of the National Kendo Tournament.

Chapter 133 Who is the Big Bad Wolf and Who is Little Red Riding Hood?

"The opposing team looks like a bunch of weaklings. If Ayou were to play, the match could be easily ended. I don't understand why they're dragging this out for so long."

On the second-floor stands, Natsukawa Masaki swung her legs and casually made a comment.

His eyes weren't on the close game at all; he was staring intently at someone's serious profile, occasionally chuckling like a fool, lost in his own world.

Yukino Yukinoshita, who had been patiently watching the match the whole way, couldn't help but retort upon hearing this: "Don't be so sure. The opposing high school is a regular in the national tournament, and their strength is comparable to our school's kendo club. Especially their captain; I just checked his information, and he got into high school through athletic talent, and apparently he's almost never lost a match..."

“My Yuu has ‘never lost,’ including most sports except kendo.” Before she could finish speaking, Natsukawa Masuzu pointed out her flaw and retorted, “You don’t think Yuu is a good match? Are you cheering for the enemy? Yukinoshita.”

"That's not what I meant." Feeling like she was discussing her idol's scandals with a die-hard fan, Yukino Yukinoshita instinctively placed her hand on her chest, took a deep breath, and managed to keep her cool voice calm.

"Natsukawa-kun, I just want to tell you not to look down on any player who can participate in the national tournament. If you really care about him, please analyze Tenkuji-kun's winning probability from a correct and objective perspective..."

"Aha--"

With a heavy sigh, Natsukawa Masuzu crossed her arms over her chest, deliberately thrusting out her ample bosom, and said to her with a dissatisfied tone, "Does something 100% certain need analysis? Yukinoshita-san, why won't you trust my Yuu? What about him is untrustworthy?"

"..."

This is an obvious provocation.

Her delicate eyebrows twitched incessantly, and a chill emanated from her body as the cold winter wind swept through the venue.

Rarely, Yukino Yukinoshita experienced the feeling of being so angry that her chest almost swelled up in front of someone other than her older sister and Yuu Tenkuji.

—This uncommunicative, self-centered, and irritating attitude is really starting to resemble that guy more and more.

The world has become filthy again.

"Xiaoxue, calm down! Calm down! Getting angry with her will only make you feel worse!"

Before the cold air bomb exploded, Yui Yuigahama quickly tugged at her sleeve and whispered words of advice.

“I’m very calm, Yuihama-san.”

As she said this, Yukino Yukinoshita gave a cruel, cold laugh, her pretty face frosty as she said, "It's sad, but I seem to have gotten used to being around people who are so difficult to communicate with... This is probably what they mean by 'like entering a fish market and not smelling the stench after a while'?"

"I will return the anger I suffer at the hands of my pet to its owner, so Yuihama-san, you don't have to worry about me arguing with Natsukawa-san."

"How could I not be worried? You were clearly so angry that you wanted to confront Yuu..." Unable to offer any comfort, Yui Yuigahama smiled wryly and turned to Natsukawa Masuzu, saying helplessly, "Natsukawa-kun, don't be like Yuu and provoke Yuki all the time... Can't we all just get along?"

“Since Dango-chan said so, of course there’s no problem!” Natsukawa Masuzu immediately smiled, placed her hands obediently on her lap, and smiled gently and elegantly at Yukino Yukinoshita. “Let’s get along well, Yukinoshita-san.”

Her gaze remained icy, and Yukino Yukinoshita stated bluntly, "I'm sorry, but if you continue with this attitude, I won't be able to get along with you."

"Then, to improve our relationship, how about I tell you a riddle?"

Before she could answer, Natsukawa Masuzu began to speak: "A long, long time ago, after the last big bad wolf was executed by the hunter, Little Red Riding Hood went to the forest again for some reason, but on the way she encountered the wolf's wife who wanted revenge. In a moment of quick thinking, she stuffed two apples into her bosom and thus escaped with her life—so, may I ask, why is that?"

Yui Yuigahama asked curiously, "Did the wolf's wife eat the apple first, so she was full?"

"NO!"

Natsukawa Masaki crossed her arms and solemnly announced the answer.

"Because Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother was eaten by the Big Bad Wolf, she is now 'Big' Red Riding Hood, so the wolf's wife naturally won't seek revenge on her."

"..."

You think you're funny?

While Yui Yuigahama was still puzzled and hadn't yet grasped the meaning of the riddle, Yukino Yukinoshita had already turned her attention back to the competition venue and decided that from now on, she wouldn't take anything that Natsukawa said or did to heart.

Don't bother arguing with people who have mental issues; it only makes you look low-class and can easily ruin your health.

While they were chatting, the vanguard battle had ended, and no one had scored the first point.

The second fighter was the same fierce bald man from before. He looked imposing and tall, and had a lot of presence. However, his fierce offensive was defended flawlessly by his opponent. It was clearly another evenly matched duel.

"So, is there a high chance he'll appear...?"

For some reason, despite her displeasure with Tenkuji Yu because of Natsukawa Masuzu, she began to look forward to the scene of him taking the stage and decisively deciding the outcome.

Ten minutes later, the second striker and middle guard battles ended, and three of the five matches had ended in a draw, leaving only the most tense vice-captain and captain battles.

Meanwhile, many people have noticed the close match on court number five; besides the hard-fought outcome, they are more concerned about the dark-skinned girl and the short-haired handsome guy who stand out among the group of bald and crew-cut men.

After putting on her mask, the girl, who was part of the team, first bowed to the handsome short-haired general before jogging to the competition field and squatting down with her opponent.

At this point, Yuu Tenkuji's appearance is a foregone conclusion.

Yukino Yukinoshita straightened her back and watched the scene of bamboo swords clashing even more intently. Occasionally, she would glance at him unintentionally, and then casually turn her gaze away.

Because she was so focused, she didn't react immediately when a familiar voice came from beside her, and she almost screamed in fright.

"He looks so handsome in his kendo uniform, he's really something else."

"Ah!" Before she could utter a cry of pain, Yukino Yukinoshita quickly pursed her lips, furrowed her brows to hide her glare at Yukino Yukinoshita, who had calmly sat down next to her.

"Sister, when did you arrive?"

"Of course I just arrived~" Yukinoshita Haruno affectionately rubbed her head, but after being slapped away by Leng Mo, she didn't mind, walked past her, and cheerfully greeted the two girls next to her.

"Yah hello! Long time no see, Yui and Masuzu~"

Yui Yuigahama and Masuzu Natsukawa were both taken aback by the sudden conversation, and then responded with different responses.

"Miss Yang Nai, it's been a long time... You really came to watch the game!"