In crossover anime, who isn't a childhood friend?

"Rolled straw?" Rikka and Eriri asked simultaneously, puzzled.

Shi Yu then offered an explanation, pouting slightly and saying, "Look, it's the one that's set up on the field right now."

On the stage, someone helped carry the rolled straw onto the stage and arrange it properly.

The term "卷诩" can be simply understood as "rolling up a mat".

Made from cotton, linen, or hay using a special process, it is shaped like a long cylinder and often appears in Japanese martial arts performances such as Iaido or Battōjutsu.

Its purpose is to be cleanly and swiftly severed by the swordsman, showcasing the swordsman's superb skill and creating a pleasing stage effect.

What Saeko will be performing today is Iaijutsu, which incorporates the traditional swordsmanship passed down through the Busujima family.

It emphasizes the technique of drawing the sword instantly to kill, and includes various styles of techniques such as "drawing the sword while sitting upright" and "drawing the sword while kneeling".

The performance process also includes starting etiquette, basic posture demonstration, footwork demonstration, and basic move practice.

"...In short, it doesn't matter if you don't understand the intricacies; it won't affect your enjoyment of Saeko's performance."

Yuan Qianye talked a lot, using all sorts of impressive-sounding but incomprehensible technical terms, leaving Rikka and Eriri completely bewildered, letting it go in one ear and out the other.

But he understood the last sentence.

You should have said so earlier; as long as it doesn't interfere with watching the performance, it's fine.

Because it was a solo performance, Saeko on stage did not wear a protective helmet like the kendo club members who had previously sparred with her.

Therefore, after she appeared on stage with her high ponytail and heroic spirit, she once again made most of the freshmen in the audience's hearts pound violently, and they felt the feeling of being in love for the second time in a short period of time.

Unlike Shiyu, who only attracted the hearts of boys when she took the stage, Shiyu, who looked extremely cool with a samurai sword at her waist, also won the hearts of many female fans.

"Next, please welcome Saeko Busujima, a first-year student and the previous champion of the Yulongqi competition, to give us a kendo performance."

After the host finished his introduction, background music consisting of koto, shamisen, and flute filled the air, creating a rather pleasant atmosphere.

Like Utaha, Saeko is not a stage fright.

Yuan Qianye thought about it and agreed. She had experience competing in front of thousands of stadium spectators, so this was indeed just a small scene.

A few seconds after the music started, Saeko slowly rose from her squatting position and officially began her performance.

She incorporated basic postures and footwork into her etiquette, wielding her samurai sword as if in a dance.

Those elegant and sharp movements possess both feminine beauty and a powerful sense of strength.

Standing on the field, she cleanly and decisively cut the rolled-up straw in two, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The performance went smoothly, and everyone watched with rapt attention, finding it quite spectacular.

However, at the end, when Saeko was wielding her sword to slash at a row of five upright stalks of straw, she made a small mistake.

The first four rolls of straw were cut off as smoothly as tofu, but the last one was a bit of a playful tear, still connected.

The outermost layer was not cut off, and the top fell down, hooking to the side and swaying due to the center of gravity.

To those unfamiliar with the industry, this is nothing; they might not even realize it's a mistake, thinking that as long as most of the pieces have been cut off, it's fine.

But in the eyes of professionals, it's a completely different story.

Saeko's performance on stage had ended. After bowing and receiving a round of applause, she stepped down.

Gen Chiya watched Saeko leave the stage and head backstage, then, as if sensing something, looked to his right, several seats away, in the direction of Saeko's father.

At this moment, Busujima Daiki's relaxed expression, which had been chatting and laughing with the Kasumigaoka couple, vanished.

He was now staring intently at the stage, his expression more serious than ever before.

Yuan Qianye silently turned his perspective back to normal and adjusted his posture, feeling inexplicably guilty at this moment.

He had a feeling that something was wrong when he was practicing with Saeko about two weeks ago in preparation for the match.

At the time, he thought it was his imagination, but now it seems... his feeling at the time wasn't wrong.

…………

Volume 1: Chapter 172: Saeko's Obsession with Men (6000 words) (7/15)

The others who were with us today were all cheering enthusiastically for Saeko Busujima's solo kendo performance.

Saeko is a perfect woman with a gentle and kind personality like a Yamato Nadeshiko. Eriri Rikka and Utaha are both very close to her, so they are generous with their applause after her performance.

The Kasumigaoka couple also gave Dokushima Daitaka a heartfelt compliment, envying him for having such an outstanding daughter.

However, Yuan Qianye, who was not far away, could see how forced the smile on his future father-in-law's face was.

The freshmen commencement ceremony ended at around 11:00 a.m.

There are no special arrangements from the school for the rest of the time. I just need to come to school tomorrow to start classes.

The group took a short walk around the school together, and then the Kasumigaoka couple suggested that they go out for lunch.

As they were about to part after dinner, Kasumigaoka Utaha had her own little idea. She wondered if she could let her parents go home first, and then go with them to Chiya's house to bother them for a while.

But just as she was thinking this and about to speak, Tokushima Dairyu beat her to it, casually putting his arm around Minamoto Chiya's shoulder, his expression warm.

"Qianye, I've finally come back. If you're free this afternoon, how about we have a long-awaited sparring session?"

The sparring he was referring to was, of course, a systematic swordplay exchange using bamboo swords.

As a promoter of kendo culture, it is well known that he has always admired Gen Chiyo, this young kendo prodigy.

Without hesitation, Yuan Qianye nodded in agreement.

At the same time, he was also trying to determine whether some of his thoughts were correct.

As a result, Kasumigaoka Utaha's idea fell through.

Since the person mentioned Qianye by name, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to insist on going with them.

After the meal, and after saying goodbye to the others, Gen Chiya followed the Busujima father and daughter to the Busujima family home.

Dokushima Daiki is a decisive person; as soon as he got home, he went straight to the kendo dojo.

He didn't bring any protective gear. As usual, after changing into his kendo uniform, picking up his bamboo sword, and doing some simple warm-up exercises, he stood face to face with Gen Chiya.

At the command of Saeko Busujima, who was kneeling to the side, the two charged at each other with knives in hand.

Without relying on the Oni Brain's combat calculations and movement predictions, Gen Chiya fought Busujima Daitaka to a standstill, and was occasionally suppressed by the opponent's seasoned skills and physical strength far exceeding that of his peers.

However, if they go all out, the situation will instantly reverse, turning into a one-sided victory for Gen Chiyo's side.

"Qianye wins."

Saeko raised her hand on the sidelines to announce the end of the fifth game.

Gen Chiya slowly retracted the bamboo sword that had been hovering in front of Poison Island Dairyu.

His father-in-law was breathing rapidly, his chest heaving noticeably.

Looking at him, he was calm and collected, without breaking a sweat.

It is clear at a glance which is higher and which is lower.

Dokushima Dairyu sheathed his sword, smiling with a mixture of relief and satisfaction: "Seeing you win the championship again in the Jade Dragon Flag tournament, I was worried that the level of swordsmanship among the younger generation in Japan had declined, but now it seems that they lost fairly. You have become stronger again. Young man, the inheritance and future of swordsmanship are now in your hands."

After saying that, Dokushima Daitaka patted his arm hard.

Gen Chiya humbly replied, "Uncle, you're too kind. I'm still far behind in terms of kendo etiquette and culture, and I can't compare to you who have been immersed in the kendo profession for many years..."

My father-in-law has a carefree and easygoing personality. He says what he thinks and is very easy to get along with, which is great.

I wonder how he will react when he finds out about his current relationship with Saeko.

Given his long-standing decision to adopt me as his godson, he might be very happy, since a son-in-law is essentially the same as a son, there's no difference.

But if he were to learn the true nature of my idea of ​​universal love... then things might change.

Saeko said that her father started promoting kendo around the world a long time ago, and set up kendo dojos in various places.

While I wouldn't say my students and former subordinates are all over the world, I feel I could easily rally hundreds or thousands of people with a single call.

With my current strength, I could easily take on dozens of people, but if there were too many, I'd probably be in trouble. After all, reality isn't a game of Musou; no matter how good I am, if my stamina isn't replenished, I'll inevitably end up defeated...

While exchanging polite words with Saeko's father, Chiya Minamoto's mind was already racing with all sorts of possible future scenarios.

Dokushima Dairyu had no idea what Minamoto Chiyo was thinking. He looked at the young man in front of him, who was not only handsome and incredibly strong, but also gentle and polite.

This inevitably reminded him of himself when he was about the same age as him.

Back then, he wasn't as strong as the young man Qianye standing in front of him.

However, his personality, which had made him famous at a young age, was far inferior to his, which led to him being too flamboyant and suffering many setbacks.

Although he gradually discovered his problems after being beaten down by society and corrected them, becoming more humble and low-key, the mistakes he made did not disappear.

Because of this experience, Tokushima Dairyu was greatly pleased with and admired Minamoto Chiya's strong will, diligence, and dedication.

What a fine young man! What a fine young man!

Such an outstanding young talent appeared before me, and I happen to have an equally outstanding daughter. How could there be such a coincidence in this world?

This is simply the will of Heaven!

But when I think of my daughter...

Dokushima Daiki's smile slowly faded as he faced Minamoto Chiya: "You've been training with this old man for so long, why don't you take a break?"

Yuan Qianye nodded.

Busujima Daitaka then turned to his daughter, who was kneeling on the sidelines, and said, "Saeko, come and spar with me for a few rounds. Let me see if you've improved while I've been away."

Here it is, this is it.

Gen Chiya handed the bamboo sword in his hand to Saeko, who had gotten up and walked over, and sat cross-legged on the sidelines.

He stared intently at the father and daughter facing each other, each holding a knife.

The main reason he accepted Dokushima's father's invitation after dinner was that he wanted to see this scene so that he could confirm whether his idea was correct.

Saeko held the knife in both hands, her expression slowly changing from gentle to stern.

Seeing this, Tokushima Dairyu laughed and said, "Good expression. Just attack without any worries."

Saeko remained silent, nodded slightly, and then charged forward with a burst of leg strength.

Watching from the sidelines, Yuan Qianye frowned slightly after the bamboo swords in the two men's hands clashed a few times.