Tokyo Soft Rice King.

The two Mediterranean uncles from Huanjiandao were also surprised, while Kuroba Akira was even more excited, waving his arms and cheering.

"Excellent! That's it! Press the attack! Zhen Cheng!"

Akira Kuroba was also immersed in the exhilarating feeling of the clash between the two sides, and inspiration was brewing in his mind.

Even though it was a different sport, he could still feel the same conviction from Saionji Machi.

This is what was missing in the previous storyboards: not some cool-looking action, but a soul-stirring throw infused with the protagonist's beliefs!

A soul-swapping combination... the ball thrown should contain one's own soul!

I'm about to throw my soul into the air! You absolutely have to catch it!

That is absolute trust in your partner, and also in the body you have worked so hard to build!

As Kuroba Akira kept this inspiration in mind, Saionji Majutsu did indeed follow up his victory by replicating the same strategy from the previous time.

However, this counterattack, launched in anticipation, was caught by Ameyu Hikaru.

This was also the first time the girl had spoken to her opponent during a duel.

"I am not... only capable of... one style."

In the previous battle, I only used the ultimate technique of the Manifestation Style, Cloud Radiance, because Cloud Radiance was sufficient.

With lightning-fast slashes that surpass human reaction speed, almost no one can withstand them.

However, Hikari Tenyu's proficiency in swordsmanship has reached level 5. Although her mastery of other styles is not as good as that of the Jigen-ryu, it is still at a high level.

This move, "Decisive Cut," is a sword technique from the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school.

When the blade senses the 'moment' of contact with the opponent's attack, it rotates from above the right shoulder, attacking the opponent as a single, unified attack, along with the right shoulder.

It is a technique that uses the weight of the body to apply pressure to the bowl.

"Ha...! I knew you'd change your tactics!"

However, this was also within Saionji Mato's expectations.

The opponent was a genius among geniuses, the daughter of a sword saint. She used only one move from beginning to end, which showed both her confidence in herself and that she never took the game seriously.

It is the arrogance that belongs to geniuses.

Therefore, when the invincible Ichi no Tachi fails, in order to prove her strength to her opponent, she will immediately change her moves, and in order to deal a psychological blow to her opponent, she will most likely use the opponent's preferred style.

The Shinkage-ryu school, which emphasizes stillness over movement, is the school of thought that Saionji Shinjo specializes in.

She knew this move inside and out.

"I'm sorry! You chose the wrong... move!"

Saionji Masato initially specialized in counter-attack techniques because her strength was inferior to others. That's why she specifically learned a sword style that incorporated Aikido techniques, which even a weak woman with no strength could use.

However, Saionji Machi's lack of power was only a matter of 'the very beginning'.

Through daily practice, Saionji Machi's body has been fully trained and developed. In addition to being a burly woman, her strength is now greater than that of most other competitors.

Even if Tian Yuguang is an unparalleled genius, her petite body is not as strong as mine!

The blade of Ame no Hikaru, which was about to touch the mask, stopped, unable to sink the last few centimeters. Then, the original suppression turned into counter-suppression, and the situation was completely reversed.

"Oh my god! Is this... going to turn the tide?"

Kuroba Akira was extremely excited; he could feel that this sword strike contained all of Saionji Makoto's power.

"Go! Shin-chan! You've become very strong... You've become even stronger than me...!!!"

Hikawa Makoto uttered these words in a hoarse voice, tears streaming down her face.

In that instant, as if by telepathy, the two sisters simultaneously recalled the scene from their previous date.

That day, when trying on the shoes that Kuroba Akira had chosen, Makoto stood in front of the mirror after putting on the new shoes, and Makoto came to her side.

The two sisters saw each other's reflection in the mirror.

Makoto appears to be one centimeter taller than Makoto.

Makoto's breasts seem to be a little bigger than Makoto's.

The twin sisters, who were thought to be exactly the same, have also grown up and developed subtle differences after being separated.

Even their expressions differ depending on their daily demeanor. Makoto's mouth droops and her eyes slant upwards, while Makoto's are the opposite, indicating that Makoto is more often in a bad mood, while Makoto smiles more often.

Actually, at that time, in front of the mirror... Saionji Machi really wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn't say it.

She wanted to say to her sister, "Look, sister, I've become taller than you."

It wasn't to show off, but to put her at ease.

To let his older sister know that he had become stronger.

Even if I'm alone, it's fine.

So... sister...

……

Losing focus during a match is the most fatal mistake.

Tian Yuguang did not miss this opening. A glint flashed in her eyes, and instead of taking the sword head-on, she turned to the side to avoid the blade.

The sudden loss of balance caused Saionji Masato to stumble forward, barely managing to regain her footing. In a duel between experts, this was enough to be fatal.

Ame no Hikaru's bamboo sword emerged like a swimming dragon, gently touching Saionji Machi's wrist.

Snapped!

Saionji Makoto's bamboo sword flew out of her hand, tracing an arc in the air before crashing heavily to the ground.

"One shot...! Hit the forearm!"

The match was temporarily suspended until Saionji Masato picked up the bamboo sword again before continuing.

The score is now tied at 1-1, and the next point will be the deciding factor in the match.

If Saionji Masato can score just one more point, he will win the second game, and the match will go to the final third game.

She really wanted to give it her all and try to turn the tide in the decisive game.

however……

'Time is up.

It doesn't refer to the time of the match, but rather the 'time she has'.

She was never the real Saionji Shinjo.

It's just a pseudo-personality created by integrating Saionji Makoto's memories and experiences.

Moreover, this personality 'was not born from her own talents'.

It was a product of an accident when Akira Kuroba shared Shion Murasomiya's talent with Mato Saionji.

So from the moment their hands separated and the sharing of talent ceased, her temporary personality began its countdown to dissipation.

Just as the magic spell the fairy godmother cast on Cinderella would wear off at midnight, this temporary pseudo-personality would also gradually disappear over time.

She knew from the beginning that she was just a phantom and wouldn't exist for long.

Therefore, she immediately recognized her mission as the older sister, which was...

Save my sister.

My own younger sister... not just Hikawa Makoto, who is the prototype of myself.

There's also Saionji Machi, who created her own 'older sister' persona.

Both of them are her "good younger sisters" who are her "perfect older sister".

As for Makoto, there shouldn't be any worries. After all, she's naturally strong-willed and knows exactly what she wants.

For the fragile Zhencheng, her older sister personality is actually a 'superfluous thing,' which will make her keep running away and unable to face herself.

So I don't want to take over your body, Zhencheng. On the contrary, I want to help you 'take away' the 'responsibility and burden of being an older sister' that you have always borne when I disappear.

From this moment on... you are free.

My sister...

It’s time to wake up from the dream.

Chapter 313 The Girl Who Forgot the Past

The older sister left without looking back.

Watching my sister's receding figure, a complex and indescribable emotion welled up inside me.

My sister's steps were always so fast and so firm, as if she had never hesitated and had never been held back by anything.

But I always followed behind my sister, like a timid little bird, wanting to get close but afraid of being ignored.

Why can't I ever catch up with her?

Despite her efforts, her sister's figure remained so distant, as if the distance could never be shortened and she could never reach her.

She wanted to call out to her sister, to ask her to wait for her, but her throat felt like it was blocked by something, and she couldn't make a sound.

Perhaps, the older sister simply doesn't care about her useless younger sister...

She was always so busy and so dazzling, as if the whole world revolved around her.

Even so... I couldn't help but take a step and chase after my sister.

He ran and chased desperately, as if he could get a little closer to her if he went just a little faster.

My heart was pounding, and my steps were getting heavier, as if every step was a struggle against some invisible force.

But you can't stop, because once you stop, even the courage to chase will vanish, and her figure will disappear completely.

Even if I can't catch up... even if I can only ever see her back... I still want to keep chasing her...

Because hidden in that silhouette are one's aspirations, desires, and the deepest part of one's heart... a trace of resentment.

……

Saionji Makoto woke up with tears in her eyes.

"Hmm... eh...?"