Chapter-03 · EP-050

Episode 50: Second Swordsmanship Club

"I think it's this way…"

Sendo checked the Second Swordsmanship Club's pamphlet on his phone while guiding us to the club room. But for some reason, we weren't heading to the club building; we were back in the main school building.

"Found it. It's here."

A nameplate indeed reading "Second Swordsmanship Club" was hanging on the classroom door.

Sendo knocked and then opened the door.

"Excuse me."

Bowing, Sendo entered first, followed by the rest of us.

In that classroom, desks and chairs had been pushed to the back, and several students were chatting amongst themselves.

The atmosphere was completely different from the First Club. It wasn't just that the room was smaller; the vibe was far too relaxed.

"Yes, can I help you?"

A humble-looking student greeted us. Sendo stated our business.

"We came to observe the Second Swordsmanship Club."

"Observe? Are you thinking of joining?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Captain! Some people want to join!"

A man called the captain came over to us.

"Wow, so many of you came. I'm happy. Welcome to the Second Swordsmanship Club. Well then, let's get you to fill out membership forms right away."

The captain tried to have us fill out membership forms immediately, even though we just came to observe. Murasakimura stopped him.

"Sorry, but could we observe your practice before deciding to join?"

"Huh? What's the point of just observing? That's not interesting at all, is it?"

"Still, I think joining without knowing the atmosphere or what you do is premature."

"Oh, is that so? Well then, Kazama. Explain things to everyone."

So the previous person was called over again.

"Ah, yes. Sure. Though I'm not sure where to start… Anyway, I'm Shinichi Kazama, Class 2-D. Nice to meet you. Our captain is Takayama-san from Class 3-D, and the vice captain is that guy over there, Dojima-san from Class 3-D. You guys are the first new members this year."

"We haven't decided to join yet."

"Ah, that's right. Sorry, sorry. Well then, let's hear your self-introductions too."

Thus, Murasakimura and the others introduced themselves in turn.

"Kyoya Murasakimura, Class 1-D."

"Ah! I know you. You're the one who caused a scene at the entrance ceremony, right?"

Murasakimura was apparently a school celebrity.

"Mamoru Sendo, Class 1-D."

"Iori Takigawa, Class 1-D."

"Ah, me? Shirou Ichinose, Class 1-D."

Then,

"Hikaru Kujo, Class 1-A."

"Eh? Class 1-A? Eh? Kujo? Could it be…"

"Kazuma Kujo, the student council president, is my brother."

"Eh?! The student council president's sister, why are you here? Eh? Eh? And over there as well?"

"Yes. I'm Mei Kisaragi, Class 1-A."

"Why are you A-Class students here?"

"Club observation."

"Th-that's what I heard, but this isn't the kind of place for nobles to come."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Kazama affirmed it with full conviction. He was confident in a negative way.

"Then, are we not even permitted to observe?"

"No, it's not about permission…"

"Huh?"

Hikaru tilted her head.

"So is it alright for us to observe?"

"O-of course!"

"I'm glad, Mei."

"Yes."

What was with this relaxed atmosphere? I was starting to feel uncomfortable.

Around the time we finished introducing ourselves, the club members began practice.

"Shall we start?"

"Ah, that's my bamboo sword."

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

So lax. I hated this atmosphere.

They started swinging their swords, but it was boring to watch.

And someone was even more bored than me.

"This is no good. Nothing worth seeing."

It was Iori.

Told it was no good, the Second Swordsmanship Club members looked a bit displeased.

Reading the mood, Kazama asked gently, trying to keep things from getting tense.

"W-what's so no good about it?"

"Swinging a sword like that won't generate any power."

"If you're going to say that, how about showing us an example?"

Kazama, worried about the members getting agitated, said considerately. Iori readily agreed.

She raised the wooden sword she had brought.

"Like this. And you swing it like this."

After showing her stance, she demonstrated a practice swing.

All the Second Swordsmanship Club members watched intently.

The first to comment after seeing Iori's swing was Hikaru.

"I see. It's completely different."

"Huh?"

Kazama apparently couldn't see the difference. I could see it was different, but if asked how, I couldn't explain. I just knew Iori's swing was amazing.

Seeing Kazama's blank look, Hikaru explained.

"Your swings are just flailing the sword with arm strength. In contrast, Takigawa-san's swing keeps her center stable, and you can see her putting her weight into the strike. It's a beautiful swing, as if you can see the flow of energy."

Behind Hikaru, Mei was nodding in agreement.

But Hikaru was impressive. Hearing the explanation made me think, "I see."

"What's wrong with swinging a sword with arm strength?"

Even after Hikaru's explanation, Kazama apparently didn't understand. The members behind him also nodded in agreement. What was wrong with these people?

"If you keep swinging with arm strength, you'll get tired quickly, right? With Takigawa-san's body control, not only can you deliver more powerful attacks, but you can keep moving without running out of stamina. It's the ideal for a dungeon explorer."

"I see."

Murasakimura and Sendo muttered simultaneously. They seemed to understand. But the Second Swordsmanship Club members still looked confused.

"If it's hard to understand, why don't you try sparring with Takigawa-san?"

"W-what do you think, captain?"

Prompted by Kazama, the captain, Takayama, stepped forward.

"Th-then, I guess I'll ask."

He sounded somehow unconfident.

Iori readily agreed to the proposal.

"I'm not good at explaining like Hikaru, so I can't articulate it well, but if you want to spar, I accept."

She casually called Hikaru by her first name, but Hikaru didn't seem to mind, so it was probably fine. Even I couldn't bring myself to be that familiar.

After that, Iori explained while crossing swords with Takayama several times, but no matter how many times they tried, she just overwhelmed him, and he couldn't grasp what she was trying to convey.

Finally, Takayama cried out.

"Ugh! You be the captain instead of me!"

What was with this guy?!