Chapter-11 · EP-166

Episode 166: Aiki

In response to Hikaru's request to learn aiki, Iori looked a little troubled.

Perhaps thinking she might be refused, Hikaru quickly explained why she wanted to learn aiki.

"Thanks to Takigawa-san's instruction, I think I've become somewhat stronger, but it seems I'm still weaker at defeating monsters than everyone else. If there's any way for me to become even a little stronger, I want to know it, but…"

Hikaru had mentioned that she had tried various things besides swordsmanship. But apparently, none of them had worked well.

From my perspective, Hikaru just wasn't a combat class, so it couldn't be helped.

Hearing Hikaru's words, Iori slowly spoke.

"I don't mind teaching you, but this isn't a skill you can learn overnight. Also, it's a physical technique, so applying it to swordsmanship is difficult. Is that okay?"

"Ah, yes. Please!"

Iori didn't dislike teaching; she seemed worried that even if she taught it, it might not be useful.

Hikaru, seeking a chance to break out of her current situation, brightened at Iori's agreement.

And hearing that, there was another person who couldn't stay silent.

"Could you teach me too? I don't want to repeat my blunder in the goblin fight the other day."

It was Sendo.

He seemed more bothered than I expected by almost having his wooden sword taken by a goblin the other day.

"Of course. Well then, today, let me at least introduce the basics of aiki. Those who don't need it can continue practicing swordsmanship as usual."

When Iori said that, in the end, all the members ended up receiving instruction on aiki.

Everyone seemed very interested.

To be honest, so was I.

"Then, let's try the technique I showed Sendo earlier, breaking the balance of someone who grabs your sword. Shirou, will you help me?"

"Sure!"

Called out by Iori, I grabbed the wooden sword Iori had raised.

I was grateful to be able to experience it myself. Since I often didn't understand things when explained with words, I wanted to learn through physical experience if possible.

"Alright, Shirou, this time, don't let go like before; hold on tight. First, the case of using pure strength."

Saying that, Iori tried to forcefully shake off my hand. But my grip was stronger, and she couldn't shake me off.

This was normal.

"When you rely only on arm strength, this happens. But with aiki, it's like this."

This time, Iori suddenly relaxed her strength. If she relaxed, I should be stronger… just as I thought that, my body tilted, I didn't know how to brace myself, and I was pulled down by the wooden sword, falling over.

"What just happened?"

I rolled on the ground and immediately raised my voice.

Snickers came from the club members.

Hey, I wasn't falling on purpose.

After that, all the members took turns trying. No one could keep their balance.

"Now, pair up. One person raises a wooden sword, the other grabs it."

Following Iori's instructions, everyone paired up.

Iori became my partner since I couldn't pair with anyone.

This time, Iori grabbed my raised wooden sword.

"First, release all tension from your whole body. 'Releasing tension' doesn't mean letting go of the sword or relaxing so much you can't stand on your own. Relax and assume your stance using only the minimum necessary muscle strength. My father calls this state 'natural posture.'"

Hearing Iori's words, I thought that the term 'natural posture' might have originated from martial arts.

"Oh, Shirou, that's good."

When I relaxed and assumed the posture as Iori instructed, she praised me.

"Then, next, think of the opponent's body as part of your own body. When you can feel the opponent's body connected to yours, move your wooden sword with the image of breaking their balance."

"…I don't understand."

Iori's explanation suddenly became incomprehensible.

What did she mean, think of the opponent's body as part of your own? If it were my own body, I would be aware of it because my nerves are connected, but I didn't think I could move someone else's body, which isn't connected to my nerves, as if it were my own.

After that, everyone practiced for over ten minutes, but no one could successfully break the balance of the person grabbing their sword.

"It is difficult, isn't it? I hear that people with aptitude can do it right away, but for the rest, you have to repeat it many times to get the feel of it."

Seeing that no one could do it, Iori seemed to indicate that this was the end of the aiki explanation.

The one who panicked at that was Hikaru, who had first asked to be taught aiki.

"Takigawa-san, couldn't you teach me a bit more? I think with this technique, even I, with my lack of strength, could be useful."

"Hmm, let's see… Well then, it's a bit different from aiki, but how about using joint locks to help you understand the feeling of aiki even a little?"

"Joint locks?"

"Yes. Then, Shirou, lend me your hand again."

Called by Iori, I faced her again.

Iori extended her hand, so I extended mine.

She grabbed my wrist with both hands.

"First, twisting like this locks the wrist joint."

Iori held my wrist with her left hand and twisted the back of my hand with her right.

Then she twisted it further.

"When you go past the point where the wrist won't bend any further and twist more, the elbow then locks."

I see, my elbow twisted and reached the point where it wouldn't bend further.

Then Iori twisted my arm further.

"Twist more, and the shoulder locks. Twist even more…"

While keeping my wrist locked, Iori twisted her own body, and my body arched backward, about to be thrown.

"Now the hip is broken. This makes the opponent unable to stand and they will fall."

Indeed, if Iori let go now, I would fall.

Was this breaking technique, using joint locks to understand the feeling of aiki? Even I could probably do this.

"Starting from the wrist, locking the joints in sequence, you eventually reach the hip. With aiki, you also break the opponent's balance in sequence, but once you get used to it, you can do it all at once."

Listening to Iori's explanation, everyone tried the same technique.

This technique of twisting the arm to lock the joints seemed to be something everyone could do. Some were better than others, though.

"This technique of controlling the opponent's body – using joint locks and aiki simultaneously increases the effect."

Saying that, Iori grabbed and twisted my wrist, and my body arched backward in an instant.

"Well, as you progress, you can apply it to swordsmanship, but as I said initially, this is a physical technique, and applying it to sword fighting isn't easy."

Iori continued explaining while keeping my joints locked. This position was painful, so I wanted her to let go soon.

"How's that, Hikaru? Try practicing on your own after this."

"Yes, thank you, Takigawa-san."

Hikaru answered with a serious expression.

Murasakimura approached her.

"Hikaru-san…"

Called by name, Hikaru turned around.

"I hear you feel you've hit a limit with swordsmanship. That you want to break through the shell of weakness."

"…Yes. That's right."

Hikaru looked straight at Murasakimura and answered.

"If you'd like, I want to teach you a technique that Ichinose-kun taught me the other day."

"Huh?"

Hikaru looked at Murasakimura's face in surprise.