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If you're to return to dueling, of course sword lessons are in order. But the Arisugawa family has always counted on an exceptional mentor named Kouji. He doesn't have a surname and sometimes one may wonder if it's an alias or something, but the one who found him, Sakae, cared more about his excellent swordsmanship than anything.
However, there's a story behind that mysterious mentor. Homare's mother decides to tell Homare about Kouji while Takao drives them to the mountains where Kouji dwells…
⚔️
Sakae's dueling records are less than impressive. More recently, he just lost three times in a row. It's embarrassing, but he made it out alive at least. Though it's thanks to his sheer luck of losing duels with lenient terms such as first blood.
Miyako thinks this duel business the upper class still enjoys doing is stupid, but it's impossible to stop Sakae from dueling. It's been a tradition for the Arisugawa family. At the very least she could just suggest Sakae to have a change of pace. Sakae decides on a trip to the mountains, bringing along Miyako and their young daughter.
But then fate has other plans.
Sakae is innocently wandering around the woods when he runs into a young man practicing with a katana. His movements are sharp yet fluid, which leaves Sakae in awe. Remembering his losing streak, Sakae approaches the young man…
Who looks completely disinterested at him. Nevertheless, Sakae isn't the type to back down just like that (a trait which is later passed down to his grandson)!
"You have incredible skills!"
The man sighs. "Flatterer."
"Would you consider teaching me?"
"You must be joking."
"I am serious."
"This is just a hobby. I have no interest in teaching others."
"I would be willing to pay for your time."
"I say it once again this is just a hobby!"
"But-"
The man figures there's no arguing with Sakae, so he retreats into the woods swiftly, like a feline. Rather than being sad, Sakae exclaims, "What agility! I need to get him to teach me no matter what!"
⚔️
"And?"
Homare's mother laughs. "Kouji-sensei taught your grandfather in the end."
"That was because Sakae would not stop pestering him. He mapped out his training spots and visited those everyday during the trip," Miyako adds. "Kouji-sensei tried to scare him off by charging an exorbitant price, but your silly grandfather would not mind paying. That was the last straw for him."
"Grandfather is more stubborn than I thought!"
"Homare-sama is no different," Takao quips.
"Takao-"
"There was once you ignored Takao's warnings and tried to pick a rose. You got the rose, but your hands were a patchwork of band-aids," Miyako continues flatly, while Homare's mother is chuckling.
Homare is at a loss for words.
Soon, they arrive at the entrance of the woods that are very familiar to Homare's mother and grandmother, but not for Homare.
"We will walk from here," Miyako says.
"It's been decades, yet this place hasn't changed a bit," Homare's mother comments. "Kouji-sensei is either out there training or resting in his shack."
"Oh, what a fascinating sight! I can feel poetic inspiration welling up in me…"
"Save that for later," Miyako deadpans.
It's quite the lush forest, but Miyako leads the way as if she frequents this place. Homare is very impressed, and that alone is enough to suppress the poetic inspiration within him.
At last, they emerge into a small clearing where a lone, simple shack stands. The structure is weathered but sturdy, with smoke faintly rising from its chimney.
"He is still here."
"Then let us knock on the door-"
"Hold it right there, Homare. Kouji-sensei is not simply letting anyone in. You need to knock on the door properly as a password."
"He is certainly an interesting person."
Miyako moves forward and knocks on the door. One knock. Pause. Two rapid knocks. Pause. One knock. And another.
The door opens, revealing an old man with a lean frame and an incredible posture for his age. His gaze is clear and sharp, but very unfriendly.
"Why are you here? I thought you Arisugawas have turned your back on tradition."
Homare kneels before Kouji. "Kouji-sensei, I wish to retrace my buried dreams. Please impart your knowledge of swords and duels."
"Forget about it. All I see is a cowardly pup before me, and I have no need for one!"
"Kouji-sensei, this is not his fault. It was all on me," Homare's mother begins. "Homare has always wanted to duel to avenge his grandfather and father. It was I who forbade him, because I couldn't bear the pain of losing someone dear to me again. I am the coward, not him."
…
…
…
Kouji sighs. "Fine. I'll teach you, but first I need to see if you're just all talk. Wait here." Kouji briefly retreats into the shack and returns with two bokken. He tosses one at Homare, which Homare catches. "We duel. If you win, then I'll teach you."
"Sensei, that's unfair! He's just returning to this path!" Homare's mother exclaims.
"Like I care. What do you think, boy? Up for the challenge? Or are you just a cowardly pup, all bark and no bite?"
Homare stands up with a firm grip on the bokken, his face fierce and dead serious. "I accept your challenge."
"Homare!"
"Mother, this is what I want. Even if I lose, at least I try."
Then Kouji attacks without warning. It's a clean hit on the arm, and it hurts like hell.
"That's cheating!"
But neither Homare nor Kouji cares. It's a one-sided duel because Homare is rusty. But even when struck literally everywhere and having no chance to even make a swing of his own, the bloodied and bruised Homare refuses to fall.
Instead, he soon learns to deflect and dodge the incoming blows. Just by seeing Kouji's maneuver long enough Homare is able to adapt to them. His broken body isn't supporting him unfortunately.
Then Kouji stops. Homare sees an opening and swings his bokken, but his movements are clumsy and the strike is easily dodged. Kouji doesn't even bother countering, seeing that Homare is about to collapse.
But Homare never collapses. He just stands there.
Kouji lowers his bokken. "I forfeit."
Homare and his mother gasp, while Miyako remains indifferent.
"If I continue, you'll be in a grave, not a bed. And I don't train corpses."
…
…
…
The old master then smirks. "You're just as persistent as that damn grandfather of yours."
"It is in the blood," Miyako adds.
Homare's grip on the bokken loosens, his body finally giving in. He collapses to his knees, then crumples to the ground.
Homare's mother rushes forward and kneels beside him. "Homare!"
Homare is barely conscious and too weak to respond.
"Tch. I'll make arrangements with the local hospital. He'll need a stay."
Homare's mother glares at Kouji. "This is your fault!"
Kouji shrugs. "No. This is his choice."
Homare nods weakly.
⚔️
Homare lies in the hospital bed, his whole body aching. He has expected worse like broken bones, internal bleeding, and some other lasting damage from the duel. But despite the deep bruises and exhaustion, nothing is beyond recovery. Nothing crippling.
That's when it hits him.
Kouji could have easily shattered his bones, torn his muscles, left him unable to ever wield a sword again, and more. But he hasn't caused any of those. Every strike has been painful but measured. Even at his age, the old master's control is beyond anything Homare has imagined.
"Homare?" Homare's mother asks.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
Then the door creaks open. It's Kouji.
"Still alive I see." The old master scoffs.
"Barely."
"You're lucky I held back. If I'd used even a little more strength, you'd still be unconscious."
Homare smirks. "Held back, huh?"
"What?"
"I realized it just now. You never intended to cripple me."
"Tch. Overanalyzing things already? You just got lucky."
"Oho? It had nothing to do with your overwhelming mastery of the sword?"
Kouji humphed.
Miyako sighs. "Just admit it, Kouji-sensei. You went easy on him."
"If I went easy on him, he wouldn't be here recovering."
Homare chuckles. "Then I suppose I will have to work hard enough that you need not hold back next time."
"Rest up. Training starts when you can stand without looking like you'll keel over," Kouji grumbles and turns to leave.
"Understood, Sensei."
Outside the ward, with the door closed, Kouji mutters, "Stupid boy."
Inside, Homare snickers. "I wonder if he is what everyone calls a tsundere."