9 Kanae Shimazaki

People who had gathered to watch quickly dispersed and went back to their practice when they saw the newcomer. Shin's face turned pale as he turned around and said, "Sister, you... you're back!"

"I've told you many times. In school, call me Senpai. In the club, call me Captain!" Shin's sister entered the dojo. She had a high ponytail tied with a white ribbon, and she walked with a lively and energetic stride. Her facial features were similar to Shin's – almond-shaped eyes, thin red lips with a moist sheen. However, she exuded a strong and masculine energy, with a slightly darker complexion, giving off a vibrant and healthy vibe, while Shin had a somewhat feminine aura.

She quickly walked over, surveyed the surroundings, and then lifted up the apparently lifeless Yuma lying on the ground. After a brief look, she casually dropped him, saying, "Not a serious injury, he's fine!" Then, she turned her cold gaze towards Ippei.

Ippei, who had been full of seniority just a moment ago, now seemed to have tucked his tail between his legs. He hurriedly approached her, leaning over to whisper the details of what had just happened. After hearing the account, Shin's sister turned to Haruka, who had removed her faceguard and was looking calmly.

The two locked eyes for a moment. Shin's sister gradually shifted from a stern expression to appreciation, speaking gently, "Been through a lot, haven't you?"

Haruka, being short with short arms, likely had limited inherent strength. Achieving her current level of skill undoubtedly required more effort and sweat than the average person. Initiating the conversation, Shin's sister continued, "Good job!"

She then turned her head to the side and said, "I'm Kanae Shimazaki, a third-year and the current captain of the Kendo Club. Nice to meet you!"

"I'm Haruka Sakura, a first-year. Nice to meet you!"Haruka replied and bowed respectfully.

Kanae Shimazaki waved her hand, signaling the others to follow her to the club office. As they walked, she conversed with Haruka, "No need to be so formal. Did you learn swordsmanship outside?"

"No, my father taught me." Haruka answered.

"Ancient swordsmanship?"

"Yes, it's an offshoot of the Sasaki Ittoryu (one-sword school)."

"An offshoot? Tending towards practical combat, sounds good... I've paid attention to skilled players in the previous year's inter-school competitions, but I haven't heard your name. Didn't you participate in competitions during middle school?"

"Yes, Shimazaki Senpai."

"Why did you change your mind in high school?"

"I want to attend Nagoya University. According to the school's guidance on college admission, Nagoya University prefers students with kendo club experience. They believe that students who have achieved in kendo have strong self-confidence, resilience, and can handle greater pressure without easily breaking down. So, I decided to join the Kendo Club to enrich my student resume."

Kanae nodded approvingly, "Well done! I look forward to working with you!"

Shin's face turned grim, and he called out angrily, "Sister!"

"I told you to call me senpai at school. Don't you have ears?" Kanae glared at him.

Shin's face turned even darker, and he muttered, "Let's go, let's leave the Kendo Club."

Yuma asked surprisedly, "But if we leave now, your sister will definitely come looking for trouble... Now that she's at the same school and a senior, it might be..."

Shin was momentarily speechless. Kazuya patted him gently on the shoulder, comforting him, "Being sulky never solves any problems, Shimazaki."

This bit of cold treatment and being ignored was nothing compared to the disdain his faced in his past life. He had planned to spend three years at Hope's Peak Academy and then gain admission to a well-ranked university in Asia. He aimed to acquire genuine skills, expand his network, and eventually return to his homeland. Therefore, evading the hostility from Harukaba was impossible. Although they weren't in the same class, some courses that required specialized coaches would be shared. These types of courses were usually conducted in large groups since assigning coaches to each class was impractical. Subjects like tennis, kendo, swimming, and home economics fell into this category, increasing the likelihood that they would cross paths over the next three years.

Kazuya recalled Haruka's powerful roar and lightning-fast thrusts during the match, feeling quite impressed. He thought, "I must have the strength to protect myself. Violence has its important role in life at any stage. People with strength have the confidence to speak loudly! Maybe I should learn some self-defense skills; you never know when they might come in handy in the future.

They eventually decided to follow Kanae to the office. After completing the club registration form, she ordered them, "If the student council asks, just say you are participating in club activities normally, and also mention accompanying the team on an expedition for competitions." After giving this instruction, she swept them out of the door.

Kazuya understood why Yuma and Shin had such resentment whenever Kanae was mentioned. She was probably a perfect example of zero emotional intelligence, treating them like disposable items, much like toilet paper. On the other hand, Haruka was left behind by Kanae. It seemed that the captain admired her traditional swordsmanship and wanted to have a good conversation with her.

For Shin, this situation was quite embarrassing. In his view, he had invited Kazuya and Yuma, his two friends, to help his sister lead the club and secure funding. This should have been appreciated. However, Yuma was intentionally injured by Haruka. Although not seriously, there should at least be some justice served. Even if justice wasn't served, she should at least maintain some distance from the "culprit." But instead, she didn't even say some comforting words?

In any case, the more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. His eyes were red with grievance as he bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle to them, "I'm sorry. I will explain this matter to you!"

Kazuya and Uchida tried to support him, but Shin insisted on bowing. When they tried to assist him, he didn't budge. He could only smile and say, "Shimazaki, I don't blame you."

Yuma wore a gloomy expression. His attempt to show off had backfired, making it one of life's greatest tragedies. He was extremely frustrated. However, facing Shin's sincere apology, he reluctantly said, "It's okay, Shin. I know what kind of person your sister is. She lacks any emotional intelligence. She didn't intentionally embarrass you; she just didn't think about these things. If anyone is to blame, it's that shorty!"

Having known Shin since childhood, Yuma had a special bond with him. Out of respect for him, he refrained from criticizing his sister too much. However, when it came to Haruka, he was less polite, regardless of his own questionable behavior. He directly exclaimed, "That girl deliberately caused trouble. She must have some psychlogical issues, probably due to her height insecurities."

Kazuya nodded in agreement, "She indeed intentionally caused trouble, but it was directed at me. You just got caught up in my mess."

Yuma touched his throat, recalling the moment he was stabbed. He couldn't clearly see where the sword struck. With lingering fear, he said, "Tomorrow, I'll inquire about it. But that shorty is indeed skilled. We should avoid her in the future."

Kazuya glanced at Yuma, who seemed like a big coward, but he didn't agree. Avoiding the situation wouldn't help! Who knows what kind of person Haruka is? What if she finds it amusing and continues causing trouble?

Turning to Shin, he inquired, "Shimazaki, I want to learn kendo. Can you lend me some books related to kendo? And if possible, a bamboo sword too."

Shin looked surprised, while Yuma couldn't help but laugh, "Matsuoka, are you do you plan to self-learn? Self-learning kendo can lead to bad habits, and it takes much more time and effort to correct them. It's better to find a specialized teacher."

Shin also nodded in agreement, emphasizing the importance of form in kendo. Adjusting the blade's path through the grip, scientific power techniques, footwork, and body movements—all these aspects were crucial. No matter how talented someone was, without sufficient time for practice, it was impossible to defeat Haruka.

Kazuya smiled, "Trying won't hurt, right?"

Yuma and Shin exchanged glances, both thinking that Kazuya's idea was impractical. However, Shin felt it was not appropriate to refuse directly. He agreed, "I'll bring you a book tomorrow. My sister is a big fan of kendo and has collected some modern techniques and illustrations. I'll pick one that leans towards the basics."

Kazuya pondered for a moment. Time was of the essence. Who knows what trouble Haruka might cause next? If there's a chance she might beat him up, it would be embarrassing. So, he asked, "Can I get them now? I would like to take a look at more. Haruka mentioned that she practices a style called 'Sasaki Ittoryu.' Is there any swordsmanship related to her school of thought?"

Shin looked at Kazuya, a complete outsider to the world of kendo, not knowing how to explain. Considering the complexity of the matter, he decided it would be better for Kazuya to go home and read the books himself. He nodded, "Sure, I'll bring them all to you."

The situation created by his sister was so embarrassing. As a small act of revenge, he had raided her room in advance. Lending books to Kazuya could be considered a small compensation.