115 [115] The white-haired guy desire to fight Hachiman

Chapter 115: The white-haired guy desire to fight Hachiman

"It seems Maki lost," Mai observed. She noticed her sister's expression, a mix of sadness and a hidden smile. Mai understood the weight of their father's bet and wondered if her sister's emotions were related to that.

Perhaps it had something to do with that man? Maki glanced at Hachiman, seeing her sister looking at him earlier with a smile on her face, indicating her recognition of his formidable skills.

The white-haired guy with a blindfold chuckled, anticipation clear in his eyes as he said, "I can't wait to see her crying face later. Oh, and I really want to challenge that kid." He opened his left eye from beneath the blindfold, his gaze brimming with interest as he looked at Hachiman.

"But, Gojo-sensei, that guy practices kendo, unlike you, who are a master of karate and taekwondo. You both have a disadvantage," the pink-haired boy pointed out.

"What are you saying, Yuji? Did you forget that Gojo-sensei is also a swordmaster, even if it's not publicly known?" Megumi clarified.

"Oh, right, I forgot. Hahahaha," Yuji laughed, momentarily forgetting about Gojo's impressive skills.

The girl with short brown hair couldn't hide her annoyance as she said, "Can you please stop laughing?"

Saeko stood at the center of the polished wooden arena floor, her triumphant smile a testament to the culmination of years of unwavering dedication and relentless discipline. The applause from the crowd was not solely for her victory but for the unwavering spirit and exceptional skill she had displayed.

Maki, despite the disappointment of her defeat, couldn't help but smile amid the exhaustion. She recognized that Saeko had earned this victory through her relentless commitment and remarkable prowess, just as Maki herself had earned Saeko's respect. In that moment, their bond as both friends and rivals remained unshakable, and the kendo arena had borne witness to a match that would be spoken of with reverence for years to come.

"You've won this round, Saeko. It's clear you've trained tirelessly. Next time, it will be me seeking vengeance, and I will emerge victorious," Maki declared, her voice resolute.

Saeko responded with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting the depth of their friendship. "With Hachiman as my sparring partner, I've grown stronger thanks to his guidance. I will always accept a duel with you, Maki," she replied with heartfelt sincerity.

Maki's curiosity was piqued. She silently mused, "So, Wakamono-sensei's real name is Hachiman."

Amidst the cheers and applause of the crowd, as they exchanged bows and acknowledgments, Maki and Saeko understood that this moment marked not the end of their rivalry but the beginning of an ongoing pursuit of excellence in the world of kendo.

Approaching them, Hachiman offered his sincere congratulations to Saeko. Maki, however, chose to feign ignorance, despite recognizing his voice and expressions from a previous encounter at a signing event where he had worn glasses.

Saeko took the initiative to introduce Hachiman to Maki, explaining his role as the captain of their school's kendo club and her cherished sparring partner. Hachiman, displaying humility, introduced himself as a first-year student and extended a warm greeting to Maki.

Maki, displaying warmth and openness, assured him, "Nice to meet you too, Hikigaya Hachiman. Considering you're Saeko's dear friend and sparring partner, just call me Maki."

Hachiman was pleasantly surprised by her welcoming attitude. "Is that okay?"

With a smile, Maki nodded in affirmation. "Absolutely, Hikigaya-kun."

"Then you can call me Hachiman too," he thought to himself.

As their friendly exchange concluded, Maki noticed the growing commotion within the crowd. "Alright, I should head out now; it looks like things are getting chaotic. Goodbye," she said, turning her attention toward the reporters gathered at the forefront of the crowd.

In the Hikigaya residence, Komachi watched the intense battle between Maki and Saeko with wide-eyed astonishment. She couldn't help but be captivated by the beauty and grace of their kendo match.

Komachi's gaze remained fixed on the duel between Maki and Saeko, her admiration evident in her words. "That must be the senpai Onii-chan was talking about. She's not only an incredible fighter but also stunning," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine appreciation for Saeko's remarkable skills and presence.

Meanwhile, in the Zenin residence, Ogi couldn't hide his disappointment despite secretly wanting Maki to lose. "So, you've been defeated after all, Maki. Now, I'll have to wait for the results in the men's division," he muttered, aware that the competition in the men's kendo division was fierce, particularly with the formidable "One Strike Shura" in the mix.

Ogi's thoughts took an unexpected turn, and his excitement was palpable. "A 16-year-old with such incredible talent... Imagine if we could have his lineage! Their child would be a true prodigy," he mused, his mind racing with the possibilities of raising a kendo practitioner with such extraordinary potential.

In the Nakiri residence, Senzaemon Nakiri, the patriarch of the Nakiri family, couldn't help but burst into laughter as he watched the recent battle involving Busujima, clearly amused by the twists and turns of the tournament. He was also intrigued by the unexpected participation of Maki Zenin, suspecting that Ogi might have had some hidden motivations behind it.

"Hahahah! Busujima girl really emerged victorious in that battle. I still can't believe that Zenin girl participated in this tournament. It seems like that Ogi kid has some plans up his sleeve again," Senzaemon chuckled heartily as he observed the unfolding events.

Erina Nakiri, his granddaughter and one of the most renowned culinary talents, watched the tournament with admiration. "As expected, Saeko-neesan, she is truly strong," she commented, acknowledging Saeko's prowess.

Hisako Arato, Nakiri's dedicated secretary, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Erina-sama," she replied with admiration for Saeko's skills.

Senzaemon, always one to inject humor into the situation, couldn't resist teasing Erina. "Now it's time for the battle with Young Hachiman. I'm sure this will be easy for him, and he might become as popular as you, Erina, or perhaps even surpass you," he said with a mischievous laugh.

Erina couldn't help but respond playfully, defending her reputation. "Hmph, I don't think so, Grandpa. If he manages to defeat me in cooking, but in popularity, I'll still be more famous than him," she retorted with a confident smirk.

Senzaemon laughed heartily at his granddaughter's spirited response. After the thrilling conclusion of the women's group duels, it was time for the highlight of the tournament – the battle for the championship in the men's division, a showdown that promised to be equally intense and captivating.