3 A Challenge, Part 1, Seriously!?
The moment Umeko saw the transfer student, she couldn't help but look at him in amazement. Headmaster told her about a new transfer student arriving from the lost country of Russia, but she didn't expect him to be this tall.
It felt quite weird, looking up at someone. Umeko wasn't that tall, nor was she short. Out of all students she taught, there were only two girls a bit taller than her. But this young man was too much. She was a bit worried about his behavior, but she was surprised he was calm and knew how to speak Japanese pretty well.
He must have studied it for a long time.
She preferred young, intelligent men, but alas, she was still a teacher. So this was a no-no. Just yesterday, she received a call from her parents that they found another guy to match up with on the blind date app. She was getting tired of this. She just wished to escape this situation somehow.
"Be advised, wearing things like hats or sunglasses inside the buildings is a bit rude in Japan. So I will have to ask you to remove your sunglasses before stepping inside."
Nikolai flinched. There was no way anyone would force him to take them off.
"Um, this is a bit personal but...I have my reasons for wearing them...Medical reasons even."
Umeko narrowed her eyes, "Medical reasons. I understand. If that's the case, then it's alright, just make sure to explain it to other people so that they wouldn't nag you about being rude." She nodded and stepped inside the classroom.
She should have requested the certified papers from his doctor regarding his medical situation, but she was in a good mood and she also noticed he didn't have anything on him, so she decided to let him go.
Her class was quite rowdy, so she took out her whip and hit a nearby chair, instantly silencing the commotion.
"Silence in the class! I have some news. A new transfer student will be transferring here starting today!"
"Again? No way!"
"There was one transfer student last week and now again..."
"Kinda weird, but ey, is it a cute girly again?"
"Is the person a foreigner too?"
"Yes, the person in question is indeed a foreigner. It's a person from one of the post-war countries even." Umeko nodded and explained.
"""Post-war country!?"""
Students couldn't help but raise a commotion once again.
"But teacher, weren't the borders closed off by the representatives from their countries? Wouldn't that mean he deserted his own country?"
Umeko sighed and replied, "It's a bit complicated but don't worry, he isn't a criminal of any kind. The principal vouched for that." She put her whip on the table and called for him, "Come on in."
Everyone looked towards the door in anticipation, would it be a cute girl or a guy, but they never would have expected something like this.
The man in question had to lower his head a bit to enter the classroom as he was much taller than the height of the door frame.
His long silver hair that reached his back, had bangs parted on either side of his face, and while his face was partially obstructed by the sunglasses, anyone could tell he was handsome.
In general, people from Asia liked the looks of foreigners more, as they regarded them as more beautiful and handsome than those from their races. I guess you could say they preferred the exotic look of westerners.
Gasps were heard all around the room, but the most surprised one, however, was Yamato.
'It's that man again. He was the transfer student, huh. I wonder how Nee-san knew.'
"..."
"He sure is...tall," Moro mumbled.
"Good looking too! Damn it! Why do all foreigners look so great without even trying! My muscles are still bigger, though!" Gakuto flexed his biceps while silently crying.
Some of the boys were already annoyed.
Girls, on the other hand...
"AH! Lucky!"
"Another pretty boy in our school, and it's in our class even!"
Kazuko's memory was faint, but she did remember seeing the boy this morning.
'I am pretty sure Nee-san was talking to him this morning...Maybe he is really strong!?'
Kazuko smiled. Her will to fight against him was ignited.
"What's up with all the noise, I don't understand what everyone sees in him." Miyako yawned and turned towards Yamato. "Yamato, will you marry me?" Seeing that he was not responding this time, as even he was looking at the transfer student annoyed her.
'Why is he not giving me any attention. Yamatoooo.'
"Another transfer student? I wonder if he is from Germany. He kind of looks like my papa when he was younger." A porcelain-skinned girl with waist-length blond hair, blue eyes, and a mole under her left eye spoke. The name of the girl was Christiane Friedrich, the transfer student who arrived last week.
Nikolai calmly walked towards the blackboard and faced the class.
"My name is Nikolai Ivanovich, and I am from Russia." A low, almost a cold tone escaped his lips, making the people in the room either comfortable or disturbed.
"His voice is deep as hell!"
"Russia!?"
"No way!"
"His voice is so soothing and his Japanese is so good!"
People in the class started whispering, loud enough for Nikolai to hear.
"I am unsure of how to continue with the introduction, but I guess my hobbies are standup comedy and cooking."
"Bingo, he knows how to cook, he is good in my book!" A slightly plump teenager, nicknamed Kuma-Bear, eating his candy smiled. Even if he looked intimidating to everyone here, Kuma's motto was: A person who likes to cook can't be a bad person.
"What's a standup comedy?"
"How exactly tall are you?"
"What's up with your glasses? Can you take them off?"
"Eh...that's..." Nikolai responded, scratching at the side of his cheek as though he wished there was a way to dodge any more questions. He looked towards Umeko with a pleading look and she immediately understood his intention.
She pulled out her whip and hit the table. Soon enough, it was quiet.
Nikolai gave her a small smile, and she nodded back.
"Now then, Nikolai, as you are this tall, you will be sitting in the back of the classroom behind Shimazu. Otherwise, you will be obstructing everyone's vision of the blackboard. Any problems?"
Nikolai shook his head and found his seat. He noticed a glare of a person right in front of him, but he tried to ignore it.
'It seems like someone already hates me. Great. It seems like his family name is Shimazu.'
He extended his hand towards him and said, "Let's get along."
Gakuto ignored him and turned away.
'Seems like a good start, but it's not like I am here to make friends. I was only forced to come here, or else I would most likely die. I have so many questions, yet little to no answers.'
"Don't mind him, my friend Gakuto just hates good looking people, and you fit the description pretty well. At least, on his scale." A browned haired guy extended his hand towards him, "The name is Yamato Naoe, no need to stand on ceremonies, just call me Yamato."
He shook his hand with a smile, "Nikolai Ivanovich."
"Anyway, now that you are all settled in, the next announcement is related to the broken windows in building C. Someone has been repeatedly breaking windows on floors one and two. If you have any information regarding it, please tell the student council or report it to me. That's all. Good luck and get along with the new student!" With that, Umeko left the classroom with her back straight.
The whole class instantly relaxed.
Umeko knew how to be strict with her students but was also very kind to those who deserved it. Her students knew that as well, but still, she had already engraved fear into most of them. Getting hit by her whip was no joke as she was a martial artist herself.
'Now then, time for me to relax and think about everything that has happened thus far. Maybe I might find a clue about what these notifications are or why I am here in the first place when I should be dead,'
That was what he thought, but unfortunately, he wasn't ready for what was to come.
A bunch of students surrounded his table immediately.
"Wow! Your hair is so long and silky! What type of shampoo do you use?"
"How did you get through the borders of Russia? Weren't there any soldiers protecting the borders?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Nikolai was blasted away by all kinds of questions. He expected something like this because, for some reason, the foreigners in this world were rare to visit Japan.
"Well...I use a normal shampoo. With enough hair care, it doesn't matter which kind of shampoo you use. As for the borders..." He sighed and told them a random lie so that they would piss off.
He answered a few of their questions and ignored every question regarding his sunglasses.
He was getting tired of it, and as he was about to get up to take a breather outside, a red-haired girl stood up almost naturally and blocked his path.
"Hey, Niko-kun?"
It took him a while to register that she meant him. His name almost sounded like some kind of blinding curse. He pointed at himself and asked, "Who, me?"
The girl nodded and asked, "Do you practice any martial arts by any chance?"
Still in a trance after she butchered his name so much, Nikolai silently nodded.
"Great! I knew you looked like the type to fight!" Her eyes lit up in a fire. "There is this ritual in Kawakami University called a duel ritual for students of the academy and also for students who freshly joined the school! You need to fight in a mock match before you are accepted as a student!" She blatantly lied to him and placed her badge on his table. "I challenge you to a battle!"
The class got rowdy.
"""A duel!?"""
"Kazuko is challenging him? Oh, he is so done."
"The poor guy just came, but it's always exciting to watch duels!"
Nikolai stared at the badge with a hint of annoyance.
'A welcoming ritual for new students? So does that mean if I refuse to fight, they will kick me out of the school? But then, I won't be able to complete the quest, and I will die, won't I!?' He hesitated for a bit. He had no problems fighting, but he didn't wish to pursue this career anymore.
«------------------»
A Side Quest!
"A Mock Match"
Defeat Kawakami Kazuko in the mock match.
Rewards: 100 MP Points and unlocking the roulette.
Fail: Drinking any alcohol will immediately kill you, the lasting duration for three years.
«------------------»
'What the heck? This shit wants to ban my alcohol!? Oh, fuck you. Alright, if it's just this once, then fine.' He took her badge into his hands and clenched it in anger, "So, I accept, I guess...What do we do now?"
"Oh! He accepted! No way!"
"What a man!"
"I love how he didn't hesitate that much, but I still hate handsome foreigners!" Gakuto murmured.
"I am ready to witness the power of the new transfer student!" Chris commented.
Kazuko smiled sweetly and told him to follow her, "We still need to get permission from my grandpa, the principal, come with me!" They stormed off the room and went after the principal.
Not long after, a tall man with a red bandana on his head entered the classroom.
"Looks like I am not too late! I overheard the entire conversation, so let's bet on who is going to win! With the money, of course!"
"Ah, captain, you are finally back."
***
"Hoho, the poor youth just got here, and you are already issuing a challenge to him, my dear Kazuko." The principal said as he stroked his long white beard.
His name was Tesshin Kawakami, and he was the principal of the Kawakami University, just as well as the grandfather of Momoyo and Kazuko.
"Yes, grandpa. He looked strong. I like fighting strong people!"
"Ohohoho." Tesshin looked at Nikolai and noticed the potential within him.
Tesshin felt like he finally found someone to humble his granddaughter, Momoyo. Although he wasn't sure if he should allow Kazuko to fight him, he still did it.
He could see that he was much more powerful than she was.
"I can certainly see what you mean...Alright, this might be a new experience for you as well! Be it that way then, you two shall spar in the schoolyard in two minutes!" He looked towards Nikolai and asked, "Will you use some kind of weapon in your bout? Kazuko will be using naginata, of course, all the weapons here are dull for safety measures."
Nikolai looked at the selection of weapons on the wall and was a bit disappointed, "I think I will fight barehanded."
He looked at the katana on the wall but thought it was too short.
Although he was a mixed martial arts master, he also practiced a bit with katanas, so he wasn't average with a weapon, either.
He scratched the back of his neck and went outside.
Kazuko, on the other hand, went back to the classroom as her weapon was still there.
[Announcement to all students, a duel of a newcomer transfer student from Russia, Nikolai Ivanovich, and Kazuko Kawakami will begin in a few minutes in the first schoolyard. Unarmed mastery of unknown martial arts vs armed mastery of naginata. Who shall prevail!?]
[If you would like to watch, please come to the schoolyard.]
***
Nikolai was kind of expecting this. But he didn't expect the sheer number of people watching this match.
'This is about the same number of people who would come to watch a martial arts tournament. That's crazy.'
He looked to his left and noticed another batch of spectators flooding through the main school gate. Well, who would stay in their class and pointlessly study when they could see a live martial arts match just outside of their window. It was also an easy way of dipping out of school work.
The thing that Nikolai didn't know was that you could ask for no one to spectate your fight, but it was too late as this place looked like a concert now.
Especially because people from different classes and grades gathered all around the premises to watch the fun.
'Sheesh.'
Two minutes later, Kazuko walked out of the school, looking refreshed while holding her naginata and swinging it around like a master.
He had to admit she was proficient in using that weapon.
"Selling popcorn and hotdogs! The appropriate price, 400 yen for a single portion."
Those who wanted to make money were quick on the uptake, even during a sudden school duel.
Of course, even Nikolai's classmates were betting on who would win.
"I am feeling lucky today. I am betting two thousand yen on the new transfer student!" Kazama Shouichi, the leader of the group, announced with a loud cheer.
"Seriously? You would betray your people for some dirty money? I thought dogs stick together. In any case, it's only four hundred yen for me on Wanko." Gakuto joked.
"That's unlike you, Captain, are you sure? I mean, the transfer student looks like he is strong, but you can't judge a book by its cover. He said he was a standup comedian. Do you think he can fight?" Moro replied.
"I believe in my luck! That's also the reason I am still alive till this day!" Captain laughed and went to get himself and his friends some hotdogs.
Shiina was quiet. From his movements, she knew he was highly skilled, but she was still cheering for Kazuko.
'Wanko, do your best.' She looked at her beloved Yamato and felt like hugging him, yet she restrained herself. "Yamato dear, who do you think will win?"
"Just Yamato, and I...think Kazuko...should win," Yamato murmured, quite unsure.
"Should or will? That's unlike you, Lil bro. Favoritism won't get you anywhere today." Momoyo arrived at the scene and threw her hand around his shoulder.
"Nee-san, even you are here?" Yamato blushed at the sudden affection from his beautiful sister.
"Of course! Do you think I am the type to be holed up in that dumb classroom when a show like this is about to start?"
***
An older middle-aged man, with a nice trimmed beard, couldn't help but sigh at the unfortunate event that had occurred to Nikolai, "What a rough welcome for your transfer student, Kojima-sensei."
"It is what it is. He should have seen a practice match coming from miles away. I believe he is ready."
"Mhm, I see...Anyway...how about a dinner tonight?"
"No, thank you. You changed the topic too unnaturally." Saying that she went away to watch the match from a different spot.
"Ah, I can't win any woman over... I guess I am getting too old...At least I still have my dear son." The bearded man sighed and walked up to his son. The moment he came even close, his son gave him a nasty look, ignored him, and went the other way.
"Even my son is ignoring me!? What is up with this terrible day..."
***
The principal gloriously walked onto a stage and coughed, "Following the traditional ritual of Kawakami University, we will now hold a duel!"
"Duel! Great!"
"Go for it! Show that man the power of Japanese samurai!"
Tesshin nodded and pointed at both of the fighters.
"Come forth, and introduce yourselves."
Kazuko played with her weapon in her hands and shouted in excitement, "Class 2-F, Kawakami Kazuko!" She earned herself quite the number of claps and whistles. She had tons of fans as she was known as the younger sister of Kawakami Momoyo.
"Nikolai Ivanovich, about to become Class 2-F member." He spat out with a cold tone, receiving a series of boos.
"Do your best, Wanko!"
"Wanko, you've got this!"
"Show him the strengths of Japanese samurai!"
Tesshin nodded and announced, "You have my permission to fight in front of me. I will not stop you two, no matter what, until the match is decided. But if you try to attack your opponent after the match is decided, I will step in. Do you understand?"
"Yes! Of course!" "Understood."
"Get ready...Fight!!!!" The principal ignited the spirit of the battle, and Kazuko immediately went on the offensive.
"No offense, but you shouldn't be just walking, Niko-kun."
"It's fine. I don't need to use any fancy moves anyway." Nikolai confidently stated and walked forward without any sign that he was preparing himself for battle.
Nikolai didn't even put up a guard, and continued on, calmly walking.
After a sharp inhale of breath, the naginata in Kazuko's hands danced as she closed the distance between them in an instant and swung her naginata towards his head.
Nikolai dodged it by a simple motion of his head, and Kazuko immediately backed off.
She took a deep breath and once again, dashed towards her opponent. Her strike seemed to kill the very air as it raced towards his neck at an incredible speed.
Yet, Nikolai was completely defenseless. Not only did he not make any move to defend himself, but he also didn't even make a move to dodge the attack.
If this was a real weapon, people could only picture Nikolai's head flying cleanly off. It seemed to be over as the naginata almost made a contact with his neck, however...
"I don't really like to be violent against women, but..." Nikolai said in a gentlemanly manner, but anyone who heard him knew, that the tone of his voice had dropped.
"...This is an important fight for me, and you've said my name incorrectly, twice, so..."
He planted one foot to the ground, the pressure behind it fractured the ground beneath him, surprising Kazuko and making her drop her weapon. His other leg launched a kick so strong it created a small shockwave as it collided with Kazuko and sent her body flying. The backblast was strong enough for all of the audience to feel it where they stood.
"I am a little pissed now."
The spectators, of course, were speechless.
"What the hell was that?!" Moro and Yamato stared at the match with mouths wide open. The match just began and it was pretty much over in one exchange.
"I hit the jackpot, baby!" Captain, shouted without shame. All he cared about was freedom and money, that's exactly what kind of person he was. He knew that this was just a mock match and nothing too serious otherwise, he would have immediately rushed there to protect his friend with his life on the line.
Gakuto wailed on the bench, "Wanko was sent flying! Damn it! I lost my bet! Not only is he good looking, a foreigner, he is also strong! Where did this thing pop out from!? Russia is terrifying!"
"Shut up, Gakuto. This is not the time." Miyako frowned. She knew that her opponent was an enigma, but this was out of the question. Wanko was about as strong as her, yet she pretty much lost in one exchange, and it didn't seem like her opponent has gone all out either.
"To send the dog flying in one hit...he certainly lives up to the tales of Russian soldiers. I heard stories of their might, but it's still incredible seeing it with my own two eyes." Chris praised him and wondered whether her father would be able to defeat him one on one. Because she definitely couldn't.
Momoyo had a look of disbelief. She knew he was strong, but this was a bit of an overkill. She should be worried about her little sister. She should be, but deep down, she felt a little excited and wanted to see more of his tricks.
He has yet to reveal his full strength, but she gauged it to be at least on Ageha's level, and that excited her, as it's been a long time since she met someone this strong.
Yamato noticed her maniacal grin coupled with a fighting spirit.
'Nee-san...'
***
Kazuko, who took the blow, was blown away like a leaf in autumn and fell on the ground with a loud thud, scattering dust.
She barely stood up while holding her stomach, she felt like puking, but she was still in the middle of the match, so she held it in. She simply couldn't afford to do it during her match.
When she looked up, you could clearly see the look of shock on her face.
"You are...really strong..." She murmured with a hint of desperation. But she couldn't back down now, she already lost to the first transfer student a week ago, and now she was completely crushed by this person.
Words can't describe how miserable she felt.
She wanted to get stronger for her big sis. So that she would have a rival to compete with. If she couldn't even defeat people like this, how could she beat her big sis? But, something like this was not enough to stop her.
She struggled to stand up and held up her hands in a fist stance.
'I am sorry, but my alcohol is at the stake. I can't afford to lose.'
Nikolai sighed and turned his attention away from her. He found himself staring at the naginata on the ground. He used his foot to kick it up on the hilt, sending the naginata spinning through the air and kicking it towards Kazuko. Tha naginata flew and was embedded into the ground near her.
"Pick it up."
Kazuko hesitated for a moment but did as she was told and stared at her opponent. Before, she was trying to show off and wanted to impress people around her, but now, she knew she had to concentrate, or else it wouldn't end up well for her.
***
"What do you think, Nee-san?" Yamato asked while feeling conscious of Momoyo's beautiful figure, sitting next to him.
"Haaah...Wanko's attacks are too dull and monotonous. I am not sure if she is rusty, or if she is still injured from her spar with the pretty blonde transfer student a week ago...She will lose this no matter what she does. That Niko dude is also not treating this match seriously as I am pretty sure he would have just rolled through her, but he doesn't want to embarrass her. I shall thank him for that later." Momoyo nodded with gratitude.
A match was a match, and Kazuko issued the challenge. It was not in her hands to help her. If this was a life and death situation, however, she would not hesitate.
