117 Event 117: Kendo Championship

Soon Haruta and Yamamoto were spending a week with their research, using state databases to check the identities of all people in hospitals with the medical cause SAO.

They did not rule out genders because they were not clear about the avatar that Kayaba now used, hiding her true identity.

While they were in the research Haruta also worked in the restaurant as a chef, helping Ogata with his studies, practicing Kendo with Kirisu-sensei and sleeping with Kiyoko once every three days, after all rest from SAO was also necessary.

Soon the regional competitions arrived where Haruta would have to show his courage and defend the honor of his school, it was one of the problems caused by his lack of control in the kendo club.

"Are you ready Haruta-kun?" Saeko was off to the side dressed in her tournament-ready dark blue Gi, it goes without saying that the entire Gi was wide eliminating any of its curves.

Haruta couldn't help but sigh as she put the protective helmet on her head "Let's do it, it's just a quick tournament"

With Haruta's swordsmanship and incredible reflexes winning was not a dream, rather it would be the simplest experience that Haruta faced since arriving in that new world.

Haruta walked quickly down the hall and reached the arena where all the rest of the competitors were, there were many people and the stadium was quite full different from what Haruta remembers from his first life where sports like this were not the focus of attention.

The black-haired's gaze traveled the entire audience but it ended up focusing on a single place where there was a large banner with her name.

"HARUTAAAAA GO FOR THEM!"

"HARUTA!"

Haruta's face was red as he sighed tiredly, thanks to the helmet on his head he could go unnoticed but that did not take away his shame for the actions of his friends especially Yamamoto who also had a big yellow finger with his name on it.

'What the fuck Yamamoto, do you think this is a football game ?!' Haruta exclaimed in his head

Even Ogata who was essentially a person who didn't show his emotions was there screaming like a fan next to his father.

"It seems like you have a lot of Haruta fans, I really envy your attention" Saeko spoke between giggles as she patted Haruta on the shoulder.

Soon the competition started, there were six platforms for the matches so the process was faster than expected, there were several schools with many representatives and as it is a mixed competition there were no gender differences.

Haruta's school entered with ten competitors, only two of whom came out of the group stage, Saeko and Haruta both with the perfect score as none were touched during the matches.

Haruta was a graceful samurai from ancient Japan, it only required two moves at most to make his opponent lose a point. The combats of the black-haired man were so spontaneous that he seemed never to have competed.

Saeko was a little more aggressive and did not hesitate to hit the opponent, the sharp look of the purple hair did not go unnoticed in Haruta's eyes, each time Haruta looked at her more she could determine that Saeko was hiding her true instincts and Kendo matches were just a form of relief.

"A beast disguised as a sheep, interesting" Haruta finally remembered her battle against Saeko in the kendo club, she was the first to attack but her blow was aimed at one of Haruta's vital points.

Soon the main rankings began and even when they were better opponents they could not put up a resistance, they were all easily defeated.

By the time the semifinal arrived there was a match that could no longer go unnoticed, Haruta was facing Saeko, there was no difference in which of the two won after all they would still go to the final and they were already within the national championship.

"You should give up senpai, I have to fulfill my part of the bargain with your club, there is no need for you to keep fighting" Haruta tried to persuade Saeko but there was no reaction whatsoever from the other side.

Haruta could see Saeko's eyes even when she was wearing a helmet, the look cold and terrifying.

"Well, it looks like I'll have to defeat Saeko-senpai" Haruta spoke happily as he approached and got into position "well, here I go .... sen-pai"

As soon as the referee gave the signal, the match began and Haruta passed the entire field at a fast pace, surprising the public that they had only seen Haruta stay in the same spot throughout the competition.

Saeko was not a rookie and soon used her sword to cover the attack deflecting Haruta's blow upwards leaving the black-haired's body fully exposed.

Saeko's arm movement was precise looking to deliver a thrust into Haruta's chest but Haruta used his rear foothold to move back a considerable distance leaving Saeko in a tight spot "First point senpai" Haruta muttered as the tip of his sword collided with Saeko's shoulder deflecting her to the side.

The referee scored the point, they both returned to her side, Haruta was calm once again swinging her sword but this time with one hand, a swing that had the audience puzzled.

The signal began the second match where Saeko took the initiative looking for a surprise blow but Haruta used her footwork to move to Saeko's left and with her sword in one hand she struck the lower part of the stomach.

As before the referee scored the point for Haruta's side, they both returned to their position, Haruta kept calm and did a little swinging again, Saeko on the other side struggled to stay calm, it was the first time that all her movements were followed completely making her helpless.

The fight for the third point began, Saeko used the same strategy as before only now she kept her openings in sight waiting for Haruta to do the same trick.

Haruta remained in place, extended her arm and raised the tip of the sword with which she hit Saeko's hilt to make her lose the sword, an act that left the experienced swordswoman perplexed just with her sight on the ground where her sword rested. .

The referee scored the third point and thus Haruta's victory, Yamamoto yelled with fervor further embarrassing Haruta who did not have the courage to look up.

"It was a good fight, it's a shame we can't use our skills properly, maybe if you had a little more freedom we could have fought more" Haruta took off her helmet and approached Saeko with a calm smile.

Saeko stared at Haruta for a moment before shaking her head "Our skills are very different, I doubt I can win you in a battle with a shinai" without saying more Saeko continued walking towards the waiting room.

Haruta couldn't help looking at Saeko's back asking if it was better to have admitted defeat from the beginning but she quickly shook her head 'if I had given up I would have hurt saeko-senpai's pride and would only end up making more problems'

Before Haruta could calm down the meeting with her next rival ended, a clean battle with three points to zero.

"It may have some ability" Haruta muttered as he approached to see his rival who was also taking off his helmet.

"Final fight Ichijo Haruta against Kirigaya Suguha!"