The Approaching Start

During their second year of pre-school, when they were both four years, Shizuku began her training in the Yaegashi sword art. Her grandfather, the inheritor of the ancient sword style, playfully handed her a bamboo sword, unaware of the talent that lay dormant within her. As Shizuku's natural skills bloomed before his eyes, a smile of pure joy graced his face. Witnessing this, Shizuku's family wholeheartedly supported her pursuit of the sword, showering her with praise and encouragement.

In the original story, it was stated that Shizuku reluctantly took up sword training to please her family and gradually suppressed her feminine side. However, Yukitoshi believed that this portrayal missed a crucial point. It wasn't that Shizuku despised the sword itself; instead, it was the strict discipline and rigid rules associated with training that she found challenging. Like any child, when forced to conform to a certain discipline, they naturally resist and rebel against it. Shizuku may have yearned to embrace her princess-like desires, but even if she were taught the etiquette and protocols of being a princess while being pampered, she would still harbor a dislike for it. Such is the nature of children—they crave freedom and resist being confined by rules.

This initial confusion, coupled with the taunts from her peers about not being girly enough, further fueled Shizuku's belief that it was the sword she hates. Over time, this perception solidified, leading her to develop a dislike for the sword. It was a result of the intertwined experiences of suppressing her girly side and facing societal pressures, making her attribute her feelings of discomfort to the very thing that had rescued her so many times.

It is important to note that it was an oversight on the part of Shizuku's family not to recognize the underlying struggle their daughter faced. No one is perfect, and while they gained something in molding her into a disciplined individual, they inadvertently overlooked her silent suffering.

But this time, things were different. After about six months when they were about 5 years old, Yukitoshi joined the Yaegashi Dojo, both sets of parents were aware of their friendship. The mothers had several discussions during this time, and Shimizu's family's affiliation with the public safety bureau (he finally knew what his parents did) proved advantageous. Some of their colleagues were also part of the Yaegashi Dojo, leading to discussions among them. Shizuku's grandfather, upon observing Yukitoshi's training, recognized his immense talent and decided to take him under his wing to train in the Yaegashi style.

Yukitoshi, however, had a condition—he didn't want to officially join the dojo, but rather train with them. He preferred not to associate himself with any organization. Although the grandfather would typically refuse to teach sword techniques to an outsider, he made an exception due to Yukitoshi being Shizuku's only friend and his exceptional talent. He was genuinely curious to see how far Yukitoshi could go. This arrangement turned out to be a blessing for Shizuku as well. For her, it was no longer just about training with the sword; it became a time to play and enjoy the company of her best friend. The timing couldn't have been better, as the previous six months of rigorous training and discipline had taken a toll on Shizuku. Now, with Yukitoshi's presence, training became much less taxing and more enjoyable.

During their year of friendship, Shizuku finally started relying on someone. Being the same age, Yukitoshi allowed her to act spoiled in front of him, to be a child in the truest sense. During those initial six months of training alone, Shizuku often complained to Yukitoshi about the challenges she faced. He always cared for her and slowly corrup... convinced her that being a sword princess was far more attractive than being a useless princess. This perspective shift greatly aided Shizuku in her training.

However, the most significant turning point was Yukitoshi's decision to join the dojo. This was not only a result of Shizuku's own thoughts but also the friendship between their mothers.

Now 8, both Yukitoshi and Shizuku made remarkable progress in their skills and development. Yukitoshi's dedication and relentless training allowed him to reach a level of mastery in the Yaegashi style. His proficiency with the sword expanded, enabling him to outmatch even senior disciples within the dojo. While he excelled in the structured environment of the Yaegashi style, his true strength shone when engaging in freestyle combat, effortlessly besting most of the disciples.

Meanwhile, Shizuku's improvement was equally astonishing. She was hailed as a prodigy, with even greater talent than her revered grandfather. This recognition brought immense pride to her family, especially her grandfather, who saw in her the continuation of their legacy. However, Shizuku's growth extended beyond her physical abilities. On the mental front, she underwent a significant transformation. In the presence of her parents and Shimizu's parents, she allowed herself to embrace her girly and spoiled side, displaying a carefree and playful demeanor. However, within the dojo and in front of other disciples, she remained steadfast, Stoic, and strict, adhering to the discipline and coolness expected of her.

The time was drawing near for Shizuku to be introduced to the secretive world of ninjutsu within her dojo. Unlike the original story, where the elders had withheld this knowledge from her to spare her from additional burdens, she was now mentally prepared for this revelation. The burden of guilt that her parents had in the original story was now transformed into unconditional love and support, allowing Shizuku to open up to them and embrace her true potential. Her desire to grow stronger was fueled by the aspiration to surpass Yukitoshi, as in their sparring sessions, it was she who consistently tasted defeat. Unbeknownst to her, Yukitoshi possessed the knowledge and skills of a reincarnated fight master, giving him an advantage she was unaware of.

This was the current situation for Shizuku. A few months ago, she had given up on her goal of defeating Yukitoshi after witnessing his superior skills in action, causing her to slack off in her training. What used to be rigorous four-hour training sessions after school dwindled down to only one and a half or two hours. When asked by her mother why she had reduced her training, Shizuku replied, "I am talented enough to defeat many of the disciples, but he is even more talented. It's meaningless to train more when he surpasses me." Her mother, feeling dejected by her daughter's response, took decisive action one day by waking Shizuku up at 4 am and taking her to the dojo. There, she witnessed Yukitoshi's diligent training, and the realization of her own shortcomings struck her with deep shame. From that moment on, Shizuku committed herself to training diligently once again, never backing down or slacking off.

During this time, a boy of the same age named Amanogawa Kouki joined the dojo. He would later prove to be one of the most vexing characters in the series—a wannabe hero who possessed extreme arrogance, ignorance, hypocrisy, childishness, and irresponsibility. Despite his ideals of righteousness and justice, Kouki's perspective was confined to black and white, unable to comprehend the concept of moral ambiguity or shades of gray.

Yukitoshi, with his experiences and understanding, could empathize with Kouki to some extent, knowing that he was not inherently bad but simply lacked awareness. However, their encounter was short-lived. Kouki's introductory words, "I want to learn the sword to protect everyone," revealed his naivety, as he failed to realize that protecting others with a sword also entail causing harm. It was not entirely his fault, given his young age, but rather a consequence of his parents failing to open his eyes to a broader perspective. Shizuku, who had been taught about the complexities of such matters by her parents and Yukitoshi himself, saw through Kouki's misguided ideals and his superficial understanding.

Yukitoshi, with his understanding as a former soldier who had seen his fair share of blood during times of war, could empathize with Kouki to some extent. He knew firsthand the complexities of taking lives, understanding that those on the opposing side were not inherently evil but rather heroes fighting for their own countries, just as he fought for his own. It was a heavy burden to bear, knowing that someone had to do the difficult task of taking lives in the name of their country's cause.

However, despite this understanding, Yukitoshi didn't harbor any illusions about Kouki's misguided ideals. He couldn't rely on Kouki to grasp the depth of the challenges they faced and the moral dilemmas that came with wielding a weapon

Without hesitation, Yukitoshi greeted Kouki and swiftly departed, leaving the troublesome boy to be handled by others.

While Shizuku initially had some interest in making friends with Kouki, as she longed for more people her age to interact with, she quickly grew weary of his self-righteous and delusional notions of protection. It didn't take long for her to distance herself from him, choosing to ignore his incessant ramblings. Unlike in the original story, it appeared that these two would not become childhood friends.

At the age of 10, Yukitoshi had already mastered all the techniques of the Yaegashi sword style. With nothing left to learn from the dojo, he focused on practicing at home, honing his skills and dominating all levels of kendo competitions.

In addition, he diligently trained in hand-to-hand combat techniques he had acquired in his past life, gradually strengthening his body and expanding his repertoire of techniques. Due to his advanced abilities and social connections with the dojo's disciples, he often skipped school without causing concern for his parents, as they knew he wouldn't become isolated. Consequently, Yukitoshi spent less time with Shizuku, but both of them understood that the foundation of their friendship had already been firmly established.

During this period, Shizuku delved into the teachings of ninjutsu, constantly pushing herself to increase her strength and skill. In her first year of lower secondary school, she made friends with Shirasaki Kaori, another member of the main cast. Through Shizuku, Yukitoshi also came into contact with Kaori and eventually formed a friendship with her, though he couldn't help but think, "Another kid to take care of."

Once Shizuku started employing her ninja training, she was able to defeat Yukitoshi, who, despite his vast combat experience, found his mortal techniques limited against the blend of fantasy and hard work so it was a really big event for him to finally start ninja training.

During this time, Shizuku managed to convince her elders to teach Yukitoshi the secrets of ninjutsu. After much deliberation, her grandfather agreed, intrigued by Yukitoshi's exceptional talent and eager to witness his potential. Breaking the rules and with a defiant mindset, Yukitoshi took his first steps into the world of ninjas, an entrance into the realm of fantasy that thrilled him to no end.

By the age of 12, Yukitoshi had once again surpassed Shizuku's skills, which frustrated her immensely. She would pester him constantly for rematches, their competitive spirits driving both their friendship and their growth. One day, while returning from a competition, they encountered Nakamura Eri, a girl on the brink of suicide. Eri, a villain in the original series, had developed a twisted personality and yandere tendencies due to a traumatic childhood.

This time, however, Shizuku and Shimizu managed to save her. Eri shared her harrowing experiences, including the death of her father, her mother's hatred, and the abuse inflicted upon her by her stepfather. The pair immediately reported the situation to their parents, Yukitoshi's parents took immediate action, leading to the arrest of Eri's mother and stepfather. The Yaegashi family then adopted Eri, and over time, she formed a healthy and loving bond with her new parents, as well as her newfound sister Shizuku, and her friends Yukitoshi and Kaori.

She also made another friend, Taniguchi Suzu, a friend from the original series. It seemed that this time, they would not have to face Eri as an enemy.

Throughout these four years, Kouki remained with them, primarily training with the disciples and not interacting much with Shizuku and Yukitoshi. He also forged a friendship with Sakagami Ryutarou, his childhood friend from the original series.

While Shizuku had minimal contact with Kouki, Yukitoshi, despite initial resistance, continued to try and enlighten him, hoping to correct his skewed view of justice. Recognizing that Kouki was still just a child, Yukitoshi invested effort in helping him understand, but he ultimately failed miserably. He even attempted to reason with Kouki's parents, but his young age hindered them from taking him seriously. Frustrated by the futile attempts, Yukitoshi resigned himself, knowing that he had done all he could.

Over the next few years, leading up to start of their second year of high school, significant events unfolded for both Shizuku and Yukitoshi. They dedicated themselves to further honing their ninja skills, reaching remarkable levels of mastery. Yukitoshi's prowess grew to the point where he defeated Shizuku's father and even engaged in an intense battle with her grandfather, proving his abilities on equal footing. Shizuku herself fought her father, matching him almost evenly, her talent flourishing without any mental restrictions as in the original story.

However, the knowledge of their extraordinary progress was kept within the confines of the Yaegashi and Shimizu family, their true potential known only to them. In the eyes of the outside world, they dominated national competitions in various forms of kenjutsu, consistently emerging as unrivaled champions.

Shizuku's popularity soared, earning her the prestigious title of "goddess" within her high school, alongside Kaori. On the other hand, due to Yukitoshi's infrequent attendance, he didn't gain much popularity among his peers. Nevertheless, he made sure to establish a connection with Endou Kousuke, gradually learning to sense his presence. By the end of his first year in high school, Yukitoshi achieved the ability to locate Endou unless he intentionally concealed himself, which brought tears of happiness to Endou's eyes. Which is a story for a different time.

Inspired by Shizuku and Shimizu's diligent and daily training, Kaori, Suzu, and Eri also embarked on their own fitness journeys, devoting themselves to regular workouts. Although they didn't practice kendo like Shizuku and Yukitoshi, witnessing the dedication of their closest friends motivated them to stay committed.

By the way SYukitoshi, a supporter of Sonobe Yuka, made it his mission to find her restaurant, Wisteria. As a result, he became a daily customer, forging a familiar bond with her over time. This naturally caught the attention of Shizuku and Eri, but after paying visits to Wisteria themselves, they too became regulars, deepening their connection with Yuka.

During this period, Yukitoshi also encountered the original protagonist, Hajime. However, their interactions were not particularly close, as Hajime tended to avoid engaging with others. He was introverted and focused on his future aspirations of joining his father's game company or becoming a manga artist, following in his mother's footsteps.

Despite expressing interest in otaku culture, Hajime didn't engage in much conversation, prompting Yukitoshi to respect his space and leave him be. Well afterall he would get a character development later on so he did not worry about him too much.

Hajime was an intriguing individual, displaying a gentle nature willing to endure harm to aid others, yet unable to stand up for himself when he needed help. Yukitoshi found himself contemplating Hajime's character, seeing both admirable qualities and vulnerabilities within him.

With the approaching start of the summoning event and the anticipation building up, Yukitoshi recognized the need to scale back his training. Instead, he devoted most of his time to being with his family. Whether it was at home or during trips, he ensured that they took breaks from their duties and spent quality time together.

In a subtle manner, he influenced his friends to do the same, understanding that it could be at least a year before they would be able to reunite.

During these moments, Yukitoshi dropped hints to his parents, gradually making them aware that a significant event was on the horizon. He wanted them to be prepared and not worry too much if he suddenly disappeared, assuring them that he would surely return.

Although his parents were initially confused by these hints, they did their best to decipher his intentions. They realized that he might be going somewhere far away for an extended period. Overcoming their initial doubts, they took the maximum amount of leave possible to spend precious time together as a family.

The level of trust that Yukitoshi instilled in his parents almost compelled him to reveal everything about himself. However, he hesitated, fearing their reaction and the potential consequences. His parents sensed his hesitation and lifted his spirits by assuring him, "Remember, no matter what you do or where you go, we are here for you until the end." Their unwavering support provided him with comfort and reassurance.

Now, as the second year of high school began, most of Yukitoshi's preparations were complete. He felt ready for the summoning event that awaited him. As decided earlier he attended school only on Mondays.

To keep himself entertained and find moments of calm amidst the excitement, Yukitoshi always carried a high-end laptop and cellphone in his bag. These devices not only provided a means of entertainment but also held a deeper significance for him. Inside, he stored cherished photographs of his parents, the Yaegashi family, and his friends from the dojo. These images served as a connection to his original world. He also intended to captur photographs in the new world.

"Now all that is left is to wait," Yukitoshi mused, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness fluttering in his chest.

END.