Chapter 18: Imouto?

My nightmare training plan with Moye had begun yet again - but this time, I voluntarily asked her to make it harder for me; I couldn't afford to lose this festival. Montei and Kasumi went to the well to find out more about Xuanwu, and Moye said she was going to rest for a bit, so I was entirely on my own for a couple of days.

It was time for the finals of the area-tier Sakura Festival. Carrying a silent Moye and Hanakanko, I once again headed for the well. Kasumi and Montei were already waiting for me.

"Hey." I waved and ran over. "Did you guys get some information on Xuanwu?"

"You bet we did. We even got to speak with it!" Montei gave me a thumbs-up.

"Now, really!" I said, slightly startled.

"Indeed. Xuanwu saw through me instantly, and knew I was from Zhuque's temple." Kasumi nodded. "So it came out and spoke with me."

"I thought Xuanwu was in its slumber?"

"Well, it's not us who woke him." Montei scratched his head. "At least we won't admit we did."

"Interesting. Perhaps I should make a visit-" I started, but was interrupted by my 'stage call'.

"Well, good luck to myself." I shrugged and walked into the dome once again.

"Reiken." I arched my hands and nodded slightly towards my opponent.

"I'm Chiyuki." Standing across from me was a girl sparing very few words - perhaps even less than I do. I took a quick glance. Carrying a sword of her own, the girl had jet black hair running down her back like a waterfall and stygian eyes like mine, her hands making the same gesture as I was.

"Match… start!"

I kept my hand on Hanakanko. Moye told me that "a swordmaster's weapon either stays sheathed clean or unsheathed bloodstained", so I had to be ready to make my attack. My eyes were fixated at Chiyuki, waiting for her to make her move; she was doing the same. After a while, as if she found my weak point, Chiyuki dashed right at me, clutching her double-edged sword tightly. By analyzing her angle of attack and where her eyes focused at, I knew she was aiming straight for my throat - unless she uses some sort of sword skill that can change its trajectory midway.

All that information wasn't really relevant; I simply used Kanshou no Sakura as a movement ability to dodge the slash and retaliate. As expected of a finalist, Chiyuki fended my attacks off perfectly fine.

"Hmm… that charging attack earlier looks really familiar." I murmured to myself.

"Losing your focus as a swordsman is basically giving up your sword!" Chiyuki yelled, waking me from my trance.

Thanks to Chiyuki, I realized that I need to regain my original intentions. I have forgotten about Kendo's unspoken rules and etiquette - you could say I was hungry for power.

"Thank you for reminding me." I replied with my honest opinion that somehow made it to Chiyuki as sarcastic. She clenched her teeth and called for her spirit straight away; suddenly, the arena felt much colder.

"Ice spirit and sword skills, huh." I nodded. "A very powerful combination."

She stayed silent, making a hand sign. Suddenly feeling a chill behind my back, I swiftly turned around to find no less than thirty swords made of ice heading right for my neck. I used Ryuuseigun to combat the attack, but they just didn't stop coming.

"I see," I said. "So you're using the lake's water to form ice swords."

"Opening your mouth will make you freeze faster." Chiyuki replied, sounding much colder than she was earlier with her spirit unactivated.

She was right. At this rate, I won't be able to reach her because of my much lower speed in this environment, and my entire body will freeze from the inside.

"Sora…hoshi." I muttered, charging at Chiyuki in an attempt to finish the match before I got stalled out. She readied herself for my attack, but her body suddenly shook and her eyes widened; in that split second, I was able to find her weak spot and defeated her with one swift motion.

Before she fainted, she asked me to give her a visit.

With that, I was declared the winner of the area-tier Sakura Festival and received a promotion.

Later that day, I visited Chiyuki as promised.

"What do you need?" I sat down, enjoying the evening breeze blowing in from the window of Chiyuki's room.

"That move… Sorahoshi. Only a Kitano can use it; who are you?" Chiyuki inquired.

"Me? Kitano Reiken." I shrugged. "Guess I'm justified to use it, then."

"Reiken? I've never heard of a name in the family." Chiyuki pinched her chin.

"Hold on. The family?" I stood up. "You're a Kitano too?"

"I thought you already knew." Chiyuki rolled her eyes.

It was then I realized the actual reason for Moye's slumber.

"So you're technically my sister?" I facepalmed. "I've watched enough isekais* with imoutos** to know where this is going."

"I… I guess so." Chiyuki's milk-white face had a rare shade of pink. "Wait. Reiken, brother…"

She murmured to herself for a bit. Then her eyes widened again.

"Y-You're the one the ancient sword chose?"

"If you mean Moye, then yes, that would be me." I nodded.

"So you really are the same Reiken-kun!" She stood up, the corner of her eyes starting to tear up. "I thought… I thought you didn't like me anymore!"

Remember what I said about isekais and imoutos?

*Isekai: 異世界, literally "another world"; a genre of Japanese literature.

**Imouto: Little sister in Japanese.