Stunned and Afraid

Back in the kitchen of the Shinomiya Dojo residence, while Sasaki and Miyajima Tsubaki were sparring, Mrs. Shinomiya Chiakko, having nearly finished cooking dinner, glanced at her daughter handling the seasoning soup.

The warm light overhead spilled like water over Natsuha's purple hair, similar to her own, casting a halo that seemed to cloak her in a sanctified glow.

Watching her daughter occasionally taste the soup with a spoon, her demeanor gentle and wise, Mrs. Shinomiya Chiakko squinted her eyes, and teased, "Natsuha's cooking skills have caught up with mine. I wonder which lucky boy will get to enjoy her meals in the future."

"Eh?" As if a thought struck her, Chiakko's eyes shifted, and she lightly tapped her lips with her delicate, scallion-like fingers, "Speaking of which, today is the first time Natsuha has brought a boy home."

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Pausing her activity, Natsuha Shinomiya's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she turned to her teasing mother, "Sasaki came because you invited him, remember?And… and I have Yuuta."

"Ah, Yuuta~" Hearing her daughter mention her childhood friend, the woman couldn't help but visualize a boy about the same height as her daughter, always wearing a shy smile.

That boy had always enjoyed playing with Natsuha, something she was well aware of.

But she only ever regarded their playful interactions as childhood friendship.

Having watched the boy grow up, she knew his nature well: honest and straightforward, with no ill intentions.

Judging solely by that, he might be a suitable match for Natsuha, whose temperament was somewhat dominant and who had incredible strength.

Finding a partner with a contrasting personality was crucial since similar temperaments could clash.

Thus, their complementary natures might lead to a harmoniously blissful life together.

If she could offer Natsuha with a complete family, she naturally would feel that this arrangement was ideal and very much in line with her expectations.

But that was not the case.

Ever since her husband abandoned them due to an affair, Shinomiya Chiakko, who had raised Natsuha alone, was well aware of how exhausting and heartbreaking it is for a woman to support a family on her own.

It was precisely because of this understanding that Chiakko did not want Natsuha to end up with a 'honest and straightforward' husband.

In other words, someone meek and indecisive, which she felt was not suitable.

Knowing how tiring it is for a woman to head a family, she naturally did not want her strong-willed daughter to face the external challenges on behalf of a weak husband.

After all, the cunning and deceitful ways of the outside world are not something a beautiful and headstrong girl like Natsuha could handle easily.

One wrong move, and she could be stepping into an abyss.

Having tread on thin ice to get through life with the help of her best friend, Chiakko Shinomiya definitely did not want her daughter to go through the same.

Thus, in her mind, the ideal son-in-law is one who is strong, responsible, and resilient—not showing outward signs of distress that might worry the family.

Otherwise, if Natsuha were to see weakness in her partner, with her her strong, reckless and self-restrained temperament, she might inadvertently make matters worse.

Therefore, this was why she brought up the topic of Sasaki.

Although not very familiar with Sasaki, the impression he had made so far was undoubtedly that of a good potential son-in-law.

Setting aside whether he had responsibility, the strength and resilience he displayed were qualities that Yuuta, who had not faced real adversity, lacked.

Moreover, in her interaction with him, Yuuta's reserved and shy demeanor, as opposed to Sasaki's natural and appropriate demeanor, undoubtedly made the latter appear more favorable in her eyes.

After all, only such a personality would not be dominated by Natsuha.

Of course, all these considerations rest on the premise that he treats Natsuha well and that both are willing.

All she could do was suggest and help where she could.

Whether it works out or not is up to the two of them.

"By the way, how long has it been since you've seen Yuuta?"

Not one to speak ill of others behind their backs.

Even though she felt the two were not suited, Chiakko Shinomiya did not badmouth Yuuta.

Instead, she inquired about their relationship's progress.

"It's been three or four months..." Natsuha furrowed her brows as she thought about the last time they saw each other.

Because his parents were sent out by their company to another place, and they were concerned about Yuuta not being able to take care of himself, so he was taken with them.

And based on their chats over the phone, it would be at least a year before he could transfer to her school.

"It's been that long, huh? Make sure to keep in touch frequently on the phone~ Otherwise, feelings can fade over time."

Chiakko Shinomiya gently advised, then murmured as she washed the dishes and prepared to serve the meal, "Vegetables and fruits go bad if left too long; people are the same."

Hearing her mother's words, Natsuha's initial urge to retort that 'her feelings for Yuuya would never fade away' just died down.

Instead, she looked at her mother with complex eyes and hummed in acknowledgment.

Realizing the mood had become a bit heavy, Chiakko Shinomiya quickly changed the subject with a slightly apologetic smile, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Go call Sasaki-kun and Tsubaki for dinner; it's ready."

"Okay, I'll go call them,"

Shaking off the random thoughts swirling in her mind, Natsuha replied; then wiped her hands on her apron and headed towards the training ground.

As she exited the back house, she wasn't yet within sight of the training ground when she heard faint echoes from the open field, "Aunt Miyajima, it's my turn now!"

Hearing this, she couldn't help but blinked in confusion. 'Can Sasaki-kun really fight back?'

Although she had never sparred with Aunt Miyajima, Natsuha, who had visited their dojo and seen her daughter and some students sparring, knew that her own skills wouldn't last many rounds against Miyajima Sakura—let alone against Miyajima, who was even stronger.

This didn't make sense.

With her mind filled with doubts, she quickened her pace towards the training ground.

What she saw upon arriving was almost unbelievable: three simultaneous strikes of bamboo yellow, as if perfectly aligned.

Although she hated to admit it, but in Natsuha's eyes, the sight of Aunt Miyajima, bewildered and trying to fend off such mysterious sword techniques, appeared as helpless as a bird ensnared in a net.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, she saw Sasaki suddenly stop his bamboo sword and hurriedly ran towards Aunt Miyajima.

Alarmed, thinking that Aunt Miyajima might have been injured, Natsuha also rushed forward.

Approaching closer, and looking at Sasaki checking her wrist and studying her face closely, before Natsuha could speak, Tsubaki Miyajima, who had recovered from the shock, exhaled deeply.

Feeling her heart pounding as if it might burst out of her chest, the pale-faced woman raised his eyes, staring at Sasaki, who was looked at her with concern with a complex expression.

Had someone told her before today that she would lose in a sword fight to someone who had never wielded a sword, she would have thought them insane.

Miyajima Tsubaki had practiced kendo for over twenty years.

Although she had never experienced a life-or-death fight, it was unthinkable that she couldn't defeat someone without any formal training under rule-free conditions.

But...

As she pressed a hand to her chest, feeling her still-rapid heartbeat, Miyajima's face softened into a smile, "I apologize for the spectacle."

"Sasaki-kun, was that move 'Tsubame Gaeshi'?"

"Is it possible that such a transcendent technique is not merely a legend?"

Sasaki: "..."