Time passed quickly.
More than a week had gone by since Yuu confessed his love to Masuzu over the phone. The season had officially donned its winter attire. Bare, dry tree branches were everywhere, trembling in the cold wind.
On November 9th, the day before the National High School Kendo Championships.
Before the competition, each team had to gather and register at the venue—Kyoto University's gymnasium. Afterward, they had free time to rest before the matches. They could relax, have fun, or even do last-minute training. The intense and exciting national championships would officially begin the next day, lasting two days, with the teams returning on the morning of the fourth day.
As a strong kendo team and regular at the nationals, Sobu High didn't book Shinkansen tickets like other schools. They directly rented a bus so the kendo club members could feel more relaxed and free while competing out of town.
Yuu still woke up early. After his morning training and reading routine, he put on a specially designed sports uniform for participants, emblazoned with Sobu High's emblem.
The newly bought kendo armor was in a black bag. The bamboo sword given by Himura hung over his shoulder. His short hair had even been trimmed. His sharp black eyes looked resolute and steady, giving him an energetic and spirited appearance, like a young athlete long-trained in kendo. Though his temperament had slightly changed, his handsomeness hadn't diminished at all.
"Looking great! Truly a handsome, elegant, charismatic man who suits any style, loved by all, making flowers bloom and car tires burst—"
Before Yuu could finish, Sora, leaning against the staircase door, cut him off with a flat expression, as if she couldn't stand watching him. "If you're leaving, go already. Stop being narcissistic. The moment you open your mouth, that rare good image of yours shatters."
"Rare? Sora, it seems you don't understand."
Yuu spread his arms, shaking his head and sighing. "That's because you're used to seeing my face every day, so your heart doesn't flutter anymore. If it were other girls, even if I just gave a casual gesture, they'd fall for me."
Sora's tone was deadpan. "Oh, really? Then go ahead. Go make others fall for you with a gesture."
"Too bad, I'm not the type to play around."
Enough joking.
Yuu dropped his unserious expression, carried his bag to the entrance, and asked his sister behind him while changing shoes. "You're not coming with me? I'm worried you'll go crazy from loneliness being home alone for three days."
Sora yawned, her chin resting on the bunny plushie against her chest, and said lazily, "First, I have a cat."
"Meow~" Yukinon came over, rubbing against her legs, staring at Yuu alongside her.
"Second, I have the internet and tons of games." She squinted her bright, beautiful eyes, leaning against the wall casually. "Lastly, I'm not a little kid who can't even leave the house anymore. Tokyo to Kyoto isn't far. With my condition now, I can come find you anytime. Why would I go crazy from loneliness?"
Yuu winked playfully. "Because you love your big brother so much?"
"Gross." Too lazy to indulge him, Sora walked upstairs with her small, fair feet. "Don't forget to call at night to check in. Don't get distracted playing with girls."
"I know. I won't let you feel lonely."
Yuu tapped his shoe heels, stood up, and opened the door.
A voice suddenly came from behind: "Oh, Yuu, where's that girlfriend of yours named Natsukawa?"
"Masuzu? What about her?"
Yuu turned back, puzzled, seeing Sora's hesitant expression.
"Nothing, just… lately, I haven't seen you two going to school together anymore… And I feel like you're not as energetic."
"You're being too sensitive. How could I lose my spark over something small?"
Yuu shrugged, speaking casually. "We're just in a cold war right now. It'll pass soon. And honestly, Masuzu isn't my girlfriend. Once this fake boyfriend mission is over, I'll be single again, the siscon big brother who belongs only to Sora!"
As he said the last sentence, he clenched his right fist and pressed it to his chest, his expression serious as if he'd sacrifice his heart for his sister.
"Who introduces themselves like that… No wonder Grandpa Doctor said you're getting thicker-skinned."
Helpless, Sora sighed. "Fine, as long as you're okay. Be careful on the road and come back soon."
Yuu smiled.
"Yeah, I'm off."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The morning sun looked dim. Gray clouds blanketed the entire sky.
The streets were foggy, the cold piercing to the bone. The sound of shoes on the ground was crisp.
Of course, with Yuu's physical condition, he wouldn't feel cold even in a short-sleeved shirt. But he didn't need to look that bold.
He took out his phone, exhaled a white breath, and walked toward the station.
Five minutes later, under a familiar sloped street, he saw a girl with dango-style hair leaning against a streetlamp, breathing into her scarf.
"That cold?"
Yuigahama lifted her slightly frozen, flushed face, complaining with a smile. "You're practically a main character; of course you don't feel how cold it is today. Most girls are super sensitive to the cold!"
"Except your legs?" Yuu glanced at the smooth thighs under her short uniform skirt, unable to resist rolling his eyes. "At least wear pantyhose. And you dare say you're cold?"
"I was going to wear short socks today… And don't look around like that, perv!" Yuigahama pressed her legs together tightly, leaving no gap. Her gloved hands tugged at her skirt futilely, trying to block his view.
Yuu looked away uninterestedly, shoving both hands into his jacket pockets and walking ahead up the slope.
"Why suddenly go to school with me today?"
"Well… I don't really know the kendo club kids, so I didn't want to go alone."
Yuigahama quickly caught up, walking beside him. Their shoulders nearly touched, but she paused and shifted slightly to the side.
"And there's something I wanted to ask you."
"About Masuzu?" As if he'd expected it, Yuu's expression didn't change. He stared at the cold, empty street ahead.
Whether for morning practice or heading to the nationals, kendo club gatherings were usually early. He and Yuigahama left much earlier than usual, so they didn't encounter the usual rush of commuters or students.
The whole city felt silent, as if it were just the two of them. The warmth in his body evaporated with the white breath he exhaled.
"Yuu-kun's still as sharp as ever," Yuigahama sighed softly, nodding.
Yuu said resignedly, "It's not that I'm sharp. You've got 'I'm dying to know what's going on with you two' written all over your face. If I couldn't guess that, I might as well be the ultra-dense protagonist of a light novel."
"What, is it that obvious?!"