Honestly, taking a bus to Kyoto was four times slower than the Shinkansen.
Though during the trip, people could watch movies, sing karaoke, eat, and chat freely. Sometimes they could even stop at rest areas to sightsee or shop.
But for many, it was better to take the Shinkansen to reach Kyoto faster, drop off their luggage, and enjoy the tourist spots.
That's what Yukino thought.
Throughout the journey, she quietly grumbled about the kendo club's problematic travel plan. She regretted not thinking of this earlier and reacting.
Then, in a spot she (thought) Yuu couldn't see, she secretly rubbed her firm, round backside. Her slender brows furrowed slightly, as if numb from sitting.
Laughing to himself, Yuu could understand. After all, it wasn't just her. During this long bus ride, unlike the trained kendo club members, Yuigahama and Masuzu also suffered from sitting too long. In the second half, they basically closed their eyes, detaching their consciousness from their bodies, until they passed through the long tunnel at the prefecture border and arrived in Kyoto, only then snapping back to reality.
The old city's cultural atmosphere could be felt from the scenery passing by the window.
From the scattered wooden-style old houses on the outskirts, the red torii gates connecting heaven and earth, to the modern steel buildings in the city center.
Everything in Kansai impressed people from Kanto. Even if they'd been to Kyoto for school trips or family vacations, the similar yet distinct style and scenery still captivated them. The fatigue from the journey turned into fresh enthusiasm.
Having fun had to be put aside for now. The bus's first stop in Kansai was Kyoto University, the venue for this year's National Kendo Championships.
The old, historic school gate was simpler and narrower than most universities, exuding Kyoto's characteristic relaxed vibe.
As they looked, the gate and the tree in front of it formed a simple yet profoundly significant everyday scene.
Yuu and the others got off the bus. While gathering, his eyes kept drifting toward the university students cycling by.
People in casual clothes, backpacks seemingly stuffed with items, rode around campus everywhere. Though their cycling was fast and reckless, resembling the chaotic traffic of the capital, it strangely felt calm and harmonious. Everyone overtook or was overtaken peacefully, without the annoying sound of bells.
Besides, high school students from various regions, with their school emblems on their sports uniforms, created a unique new scene.
Including them. In front of the gymnasium, heads turned. Those innocent-looking faces hid excitement. After cheering each other on, they shouted with fervor.
"National champions! Keep pushing forward!"
The burning wave of enthusiasm seemed to pierce through the entire winter, tearing apart the rain clouds and creating sunlight.
As the kendo club members eagerly discussed whether they should also shout to boost morale after registering, Yuu looked up and saw a red banner hanging outside the gymnasium.
"National Swordsmanship Tournament…" Yuigahama read it aloud for him. "So, it's not just kendo?"
"Japanese kendo and Western fencing. This year's national championship combines both events, which has sparked a lot of controversy." Yukino, who had done her research, explained, "Mornings are for kendo, afternoons for fencing. If you're interested, you can stay tomorrow to watch, but you probably wouldn't understand."
"Not understanding is fine, as long as it's cool!" Yuigahama struck a fencing pose, then hesitated. "But if we watch the matches, we won't have enough time to explore Kyoto, right?"
"Your goal here is just to have fun…" Yukino sighed resignedly. "This isn't a school trip, Yuigahama-san."
Yuigahama argued, "What else can we do? We can't help with anything. We're just here to cheer… From a certain perspective, it's basically a free vacation."
"Even so, please come with the intent to learn and explore this culturally rich old city. I suggest you join me at Kyoto University's Comprehensive Museum…"
"Yuu-kun, you agree, right?" As Yukino said words that instinctively gave her a headache, Yuigahama quickly changed the subject. "Hiratsuka-sensei also told us to have fun… Yuu-kun?"
She called him two or three times before Yuu snapped out of it and looked at them.
"Huh? What's up?"
Yuu blinked, meeting their odd stares. He said casually, "About sightseeing? Of course, we can go anywhere if we have time. The club funds are for us to have fun. Doesn't matter if it's a museum or a shrine—on the other side of Kanto, there's freedom."
No one got his joke. They just followed his gaze in unison.
"That…"
"Kuroyuri Women's Academy, an all-girls school near Chiba." Her pale fingers lightly propped her chin. Yukino said thoughtfully, "If I recall, I saw it in the data. In Chiba Prefecture, Kuroyuri Women's Academy's fencing club and Sobu High's kendo club are regular national contenders, so they're called the Twin Swords of Chiba."
"What a cheesy name." Yuu laughed. Seeing some people chatting and nearly falling behind, he quickly caught up with the kendo club members. "Come on, stop staring at them."
"You're the one staring, aren't you?" A hoarse voice spoke up. Masuzu, who had been silent, suddenly chimed in. "Did some girl there catch your eye? Planning to go flirt?"
"Don't talk nonsense. Is there any girl there prettier than you?" Yuu shrugged. He said with a relaxed smile, "I'm not that desperate. I just felt some familiarity. I've seen a few of them at the supermarket near my old place, so I looked a bit longer."
Hearing this, the light in Masuzu's eyes clearly returned. Her gloomy mood eased slightly.
Yukino's expression softened a bit too. Yuigahama even burst into cheerful laughter.
Then Masuzu turned and asked Yukino:
"You, the Lie Detector, is he lying?"
"About eighty percent is the truth. The rest is ambiguous, misleading language."
Saying it without hesitation, Yukino glanced at Masuzu coldly. "Besides, I'm not a lie detector. If you can't tell, it just means your skills are lacking."
Yuu: "…"
(No, no, no, you're almost as accurate as a lie detector, you know?!)
(No normal person can do that, right? The tapeworm in my stomach probably doesn't know me as well as you do, Yukinoshita-san!)
After chatting briefly, they entered the gymnasium.
Compared to outside, the atmosphere inside was livelier. Perhaps because it was confined by the ceiling, there were shouts from staff, conversations between students and coaches. The echoing noise buzzed like mosquitoes in their ears.
Yukino and Masuzu, who preferred quiet, almost instinctively frowned. But the gradually gathering gazes and shifting atmosphere made them unconsciously focus on the conversations.
"That's Sobu High, top eight last year…"
"Isn't their club president nicknamed the Junior Sword Emperor? Why only top eight?"
"You mean Himura? He's been banned from competing for a while. He's always causing trouble outside. If it weren't all deemed legitimate self-defense, and if there wasn't someone higher up protecting him, Sobu High might not even be able to compete."
"Can they still win? Without that invincible middle school king…"
"Wait, I recognize that glasses guy, that's Kenzaki, the vice-president, right? The ace known for speed and precision. The coach even said to be extra careful of his thrusts… What's with his hand?"
"Rumor is he got in a fight and broke his hand. He can't compete this time."
"Huh? Then isn't Sobu High done for? They don't have any other famous players, right?"
"Don't talk nonsense. With the Junior Sword Emperor's coaching, their overall strength is above average. No major weaknesses. It depends on who they field as a replacement and who their ace will be."
"Is that a newbie? He's really handsome…"
"Hm? I feel like I've seen this guy somewhere, but I've never seen his photo in past tournaments, and there's no info on him in the data…"
There were plenty of similar discussions. Every team that had competed in nationals and had good results would attract this kind of attention, becoming the topic of conversation for a while.