"Busujima-senpai, what kind of training do you usually do to sharpen your kendo skills?"
"I'm the same as everyone else," Saeko replied gently. "The most important thing is to swing the sword every day without slacking off or cutting corners."
"Eh~? Just swinging? But I've seen movies and dramas about sword masters, and their training methods looked amazing! Like strapping iron weights to their legs and waist, weaving between swinging sandbags to practice footwork, or hopping around on raised wooden stumps for leg coordination."
"What are you talking about? Wakana, that's clearly from those martial arts movies."
"But they really were holding wooden swords!"
"That's just dramatization. You can't mix up film fiction with real-life training! Don't ask senpai childish questions like that…"
The younger girls chattered noisily among themselves.
Saeko had answered briefly, but her mind wasn't on them.
Even though they had already walked quite far, she couldn't help but glance back toward the square where she'd just seen Minamoto Senya and Yukinoshita Yukino walking together.
Of course, their figures had long since vanished into the bustling crowd.
If Senya had been with several others, she wouldn't have thought much of it.
But seeing him alone with Yukino—just the two of them—was something she couldn't ignore.
Outwardly, she continued smiling and chatting with the girls. But her hand moved unconsciously to her forehead, fingertips brushing the spot where, just a few nights ago, Senya had left the faintest kiss.
And she had responded. Flustered, she'd fled back to her room afterward—but later, she'd found the courage to message him, making her feelings clear.
Their relationship should be closer now than it had ever been…
Or was that just her own wishful thinking?
That uneasy thought gnawed at her as she followed her underclassmen into a kendo equipment specialty shop.
The third school term would end soon, and with it her middle school years.
She had already stepped down as captain of the kendo club, passing the role on to another. Today, the girls had invited her out to thank her for her leadership and care—buying her lunch as a token of appreciation.
Now, in the afternoon, she was tagging along to help them shop and recommend brands she trusted.
Two boys from the club had made similar invitations before, but Saeko had turned them down flat.
She had only accepted the girls' invitation—because, deep down, she was mindful of how a certain someone might feel.
"Whoa, look! It's senpai's poster!"
The lively Wakana was the first to shout, pointing toward a large display near the shelves.
"Shh! Not so loud—people are staring!"
"Yeah, we all know already. Didn't you show us that video ad with senpai last time?"
"Seeing it in person in an actual store is totally different!"
Saeko didn't react much. She just gazed quietly at the poster.
It showed her and Minamoto Senya, standing back-to-back, each holding a sword pointed outward.
If she remembered correctly, that had been taken last year, not long after she'd signed with Nishiyamado.
She hadn't been comfortable in front of the camera then—her movements were fine, but her expressions never matched what the photographer wanted.
It was Senya, standing by with his silly "write in the palm" game and coaxing her into playing, who had relaxed her. Later, they had practiced together face-to-face several times, and the shoot had gone smoothly—finished forty minutes ahead of schedule.
One of the girls, Asaka, sharp and observant, noticed Saeko's absentmindedness. She asked carefully,
"Senpai… you're preoccupied with something today, aren't you?"
Pulled back from her thoughts, Saeko smiled politely and shook her head.
"Sorry to worry you. I was just remembering what it was like filming that ad. Nothing's wrong. Now then, let's help you girls pick what you need."
With her guidance, the girls—usually indecisive when shopping—quickly made their choices. Within ten minutes, everyone had their gear selected, paid, and bagged.
They left the store together, and since their errands were done, it was about time to head home.
Still, there was a little time to chat on the way to the station.
As always, when middle school girls gathered, the topics turned to makeup, fashion, school gossip… and, of course, boys.
Romance.
Dating in middle school was hardly unusual anymore. In today's Japan, with its declining birthrate, society was even somewhat encouraging of such things.
All three of the girls with Saeko had boyfriends.
Naturally, the conversation shifted there.
"…Lately, my boyfriend's been really distant. He doesn't even text me goodnight anymore."
"That's just the 'boredom phase.' Once the initial excitement wears off, it happens."
"Really?"
"Same here. Once I waited for him after his club practice, planning to walk home together. But then I saw him chatting and laughing with another girl. She even fed him candy! I was furious!"
"No way!"
"That's so scummy! What did you do?"
The talk heated up.
Asaka, ever sensitive, realized something.
Come to think of it, Busujima-senpai hadn't said a word during all this.
Of course—she had grades to maintain, kendo to focus on. She wouldn't be into frivolous topics like this.
But when she turned her head, she found Saeko staring at them intently, eyes shining with interest.
Senpai… is actually curious about our love lives?!
"Everyone."
Saeko suddenly smiled and gestured to a teahouse by the roadside.
"It's still early. If you're not in a hurry to go home, why don't we sit down for tea? Consider it my return gift for your lunch."
She's even willing to treat us, just to keep hearing about this kind of small talk?!
Asaka was stunned, but the others were already cheering happily and tugging Saeko inside.
Just as she expected, once the tea was served, Saeko guided the conversation gently. Outgoing Wakana picked up right where she'd left off, telling more stories about her unfaithful boyfriend.
"…So of course I marched right up, clung to his arm, and made my claim loud and clear. That girl—no, that homewrecker—bolted instantly, all flustered!"
"You're really something, Asaka," Saeko said, impressed by her boldness. But she couldn't help adding, "Though… doesn't your boyfriend share some of the blame?"
"Of course he does! But breaking up would just hand him over to that girl on a silver platter. Why push them together myself? I'm not that dumb."
Her words made Saeko nod slowly, as if realizing something.
"Boys really are simple, clueless creatures. Later, when I asked him why he acted that way, he said he didn't even realize it was wrong. He just thought they were friends, playing around."
Asaka cut in: "Or maybe that's just an excuse?"
"It doesn't matter if it is or not," Wakana said breezily. "The point is, I really like him. It's not some unforgivable mistake. Just warn him once, and as long as it doesn't happen again, that's fine."
The girl sitting across from her nodded in deep agreement.
Such values in relationships between men and women were very common in modern Japan, where traditional male dominance still lingered while feminism often took a back seat.
Women tended to show greater tolerance toward men—in romance, in marriage, in daily life.
There were plenty of housewives who, even while knowing their husbands were out late at night messing around in the red-light districts, swallowed their resentment. As long as the husband brought money home on time, covering food, bills, children, and elderly care, then even such "principled mistakes" could be ignored—or forgiven.
This had been the trend for a long time, and by the looks of it, would likely continue well into the future.
"…Anyway, after that incident, I reflected a little. Until then, we mostly just held hands. Even kissing was rare. But we've been dating for over a year now, and staying at that level seemed kind of… unreasonable. So…"
"So?"
"So… I—I finally agreed to that one request he'd always been hoping for."
"You're kidding!"
"No way, Wakana! You mean… you already crossed the line into adulthood?!"
"Shhh!!! You're shouting so loud the whole shop can hear!"
No wonder the others were shocked. Even Saeko—who had always worn a calm, unruffled expression—flushed bright red when Wakana, embarrassed but determined, confessed.
She's my junior… but in that aspect, she's become my senior?!
"Not what you're imagining! It was just…"
Wakana raised her small right hand, curled her fingers into a fist, then opened them again.
Then, under their stares, she touched her lips lightly.
"…Just that much."
"What do you mean 'just that much'? That's already… that's already really bold! At this rate, he could totally go further with you any time!"
"No way. I'll hold the line. At least until high school."
Saeko tilted her head, not fully grasping what Wakana meant.
Asaka leaned over and whispered the details in her ear.
Saeko's face turned an even deeper shade of red.
Wha—what kind of talk is this…
Hands and lips… Could that really make someone happy?
Health class never taught this!
The others noticed Saeko's reaction, of course.
Wakana, who had been talking about herself all this time, now wanted to hear someone else's story.
And naturally, the one she was most curious about was Saeko.
"Hey, senpai—you're so talented, so beautiful, and so popular with boys. Doesn't Minamoto-kun get jealous all the time?"
"…Not really… Huh?!"
The start of her answer had been fine, but the last part of the question completely derailed her composure.
"Why bring up Senya all of a sudden?"
"Because you and Minamoto-kun are dating, right?"
"…Excuse me?"
What a wonderful revelation—why am I only finding out about it now?!
"Wait… aren't you? Oh… but all the girls in the kendo club think you two are secretly a couple."
"And why would they think that?"
"Because you're always together! Competing side by side, equally talented, appearing together in interviews and ads… You two give off such a strong couple vibe. Even if you haven't made it official, we can't help but assume."
"…I see."
Saeko's face didn't show displeasure. If anything, there was a faint shyness.
It looked almost like… she didn't mind hearing it. Which only made it clearer: whatever Minamoto Senya himself might think, Saeko certainly held strong feelings for him.
The others noticed this, and grew bolder.
"Well, even if you're not dating yet, it's probably just a matter of time. Senpai, you'd better make your move soon! A guy like Minamoto-kun—smart, athletic, ridiculously handsome—he's rarer than a giant panda these days."
Uh…
That was far too blunt. Saeko, modest and reserved, didn't know how to respond.
Luckily, they didn't seem to expect an answer. They continued chatting among themselves, discussing her budding relationship as if it were already fact.
"Senpai, you'll be graduating soon. You should lock things down before then. Once you're in high school and at different schools, it'll get harder."
"I have an idea! Our school holds a graduation dance every year. You could invite Minamoto-kun! The two of you, hand in hand, dancing close together… the mood would be perfect."
"These days, it's not just on the boy to make the first move. We girls should be bold too!"
"And with someone as amazing as Minamoto-kun, once you're officially together, you could finally relax. He'd never abandon you—you'd be cherished for life."
"…."
Their words were filled with good intentions, but Saeko's heart thumped furiously.
Some of their suggestions… almost seemed realistic.
So, girls these days really were supposed to take the initiative, huh?
Her thoughts flashed back to the sight earlier of Yukinoshita Yukino walking close beside Senya, their shoulders brushing.
"…Actually, a few days from now, I'll be going with Senya to a hot spring inn. We'll be staying overnight."
The words slipped out softly.
In every group, one can learn from others.
Sometimes, seniors and juniors can swap roles entirely, depending on knowledge and experience.
The moment they heard it, the other girls exploded, like gossip-hungry ferrets diving into a melon patch.
"Ehhhhh?!"
"Senpai, did he invite you?!"
"Doesn't matter who invited who—this is definitely setting the stage for something big!"
Saeko waved her hands frantically. "No, it's not just the two of us! Other friends will be there too."
"That doesn't change anything! Once everyone's asleep, you two can sneak off together."
"Or you could be the one to sneak into his room! That's how I got my boyfriend during the school trip."
"You didn't!"
"So bold!"
"Tell us everything—what happened?"
"It wasn't much," the girl said with a mischievous grin. "After the teachers finished night patrol, I slipped into his room while everyone was asleep. I crawled under his futon, woke him up quietly, and we whispered together in the dark…"
———
"…Eriri, you really do like those childhood-friend-type games, huh."
Inside the game shop, Kasumigaoka Utaha spoke in her usual languid tone as she watched Sawamura Spencer Eriri place a copy of 'The Childhood Friend Could Never Lose to the Cunning, Cheating Catgirl' into her basket.
"It's not that I like childhood-friend games," Eriri huffed, indignant. "It just happens that the games I enjoy happen to have childhood-friend heroines, that's all!"
"What a coincidence."
"It really is a coincidence!"
"…."
Of course, Utaha knew the real reason.
It was nothing more than unfulfilled desires from real life, channeled into the games as a kind of catharsis.
It was… a little sad. A little pathetic. Even pitiable.
But for some reason, she felt a pang of sympathy.
Eriri caught her gaze. "Why are you looking at me like that? And quit patting my head—I spent forever fixing my hair this morning!"
Utaha gave a playful thumbs-up. "Eriri… no matter what, I'll always support you."
Eriri blinked, then suddenly covered the pocket where she kept her wallet. "Wait—hold it! I'm already spending a ton taking everyone to that hot spring trip. I don't have spare cash to lend you."
"I don't want your money. My income's been fine lately."
"Income?" Eriri relaxed a little. "Oh—did someone donate again to that account you manage for Senya?"
She knew Utaha's situation: her allowance was tightly controlled by her older sister, and she didn't work part-time. So this was the only way she could earn on her own.
Utaha grinned and made two "OK" signs with her hands, six fingers raised. "Last month I made over sixty thousand yen in donations. One fan—goes by 'SilentLove'—gave forty thousand alone. His only request was that I upload more of Senya's daily life photos and videos."
"That's hardcore. Just don't go overboard again like last time—sending someone Senya's actual clothes was insane."
"Relax, I've learned my lesson. I told him clearly: photos and videos are fine, but nothing inappropriate, and only on public platforms. He agreed."
"Good. Glad you understand."
"Still… Senya keeps using it to blackmail me into giving him massages. I'm exhausted. But if I don't, he threatens to tell my sister, and then I'm doomed. Feels like I'm gonna be under his thumb for life…"
"…."
Then let me be the one under his thumb! Gladly, for life!
Anything—absolutely anything!
Eriri didn't dare say it out loud, but the thought burned vividly in her mind. More than once, she'd even drawn them into her more… intense doujin scenarios, inserting herself and Senya into every page.
By the time she finished those sketches, giggling madly to herself, she usually needed to make a trip straight to the bath.
The two of them left the game shop as dusk fell, heading to the train station together before parting ways.
When Eriri arrived home, her mother—apron tied, humming as she cooked—greeted her cheerfully. Eriri just waved and headed for a bath.
By the time she finished, dinner was ready and her father had returned.
As they ate, Eriri noticed her mother, Sayuri, beaming with unusual joy, almost as if she'd won the lottery. Ever since Eriri had returned home from her brief stay at Senya's house, her mother had been in this overly good mood.
Her father, however, seemed oddly drained. His face was pale, his energy low—probably from late nights and heavy work over the New Year period. Salaryman life really was brutal.
Feeling uncharacteristically thoughtful, Eriri even split her grilled fish in half and placed it on his plate.
"Dad, you've been working hard lately. Don't forget to take care of your health."
Sayuri stiffened slightly at the first half of that sentence, but relaxed again at the second.
She added with a warm smile, cutting half of her own meat onto her husband's plate.
"She's right. You don't have to push yourself so much. Rest when you can."
"…."
Mr. Sawamura was deeply moved by his daughter's gesture—but when it came to his wife, he had only grievances.
You're telling me to rest? Weren't you the one keeping me up before?!
Middle age… really does leave a man powerless.
Ignoring her husband's resentful look, Sayuri turned to her daughter with a radiant smile.
"So, have you booked the hot spring inn yet? I could help you plan the trip, you know."