WebNovels

Chapter 142 - Chapter 142

Early Morning

A little past six in the morning.

A pale hand slowly lifted and rested on its own forehead.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes, still hazy from sleep, gradually sharpened into focus as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

She let out a faint breath and rubbed her forehead.

Reaching for her phone, she blinked at the screen in surprise. She was awake this early?

On a normal holiday, especially with her late-night habits, she never opened her eyes before eight or nine. Today felt strange.

She hadn't woken up during the night, and her sleep quality was surprisingly good.

Was Saeko right? That a bit of "exercise" before bed really did help with rest?

If so… she really owed her thanks.

Thinking of that, Utaha turned her head toward the futon beside her.

Her clear, elegant eyes blinked in confusion.

Empty. Saeko wasn't there.

So she was already up? This early?

Utaha instinctively tried to rise, only to feel a sharp soreness ripple through her stomach muscles.

Right—Saeko's "fault."

Last night, even after Utaha insisted she couldn't go on, Saeko, with that mix of gentle encouragement and firm insistence, had pushed her into several more sit-ups.

Normally Saeko was gentle, but in this area she was strangely aggressive. Maybe she was secretly cut out to be a strict coach—or even a teacher?

Winching at the ache, Utaha braced herself on her arms, careful to rise without straining her abdomen.

She reached the door, then hesitated, turning back toward Saeko's futon. Kneeling down, she pressed her hand against the bedding.

Cold. No lingering warmth at all.

That meant Saeko had been up for at least twenty, maybe thirty minutes.

Something about that struck Utaha as odd, though she couldn't quite name what.

Still thoughtful, she stepped into the hallway.

The living room wasn't empty—Yukinoshita Yukino was there.

She, too, looked freshly awake, her untamed bed hair sticking up in a small cowlick.

Yukino was staring toward the garden, but the sound of Utaha's door sliding open made her glance back.

They weren't exactly on the best terms. But with Minamoto Senya between them, neither wanted him caught in the middle, so they maintained a thin veneer of civility.

Utaha raised her hand, ready to offer a curt "good morning."

But Yukino beat her to it, lifting a finger to her lips in a sharp shh gesture.

Utaha frowned.

Combined with Yukino's naturally frosty expression, the gesture felt almost rude.

But then she realized—it wasn't aimed at her.

Yukino turned her gaze back toward the garden.

Catching on, Utaha quickly padded closer, peering past the veranda wall until her sight cleared.

There, on the outer wooden walkway, sat Minamoto Senya.

Cross-legged, his posture straight, a small table beside him held a tea set. He cupped the steaming bowl between his hands.

In the crisp morning chill, wisps of vapor curled upward from the tea.

The boy's upright figure, framed by the manicured garden, the occasional low-flying bird, and the sun cresting red on the horizon…

It felt like—

The wind was soft.

The sky was blue.

The sunlight warm.

The world at peace.

Everything serene, everything in balance.

Like he could ascend to enlightenment at any moment.

—If not for his expression.

He was smiling.

Not a faint smile, but a wide, open, deeply joyful grin that seemed to shine from within.

From behind, Utaha and Yukino could even see his cheeks rounded high from how much his mouth stretched.

No wonder Yukino had been unsettled.

To wake up and immediately find him sitting there, radiant with happiness… it was impossible not to notice.

Even when he had lifted a trophy in his kendo tournament victory, his smile hadn't been this dazzling.

Wait—dazzling?

Utaha caught herself. Since when did she use words like happy and fulfilled to describe him?

She blinked, unsettled.

Meanwhile, Yukino stepped forward. She had already been watching for several minutes before Utaha joined.

Even as his childhood friend, she had no logical explanation for this strange display.

Better to ask directly.

Their footsteps on the veranda drew Senya back from his meditative state.

He turned, his radiant smile still in place.

"Good morning, Yukino. Utaha."

His voice was as calm and gentle as ever, but paired with that blazing warmth, it almost felt eerie.

Utaha and Yukino exchanged a rare glance. Both tightened their lips, then sat down on either side of him.

"Senya…" Yukino hesitated. "Did something happen? You look… very happy."

"Happy?" He tipped back the rest of his tea and nodded, still smiling.

Utaha quickly refilled his cup.

He murmured thanks, then answered:

"Of course I'm happy. Being here with everyone, waking up and seeing you right away, thinking about the fun we'll have today… It makes me grateful just to be alive. To live like this—it's happiness itself."

Alive.

Life.

All this… from a simple two-day trip?

Utaha and Yukino were baffled, yet the sincerity in his eyes was undeniable.

His earnest gaze warmed them despite themselves.

"Yukino. Utaha. Having you by my side—I'm truly grateful. Please continue to look after me."

Then, setting his teacup aside, Senya shifted back, palms flat on the veranda floor. He bowed deeply in formal thanks.

"Eh—?"

Both girls froze.

This was too much, too sudden.

But faced with such raw emotion, they couldn't just brush it off.

Flustered, cheeks burning, they folded their hands before them and returned the bow with awkward formality.

And that was when Busujima Saeko entered, breaking the strange mood.

She strode in with damp hair, jeans hugging her long legs, white shirt tight across her chest, towel in hand. Clearly fresh from a shower.

"Good morning, you two."

"Good morning, Saeko," Yukino and Utaha echoed, almost relieved.

Grasping the excuse her presence offered, they stood and retreated into the living room.

Saeko watched them go, then remarked casually, "Everyone's up early today."

Yukino glanced toward her room. "Not everyone. Rikka and Eriri are still sleeping."

"Then let's leave them be for now," Utaha said, folding her arms. "We're not starting until nine anyway."

Everyone agreed.

Saeko then turned to Senya. "I'm done. You can take the bath now."

"Thanks."

His earlier brilliance seemed to fade. He rose calmly, gave Saeko a small nod as he passed, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Yukino's brows knit together.

Utaha, however, wasn't concerned. She had stayed at his house before—this was typical. He often bathed in the mornings.

She sat with Saeko in the living room, taking the towel to help dry her hair. "When did you wake up?"

Saeko smiled vaguely. "Not sure. Didn't check the time. Why?"

"Nothing. Just wondering—was Senya already awake then?"

"Yes. We even greeted each other. Surprised me, honestly."

Utaha leaned in, lowering her voice. "And… didn't you think he seemed a little strange today?"

"Strange?" Saeko tilted her head, puzzled. She glanced at Yukino, then back to Utaha.

After a pause, she shook her head. "No. Nothing unusual."

Utaha forced a smile. "Maybe just my imagination."

The morning carried on.

Senya finished his shower by seven.

Rikka and Eriri were still dead asleep.

"Should we eat first, or wait for them?" Yukino asked.

"I don't mind either way," Utaha shrugged.

Saeko looked toward Senya.

He considered. "If you're hungry, go ahead. Don't worry about me. I'll go for a jog instead—skipping sword practice today feels strange."

"I'll go too," Saeko said immediately.

Yukino gave them a suspicious look. "You just showered, and now you're running?"

Senya nodded like it was obvious. "With proper rhythm and breathing, it's fine. Feels good to get the body moving."

Given his stamina, it was believable.

"Why not join us?" Saeko suggested brightly.

Yukino hesitated. Saeko was so natural, it made her doubt her own unease.

"…Exercise is healthy. Fine." She accepted Saeko's hand and stood.

Senya pulled Utaha up as well.

"Wait—I need to change," she muttered, escaping back to her room.

"Me too," Yukino added quickly.

As they left, Senya stretched and said lightly to Saeko, "Don't run too far. Five or six kilometers and back is enough."

Saeko smiled. "Alright. Let's finish in under half an hour."

"...?"

Both Yukino and Utaha froze at their doors.

Ten kilometers, in thirty minutes? Three minutes a kilometer?!

Their faces paled in unison.

"Actually," Yukino said suddenly, "I should stay. If Rikka and Eriri wake up to find no one here, they'll worry."

Utaha snapped her fingers. "Right—I forgot I owe my editor a big revision. Urgent deadline. I need to work."

Neither would admit it aloud, but no way were they risking their legs—and dignity—on that run.

"…So you're not coming?" Saeko asked, scratching her cheek.

"Sorry," Yukino said quickly.

"Yeah, we'll wait here. Don't rush," Utaha added.

Senya and Saeko accepted that without protest and headed out together.

The room grew quiet.

Yukino and Utaha exchanged glances. Both knew exactly why the other had bailed. Neither mocked—mockery would only reflect back on themselves.

Utaha fetched her laptop and sprawled on the sofa.

Yukino took her book to the veranda, settling into Senya's earlier seat.

The greenery, the mountain breeze—it was surprisingly peaceful.

Then—knock knock.

Utaha, closest to the door, answered. She expected Senya or Saeko returning.

Instead, a polite inn attendant bowed. "Excuse me, I've come to change the bedding."

"…The bedding?"

"Yes. The young man from your group passed by the counter earlier and asked me to. He spilled mineral water this morning, soaked the futon."

"Ah, I see."

Utaha stepped aside.

Yukino joined them, curious.

The futon was folded aside. At first glance, it looked fine—until they noticed the darker patch of damp spreading across the white mattress.

In the trash sat an empty water bottle, along with several crumpled tissues—signs of his attempt to mop it up.

"Sorry for the trouble," Yukino said with a polite bow.

"Not at all," the attendant replied warmly. "If you'd like breakfast delivered, please let us know."

"Not yet. Some friends are still sleeping."

"Of course. Then I'll leave you to your rest."

She slipped away.

Yukino and Utaha exchanged one more wordless glance.

Then both returned to their seats, silently resuming their own business.

[Kendo LV6 → LV7!!!]

The moment Minamoto Senya stepped out of the inn, a system prompt—one he hadn't seen in quite some time—suddenly popped up before his eyes.

The high-level skill that had stubbornly resisted progress at a bottleneck had, after last night, finally advanced with surprising smoothness.

The rule of his skill growth was simple: the closer the bond with his linked partner, the higher their affection, the greater the improvement.

And last night… though he'd held onto a shred of reason and stopped short of that final, crucial step, the two of them had done nearly everything else—and not just once.

Their mutual affection in that moment had gone beyond the roof, and their closeness… well, it wasn't just "close." It had surpassed zero, broken through into the negatives, probably dipping to minus twenty, then back to minus a few, then minus twenty again… and so on, round after round in endless cycles.

Senya honestly felt a little bad for Saeko.

He was still growing, his body still developing, and without doubt, he would only become… more in the future.

Even now, Saeko had been pushed hard—gagging, coughing, struggling to keep up. The thought of what things might be like later almost made him wince.

Still, there was no denying the benefits: his kendo had leveled up to LV7.

Deep inside, Senya's understanding and insight into swordsmanship had reached a new, almost mystical realm.

Now, whether it was a broom, a rolling pin, or even just a branch picked up from the roadside—as long as it had the rough shape of a stick—he felt he could wield it like a storm, unstoppable in his hands.

His strength had grown tremendously.

But Senya barely spared the glowing system prompt another glance, dismissing it without concern.

He had something more important to do.

Together with Saeko, Senya jogged away from the inn, following the pedestrian path that ran alongside the road.

Here, far from the sprawl of the metropolis, green peaks curved together in endless ridges, and the sky stretched wide and clear, a deep, gentle blue.

It was still early. Hakone, famous as a place of leisurely tourism, had yet to wake; the streets were quiet, with hardly any salarymen hurrying to work.

That was fine by Senya. The stillness suited his mood.

After about two kilometers, he slowed his pace.

Saeko, as though sensing his intention, also eased her steps, falling naturally into a walk beside him.

The next moment, Senya reached for her hand.

Her face lit up instantly. A bright smile blossomed, tugging at her lips and spreading until her entire expression was glowing.

To the side, a narrow path branched upward into the hills.

Senya led her that way, climbing until they reached a small pavilion tucked among the trees.

The forest around them was dense, no one else in sight. The air was hushed and serene.

From here, one could faintly glimpse Mt. Fuji, its peak crowned with snow all year round.

It was a fine spot for taking in the view—and an even better place for a conversation.

Senya gestured for her to sit on the bench inside the pavilion.

Saeko obeyed with quiet grace, tilting her face up toward him. The way his expression seemed caught between hesitation and resolve made her eyes sparkle knowingly.

She thought he was being mean, teasing her like this—but she also loved this side of him.

Last night… was it six times? Seven? Maybe even eight?

Her mind had been a blur, her thoughts hazy and tangled. She couldn't quite remember.

Her jaw still ached a little even now, but with some effort she could probably…

She glanced left, then right, making sure no one was around.

Then she lifted her hand, moving with practiced ease, reaching slowly toward Senya's belt.

Senya: "?!"

In an instant, he caught her wrist. "Wait—Saeko, no, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant!"

Her face flushed bright red, lips pressed together as her eyes lifted to his with a watery gleam. "It's not…?"

"No!" His voice was firm—too firm. Seeing her head turn away in embarrassment, not knowing what to do, Senya panicked.

Quickly, he clasped both of her hands in his, lowering himself to one knee before her. His tone softened into something unbearably gentle.

"I want to… I really do. But not here. Not like this. It wouldn't be showing you the respect you deserve."

Unable to hold back, Saeko leaned forward, throwing her arms around him, laughter bubbling out uncontrollably.

"I feel like I'm the happiest person in the world right now."

"Me too…"

Senya hugged her close, his hand stroking her back. He was smiling, though it was faintly strained.

After a pause, he patted her shoulder. "Saeko, there's something important I need to tell you."

This was the real reason he had brought her out here.

The run had been just an excuse. His true thoughts had been buried under the heat of last night, but now that his head was clear, he couldn't leave them unsaid.

Saeko released him, watching his uneasy gaze with a calmness she forced herself to maintain.

She seemed to understand, and quietly nodded, taking both his hands in hers once more.

Their eyes locked. Senya took a deep breath.

"Saeko, I love you. I love you so much I want to build a family with you. I love you so much I want to spend my whole life at your side. I can't even imagine a future without you. If it came to it, I would give up everything for you. But… but—"

"But besides me," Saeko interrupted gently, her voice soft, "you also have the same feelings for others, don't you?"

She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his, as though she could see straight through to his heart and soul.

"Isn't that right?"

"...!"

Senya bit down on his lip. His breath grew ragged, the air between them taut with tension.

"…Yes."

The word left him like a soldier stepping onto the gallows.

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