Chapter 1
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Chapter 1: Prologue I
The cold morning air was sliced through, and the blade reflected the morning sun.
In the clear air, even the sunlight hitting the blade looked bright. The empty dojo made even the cold sensation returning from the floorboards feel somewhat pleasant.
“Phew. It feels pretty good today.”
Unwrapping the remaining energy, I slowly sheathed the sword at my waist. Of course, it’s a replica sword, so there’s no worry about cutting myself, but it’s quite heavy, and it would be a problem if I dropped it.
“It feels nice today too.”
The weather was clear. It was a pleasantly mild spring day. Perhaps in the past, people might have wanted to compose a poem here, but I don’t have that kind of education. So, all I can do is draw the sword in solitude in this dojo.
“Ah, Nao. I knew you’d be here. Breakfast is ready.”
“Good morning, Haruka-nee.”
As I was tidying up the sword, I saw Haruka’s figure at the entrance. Though I call her “sister,” she isn’t my real sister. She’s a senior who lives next door. She moved in during elementary school and practiced kendo at our dojo. She is still a manager for the kendo club at high school.
With a soft expression and a consistently gentle voice, she contrasts sharply with her upright posture, which has no sway and remains firm. She dislikes the fact that she has quite a few female fans at school.
Haruka-san, who was the tallest in the class when we first met, is still the tallest among the girls in her class. I also knew well why she chose to become a manager rather than a player, even though she had offers from the volleyball and basketball clubs and various other sports teams.
“Good morning. Hurry up, wash off the sweat and change.”
“Got it.”
With that, Haruka-nee dashed back to the main house. I couldn’t help but reflect on her long black hair, neatly tied and hanging straight down. It seemed like a strong declaration of her decision never to do kendo again. And the backlash of that decision was directed squarely at me.
I left the dojo and looked back at the entrance. The old signboard read “Osanai Dojo” in faded ink. Tonight, many dojo students would probably come to practice and sweat it out. It has been three years since I stopped joining them after entering junior high.
“I’ve got to hurry.”
Turning my back on the empty dojo, I walked toward the main house.
After taking a shower, changing out of my training uniform, and heading to the living room, I was the last one to arrive. The tatami-covered living room had a large low table. Thanks to my mother’s preparation, the Osanai family’s breakfast table was as splendid as ever. White rice, grilled fish, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. I should be thankful to be able to enjoy such a meal on a Sunday morning.
At the table were Haruka-nee, my mother, and Grandpa. Grandpa still serves as the dojo master. Even though he’s 65 this year, he’s still energetically instructing elementary and junior high students.
“Here, Nao. Sit down quickly.”
“Oh, okay.”
“Do you want a large serving of rice?”
“Just a regular portion is fine.”
Smiling at my mother, I sat next to Haruka-nee. Grandpa sat at the head of the table, and the next position was occupied by Haruka-san. It certainly feels like Haruka is treated better than me at home, and it’s probably not just my imagination.
“I still think it’s not right for me to sit in Uncle’s seat.”
“It’s fine. He won’t be back for another year.”
“There’s a better way to say that, Mom.”
My father who is working away from home, wouldn’t feel very happy being mentioned that way either.
Haruka-nee, who sat next to me, appeared slightly taller. I found that saddening.
“What’s wrong, Nao?”
“Nothing.”
Haruka, who was taller than me since we first met, continued to grow and eventually surpassed me, driving me to the brink of despair. The faint hope I had that things would change when we reached high school was completely shattered, and I still remain more than 10 centimeters shorter than Haruka.
I avoided Haruka’s curious gaze and took a sip of the miso soup.
“By the way, Nao, do you have any plans for today?”
“No, not really.”
“Then let’s go out somewhere today.”
“Um, well…”
I hesitated. Since I’m not in any clubs and don’t have many friends, it’s rare for me to have plans on a Sunday. But when it comes to going out with Haruka-nee, I’d prefer to find some excuse to decline.
“Since you don’t have any plans, you should go. If Haruka-chan isn’t here, you’ll just be staying home all day.”
“That’s true, but…”
It seemed that my mother’s support was clearly on Haruka’s side. Grandpa showed no interest in my predicament and was struggling with a fish bone stuck in his teeth.
“You’re embarrassed because you’ve grown up and it’s awkward to be seen with me, right? You don’t need to worry about that.”
“Yeah, I don’t mind at all. If you don’t get some sunlight, you’ll turn into a vampire, you know?”
“A vampire would die if exposed to sunlight.”
It’s not a lie that I’m embarrassed, but it’s not because I’m with Haruka. However, I have no intention of discussing that with my mother, it’s not something I can talk about.
“Okay, I understand.”
So, in the end, I had no choice but to nod my head and follow what Haruka-nee says.