Dong Yeyue Wants to Help

—My brother seems really angry.

Beneath these calm days, there seemed to be a hidden crisis.

Amano Yuko continued passing me information. After my careful approach, she had grown closer to me.

At this point, it was like I had driven a nail in place.

—He’s been practicing in the training room for too long, and his moves have become much harsher than before.

As a member of the Amano family, she also practiced kendo and wasn’t weak, so she could tell what his strikes meant.

Anger…

—Yuko, do you hate your brother?

—Hate? Not really. Even though he has those weird traits, he’s still my brother.

—If someone were to defeat him, what do you think would happen?

—Defeat him? That’s basically impossible. I don’t know about other regions, but in Sakurano, there’s no high schooler who could beat him in kendo.

—What if it did happen?

—That…

She fell silent and didn’t reply for a long time.

—He’d probably feel terrible.

My brother is very proud, especially since he inherited Grandpa’s swordsmanship.

Ever since then, he’s never shown weakness in kendo. He loves it and devotes himself entirely to it. I’ve never seen anyone more obsessed with kendo.

So he’d definitely be very sad.

Defeating him would be a simple solution, but it might leave psychological scars.

But… that’s not really my concern.

After all, I’m just someone rotting away at home—worrying about others would be strange.

I’m a terrible person, after all.

[The weather is really nice today.]

Such a cliché greeting, Ichijou.

But—

[Yeah, it does make you feel better.]

I didn’t mind responding to clichés.

In fact, it felt relaxing—not having to think too much.

Today was the weekend.

And also… a day that could be mistaken for a date.

At least, Fujimiya would probably smile and say—

[Rikou, take good care of Xiaoyue.]

Something easily misunderstood.

So—

[After practice, let’s go walk around a bit.]

I made the suggestion.

And he—

[Okay.]

Didn’t refuse.

Maybe he was looking forward to something like a date with me.

After all, he did say he liked me a little.

As for whether this would bring Ichijou and the “real” Dong Yeyue closer…

That would be her problem.

Not really mine.

Though Ichijou also shows closeness toward “me,” I believe that’s just toward the persona I’m playing.

The real Dong Yeyue would definitely fall for him.

I was certain of that.

Anyway—

[Let’s head to the dojo first.]

[Your progress is impressive.]

Harada-sensei said to Ichijou.

[You’re very talented. Even I might not match you.]

[You’re overpraising me.]

[My evaluations are never exaggerated.]

He frowned slightly.

[You are talented—that’s simply the truth.]

Clearly, he wasn’t someone who joked around.

[Then let’s continue, Harada-sensei.]

Ichijou, understanding his personality, didn’t say more and picked up his wooden sword.

[You said that person uses classical swordsmanship?]

[Yes.]

[If it has been passed down, it must have its strengths.]

Harada thought for a moment.

[Do you remember that move? Can you reproduce it?]

[—Yes.]

Ichijou lowered his sword tip, steadying his breathing—just like Amano Sora before.

He must have practiced it countless times in his mind.

Then—

He drew a strange arc.

[Clack.]

Their swords clashed briefly.

Harada instantly deflected it and struck Ichijou’s hand.

[Is this how you break it?]

Ichijou looked enlightened—but still confused.

[But… it shouldn’t be that simple.]

His eyes lit up as he looked at Harada.

[Please teach me.]

[Breaking this move is actually simple. It’s what we call a “trick move.” Many classical styles have them—designed for surprise, aiming for a one-hit kill.]

Harada explained.

[Most are unsuitable for modern kendo rules, so they were abandoned.]

[What you used is only a variation—so I could easily deflect it.]

[When you faced it, did it feel impossible to dodge or block?]

[Yes.]

Ichijou nodded.

[Exactly as you described.]

It even carried a psychological intimidation effect.

Harada thought for a moment, then picked up his sword.

Talking is nothing compared to practice.

Let’s spar.

And just like that, another round began before my eyes.

Watching them train… strangely made me happy.

Karin-nee sat beside me, holding her teacup, smiling gently.

Karin-nee, what’s your relationship with Harada-sensei?

Oh, we’re married.

Eh?

That surprised me.

They didn’t seem particularly affectionate.

Ahaha, surprised?

She covered her mouth and laughed playfully.

We even have two children.

They’re at an amusement park with my sister, so you can’t meet them today.

That’s okay—we’ll meet someday, right?

We smiled together.

By the way, are you a shrine maiden?

After all, that outfit is something you’d only see at a shrine.

So I was curious.

It’s strange, isn’t it—wearing this at a time like this.

She waved her sleeve.

I’ve worn it since I was little.

You’re right—I am a miko. I manage a small shrine. And as a side job—

She took out a kagura bell and shook it lightly.

A crisp sound rang out.

An exorcist—someone who dispels spirits.

Eh—

Ahaha, just kidding. There are no spirits or monsters.

Though saying that would hurt my business, so keep it a secret.

She pleaded playfully, and I agreed.

I’m not lying, though. I use this to understand people’s pain and help them resolve it.

It’s something I enjoy doing.

Of course… the more I get paid, the happier I am.

She was very honest—yet not unpleasant at all.

That’s wonderful, Karin-nee.

There was no pretense in her.

Even someone as rotten as me couldn’t dislike someone who brought smiles to others.

Like Ichijou.

Xiaoyue, is there anything you want to do?

Something I want to do…

There are many possible answers—study hard, enter a good school, win competitions, enjoy youth.

But—

None of those are truly what I want.

Even wanting to go home feels more like seeking release.

[No.]

I didn’t lie.

After all, she could see through me.

If you don’t find something you want to do, it’s easy to collapse halfway.

She said, looking at the two sparring.

It made sense.

But for someone like me, who has no future… it doesn’t matter much.

[I don’t know your “complicated” situation.]

But I can see that you want to take a step forward.

[Then why not truly take that step? Having something you want isn’t a bad thing.]

She smiled at me.

She really is amazing.

In the end—

[I understand, Karin-nee.]

Training didn’t last too long. By afternoon, we said goodbye to Harada and the others.

[Ichijou, you must be tired.]

After all, he was cramming the basics to defeat Sora.

[Do you still want to help him?]

I looked at him.

[Yes. Not just to help you—but also to help him.]

His obsession with perfection harms not just others, but himself too.

As expected of a gentle protagonist—always trying to save others.

No wonder Dong Yeyue would fall for him.

[Then defeating him alone won’t be enough.]

—

If done rashly, he might not escape his spiral—instead, he might become more extreme or even lose all hope.

I told him about my conversation with Yuko.

[Dong—]

[Let me help too. Didn’t I say this is our shared problem?]

I looked toward the end of the alley.

Beyond it lay the main road—livelier, brighter.

[If we move forward… maybe things can change.]

I said.

[Yeah.]

Ichijou nodded firmly.

[So… where should we go now?]

He thought for a moment.

[How about we walk around Doza Street?]

[Then let’s go.]