Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Lu Shu’s response to Sakurai Yaeko’s covert confession went contrary to people’s expectations. The onlookers burst into an uproar and many boys were exasperated at Lu Shu’s failure to seize the opportunity.
But Lu Shu did not care. He knew that this Sakurai Yaeko did not come with good intentions, given her disguise as an ordinary student despite her Class C abilities.
Thus, from Lu Shu’s point of view, most likely she had come for Kirihara Yousuke. Besides the Conservatives, there were many others coveting the Kiriharas’ complete inherited trade, even including the Jingoists. Skills like this would never become a burden and could always act as the medium to unlock other powers.
However, Lu Shu had not inherited their trade. The last person of the Kirihara family had already been dead by the time he arrived…
Fortunately, though, all students at the dojo had been dismissed after the death of Yousuke’s parents. Otherwise, what to teach his students would have become another addition to his worry list.
Although lessons were over, most students chose to stay in school for co-curricular activities out of their own interests.
Now, the swordplay clubroom was surrounded by throngs of people anticipating the match with Shiyoge Girls High School. But Lu Shu was not interested in that. All he wanted to do now was return to his Beika dojo, practice his sword skills and sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” at night to the full content of his heart…
Hence, Lu Shu walked away without hesitation, thinking whether he had to pay Taniguchi Bunndai’s salaries with his own money since the Kiriharas did not leave behind any inheritance… Life was so tough…
But others could not understand. How could he leave like this?
“That’s so impolite! In any case, their school team is our guest and it won’t hurt to accept the invitation.”
“I know right. What a disgrace on our Beika High School!”
Their remarks were impertinent because Kirihara Yousuke was famous for being bullied. Yet, Lu Shu decided not to waste his time on them. He only hoped that they would not freak out when he caused some trouble in the Collection of Gods.
Suddenly a person whispered to the crowd, “Just now Kirihara beat seven guys up in the class. And he…”
The listener froze. “Seriously? I thought everyone can bully him?”
“His temperament seems to have changed a lot after his parents’ death…”
Amidst the gossip, Sakurai Yaeko eyed Lu Shu’s receding figure. As expected, he had changed, though it remained to be seen whether it was a boon or a bane for the Conservatives.
At this moment, Chiba suddenly caught up to Lu Shu and walked out of the school together with him. “Kiriharakun, shall we go home together?”
Lu Shu looked at Chiba, his head tilted. Her short skirt was swaying in the cold breeze, revealing a pair of pretty, fair-skinned legs.
“Aren’t you going to watch the swordplay match?” Lu Shu asked curiously.
Chiba turned her head, her smile beaming with joy. “I just changed my mind. After all, none of us has cultivation aptitude so it won’t make a difference no matter how hard we try.”
“True.” Certainly Lu Shu knew the importance of aptitude, which was directly related to the efficiency of cultivation for Practitioners.
“Tomorrow is weekend. Let’s go watch a movie together, Kiriharakun,” Chiba suggested suddenly.
Lu Shu was shocked. But soon, he replied, “I can’t. I have other things on.”
Then, their conversation plunged into silence. After a few crossings, Chiba turned, smiling. “Kiriharakun, I need to turn here. Then, see you next week.”
“Okay,” Lu Shu nodded. “See you next week.”
Chiba’s uniform was a good fit to her slender body with some adjustments at her waist, which made her waistline even slimmer. Looking down, her black socks looked just nice on her fair legs. Suddenly she turned again, smiles blossoming on her lips. “I’m really glad that Kiriharakun has become stronger. I wish you all the best.”
Before Lu Shu could gather his words, Chiba had walked away.
Honestly speaking, Lu Shu still found it difficult to make peace with his new identity. Chiba was the second girl who had taken the initiative to show her kindness to Lu Shu. The first was Coral.
But she and Coral were fundamentally different, because the latter liked Lu Shu, while the former liked Kirihara Yousuke, not he himself.
Thus, it was a burden to him, instead of something that he should be happy about.
How heartbroken she must be if she knew that her Kiriharakun had committed suicide under pressure, instead of getting stronger as she said.
Boys’ hormones and sweat, together with girls’ whispers and quiet admirations. They were probably the most beautiful things, like rainbows, in youth and those school days.
Once Lu Shu entered the dojo, he saw Taniguchi Bunndai boiling water with a black iron teapot in the yard. There was an air of ceremonial beauty around her.
Upon his return, Bunndai immediately rose and bowed. “Welcome home. Was your bento stolen today?”
So she knows that Yousuke has always been bullied, Lu Shu realized. Then, he grinned. “Nope. But I took theirs. Truth be told, the bento you made was the best.”
Bunndai froze on the spot. Had he really given up in maintaining his supposed persona…
Thus, she asked carefully, “Is it really fine like this?”
“Yes, of course,” Lu Shu was not bothered at all. “I’m cooking tonight. Chinese food. It must have been a long time since the last time you ate hometown food.”
“Yes. I do miss the taste of our hometown food. Thank you and sorry for the trouble.”
“Great. I’ll go buy some ingredients,” Lu Shu said. He wanted to check out the vicinity as well.
As soon as he left his house, he saw a furtive figure at his door, pretending to be making a call.
Ha, isn’t this Matsuura Haraichiro, a man mentioned in Bunndai’s information bundle?
Actually, Lu Shu did not even know who he had kicked the night before…
Lu Shu shot him a glimpse and continued walking. He did not want anything to do with the Conservatives. After all, it would be easier to act alone as compared to collaborating with those remaining Conservative forces which would certainly become an easy target for the Jingoists.
Can’t you just take a rest with the pathetic number of members left?
Matsuura Haraichiro became anxious at the sight of Lu Shu, because the kick had been really painful…
