Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Sakurai did not leave immediately, because she did not know where to go.
Should she visit her teacher, who would continue urging her implicitly to devote herself to Kirihara? Or should she return to her apartment where there was nobody else at home? Sakurai was an orphan. She had no family.
Oda once said that her parents died in a car accident, but the record of which was nowhere to be found despite Sakurai’s efforts. Never mind. It would not matter anymore.
Her character was one of indifference, with no particular love, no special person, nor anything on her bucket list.
Her action was dictated by whatever her teacher felt she should.
That day, she did it with conflicting feelings. Unexpectedly, though, it was interrupted by Bunndai. Good for her, as she had not made up her mind whether it was right.
Oda seemed to have forgotten that people were able to think on their own.
Now, Sakurai was lost. Where was she? Where should she go next?
Suddenly she heard approaching footsteps outside the door, and Lu Shu appeared. Smiling, he said, “Sakurai, why not go shopping with us? Enough training for today.”
Hugging her knees, Sakurai looked up in disbelief. “Me?”
“Yes. Let’s go.” Lu Shu grinned.
“Sure.” Sakurai smiled too. She could not explain the trace of joy in her heart.
At that instant, she understood her teacher might be right. It would not be bad to stay with this boy.
Although it was meant to be a grocery trip, soon they found themselves in a restaurant with a bowl of buckwheat noodles in front of each of them. The utensils were delicate and colorful, but the portion was slightly insufficient. Lu Shu finished it fast. “Sir, another bowl, please.”
The middle-aged owner gave him a delighted look, as though he had just gotten credit for his cooking skills.
Sakurai and Bunndai were eating in small bites, while Lu Shu did not care so much about table etiquette. He seemed to have a great appetite…
“Kiriharakun,” Sakurai asked suddenly, “Aren’t you worried?”
Lu Shu was stunned. “About?”
Sakurai lowered her head. “Nothing.”
She knew it was not something she was meant to ask. By right, she had no idea about the connection between the Kiriharas and the Collection of Gods, but even she could not explain how those words jumped out of her lips.
…
The next day, Lu Shu slept through the lessons as usual. As the end of term examinations were drawing close, he did not seem to be concerned at all.
During the morning PE lessons, the class played soccer together. At the start of the game, Lu Shu burst the ball with one kick and walked away as if nothing had happened. Sakurai found it both hilarious and irritating how he bullied commoner students with his Practitioner powers.
Should Practitioners not treat commoners with proper dignity? What are you doing, man?!
Chiba sat at the side of the field. Her friend asked her curiously, “You’ve been unhappy since Sakurai Yaeko’s transfer. Do you still want to deny your feelings for Kiriharakun?”
She had expected a retort, but Chiba did not say a word.
“I heard that Kirihara’s dojo is enrolling new students again. Saturday and Sunday classes. I’m planning to go and take a look this weekend. Are you in?”
It took Chiba a long while to reply, “What?”
“I asked, do you want to learn swordplay at Kiriharakun’s place?” Her friend emphasized again. “Don’t give up if you really like him.”
“I’m in!”
…
During the last afternoon lesson, Sakurai was paying full attention in class. Aside from her cultivation experience and school transfer, her academic results were flawless.
Actually it was yet another reason for people’s admiration for her. Not only a talented swordswoman, Sakurai had won multiple academic awards in various Nishinokyo student competitions too.
She was seen as a genius in all aspects.
Just when she was engrossed in the lesson, Lu Shu passed a folded paper slip to her. Having made sure no one was watching, Sakurai carefully opened the paper. “No one at home tonight.”
Sakurai was stunned. A feeling of relief or some other emotions started to well up in her heart.
Her teacher had been impatient in taking down Kirihara Yousuke through her, but she had yet to succeed due to one reason or another. Thus, Oda was getting displeased too.
But now, she suddenly realized that she did not reject the thought that much.
Lu Shu left the class immediately after school. Instead of going straight to the dojo, Sakurai returned to her apartment. She stood in front of the mirror for a long, long time, until nightfall.
Sakurai took her most beautiful kimono from her closet. On its fabric, the cherry blossoms took a strikingly natural look, as if light pink petals would fall from her sleeves with her movement.
She slowly removed all her clothes and wrapped herself in the kimono only.
Then, carefully she put on light makeup with some lipstick.
Colors danced on her lips, making them all the more alluring. No one would believe she was only 17 years old.
To her, it would be a night of significance, although it was her mission.
She wanted to bid farewell to her past with a solemn ceremony. From that day onwards, she would allow some space for a man in her heart.
“Sakurai Yaeko” was a conservative name and so was she. The education she received outside the school was conducted by instructors carefully chosen by her teacher, and some of them were even of noble character and high prestige.
Sakurai looked at herself in the mirror. Very satisfied. Thinking about the other person who would complete the farewell ceremony with her that night, she was equally pleased too.
Then, she pulled on her white socks and slotted her feet in her clogs. Slowly she paced out of her room, and the door slammed shut.
Nishinokyo at night was a riot of colors. Men in suits walked into izakayas with their friends. Finally it was the time for leisure after a day of work.
It was a city of worldliness, with a certain degree of apathy and courtesy.
Twenty minutes later, standing in front of the dojo, Sakurai knocked on the closed doors… No reply.
One more time. Still no reply.
Dressed in her splendid kimono, Sakurai took a long while to absorb what was going on…
He really meant NO ONE at home! Seriously?!
“From Sakurai Yaeko’s distress, +999!”
…
