The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
“…! …………!!”
—The next day.
Since it was the weekend and school was out, I was practicing my swings with a wooden sword in my parents’ backyard. It was the time of year when summer was turning to fall, and the sweat trickling down my skin felt strangely pleasant in the breeze, which was gentler than usual.
Watching me on that late afternoon, Rika sat down on a nearby bench and said,
“You’re really dedicated, aren’t you, Saito-kun?”
“……Huh?”
Those were the words of my childhood friend, dressed not in her usual school uniform but in girlish casual clothes.
I tilted my head in confusion and paused my practice.
“I mean, you do this every day, right? Weight training and practicing with that wooden sword.”
“Well, that’s true, but isn’t it a bit strange to call me ‘dedicated’ just because of that?”
At her remark, I lowered my gaze to my weapon and asked her back.
The handle of the wooden sword had been worn down by friction, giving it a somewhat rough shape. To my childhood friend, that must have looked strange.
Rika propped her chin on her hand and posed this question.
“Um… then why do you do it every day?”
“Why, you ask—”
I was slightly taken aback by her question.
She was right, of course. I hadn’t told anyone, but I no longer had any kind of mission to save the world or anything like that. So why, despite that, was I engaging in this daily routine that felt like training?
After searching for the reason, this was the answer I arrived at.
“Well, how should I put it… I just can’t relax unless I do it. —Because it’s my ‘daily routine.’”
Yes, for me, this is ‘normal.’
It seems I was reincarnated with not only my memories from the other world but also some swordsmanship and combat skills. But even more significant than that is the experience of having always done things this way.
Over there, I was constantly swinging a sword.
Because of that, if I don’t do it every day, I can’t help but feel something’s off.
“So, it’s not for anyone else’s sake… but for your own?”
“I guess that’s how it is.”
“…Hmm.”
“Why do you look so unhappy about it?”
As I nodded at Rika’s remark, she pouted her lips.
I couldn’t help but give a wry smile at that childish gesture, and my childhood friend replied sulkily, “Whatever.” What on earth was she getting at?
Thinking that, I resumed my practice swings.
“…! …………!!”
And as I swung the wooden sword, what came to mind were my childhood days here.
To be honest, My basic abilities were “extremely ordinary.” I was truly just an average boy, and in terms of having no particular talent for magic, I was a genuine underachiever.
But I had my experiences in another world.
I couldn’t sit still, and before I knew it, I’d been spending my days like this.
That’s exactly why the label “hard worker” leaves me with nothing but a question mark.
Because I’ve just been repeating what’s expected of me.
“…Hey, Saito-kun?”
“What’s wrong…!?”
As I swung my sword while thinking that, my childhood friend spoke to me again.
And she asked, choosing her words with some caution.
“If it were to protect me, what would you do…?”
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
I stopped my practice swing for a moment.
I couldn’t quite grasp the intent behind that question.
Still, if I had the goal of “protecting Rika,” then I would—
“Hmm. Well, for starters—”
After thinking it through that far, I answered honestly.
“In that case, I’d probably ‘practice my sword swings more often.’”
—I said.
Though, even without that.
I intend to protect at least the things that are important to me and within my reach.
“……O-oh, right! Yeah, thanks!”
“What’s wrong, Rika? Your ears are red…”
“It’s nothing!”
“Hm…?”
For some reason, my childhood friend was blushing at my words.
Since she wouldn’t tell me why, the mystery will probably remain unsolved forever. Just as I was tilting my head in confusion,
“Excuse me! Is this definitely Aragaki Saito’s house?!!”
That voice, which sounded vaguely familiar, came from the entrance.
“Huh…?”
“Someone’s here…?”
Rika and I exchanged glances and said that to each other.
But it seemed the person popping into both our minds was the same…
◆
“—Hey! I never expected to see you here, Agatsuma-san!”
“What brings you here…?”
“It’s fate, I suppose!”
“…………”
Rika replied coldly to the words of the red-haired visitor, Edward.
But as always, he just laughed, seemingly unfazed. Seeing the two of them at odds like this, I couldn’t help but press my fingers to my temples as I stepped in.
“……So, what exactly are you here for?”
“Hmm, that’s right. I suppose I should get down to business first!”
And when I asked him again, he finally spoke as if he’d just remembered.
Pointing to the wooden Western-style sword strapped to his waist,
“Today, I’m here to challenge Aragaki Saito to a duel—”
Just like the other day, he stood there with his chest puffed out.
“I’ve come to challenge him to a duel for the right to stand by your side!”—he declared.
But it wasn’t me who answered him.
“I refuse!”
Rika stepped forward and glared up at Edward.
Yet the boy showed no sign of flinching,
“What are you going to do, Saito…?”
My childhood friend was leaving the decision up to me.
To that, I—
“Haa… Since it’s come to this, I guess I’ll give him a proper fight.”
—I answered with a single sigh.
Maiban