Chapter 42

Times flew quickly and right now is Wednesday, four days after my date with Kaori. I spent my days like usual by attending school, spending time with friends, training my swords arts, and many more.

If there is a change in my daily life, it is just Kaori becoming prettier after that night. Or it can be said, there is an aura of maturity coming out from her and our classmates realized something just happens to her.

Another thing to say is about Miyuki. I always think he is a guy who would do when he has to do.

But, looking at the real one made me feels like a father who looks at his grown-up son. Astonishingly right now he was able to chat a bit normally than before with Maki.

That was a relatively fast progression within these four days. Before long, I genuinely think he would be able to befriend her. For now, I think Maki only saw him as a kind acquaintance she interested a bit.

Right now I am walking leisurely to the Kendo Dojo reporting to Shishou about my progress in Niten Ichi-Ryu: One sword style. It's already been a week and two days since he told me to master the last six techniques of one sword style.

I did say I'm going to master it in a week before. But, I ended up mastering two days late because I can't spend all my time to train.

Regardless, I arrived at the Dojo and slide the door then approached my Shishou.

"Shishou, I have mastered the last six techniques. Please teach me the real Niten Ichi-Ryu" I said with a determined face.

"*sigh* You really mastered it in a week huh. Before we advanced to the real Niten Ichi-Ryu which is a two-sword style. You are going to spar with me using one sword style. Naturally, I will only use one sword style too." Shishou sighed then said thoughtfully.

"Yes!" I eagerly nodded. A spar with Shishou will always welcome. Needless to say, I can smoothly be progressing my skills even when training alone.

But, having a spar or fight with people more skilled than you is always helpful to make your skill progressing faster. Naturally, I won't use any magic here.

"Use this," Shishou threw a Shinai and said. I caught the Shinai then walk to the center of the dojo.

Shishou also does the same, then he immediately positioned his body slightly facing the right side, slightly bend his legs, and tightly hold the Shinai in front of his face while looking at me. This stance is called, 'Ko Gasumi'.

The stance that a swordsman used was varied depending on what are they going to use it for. For sports, they usually used the normal Kendo stance which is called 'Seigan'. But for a duel or spar between a real swordsman, the stance they used depends on what kind of technique they are going to use first.

The fact Shishou uses that stance means he is going to use a thrust or vertical slash type technique first.

"Huu..." I breathed slowly then, I slightly put my right foot forward and my body facing Shishou.

Then I grasp the Shinai with my right hand and positioned it in front of my face while my left hand gently holding the back of the Shinai like I am defending from a slash from above. This stance is called, 'Tachi no Tori'

"Hoo?" Shishou raised his eyebrow and said.

I concentratively looking at every possible move Shishou made. From a slight hand movement, readying his feet, and where his eyes looking at.

The first strike of Swordsman's duel was always important. That's why they were reading each other movements first before going to strike.

"Haat!" Shishou suddenly shouted as he quickly thrust his Shinai. It looks like a plain thrust, but the speed was very fast. I don't think normal people can defend from this. Good thing I am not one.

I slashed down my Shinai with a fast speed to hit Shishou's shinai as I slightly move my body.

*Stak*

Immediately after that, I slashed horizontally aimed at his stomach. Reading that, Shishou carefully moves his body then he positioned his Shinai above his head and slashed it down.

With a swift movement, I adjust the way I hold my Shinai facing it down like an assassin and parried the slash. After that fast exchange, we moved back to give a distance.

"Heh... you really are a monster, idiot disciple," Shishou smirked and said.

"I will win this if you don't use the real Niten Ichi-Ryu, old man." I aggressively said to taunt him.

Shishou didn't answer my taunt with words as he suddenly closed the distance and uses the seventh technique of Niten Ichi-Ryu: One sword style, Juyousei. It was a ten repeated fast slash aimed at the head and heart.

Looking at that, I intentionally used the tenth technique of Niten Ichi-Ryu: One sword style, Rougeki. This was a technique meant to counter.

I parried every slash then after the last slash I instantly use the technique that I used to slay Balor, Niten Ichi-Ryu: One sword style, Issetsu Nadegiri.

This technique was essentially meant to cut the enemy's head, but I aimed at Shishou's stomach this time. Because of the recoil from my powerful parry, Shishou was unable to defend or avoid it. So, my Shinai hit his stomach cleanly. At that moment, I suddenly gained insight about a certain technique.

"Hahaha! You really are a monster. Your one sword style technique was already par with mine or even my daughter." Shishou laughed delightedly and praised as he looked at me.

"Oh? It looks like you gained something from our spar." Shishou raised his eyebrow and smirked.

"Indeed! I think I have an insight into a technique and an assumption about someone." I nodded then explained.

"I see... You can show me after you completed that technique. For now, I'm going to show you the first part technique of the real Niten Ichi-Ryu." Shishou said thoughtfully.

After saying that, Shishou made me sit on the side and started demonstrating six techniques which he called the first part.

It was mystical. The techniques caused me to think if Shishou holds more Katana in his hands.

"So, how about it? Can you master this in a month?" Shishou asked thoughtfully. Looks like he understood, I can even master the one sword style in two weeks. So, he naturally expected me to be able to master this in a month.

"I believe I can!" I confidently said.

"Good. I'm looking forward to that." Shishou nodded approvingly and said while he proudly looks at me.

---

It was the night after my training with Shishou. We were currently having dinner while watching the television. It was showing an advertis.e.m.e.nt for a popular brand outfit in Japan.

"How was your job as a model, Shiori?" I curiously asked after looking at the advertis.e.m.e.nt.

"I become the number one in the newcomer model ranking, Onii-sama!" Shiori joyfully said.

"Even a popular magazine has her on the cover, you know?" Kaori instantly added.

"Fufufu... My classmates always asked if I knew the new rising model, The innocent angel Kitahara Shiori-chan after they knew I was your girlfriend, Izu-kun." Nanaka smilingly explained.

"That's incredible, Shiori!" I caressed her head and smilingly said.

"Hehe...." Shiori smiled joyfully.

"Oh right, Onii-sama. This Saturday I have a photoshoot from the evening until night for the first time... can you accompany me?" Shiori asked with an expectant expression.

"Is there even needed to ask? Of course, I can." I nodded and said.

"Yay! I will introduce you to my friend, Onii-sama." Shiori excitedly said.

"Sure, sure" I patted her head again and smilingly said.