Chapter 163 - Tag
"Tag, you said?"
Lesson one. Her voice was so slow and gentle that, as always, the English words sounded like they were spoken in hiragana.
Hearing the first training proposal from the Sword Saint, I couldn't help but look around and think one thing... Isn't this a little too small?
To reiterate, the stage was only about five meters in diameter. Even if we started from opposite ends, it was only big enough to reach each other in two or three steps.
"Of course, there will be a few conditions,"
As if she knew I'd have questions, Ui-san began to elaborate.
"First, no running. This means both of your feet cannot leave the ground at the same time."
"Hmm... is speed-walking okay?"
"That's fine. However, this isn't about winning with speed, so it would be best if we both walk at a steady pace."
Hmm... like walking tag?
"Additionally, you must always alternate your left and right feet. And we will set a step count for both the chaser and the runner—ten for the chaser, and twenty for the runner."
"Mm, mm... I see."
It wasn't that complicated, was it? As for who had the advantage, I couldn't really get a good sense of it without trying... but surely the chaser had the upper hand.
Even with double the steps, the runner's escape options would be limited in such a small space.
"In any case, let's just try it a few times. I'll be the runner first."
"Right... okay, let's do it."
I bowed, and naturally, Ui-san followed suit. We faced each other on the small stage, bowed—and took a step forward simultaneously, beginning the Sword Saint's "lesson."
◇◆◇◆◇
"—No way...!"
"Fufu... my win, it seems."
We switched roles, ten times each. My overall battle record was 0 wins and 20 losses. After being completely and utterly defeated, I was on my hands and knees before the softly smiling Sword Saint, utterly crushed.
"...Ui-san, were you a magician all along?"
Her footwork was so incredible I couldn't even comprehend the logic behind it. After being toyed with on both offense and defense, I asked her half-dazedly. The Sword Saint smiled mischievously and said,
"Oh my... have I been found out?"
"Ugh... guh..."
Th-this woman...! The fact that she can be this playful is just so unfair...!!
As I averted my gaze, having been hit with a perfect counter, Ui-san came over and offered me a hand.
"Don't be so down. For example, it took Irori-kun a whole week before he could catch me for the first time."
"A week..."
It took that Sword Protector a whole week... Yeah, I guess that makes sense.
I had to admit, her movements really were like magic.
—But, I see.
Irori took a week to finally get one on her... I see, I see.
"Well, well... that's somehow... motivating."
I was aware that I probably had a spiteful look on my face. As expected, Ui-san tilted her head at me—but when an opponent I didn't want to lose to was brought up, my motivation was naturally fired up.
"Ah... I mean, you know. If I catch you within six days, it's my win."
"...Fufu, you're such a boy."
I gratefully took the offered hand—and with a firm pull from her small hand, she helped me up, laughing cheerfully.
"Well then, let's do our best to surprise Irori-kun."
"Yes, please!"
"Which will you be?"
"The chaser!"
Since there was no jumping or running, the physical exertion wasn't that great. The shadow of phantom fatigue was still a distant concern.
We each moved to opposite ends of the stage...
"Well then—begin."
"Hmph—...!"
I had to close the distance first, so I took a large step with my right foot.
And—Ui-san also took a small step forward.
One more step and I could reach her with my fingertips. I took another step with my left, and—
"Ngh, damn...!"
My outstretched hand missed her as she took a half-step back. So it's this pattern. In that case...!
From a wide stance, I brought my right foot half a step forward, then lifted my left foot—and took a large step back.
By opening my body to the left, I could face Ui-san, who had seen my footwork and tried to escape that way, and—huh!?
Pat, pat, pat—it was supposed to be a slow walk, and yet, somehow I couldn't react as she slipped right past me.
My delayed swing missed the gray figure as she passed by. The distance between us continued to grow...
"And, my win."
"No way...!!!"
Seriously...! I don't get it...!
I can see her, I know she's there, so why can't I react...!?
"Haru-kun, you're overthinking it. Your movements have become stiff."
"Yeah, but... it's not just that my movements are stiff, it's like my body is physically freezing up..."
Just now, if my body had moved normally, I should have been able to catch her easily. This has been happening repeatedly since we started this game of tag.
Damn you, Sword Saint... are you really using some mysterious magic to—
"As I've said, Haru-kun, you are moving your body too much with your mind alone. You are binding your own self."
"...Moving my body with my mind?"
"When your thoughts are that visible, it's a simple matter to exploit the gaps in your awareness."
There it is, the Sword Saint special. I'm pretty sure it's not a simple matter at all.
"My grandfather calls it a technique named Muhyoushi. Against you right now, Haru-kun, even I can manage a passable imitation."
"Muhyo... some kind of master's technique..."
So the master's granddaughter is also a master. Ui-san had apparently just casually replicated one of Mr. Matsukaze Kiyoshiro's real-life arts... anyway.
"Even if you say I'm overthinking it... if I don't think while I move, I don't feel like I have any chance of catching you..."
At first, I had charged in with a 'let's just rush her' mentality—but, as expected, she skillfully evaded me, and I lost repeatedly. So, I started memorizing her movements and trying different things.
I was certainly thinking a lot as I moved... and while the results weren't great, I felt like going in without a plan would be pointless.
"...As I thought, that's the first thing we need to address."
When I sought her guidance with open confusion, Ui-san nodded as if she'd gotten the answer she wanted.
"I believe it's crucial to realize these things for yourself—so for now, let's just do this thoroughly."
...she said, with a smile.
"...................."
—Ah, what a beautiful smile.
A smile so enchanting you could get lost in it.
And yet... it was a familiar shade. When had I seen it before?
Right, I remember now—it was the day I first met her.
During those thirty minutes of being utterly beaten to a pulp,
it was the same smile I saw right before—
"...Um... please, go easy on me..."
"Yes, of course—well then, for as long as time permits."
Hssssssss—................................
Sora-san, help me.