Chapter 334 - Master and Disciple Under the Moon
A short while after parting ways with Sora, I followed a path I was now quite familiar with, visiting a certain place for an 'errand' that had started just the other day.
The gentle breeze carried the soft, rustling sound of bamboo leaves, a soothing melody to the ears.
From a clearing nestled within the bamboo forest, I looked up at the sky to find a large, perfectly round moon, as if the spot had been made for it—a perfect moon-viewing location.
I sat on the veranda of this 'dojo', holding a teacup and letting my mind go blank as I exhaled.
This was, without a doubt, a moment of supreme tranquility that would make people the world over green with envy—thanks in no small part, of course, to the graceful Japanese beauty sitting beside me.
"It's a bit late to be asking, but have I made you adjust your sleep schedule because of me...?"
"You needn't worry. I always stay up a little later on Saturdays, anyway."
My master brushed off her disciple's concern, her gray hair swaying as she offered a soft smile.
This kind of special treatment probably wasn't something to be proud of, but in my mind, Ui-san was already categorized in a 'separate bracket' from other women.
She was beautiful, of course... but for a different reason, really. It would likely remain difficult for me to look directly at her smile for a long time to come.
—Somehow, she felt like a respected guardian figure.
"I always had this image of you being super healthy, with an early-to-bed, early-to-rise schedule. Something like, in bed by nine, up by five."
"Hehe, that's about right when I have nothing else to do. But since the Matsukaze dojo is closed on Sundays, Saturday has long been my day for staying up late."
"Oh... Forgive my rudeness, but I can't imagine it at all. What do you do when you stay up late? Reading?"
"Evening drinks."
"Wha-?!"
"I'm only joking."
Th-that surprised me... I mean, it's not like she's underage or anything, but it just doesn't fit her image at all...
She must have been deliberately teasing me. Seeing my reaction, Ui-san let out a quiet, satisfied chuckle.
"Like my grandfather, I have a constitution that doesn't get drunk. I can enjoy the atmosphere in a group setting, but I don't drink alone."
Wow... that's so... mature.
"At night, I usually watch videos. The [Arcadia Archive]... is what it's called."
"..................I see."
"I sensed a slight, impertinent pause just now."
"My apologies."
The idea of 'the Sword Saint using a computer' was just as hard to imagine as 'the Sword Saint having a drink'.
"I may not look it, but I am a perfectly modern woman. I can use a computer as well as the next person."
"And what about a smartphone?"
"This last Four Pillar War was full of highlights. It seems I won't be short on company for my late nights for quite some time."
"I see. By the way, Master, are you proficient with a smartphone—"
"—There, it's done."
Ah... yes, my apologies. I'll back down.
My master, who had been working on it throughout our conversation, sheathed the [Samidorizuki] she'd had on her lap and handed it to me.
Every Saturday at eleven P.M., I was granted some of her time for my sword's maintenance.
Oh, and of course, I was the one being granted the time. It's absolutely not the case that my kind master pressured me into showing my face regularly. Absolutely not.
"Thank you very much."
"The pleasure is all mine."
Why 'the pleasure is all mine'? When I asked her that on a previous occasion, she looked so happy as she replied, 'Because you use it with such care.'
Well, of course I do. For me, it is without a doubt a 'precious thing'—
"...Is something wrong?"
Holding the received sword on my lap, I noticed her gray eyes fixed on my face and posed a question.
She didn't answer right away, continuing to study my face for a moment before speaking.
"...I was just feeling relieved, seeing that your expression has softened a little more. I told myself I wasn't worried, that you would be fine because you're blessed with good people around you."
"—!"
My body reflexively tried to pull away from her outstretched hand, but I held myself still after a moment's thought. I'd have to confess to the two faces that flashed in my mind's eye when I got the chance.
The small hand that stroked my forehead gently brushed my bangs aside. Sensing what was expected of me, I met her gaze. My master's eyes were looking at me with infinite calm.
"In the end, it seems I was only telling myself that. To only realize it now, after I've been relieved of my worries... I am still just a novice, aren't I?"
"How embarrassing," Ui-san said with a soft smile, quietly withdrawing the hand she'd stretched up to reach me.
I hesitated for a moment, searching for words.
"...This is just my personal theory, but as for a 'disciple'..."
Knowing full well she was someone who didn't need my support, I opened my mouth anyway.
"Just knowing that their 'master' is watching is enough to make them try their best. I'm sure of it."
I figured that much would be an appropriate sentiment from a disciple to their master.
"I know you're watching over me, Ui-san, even if you don't say it. That's why I won't go out of my way to say 'please help me' either."
As I finished, my petite master blinked, looking slightly surprised—
"You are a bad disciple, Haru-kun."
—and gave me a smile far more natural than the last.
I knew she was the kind of person who could reflect and move forward on her own, without any support from me. But well... if a word or two could shorten her 'post-mortem', then it was worth swallowing my pride and sharing my little theory.
"If I recall correctly, 'bad student' was the highest form of praise, so I'll take this as a compliment as well."
"Hehe... you're right. In that case, as a reward—"
"Please spare me the lap pillow."
"...Making preemptive moves like that is what makes you a mean disciple, you know?"
"I'm also growing every day."
Our master-disciple relationship remained as good as ever.
With teacups warming our hands, we continued our conversation side-by-side—and our 'late night' under the great moon passed peacefully on.
A relationship that is, in a way, hard to come by.