kscans

Chapter 163 - Tag

"Tag, you say?"

Lesson one—her slow, calm way of speaking always makes English words sound like they're written in hiragana.

Hearing the first training proposal from her, I couldn't help but look around and think one thing… isn't this a little too small?

To reiterate, the stage is about five meters in diameter. If we started from opposite ends, we could reach each other in just two or three steps.

"Of course, there will be a few conditions,"

Ui-san said, as if she knew I'd have questions, and began to elaborate.

"First, no running. This means both feet cannot be off the ground at the same time."

"Hmm… is speed-walking okay?"

"That's fine. However, the point of this isn't to rely on speed, so it would be best if we both walk at a steady pace."

So… like walking tag?

"In addition, you must always alternate your left and right feet. And we will set a step count for both the chaser and the one being chased—ten for the chaser, and twenty for the one being chased."

"Mm, hmm… I see."

It's not overly complicated, I guess? As for who has the advantage, I can't quite picture it without trying… but the chaser probably has the upper hand.

Even with double the steps, in a space this small, there are limited ways to escape.

"In any case, let's try it a few times. I'll be the one being chased first."

"Right… okay. Let's do it."

I bowed, and naturally, Ui-san followed suit. We bowed to each other on the small stage—and with a simultaneous first step, the Sword Saint's "lesson" began.

◇◆◇◆◇

"—No way…!"

"Fufu… my win, I believe."

We switched roles and played ten times each—my cumulative battle record was 0 wins and 20 losses. Having been thoroughly defeated, I was on my hands and knees before the gently smiling Sword Saint, utterly crushed.

"…Ui-san, were you secretly a mage?"

Her movements were so masterful I couldn't even comprehend the logic behind them. I, who had been completely outplayed on both offense and defense, asked in a daze. The Sword Saint just smiled mischievously and said,

"Oh my… have I been found out?"

"Ugh… guh…"

This woman…! The fact that she's also playful is just so unfair…!!

As I averted my gaze from her counter, Ui-san came over and offered me a hand.

"Don't be so down. For example, it took Irori-kun a week before he could catch me for the first time."

"A week…"

It took the [Sword Protector] a whole week, huh… Well, yeah.

I had to admit, her movements were indeed like magic.

—But, I see.

Irori took a week to land a hit on her… I see, I see.

"Well, that's… somehow, that's motivating."

I was well aware that I must have been making a spiteful face. As expected, Ui-san tilted her head at my expression—but when an opponent I don't want to lose to is brought up, my motivation gets a sudden boost.

"Ah… so, basically, 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 her small hand, she pulled me up forcefully, laughing cheerfully.

"Well then, let's do our best to surprise Irori-kun."

"Yes, please!"

"Which will you be?"

"The chaser!"

We weren't jumping or flying around, so the physical exertion itself wasn't much. The shadow of virtual sensory fatigue was still far, far away.

We each moved to opposite ends of the stage…

"Then—begin."

"Hmph—…!"

I have to close the distance first, so I took a large step forward with my right foot.

And—Ui-san also took a small step forward.

One more step and I could reach out my hand, my fingertips just barely touching her. I took another step forward with my left, and—

"Ngh, whoa…!"

My outstretched hand couldn't reach her as she took a half-step back—so it's this pattern. In that case…!

From a wide-legged stance, I moved my right foot half a step forward, then lifted my left foot—and swung it far back.

By opening my body to the left like that, I should be able to face Ui-san, who had seen my footwork and tried to escape in that direction, and—huh!?

Tap, tap, tap. Her steps shouldn't have been fast at all—and yet, for some reason, I couldn't react as she slipped past me, from my front to my side.

My delayed reaction and hastily thrown hand couldn't even graze the gray blur passing by. The distance between us continued to grow…

"And that is my win."

"No way…!!!"

Seriously…! I don't get it…!

I can see her, I'm aware of her, so why can't I react…!?

"Haru-kun, you're overthinking things. Your movements have become stiff."

"Well, um… it's not just that my movements are stiff, it feels like my body is physically freezing up…"

Just now, if my body had moved normally, I would have caught her easily. This has been happening repeatedly since we started playing tag.

Damn you, Sword Saint-sama… are you really using some kind of mysterious magic?

"As I've said before, Haru-kun, you are moving your body with thought alone far too much. You are binding yourself."

"…Moving my body with thought?"

"If I can see your thoughts that clearly, it is a simple matter to strike at the gaps in your awareness."

There it is, Sword Saint-sama. I'm pretty sure it's not a simple matter at all.

"My grandfather calls it a technique called Muhyoushi. Against you in your current state, Haru-kun, even I can imitate it."

"Muhyo… some kind of master's technique…"

So the master's granddaughter is also a master. Ui-san had apparently just casually replicated Matsukaze Kiyoshiro's real-life skill… anyway.

"Even if you tell me I'm overthinking it… I don't feel like I can catch you without thinking…"

At first, I had charged in with a 'full-on assault' mentality—but, as expected of her, she skillfully evaded me, and I naturally lost repeatedly.

Since then, I've been memorizing her movements and going through a process of trial and error.

I'm certainly thinking about various things as I move… and while the results haven't been great, I feel like going in without a plan would be pointless.

"…Yes, that seems to be the first step."

When I sought her guidance with open confusion, Ui-san nodded as if she'd gotten the idea she was looking for.

"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 captivating.

And yet… it was a color I had seen before. When was it that I had seen it?

I remember, yes, it was—the day I met her.

During those thirty minutes of being beaten to a pulp,

It was the same smile I had seen just before that—

"…Um… please, be gentle…"

"Yes, of course—well then, for as long as time permits."

Ssssshhhh—…………………………………………

Sora-san, help me.