kscans

Chapter 334 - Master and Disciple Under the Moon

A short while after parting with Sora, I followed a path that had become quite familiar to me, visiting a certain place for an 'errand' that had begun a few days ago.

A gentle breeze blew, and the rustling of bamboo leaves was a pleasant sound to the ear.

Looking up at the sky from a clearing nestled within the bamboo grove, I could see 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 let out a breath, emptying my mind.

This was, without a doubt, a moment of supreme relaxation that would make people all over the world envious—and of course, the elegant Japanese lady sitting beside me was a huge factor in that.

"It's a bit late to be asking, but am I making you shift your rest schedule because of me…?"

"Don't worry, it's fine. I always stay up a little later on Saturdays."

My master brushed off her disciple's concern, her gray hair swaying as she gave a soft smile.

This kind of special treatment is probably not something to be proud of, but Ui-san has already been placed in a 'separate category' from other women in my mind.

She's beautiful, of course… but it's in a different sense. Looking directly at her smile will probably remain difficult for me for a long time to come.

—Somehow, I can't help but see her as a revered guardian figure.

"I always had this image of you, Ui-san, as someone who is the picture of health, going to bed early and waking up early. Something like, in bed by nine and up by five."

"Fufu, that's about right when I don't have anything on. But the Matsukaze dojo is closed on Sundays, so Saturdays have always been my night to stay up late."

"Oh… Forgive me, but I can't imagine it at all. What do you do when you stay up late? Reading, perhaps?"

"I drink."

"Wha-!?"

"I'm only joking, you know."

Th-That scared me… I mean, it's not like there's an issue with her age, but it just doesn't fit her image at all…

She probably teased me on purpose. Seeing my reaction, Ui-san let out a quiet, satisfied chuckle.

"My grandfather is the same, but we have a constitution that doesn't allow us to get drunk. I can enjoy the atmosphere at a large gathering, but I don't drink alcohol by myself."

Wow… somehow, that feels so… adult.

"At night, I always watch videos. The [Arcadia Archive]… yes."

"……………………I see."

"I sensed a slightly rude pause there, you know."

"I'm sorry."

I just couldn't imagine the 'Sword Saint' with a computer any more than I could imagine the 'Sword Saint drinking.'

"Despite appearances, I am a perfectly respectable modern person. I can use a computer just like anyone else."

"And your smartphone skills?"

"This last Four Pillar War was full of highlights, wasn't it? It seems I won't be lacking for company on my late nights for quite some time."

"I see. By the way, Master, about your smartphone skills…"

"—Well, it's ready."

Ah… yes, understood. I'll back down.

My master, who had been continuing her 'work' throughout our conversation, sheathed the [Samidorizuki] she had been holding on her lap and handed it to me.

Every Saturday night at eleven, I have the honor of receiving her time for my sword's maintenance.

Ah, and of course, it's me who is receiving this honor. I absolutely was not pressured by my kind master to show my face on a regular basis. Absolutely not.

"Thank you very much."

"You are most welcome."

Why 'you are most welcome'? When I asked her that on a previous occasion, she replied, looking ever so pleased, "Because you use it with such care."

Well, of course I do. For me, it is without a doubt a 'precious thing'—

"…Is something the matter?"

As I held the received sword on my lap, I noticed her gray eyes staring intently at my face and posed a question.

She didn't answer right away, but continued to gaze at my face for a moment before speaking.

"…I was just feeling relieved that your expression has softened a little again. I intended not to worry, telling myself that you would be fine because you are blessed with good people around you, but…"

"—!"

My body instinctively tried to pull away from her outstretched hand, but after a moment's thought, I held myself still. I'll have to apologize to the two faces that flashed in my mind's eye when I get the chance.

The small hand that touched my forehead gently brushed my bangs aside. Guessing 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 it was only an 'intention.' To only realize it now, after feeling relieved… I am still quite inexperienced myself, aren't I?"

"How embarrassing," Ui-san said with a soft smile, and quietly withdrew the hand she had stretched to reach me.

For a moment, I was at a loss for words.

"…It's just my personal theory, but as for a 'disciple'…"

I knew she was a person who didn't need my support, but I opened my mouth anyway.

"Just knowing that their 'master' is watching is enough to make them do their best. I'm sure of it."

I thought that this much would be appropriate as words from a disciple to a 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.'"

As I concluded, my small master blinked, slightly surprised—

"You are a bad disciple, Haru-kun."

—and showed me a smile far more natural than the last.

I know she's a person who can reflect and move forward on her own, without any support from me. But well… if a word or two can shorten her 'self-reflection,' then it's worth swallowing my embarrassment and sharing my personal theory.

"If I recall correctly, 'bad student' was the highest form of praise, so I'll assume I'm being praised as well."

"Fufu… you're right. In that case, as a reward—"

"Please spare me the lap pillow."

"…Making such a preemptive strike is what makes you a mean disciple, you know."

"I, too, am growing every day."

Our master-disciple relationship remains as good as ever.

As we held our teacups, gradually warming our hands, and continued our conversation side-by-side—our 'late night' under the big moon passed peacefully.