kscans

Chapter 748 - Night Sakura Among the Bamboo Leaves

—Could I have a moment of your time tonight?

—Of course. I will be waiting for you at the usual place.

On the night after the grand event had come to a successful close, Irori walked along a forest path where a pleasant breeze caressed his cheeks. The gentle whisper of bamboo leaves welcomed him, a sound that was music to his ears.

In a way, it was a place he recalled every time he drew his katana in this virtual world. It could almost be called a part of his very origin—a different world where he once immersed himself, striving for betterment.

He was ashamed to admit that his own feelings had kept him away from this place for a time.

But now, he felt no weight as he walked silently along the pathless road—nor when he reached the gate and pushed it open with his own hands… In fact, it felt so anticlimactic he almost had to laugh.

And there she was, under the bright moonlit night.

"…Good evening, Sensei."

"Good evening, Irori-kun. Welcome."

Even in this other world, her brilliance was undiminished. In the clearing, illuminated by the enormous, perfectly round moon that looked down upon the virtual world, her presence swayed—a gray that outshone both gold and silver.

Her smile, at this very moment, was his alone—he inwardly scoffed at the self who, in the past, would have felt such a weak sense of superiority.

Without fear, he approached her.

"It is belated, but your sword dance today was truly magnificent. As a swordswoman… and as a player. I was deeply moved once more."

These were not words directed at a fragile object of adoration, but to a beloved and respected 'Sensei.' He let his undisguised affection color his tone, and she blinked her eyes slightly in response.

She blinked, then let a small, faintly bashful smile escape her lips.

"I am honored by your praise, Lord Peerless."

"Please stop, Lady Sword Saint."

Back when they were teacher and student. A time, not yet in the past tense, when they were connected, even if only by formality. It might have been his imagination, but her words now carried a little more familiarity than they did back then.

Originally, there hadn't been much 'conversation' in the time they spent together.

All that existed were questions and answers about the sword. Respect for the 'teacher' and affection for the 'student'—and a mutual reservation that was never overcome until their relationship became a thing of the past.

He believed it had been a good relationship, one where respect never wavered.

But all the while, Irori had felt a sense of powerlessness, an inability to 'respond.' And she, a sense of powerlessness, an inability to 'teach.' It had been a frustrating relationship they both shared.

And now, Irori held no regrets about any of it.

For it was her very example that had taught him.

"If you lift your head, the path will surely continue."

"…"

"If you don't look away, the guide will surely be shining."

Her eyes listened to his heart without words, so very gentle.

"Today, at last, I felt as if I had met you for the first time… However."

Two souls whose hearts had been cleared by a spring breeze.

It was for that reason that the feelings from when he first lost his heart to a swordswoman had been rekindled. Irori had come here obediently, following his own desires.

That was why he would not hold back the selfish request of a former student.

"I'm dissatisfied that it was through a screen."

"…, …Fufu."

It seemed to have drawn a rare, cheerful laugh from his sensei.

"You two are so very much alike."

"I won't ask who, but may I ask in what way?"

"Why, that's… in how childish and adorable you both are."

"…Allow me to register one complaint, then."

Like someone else he knew, it was a beautiful smile he once couldn't look at directly. Without resisting its captivating pull, he narrowed his eyes… as the swordsman touched his katana.

"Sensei… no, First-ranked of the Eastern Faction Istia, Lady Sword Saint."

"Yes."

And then, without a shred of hesitation, he drew his blade.

"Not as your student, but as a fellow swordsman—I request a duel."

"………Yes."

Her gaze upon him was unwavering.

But, if it wasn't his imagination, if he wasn't being conceited, her eyes quivered just slightly.

"I humbly accept."

The moment she bowed to the offered blade,

"—, —───"

Her overwhelming sword ki swallowed the very air.

Irori, who barely managed to keep breathing, did not avert his gaze. The [Sword Saint], who had taken one, two calm, quiet, slow steps back, turned to face him.

And then,

"Unfurl."

As if to prove there was no falsehood in the 'future' she had shown today, she chanted her 'power' without hesitation.

In that instant, a clear, resonant sound, like a hammer striking an object, echoed through the space. The phenomenon that followed… was, regardless of the details of her unknown authority, utterly simple and visually immense.

Behind her, a swarm of 'katana' spilled forth from cracks in the fractured space.

It was a myriad of blades dancing in the air, reminiscent of the abnormal Anima wielded by none other than the [Acrobat]'s partner, the 'Maiden of the Scales'—a sight he was seeing for the first time, despite their rather long acquaintance.

What on earth was about to happen? Recognizing that the duel had already begun, Irori gripped the hilt of his azure blade anew, his caution on full display.

She looked at him with eyes so terrifyingly calm they lacked even a shred of tension.

"Fufu… do not worry. I am not capable of such feats as Sora-chan."

She smiled and beckoned with her hand.

As if in response, a single katana from the countless blades moved forward… No, as if offering itself up, it settled into her small hand.

"Originally, that child is not an `Anima` meant for battle. It has simply, for this moment, chosen a blade worthy of showing you my utmost respect."

"…I see. In that case, I am honored."

Understanding wasn't necessary; trust was more than enough—

"Irori-kun."

"Yes."

She would show him her respect, her full strength. Purely moved by that certainty, Irori was trying to steel his nerves and hone his focus to the absolute limit when…

"To be both a 'Path' and a 'Guide'… From now on, I too will reach out my hand."

The supreme one, gazing at him as if he were dazzling, once again declared her 'resolve' to the world.

"—[Futsunomitama]."

And so, before the swordsman who had lost his breath, a 'crown' never seen before revealed its name.

A ring of light too brilliant to be called 'white,' yet one that would capture every gaze in the world without searing the eyes. At first glance, it looked like an angel's halo, a sign of radiance.

Soon, it unraveled into a thousand pieces. Then, the crown, now countless threads, melted into her 'ash-gray' hair—and at the end of it all, her shoulder-length hair grew long, long, and swayed in the air.

"…………"

Like a celestial maiden. He smiled as the thought unabashedly crossed his mind.

"—Take your stance. There will be no tricks. I am coming straight for you."

Not a celestial maiden, but a swordswoman—she spoke with her heart through her blade.

That is precisely what I wished for.

"Gather… [Ice Flower]."

To the man who had shown his spirit with the sword of his journey, a woman like a girl.

"…………Prototype One-Sword…"

With eyes that looked supremely happy, impossibly fond, and utterly satisfied, she turned to him and…

"[Ice Cherry Blossom]."

…simply swung her blade—her heart—and delivered it.