Chapter 25: Blade of Fools! & The Art of Unnecessary Destruction!
The idea started off harmless.
Kaoru, fueled by a sudden wave of samurai inspiration, decided that everyone should try their hand at sword fighting with wooden swords, of course.
Naoki, ever the calm voice of reason, adjusted his glasses. "I feel like this is a disaster waiting to happen."
Aya crossed her arms. "You think?"
Kaoru scoffed. "Nonsense! This is merely an exercise in swordsmanship, an ancient art practiced by warriors throughout history! Witness as we forge our destinies through steel-"
Takeshi smacked him on the head with his own wooden sword. "Less talking, more fighting."
---
Scene 1 Action!: Kaede's 'Onigiri' Incident.
While Kaoru and Takeshi squared off, Kaede was off on her own, wielding three wooden swords like a certain green-haired swordsman from a popular anime.
"uhmm.. Hey Kaede…" Naoki began hesitantly. "Are you sure you can handle three-"
Kaede suddenly lunged forward, crossing two swords while biting down on the third. "ONI...GIRI!"
A shockwave burst from her attack.
A real shockwave.
The wooden blades sliced through the air with such force that five lampposts, a mailbox, a bench, and someone's unattended bicycle collapsed instantly.
For a moment, the entire group just stared.
"…You did not just actually cut things." Emi muttered, chewing her gum, then suddenly her gum dropped to the ground.
Naoki adjusted his glasses, his voice shaky. "That… literally defies physics."
Kaoru paled. "Do you know how much that's going to cost me?!"
Kaede blinked, looking at the destruction she had caused. Then she laughed awkwardly. "Whoopies.. I guess the swords has chosen me as they successor!"
Aya smacked her forehead. "Whoops?! That's all you have to say?!"
"Owwwie.."
Kaoru dramatically fell to his knees. "I-I'm already struggling to afford my anime merch, and now this? My goddam savings… is gonna be gone!"
Takeshi whistled. "Damn, Kaede. You got haki or something?"
Kaede grinned, striking a ridiculous pose. "I've ascended to the next level of swordsmanship!"
Aya groaned. "We are so getting banned from this area."
---
Scene 2 Action!: Kaoru vs. Takeshi – The Clash of Fools.
After reluctantly paying for the damages (while crying internally), Kaoru and Takeshi finally squared off.
The two stood a few feet apart, wooden swords raised.
Kaoru narrowed his eyes. "I won't hold back."
Takeshi smirked. "Neither will I."
They lunged at each other, their swords clashing midair. THWACK!
Kaoru spun, launching a wild overhead strike Takeshi sidestepped, countering with a precise jab to Kaoru's ribs.
"Oof—!" Kaoru staggered back but quickly recovered. "Hah! That was merely a warm-up strike!"
Takeshi grinned. "Right. Sure it was."
The two went back and forth, exchanging blows. Their wooden swords cracked against each other, each hit resonating through the air. Kaoru swung wildly, while Takeshi fought with calculated precision.
"Whoa…" Kaede watched in awe. "They're actually pretty good at this."
Aya crossed her arms. "Kaoru's just flailing around like an idiot."
Emi exhaled. "At least they're not destroying more public property."
Kaoru jumped back, raising his sword toward the sky. "Now witness.. my ultimate move!"
Takeshi raised an eyebrow. "Oh no."
Kaoru charged forward. "DRAGONIC SLAS-"
Before he could finish, Takeshi casually sidestepped and smacked Kaoru in the stomach with his wooden sword.
THWACK!
Kaoru collapsed to the ground, wheezing. "O-ow… I think… I think I saw the astral plane for a second…"
Aya clapped her hands. "Alright, fight's over. Let's go before Kaoru tries to name another attack."
---
Scene 3 Action!: Another Unintentional Romantic Scene.
After all the chaos, the group somehow again left Kaoru and Aya alone together.
Kaoru, still nursing his bruised ego (and stomach), sat on a park bench, rubbing his ribs. Aya stood beside him, watching the sunset.
For once, there was no absurd monologue. No over-the-top antics.
Just silence.
Aya sighed, then glanced at him. "...You're really serious about this, aren't you?"
Kaoru blinked. "Huh?"
"Your goal. The hundred mangas. You actually mean it."
Kaoru hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. It's dumb, right?"
Aya shook her head. "No. It's kind of admirable."
He smiled softly. "You're the only one who thinks that."
She smirked. "Nah. The others just enjoy teasing you."
Kaoru looked at her for a moment. The golden sunset reflected in her eyes, her usual sharp gaze softened just a bit.
Aya sighed again, shaking her head. "You're so clueless, though."
Kaoru tilted his head. "What do you—"
She flicked his forehead lightly. "Never mind."
For once, Kaoru didn't ruin the moment with chuunibyo nonsense.
And for once, Aya didn't have to threaten to strangle him.
It was… nice.
---
Final scene.. Action. The End of Volume 2.
As night fell, the group finally gathered together to head home.
Kaede stretched her arms. "Alright!! That was ABSOLUTELY FUNN! LETS DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN! minus the whole destroying public property thing."
Naoki chuckled. "Yeah, let's not bankrupt Kaoru again."
Takeshi clapped Kaoru on the back. "Rest up, buddy. You're gonna need all the energy you can get for your ninety-six remaining mangas."
Kaoru groaned. "Please don't remind me…"
Emi simply nodded. "Later."
Aya glanced at Kaoru. "Try not to get yourself killed before Volume 3."
Kaoru smirked. "No promises."
As they all began walking home, they turned one last time toward the audience.
Kaede waved. "HII! Thanks for sticking with us!"
Takeshi grinned. "Hope you enjoyed the chaos."
Naoki adjusted his glasses. "Until next time."
Aya sighed. "Seriously, how do you people put up with Kaoru?"
Kaoru dramatically spread his arms. "Because I am the star of this show! The chosen-"
Everyone smacked him at once.
And finally, the Narrator let out a deep sigh.
"It is now the end of Volume 2. Thank you all for reading! God finally... a second fking break..."
---
End of Chapter twenty-five.
Thank you all very much for 6.25k views! I'm surprised it got this many, even though I doubt this book will reach around 100 chapters or above but.. we see you next time. Bye bye!! (I can finally have a full week break on this book and start working on my other one.. yayyy..)