Dojo

"I'm Caren Ordelia, starting school here today. I just returned from abroad, so my Japanese isn't great. Please take care of me." The silver-haired girl finished her introduction, and the classroom buzzed with chatter.

Haru glanced at her briefly before turning his gaze to the window. He wasn't surprised by Caren's arrival; he just hadn't expected her to be in his class.

Caren's father, Kirei Kotomine, had expanded his orphanage and brought his daughter back through official channels. With the new district in shambles, Fuyuki and Haru's city were sharing public facilities to aid reconstruction; including this elementary school.

Rias pouted as she stared at Caren. Haru, sitting in front, asked curiously, "What's wrong? I think this is your first time meeting her."

"Nothing… I just don't like her," Rias said, sulking for no clear reason.

Haru perked up. Rias was usually friendly with everyone, so disliking someone on sight was unusual.

The teacher scanned the room. Two seats were empty: one next to Haru and one next to Rias. Haru kept to himself, while Rias was outgoing. The teacher figured sitting Caren next to Rias would help her settle in.

"Sit next to Rias," the teacher said, pointing at the seat.

Rias sighed quietly but stayed still.

Caren walked over with small and graceful steps. She glanced at Rias's subtle frown, blinked, and then deliberately sat next to Haru instead.

"Hello, nice to meet you," she said.

Haru replied plainly, "Hello."

"Nice weather today, huh?"

"It's cloudy… kind of overcast, actually."

"Heh, I don't like sunny days."

"That's the opposite of most people."

"I can't help it. Seeing kids play in the sun reminds me how gloomy I am."

"Hm… that makes sense." Haru nodded, thinking back to his days as a patient.

Rias felt a twinge of unease, a hunch she couldn't place. Her gaze toward Haru sharpened.

Unaware, Haru kept chatting with Caren as if it were nothing.

—--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After school, Haru told Rias to head home with the driver while he walked to the dojo in the next district. He'd already informed his parents that he'd be late due to kendo practice. He wanted to test the dojo master's willingness to take him as a student and, if possible, have his parents formally request it soon.

But when he arrived, someone unexpected was waiting.

"Taiga? What are you doing here?" Haru asked.

Seeing Taiga in her sportswear, brimming with energy, instantly reminded him of the Tiger Dojo. She grinned and patted his head.

"Call me Big Sis!"

'What in the world?…..What if you break my precious hair? Who would shoulder the unbearable cost of my saber radar?' 

Haru winced. "Sis."

Taiga beamed. "Finally, someone calls me Big Sis instead of 'kid'!"

"Why are you here? I don't usually see you here." Haru asked.

"Of course not. I have private lessons at home. I only came to catch you… hey." She looked around. "Where's that blonde girl? I've got questions."

 "Probably surrounded by cute girls, living her second life…" Haru muttered.

"Huh? What was that?"

"Ahem! I mean no idea, really." Haru said as he rubbed his nose.

Haru put on an innocent face. "Sis, I need to see the masters. I'll go now."

Taiga stopped him. "You won't find them. Grandpa invited everyone to tea."

"What?" Haru blinked.

"Yeah, my grandpa and the dojo head are old friends. He invited the head and all the disciples to our place."

"…Alright, I'll come back another day."

Taiga flashed her tiger-like grin. "Wait! What do you mean by the other day? Today will do. Come on!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward a black car.

"I had my guys look into you. I've been waiting for days. You're not escaping!"

Haru tried to slip away, but Taiga's grip was fast and precise. He couldn't dodge.

He sighed, realizing his skills were lacking. Despite his potential, he had no real technique. Resigned, he sat in the car as it headed to the Fujimura estate.

"By the way, why is your grandpa hosting today?" Haru asked.

With the new district in ruins, real estate was booming. The Tohsakas were selling assets to invest, and the Fujimura's owned plenty of land. Why the leisure?

"Oh," Taiga said casually, "Grandpa wants me to train under that nine-dan Omi guy, but it's a hassle, so I didn't stick around."

Haru stared. 'Is it fine for the person involved to skip out? And who's this nine-dan master in little Fuyuki?'

…..

In professional kendo, there are ten ranks. Advancing isn't just about skill, it also considers age, achievements, and background. Climbing to the higher ranks is tough.

Ranks one to eight are certified by the International Kendo Federation. Nine and ten are honorary, requiring not only top-tier skill but also respect and experience.

To reach nine-dan, you need to be over sixty-five. By then, physical strength fades, and few have the drive to aim for ten-dan. True ten-dan swordsmen are rare.

In many eras, no one holds the title. Ten-dan is basically the modern version of a "sword saint."

A nine-dan swordsman is a living treasure, always watched. How could one live quietly in Fuyuki?

On the way, Haru learned about this near-sword-saint from Taiga.

Master Omi, his full name; Omi Juubee Yosuke. As a young man, he was a prodigy, already a recognized master before the Federation existed.

At sixty, he became a "Hanshi", a title like a master chef and at seventy, he earned nine-dan and led the Ganryu school.

After hitting nine-dan, he passed through Fuyuki and, for some reason, stayed. No matter how his disciples begged, he wouldn't leave.

He opened a small Ganryu dojo, sending most students away, keeping only a few close.

Though respected, he'd lived a wandering life with little wealth. Setting up the dojo was hard, and he refused to ask the Federation for help.

Fujimura Raiga, sharp as ever, met him through "chance" encounters and visits. Raiga funded Omi's life in Fuyuki.

Omi never said it, but he appreciated it.

He hadn't taken a disciple in nearly ten years. At his age and status, taking another, especially a formal one was unlikely. Only Raiga's persistent requests convinced him.

He'd been pleased to meet Taiga, thinking she'd be a fine student for his later years. But when she slipped out, his mood shifted.

Still, with his discipline, he didn't get mad. It was just… odd to be brushed off like that.

"Heh, kids don't know better. Please bear with her, Omi," Raiga said with an awkward smile.

After Taiga's kidnapping, Raiga felt the danger. Bodyguards weren't enough, he wanted her to protect herself. So, he leaned on their friendship to ask Omi.

But he hadn't expected his granddaughter to be so unreliable.

"Grandpa, I'm back!" Taiga burst in with Haru, startling the guards. She shouted, drawing looks from the Fujimura and dojo members.

The Fujimura side looked embarrassed, while the dojo disciples showed mixed reactions. Haru, unused to the attention, felt uneasy. Taiga, unfazed, grinned. "Made it just in time! Grandpa, this is the boy I told you about. Isn't he cute?"

Raiga sighed at his carefree granddaughter, then smiled warmly at Haru. "You're Haru? I heard you saved her during that incident. You are a brave kid. I like you."

Haru, lacking Taiga's boldness, bowed politely. "Hello, I'm Haru. Nice to meet you."

Seeing such a well-mannered child after Taiga's antics, Raiga felt a mix of relief and longing.

"If only my Taiga could be like this… ah!" He straightened and looked sternly at her. "Taiga, do you know what day this is?"

"Grandpa, it's my apprenticeship day! How could you forget something so important to me?" Taiga feigned shock.

Raiga nearly choked. He'd prepared a lecture, but now he was stumped.

"Heh, innocence isn't bad. A pure heart is rare these days," Omi said, chuckling. He glanced at Haru and Taiga with an odd look.

As one of the few who could claim "sword saint," he saw through most things easily. Taiga's kind nature and talent made her endearing. Her rudeness was tolerable because of it. Haru, though, puzzled him.

If Haru were ordinary, his steady movements and breathing wouldn't suggest such skill; like an old monk or seasoned swordsman. But he had no calluses, and his eyes were clear. He hadn't faced hardship.

How could a child have the depth to support such swordsmanship? And more importantly, Haru showed no "drive" for the sword, no passion or honor as a swordsman.

A seven year old shouldn't have that, of course. If he did, he'd need a doctor.

It was as if Haru had a sword manual in his head but didn't grasp it. Omi couldn't make sense of it.

Then, a wild thought hit him: 'Is he a reincarnated swordmaster, carrying past-life traits?'

It seemed crazy, but possible. In his youth, he'd challenged schools and met hidden clans with strange skills. He'd heard of non-human bloodlines and exorcist families but never dug deeper, focused on his sword.

Now, Haru's quirks made sense through something mystical; like reincarnation.

....

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