Chapter Operation: Warrior (Kotori Route)

Today, the Christmas party is over. The school hall, once glittering, is now quiet again, leaving only traces of the celebration. Trash has been cleared, chairs neatly arranged. On the field, all school security members are gathered, their faces showing exhaustion but also satisfaction.

"Alright everyone, today we've completed our mission, and the holidays have arrived!" I, Hasukawa Hayabusa, stood before the line, my voice firm yet full of relief. "So, Mr. Gunslinger and I wish you a Merry Christmas and enjoy your break!" "THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ANIKI!!" All members saluted in unison, their voices thundering with spirit. "Dismissed now!!" I gave the order, and they scattered at lightning speed, rushing towards the long-awaited vacation. "Hayabusa, I leave too ya." Ken, my best friend, said, holding the leash of Hunter, his loyal pet dog. "Um, Hunter. Thank you." I thanked Hunter, stroking his warm fur. The dog barked cheerfully, then licked my face, making me smile faintly. "Ok, Merry Christmas Hayabusa." Ken left with Hunter, his steps steady. "Ah, Merry Christmas to you too." I returned his greeting, then stretched my stiff body. "Ah~~, time to go home." A sigh of relief escaped my lips. After a week of madness preparing for the party, the peace of home felt like heaven.

Before heading home, my instinct led me to stop by a convenience store. I wanted to buy some snacks to spend the quiet Christmas Eve. As I walked among the shelves, I vaguely heard sounds of punches and groans. The sounds came from a darker aisle, away from the main road's hustle and bustle. My "Mr. Bushido" instinct immediately kicked in. Without hesitation, I approached, stepping into the darkness, wary of any danger that might await.

From behind stacks of boxes and shadows, I saw a group of thugs surrounding one person. And as I saw more clearly, that person was Kotori. She was wearing another school uniform covered by a jacket and gloves, but her fighting aura couldn't be hidden. Her face was full of determination, though there were slight scratches on her cheek.

"Come on, is that all you've got? You said you were the strongest, but you can't fight me?" Kotori, though cornered, burned even brighter. Her voice was full of provocation. "Haha, you're really strong, sweetie. You surprised me." Said a fat man, who looked like an old pervert, a lecherous grin on his face. Then his voice turned threatening. "But if that's your style, I'll ruin that pretty face of yours." "Heh, your face already looks ruined, but I don't want to talk like that." Kotori smirked, striking a perfect fighting stance. "Alright then, I'll beat your face black and blue!!" Kotori ran to attack the fat man with surprising speed.

I watched Kotori's fight with the fat man. Kotori managed to parry the man's attacks with incredible agility. The fat man, though built like a pig, surprisingly possessed decent fighting skills, fast and evenly matched with Kotori. Punches and parries exchanged, creating an intense rhythm of combat. I put down my shopping basket and calmly watched the fight, admiring Kotori's technique.

"Hehe, what's wrong!? Your expression changed?!" The fat man said, continuously punching and parrying, challenging Kotori. "HMPH!! Is it starting to hurt!?" Kotori said, her breath heavy, but her spirit unbroken. "It doesn't hurt at all!!" The fat man said again, laughing dismissively. "You bastard!! I'll make you pay for this!!" Kotori lost control, delivering a full-force spinning kick to the man's face.

However, the fat man deftly caught her leg, then pushed Kotori down and locked the leg he was holding. Kotori was now helpless on the cold alley floor.

"AHH!! STOP IT!! IT HURTS!! LET GO!! LET GO!!" Kotori screamed in pain, trying to break free but couldn't. "Why!? This is your punishment, why would I let you go?" The fat man grinned, then called his subordinates. "Hey you guys!! Hold her hands and feet!! We're going to have some fun today!!" The fat man said, malicious intent radiating from his eyes.

Before I could move, my phone rang loudly, breaking the silence of the night. The ringing echoed, heard by everyone in the alley. Instantly, the situation became quiet. All eyes turned to me. Damn, I was caught off guard. I couldn't pretend anymore.

"Uh… I guess I took a wrong turn." I feigned ignorance, trying to divert attention. "Hey you, do you know that this—GUHK!!" One of the thugs in front of me suddenly collapsed, vomiting blood. The situation became chaotic again, panic spreading among them. "Well, well, I didn't do anything, you know." I pretended to be foolish, a faint smile on my lips. "You guys beat him up! He doesn't look like an ordinary person!!" The fat man said, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. His subordinates immediately surrounded me.

What could I do? Since I was discovered, I had no choice but to finish them off without much effort. After all, they were already weak and bruised from Kotori's assault, so I just needed to attack the weakest parts of a human with the sword I covered with a sheath. After I was done, only the fat man was still standing.

"Hoo, your strength is amazing, kid." The fat old man said, his voice containing both admiration and anger. "But I didn't expect such an agile pig, Oops, slipped out." I slipped up, deliberately provoking him. "Heh, you're arrogant too, kid!!" He started punching, but I easily dodged him. "WHAT?!" he was surprised, not expecting my speed. "Oops." I tripped his leg, and he fell sprawling, groaning in pain. "D-damn it!!" The fat man grew agitated, his eyes burning. "Boss!! Don't fight him!!" Said one of his already fallen subordinates, his voice panicked. "What's wrong with you, huh!?" The fat man grew more annoyed with his subordinate. "I remember him… He's the School Police from Miyazawa School, he's MISTER BUSHIDO!!" Said one of his subordinates, his face pale. "That's right, I'm Mister Bushido." I drew my sword, letting its tip touch the ground. The fat man's fierce gaze faded into terror. "R-RUN!!" Everyone ran in fear, leaving the now silent alley. Kotori was still lying there, looking at me with wide eyes.

I approached Kotori, extending a hand. "Are you okay?" Kotori looked at my hand, then slowly took it. "I… I'm fine. Thank you, Hayabusa." I helped her stand. "Next time, don't play hero alone. It's dangerous." My tone was slightly annoyed, mixed with worry. Kotori snorted. "I wasn't playing hero. I was just defending myself. Besides, you came too late, Mr. Bushido." "I came just in time. Otherwise, you might have been finished by them." We had a small argument, but there was a hint of warmth in it. I knew she was stubborn, and that was one of the things I liked about her.

A Few Years Later

Years passed quickly. Kotori, with her burning fighting spirit, successfully realized her dream of becoming a professional pole vaulter. She had broken national records, bringing honor to Japan on the international stage. Every time she jumped, there was a radiating strength and determination, as if she wanted to prove that nothing could stop her. I often attended her matches, becoming her loyal supporter, watching her soar beyond limits.

After retiring from the world of professional athletics, Kotori couldn't stay away from sports. She became a pole vault coach at a national athletic training center, molding future talents. Her coaching style was tough, disciplined, yet full of affection, reflecting her personality.

Meanwhile, I, Hasukawa Hayabusa, also found my path in life. After graduating high school, I decided not to be a school police officer anymore, but instead opened a dojo. A dojo that taught the true values of Bushido: discipline, honor, courage, and self-mastery. I taught young people, and sometimes, even adults who wanted to find meaning in their lives. Ken, now a successful businessman, was one of my dojo's biggest benefactors, and he often brought Hunter to train with me.

Our relationship, Hayabusa and Kotori, deepened. We never dated in the traditional sense. Our relationship was more like an eternal duel between two strong souls, always pushing each other to be better. Small arguments still occurred frequently, but now they were laced with laughter and understanding.

One evening, after Kotori finished coaching and I finished teaching at the dojo, we met at our favorite sushi restaurant.

"Hayabusa," Kotori said, with a piece of sushi in her hand. "Don't you ever get bored with your life now? Teaching those kids… isn't it challenging enough?" I smiled faintly. "That's precisely the challenge, Kotori. Shaping character, instilling values. That's much harder than just hitting people." I wiped my mouth. "Besides, what about you? Don't you want to jump again? Wasn't that your life's purpose?" Kotori put down her chopsticks. "Coaching others gives me a different kind of satisfaction. Seeing them surpass their limits, it's like jumping with me." She looked at me. "But… sometimes I wonder. Will we continue like this? Arguing and challenging each other until we're old?" I took her hand across the table, holding it tightly. Her hand, once hardened by training, now felt soft. "Isn't that what makes us, us, Kotori?" I smiled. "But if you want something more… I'm always ready for a new challenge."

Kotori looked at me, her sharp eyes now softened. There was hesitation, but also hope. "What do you mean?" "I want to challenge you to a 'pact'," I said, my voice serious. "A lifelong pact. To be true partners, through thick and thin, through every challenge that comes. Not just at the dojo or on the field, but in our home." Kotori's face flushed, something rare. "You… you're proposing to me, Mr. Bushido?" "Isn't that my biggest challenge?" I smiled, and this time, the smile was more sincere than anything. Kotori was silent for a moment, then she laughed, a beautiful and relieving laugh. "Alright, Mr. Bushido. This challenge… I accept."

A few months later, in a simple ceremony at my dojo, with Ken as the main witness, and Kotori's students and athletes as guests, we got married. Kotori wore a white kimono adorned with golden embroidery, looking incredibly graceful, yet her aura of strength still radiated from her. I wore traditional hakama, my sword sheathed by my side.

Our life after marriage was a unique blend of Bushido discipline and competitive spirit. Small arguments about who was tougher or who was more disciplined continued to be a spice in our household. Kotori often invited me to practice pole vaulting, and I often invited her to practice kendo. We were two stubborn souls, yet we complemented each other perfectly.

Kotori continued to be an inspiring coach, and I continued to be a wise dojo master. In the evenings, after a day full of challenges, we would sit together on the dojo veranda, enjoying warm tea and gazing at the stars.

"You know, Hayabusa," Kotori said one night, resting her head on my shoulder. "I never thought I'd find peace in a 'normal' life like this. With you." "This isn't a normal life, Kotori," I replied, stroking her hair. "This is the life we chose. A life where two warriors find true love, and continue to fight… but together."

They looked at each other, sincere smiles gracing both their faces. Kotori, the pole vaulter who had surpassed the highest limits, now trained the next generation. Hayabusa, the cold Mr. Bushido, was now a dojo master who taught with heart. They were proof that even the most stubborn souls could find happiness, not by conquering the world, but by conquering each other's hearts. And amidst every debate, every challenge, their love grew stronger, binding them in an eternal bond.