TKT Chapter 30 — Spring Nights Beneath the Cherry Blossoms

Looking at Mikako in this state, Kazuma felt certain—if he confessed right now, he'd definitely win her over.

But romance was a tricky thing. In a relationship, the one being confessed to usually held the advantage. And between doing the chasing and being chased, Kazuma definitely preferred the latter.

He firmly believed that being a simp led nowhere. That's why, despite having great prospects in his previous life, he'd never once dated.

Of course, it didn't help that in his last life, feminist warriors had been rampant.

Every girl he was remotely interested in turned out to be one of them. Just opening their social media would reveal a barrage of posts: "Death to cancer," "All men are potential assaulters"—that sort of thing.

Every time Kazuma saw one of those profiles, he'd sigh: What's happened to this society? How far do they want to push ordinary single guys like us before they're satisfied? When will men finally be able to stand tall again?

Shiver. Cold. Trembling.

So now, Kazuma held back the impulse to confess. He'd missed this kind of opportunity in his past life—this time, he was going to savor what it felt like to be on the receiving end.

Though on second thought… if he played it a little more assertively—say, with a kabe-don or even a surprise kiss—he'd still be the one holding the initiative. That wouldn't count as simping, right?

The thought made him imagine the scene: himself pinning Mikako against the wall in a classic kabe-don. He'd never done it before, so he rehearsed it in his mind.

Problem was, he was standing right in the middle of the dojo, several meters from the nearest wall. For a proper kabe-don, he'd have to sprint at full speed to catch her off guard.

And to avoid Mikako stumbling mid-charge, he'd need to grab her under the arms, lift her up, and then dash for the wall—

Yes, Kazuma was very seriously considering scooping Mikako up for a heroic charge, then slamming her against the wall in perfect kabe-don style.

That would be a true swordsman's kabe-don. What pretty boy could pull that off?

Poor Mikako—having just escaped the yakuza, she now faced the very real risk of getting her ribs broken by an overly enthusiastic kabe-don.

Fortunately, Kazuma managed to rein in his thoughts. With his size, if he really followed through, Mikako might end up as wallpaper on the dojo wall.

Still, just picturing her startled face as he picked her up made Kazuma chuckle out loud.

Mikako, who'd been sitting with her head down and cheeks bright red, looked up in confusion. "What are you laughing about?"

"I was just… suddenly really wanted to kabe-don you," Kazuma replied honestly—he was a straightforward kind of guy.

Mikako glanced at the distant dojo wall. "…From this distance?"

"Yep. Why not?"

"How are you even going to kabe-don from here?"

"It's easy. I'd just lift you up like this—yep, just like this—and then sprint straight for the wall…"

"Bro, what are you two doing?" Chiyoko's voice interrupted mid-demonstration.

She stood at the doorway leading from the dojo to the main house, frowning at the sight of Kazuma holding Mikako in his arms.

"Is this… some kind of lift?" Chiyoko asked, puzzled.

Kazuma glanced at Mikako—whose face was now as red as a ripe peach in his grasp.

"Well, Mikako, is the lift fun?" Kazuma teased.

"Just kill me already," Mikako mumbled, covering her face.

Seeing her like that made Kazuma want to tease her even more—but with Chiyoko glaring daggers at him, he figured if he didn't put Mikako down soon, he'd be eating sour looks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the next week.

He gently set Mikako down and awkwardly explained to Chiyoko, "I was just showing her how you'd do a kabe-don in this dojo…"

Chiyoko glanced at the wall beside her, then asked the same question Mikako had: "From this distance?"

"Yeah, it's doable. First, I'd lift her like this, and then—"

"KIRYU KAZUMA, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Mikako, completely mortified from being lifted again, shrieked hysterically.

Chiyoko massaged her temples. "Bro, sometimes I think you'd make a better comedian than a swordsman.

"By the way, instead of lifting her and charging, wouldn't it be more practical to just tuck Fujii-senpai under your arm and charge? That way she'd pass out from the impact and wouldn't have to deal with the embarrassment afterward. Much more merciful."

Just as she finished speaking, the sound of police sirens echoed from outside.

Just like in the movies—cops always showed up after everything was over.

**

After escorting Mikako to the station to give her statement, Kazuma and Chiyoko returned to clean up the mess in the dojo.

"I'll handle it," Chiyoko said. "I didn't really get to do much earlier."

"Then it's all yours," Kazuma readily agreed, tossing aside the broom and strolling out to the dojo's engawa.

The engawa—a traditional open-air hallway in Japanese houses—was that familiar spot in anime where characters often sat to enjoy the garden view.

Kazuma plopped down cross-legged at the edge, gazing at the massive cherry tree in the courtyard.

Just looking at it, you could tell the Kiryu family had once been quite prosperous.

Ever since arriving in this world, Kazuma had been too busy adjusting, too busy trying to convince Mikako to sell the dojo—he hadn't taken a moment to properly admire this grand cherry tree.

In Japanese culture, life's four great pleasures were: viewing cherry blossoms in spring, stargazing in summer, moon-watching in autumn, and witnessing the first snow in winter.

Tonight, he could check off the first.

It'd be even better with some sake…

He watched as the cool evening light gave the pink petals a soft, ethereal glow.

For the first time, it truly sank in—I'm really in Japan.

He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there when he heard soft footsteps. Turning, he saw Chiyoko carrying barley tea and snacks.

She placed the tray beside him and sat down.

Being a proper young lady, she didn't sit cross-legged—that would be unladylike. Instead, she tucked her legs neatly to the side at the edge of the engawa.

"Even though we haven't really taken care of this old tree, it still blooms so beautifully after all these years," Chiyoko said softly.

Kazuma smiled. Remembering tidbits from anime and games in his past life, he teased, "You know, they say big cherry trees like this don't just draw nourishment from the soil… Supposedly, there's something buried under every cherry tree…"

"Bro, that's just an urban legend," Chiyoko cut in.

A quick glance told Kazuma—yep, she was definitely the type who was afraid of ghosts.

He quietly made a mental note: one day, he'd surprise her with a little spooky prank.

Chiyoko narrowed her eyes. "Bro, you're planning to scare me, aren't you? Just so you know, when I get scared, I punch hard enough to kill a Hokkaido brown bear. You've been warned."

"Oh, how terrifying," Kazuma replied with a grin. "Now I kinda want to see that."

"Hmph." Chiyoko turned away in a pout.

Kazuma picked up a snack, munching as he continued watching the petals drift down.

Suddenly, Chiyoko said, "Bro, when you were fighting earlier… you looked even more like a swordmaster than those guys in taiga dramas, like Uesugi Naganobu."

"Of course. I single-handedly took down five yakuza. How many could that actor manage?" Kazuma grinned.

"Good point." Chiyoko paused, then asked, "Bro, when did you get so good? Back when we used to spar, I could win or lose as I pleased…"

"When you train enough, quantity becomes quality. That's all." Kazuma dodged the question.

Clearly unconvinced, Chiyoko continued, "Who taught you Shintō-ryū? Maybe I should learn too."

Kazuma inwardly panicked. Please no. My master probably hasn't even been born yet.

He figured that in his past life, Hasegawa-sensei was in his thirties—so in 1980, he might not even be an embryo yet.

As he struggled to change the subject, Chiyoko mercifully dropped it. "If you don't want to say, I won't ask."

Such an understanding little sister. What a treasure.

Then she brought up a new topic. "Are we still selling the dojo?"

"We are," Kazuma replied firmly. "Even if it's just to save up for college, we have to sell."

Chiyoko nodded without argument. You'd never guess that just days ago she'd been fiercely against the idea.

"Bro… are you planning to use kendo to get into a police academy?"

Japan had dedicated police academies that counted as universities—but graduates from those schools often hit a career ceiling.

To rise to the highest ranks, you had to graduate from a top university like Tokyo University.

And a degree from such a school opened countless doors—graduates practically became Japan's elite.

Kazuma shook his head decisively. "No, that's not my plan."

"Eh?" Chiyoko stared in shock. "Then… what are you thinking? You're not joining the yakuza, are you?"

"Of course not. I'm going to get into Tokyo University and become one of the elite."

Chiyoko's jaw practically hit the floor. "Bro, be serious!"

"I am serious," Kazuma smiled. "Wanna make a bet?"

Chiyoko shook her head. "No need. I believe in you. No wonder you want to sell the dojo…"

Though Tokyo University was public, four years of tuition wasn't cheap—certainly more than the Kiryu family could currently afford.

Chiyoko seemed to think that was Kazuma's real reason for wanting to sell.

But in truth, Kazuma planned to invest the money.

He didn't bother correcting her. Let her think what she wanted.

Still, the conversation brought him back to the reality of their situation.

The dojo's not sold yet. And there are still other yakuza groups to deal with…

Damn it, how am I supposed to sell it at a fair price?

Do I really have to beat up every yakuza who comes knocking?

Even if I can win, if I keep doing that, I'll get such a reputation that the police might mistake me for a yakuza myself. That'd be a mess…

Kazuma sighed heavily.

Seeing him sigh, Chiyoko didn't know what was wrong and stayed quiet.

Kazuma continued thinking. If Sumitomo Construction won't budge on the price, I'll have to wait until I'm of age and try to get a bank loan.

But as a minor, no bank manager will even take a meeting with me.

And in Japan, adulthood was twenty until 2018…

He groaned, rubbing his forehead.

Forget it. For now, I'll focus on improving my skills. That's the only reliable card I've got.

With that, Kazuma stood.

Chiyoko looked up. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to practice some swings," Kazuma replied.

(End of Chapter)