Tokyoites don't have martial virtue

Upon hearing this, Mizuhashi Eiji clenched her small fists, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit.

"Yes! I'll be prepared!!"

The next day after school, Tang Zegui went to the first-grade floor to find Mizuhashi Eiji, only to find that she had changed into a tracksuit and her eyes were brighter than before, as if she had made up her mind to accomplish something important.

"Little brother Mizuhashi, would you like to come to the arcade with us?" Tang Ze invited.

"You seem to have something on your mind lately. Why don't you come with us to play some video games to relax? Afterwards, we'll take you to the World Jia Club to play the claw machines."

Mizuhashi Eiji smiled and said, "I'm sorry, senpai, I have something to do later."

"But today is Saturday!" Tang Zegui was a little confused. "Shouldn't we relax a bit?"

"Thank you for the invitation, senior. I'll come again next time~" Mizuhashi Eiki gently bowed her head and firmly declined.

"You're right on time, Mizuhashi-kun!"

Inside the gymnasium, Mr. Niu Ruomaru held a bamboo sword and had a whistle around his neck, looking very much like a physical education teacher from the last century who stood at the school gate checking discipline.

"Teacher Ushiwakamaru, please guide me!" Mizuhashi Eiki put down her schoolbag and bowed nervously to her teacher.

"Let's start with a warm-up," Mr. Ushiwakamaru nodded and instructed.

Since it was the first day of training, Coach Ushiwakamaru did not assign any heavy tasks. She simply had her run and do a set of stretching exercises.

However, this is almost a week's worth of exercise for Mizuhashi Ei-hee.

Fifteen minutes later, Mizuhashi Eiji was drenched in sweat, her chest was soaked, and her white tracksuit was almost turning into a translucent light flesh color.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her forearm and walked breathlessly to Teacher Ushiwakamaru.

"I...I've finished, teacher!" She held her knees, her thin legs trembling slightly.

"Okay, come with me." Teacher Ushiwakamaru picked up his bamboo sword and led her to the training ground of the school's kendo club.

It was training time for the kendo club. The members, dressed in navy blue kendo uniforms, were swinging their swords in unison, shouting "Hah!" and "Ha!"

In the corner, several members dressed in white kendo uniforms and protective gear were practicing with their swords. Sometimes they would pace back and forth, observing each other, and sometimes they would rush forward to clash, the sounds of swords striking each other echoing throughout the room.

Upon seeing Coach Ushiwakamaru's arrival, the kendo club members immediately stopped training, turned around, and bowed respectfully to him.

"Master Niuwan, you've arrived!"

"Teacher training college?" Mizuhashi Eiji shrank her neck, somewhat surprised.

"Haha, their club advisor was sick before, so I helped guide them for a while," Teacher Niu Ruowan said, scratching his head with a sheepish grin.

"Maybe they thought I taught well, so they called me a teacher."

"It's not just 'good,' it's 'excellent!'" a tall, muscular kendo club officer praised with considerable flattery.

"To be honest, I really hope that Niuwan Instructor can replace our current club advisor! If that happens, our Xiujin Academy will definitely have a chance to enter this year's national competition!"

Upon hearing this, Professor Ushiwakamaru, unusually stern, spoke with an air of authority despite his lack of anger:

"Your instructor is quite capable, and he's gone to great lengths for this club. Last time, he even came to me with a bad cold, begging me to be your temporary coach! How can you look down on him like that?"

The male cadre, startled, quickly lowered his head and apologized in a low voice: "I'm so sorry, Instructor Niuwan! I got too carried away!"

"I've already taught you everything I needed to." Teacher Ushiwakamaru crossed his arms and snorted. "What you need to do is practice diligently, and stop thinking about asking me to find shortcuts for you!"

"Instructor Niuwan is right!" The male cadre nodded repeatedly: "I'll punish myself by running ten laps around the track!"

Seeing how impressive Ushiwakamaru was in the kendo club, Mizuhashi Eiki admired him even more and had even greater faith in his abilities.

Teacher Ushiwakamaru instructed a member of the kendo club: "Find me a wooden sword, unsharpened, not a bamboo stick."

A moment later, a student respectfully handed over a training wooden sword. Ushiwakamaru caught it with one hand and tossed it to Mizuhashi Eihime.

"I'll start by teaching you kendo." Teacher Ushiwakamaru brandished his bamboo sword, holding it with both hands in front of him, his expression becoming serious.

"Let me make it clear beforehand, I'm not going to teach you the kind of swordsmanship used in competitive performances, but real combat swordsmanship. Neither you nor your opponent will wear full helmets and armor, and your opponent won't raise their hands in defeat just because you hit them on the head or wrist. There won't be a referee stopping the game, and there's no such thing as 'out of bounds forfeit.' I hope you won't use the techniques I teach you for anything unethical. Do you understand?!"

"I understand!" Mizuhashi Ei-hime swallowed nervously, her grip on the wooden sword was awkward, and only her response was loud enough.

Half an hour later, Mizuhashi Eiji collapsed to the ground, exhausted, her muscles aching all over.

The wooden sword was heavier than she had imagined, and she was exhausted after just a few swings.

Teacher Ushiwakamaru taught her some basic movements and postures. Her motor skills weren't very good, and she was slow to grasp things, but the teacher wasn't annoyed. She just slowed down and guided her step by step.

"If I keep going, will I be able to gain the approval of my seniors?" She clenched her fists tightly, her numb arms trembling.

Ms. Ushiwakamaru took a sip of mineral water and asked, "Can you come again next Tuesday?"

"I will come!" Despite her body being completely out of control, she gritted her teeth and replied.

"I don't think Kyushu-kun wants you to work hard for him," said Ms. Ushiwakamaru with a sigh.

"If he knew what you were thinking, he would definitely tell you, 'You should live for yourself,' right?"

"Hmm... he'll definitely say that." Mizuhashi Eiki struggled to sit up, her eyelids drooping in distress.

"You're such a kind person, which makes me feel like you're a bit out of reach."

“However, I can understand a teenager like you.” Teacher Ushiwakamaru didn’t intend to dismiss her thoughts, but instead offered a heartfelt lecture:

"If one day you lose your passion for him, don't suddenly lose your purpose in life. You must continue to strive for yourself; that's what Kyushu hopes for you."

“…Thank you for the reminder, teacher.” Mizuhashi Eiji nodded.

"I will also try my best to complete the training next Tuesday. I will definitely not give up here!"

"Oh, by the way, I have a secret to tell you." Ushiwakamaru-sensei suddenly remembered something and said with a soft laugh:

“I happened to see Kyushu’s graduation application form last time; he filled it out in April of this year.”

"What do you want to do after you graduate, senior?" Mizuhashi Eiki asked with expectant eyes.

"His ambition is to go to the University of Tokyo." Professor Ushiwakamaru rubbed his chin with his fingers and frowned.

"I don't know if he can get in, but his courage is commendable."

"University of Tokyo," Mizuhashi Eiki murmured the name. "If I get in too, can I continue to be his junior?"

"Don't underestimate the University of Tokyo!" Professor Ushiwakamaru was amused.

"They are enrolling students independently; the phrase 'thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge' is quite apt to describe it!"

"But regardless of whether my senior can get in or not..." Mizuhashi Eiji murmured softly, "If I can get in, he will definitely look at me with new respect, right?"

"That's true, but don't push yourself too hard," said Ms. Ushiwakamaru, a little worried.

Mizuhashi Eiji didn't speak, but just looked up at the ceiling of the stadium.

A ray of sunlight streamed down through the skylight and gently landed on her shoulder, as if a little angel had brought her a wonderful blessing.

"I must persevere, whether for my seniors or for myself, until my seniors look at me with new respect, I will not stop!"

She made a silent vow in her heart, straining her gaze through the skylight. As if one day she would stand above this clear sky and shout to that boy:

"please date with me!"

In the previous storyline, many readers felt that the character of Mizuhashi Ei-hime lacked independence. I agree with that, but my main goal was to give Mizuhashi Ei-hime a growth trajectory.

I've only had one relationship in my life that lasted a few days. It was after she confessed her feelings to me, and we chatted for a few days, but we couldn't connect, so we broke up. However, I do have some unique insights into relationships.

I believe the true meaning of "love" isn't how much you give to the other person, but how much you grow because of them. That's why Mizuhashi Eiki played a "love" card. She's the character in the story who most needs to improve, and also has the greatest potential for growth.

I've rambled on a bit too much. Just consider the above as me talking to myself.

98. Debt Crisis

"Snapped--!"

In the opulent public relations club, a sudden slap shattered the otherwise pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, drawing everyone's attention.

"Damn it, you filthy bitch!" On the leather sofa, a bald man in a suit, his face flushed, waved his arms and spat as he cursed.

"I only touched you, and you dare to hit me! I'm going to report your shady business!"

The female PR woman sitting opposite him reached up and grabbed the hem of her skirt at the top of her thigh, standing up in surprise.

Noticing the commotion, a male manager dressed as a waiter quickly ran over and apologized to the guests with a smile: "I'm so sorry, our girl was very rude!"

Then, the male manager changed the subject, implying:

"However, our club only provides drinking and chatting services. Guests are not allowed to touch the girls without their permission. We ask for your understanding."

"Ugh, how can there be such a petty rule!" Reminded of this, the bald man realized he was in the wrong, so he could only turn his face away, pout, and pretend he was still angry.

"Suzumiya Momiji, apologize to the customer too!" Seeing the customer back down, the male manager also instructed the female public relations officer standing nearby:

"No matter what, hitting a customer is wrong, isn't it?"

Reprimanded by the manager, Suzumiya Momiji just stared absentmindedly at the black and white tiled floor, lost in thought.

"Liang Gong, are you listening?" The male manager crossed his arms and reprimanded him impatiently.

"It's work time now. It's one thing to anger a customer, but how can you slack off like this? Be careful the manager docks your pay!"

The word "money" seemed to trigger a fear in her, and Suzumiya Momiji turned deathly pale as if she were having a stress reaction.

"Money! Money! Please, please, spare me! Don't mention this stuff again!"

Muttering to herself in a daze, Suzumiya Momiji suddenly grabbed her handbag and fled the PR club like a madwoman.