Ke Xue Lu Ren Wang

"Hello, I am Tetsu Hanyu, a student from Teitan High School. I would like to visit and learn at the Manyo Dojo."

Yuzuru had a standard smile on his face, and his tone was neither humble nor arrogant.

The middle-aged woman in front of him, dressed in a kimono, scanned him up and down with her slender eyes.

Her gaze lingered on Yuzuru for a moment, and her eyebrows twitched slightly.

The boy in front of her was not only exceptionally handsome, but also possessed an indescribable charm—calm, reserved, much like the martial arts masters she had met before.

"May I ask who your teacher is?" she asked, her voice cool and aloof.

"I'm an amateur karuta player," Yuzuru Tetsu said after thinking for a moment.

"Do you have any plans to join our Manyo Dojo?" the woman asked again.

Yuzuru hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Uh...is that alright?"

"Okay." The woman nodded, then changed the subject, "But there's one condition: you need to get into the top three in this year's Campus Cup Karuta Competition."

"The top three?"

Yuzuru was truly dumbfounded.

He just came to see the daily training of the Queen of Karuta, but why does it feel like he's apprenticing to a master with such high requirements?

"Yes," the woman confirmed earnestly. "If you want to train or visit the Manyo Dojo, you'll need at least some kind of honorary certificate. Winning the Campus Cup is the best proof."

Yuzuru Hanyu was feeling a bit of a headache.

These rules are too rigid.

He tentatively began, "I have a friend at the Manyo Dojo named Kouye. I wonder if you could make an exception for me?"

He didn't directly mention Ooka Momiji's name, but he felt that by hinting at it to this extent, the other party should understand.

However, the other party's reaction was beyond his expectations.

"I'm sorry, but these are the rules of the dojo." The woman's expression remained unchanged, her tone serious. "Regardless of who it is, proof of reputation is required. Alternatively, an official certification from the school will also suffice."

After speaking, she bowed slightly and then prepared to close the heavy vermilion door.

"..."

Looking at the door that was closed again, Yuzuru suddenly couldn't hold back any longer.

isn't it?

He's a man who makes a living based on his looks and talent, and today he was actually stopped by a door?

He glanced at the time on his phone: 1:27.

There are only three minutes left until the agreed time.

"I should have asked for her Line number..."

It was only now that Yuu Tetsu realized that he didn't have Ooka Momiji's contact information at all.

If he can't get in, wouldn't that mean he stood people up unilaterally?

After standing still for two seconds, Toru Hanyu decisively gave up on thinking about it further.

There are always more ways than difficulties.

He took out his phone and found a number in his contacts.

The phone rang a dozen times, and just when Yuzuru thought the other party wouldn't answer, the call was finally connected.

"Feed?"

A slightly languid, magnetic female voice came from the other end of the phone, with the sound of wind in the background.

"Shion-sensei, are you busy right now?" Yuzuru asked immediately, his tone respectful.

"What's wrong?"

On the other end of the phone, Shion Uei, also known as Vermouth, asked indifferently.

"It's like this, Shion-sensei. I'm planning to visit a karuta dojo, but they need my karuta club's certification. But it's Saturday, and I can't find anyone at the school. Could you please help me? Thank you so much!"

Yuzuru quickly explained the situation.

"Oh? A karuta dojo?" Vermouth's voice held a hint of amusement. "What are you doing going to a place like that?"

"I had arranged to meet my friend at the dojo, but I was stopped outside."

There was a hint of embarrassment in Yuzuru's tone.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Vermouth neither immediately agreed nor refused, but instead asked about other things.

How are your grades doing these days?

"I should have no problem getting first place in the grade next week's exam," Yuzuru Tetsu replied confidently.

"Hmm," Vermouth responded, then continued, "What's the name of that dojo?"

"Manyo Dojo".

"Okay, I'll wait for your notification."

The call was abruptly ended as soon as he finished speaking.

Clean and concise, without a single unnecessary word.

Yuzuru Hanyu stood there, holding his phone, and glanced helplessly at the tightly closed door.

He didn't know how long Vermouth's so-called "waiting for notification" would take.

However, just thirty seconds after he put down his phone...

"Squeak—"

The heavy wooden door was pushed open from the inside again.

The middle-aged woman who had just turned him away stood at the door and glanced outside. When she saw that Yuzuru was still standing there, a perfectly timed look of surprise appeared on her face. She then immediately turned to the side and made a "please" gesture.

"Hello, Yuzuru-kun."

Her attitude was completely different from a few minutes ago.

Yuzuru was also taken aback.

That's incredibly fast!

He had just hung up the phone when the door opened?

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and walked over.

"My name is Ayako Kuraki." The woman opened the door and bowed slightly. "Hanyu-kun, I'm very sorry for my rudeness earlier."

"fine."

Yuzuru waved his hand, not minding, and then walked through the door.

Inside and outside the door seemed like two completely different worlds.

The courtyard is planted with many maple trees, and although it is not yet late autumn, the branches are already tinged with bright red. A path paved with bluestone winds its way forward, next to a clear pond where several koi carp leisurely sway their tails, and a few fallen leaves float on the surface.

The stream flows gently, exuding an ancient charm.

……

Meanwhile, deep within the main hall of the Manyo Dojo.

Ooka Momiji, dressed in an exquisite kimono with a red leaf pattern, knelt on the tatami mat, staring intently at the karuta card in front of her.

"Whoosh—"

An elderly man sitting opposite her moved with lightning speed, waving his arm and accurately grabbing the corresponding song card.

"Concentrate and don't get distracted," the old man said in a deep but powerful voice.

"Whoosh—"

Another song card was read out, and the old man once again beat him to it and pocketed the card.

After several attempts, Ooka Momiji failed to grab a card, and she became somewhat dazed, her usually swift movements slowing down.

"Let's take a break first."

Seeing this, the old man sparring with Ooka Momiji frowned and called for a halt.

The elderly man's name is Yuichi Kawasaki, and he is now seventy-seven years old. His hair is a mix of black and white, and his face is etched with the marks of time, but he looks remarkably spry and robust. He wears a simple black kimono, and simply sitting there, he exudes an aura of quiet authority.

He is also the headmaster of the Manyo Dojo and was a champion of the Karuta Meijin Tournament for several consecutive years. Although he has now retired, his skill and reputation still attract countless Karuta players to come to him.

"Yes."

Ooka Momiji responded softly, picked up the teacup beside her, took a small sip of black tea, and tried to calm her somewhat disordered emotions.

"Kurenai, you seem distracted today." Kawasaki Yuichi walked up to her, his tone serious but with a hint of concern. "At your usual pace, you shouldn't be moving this fast."

"Thank you for your concern, teacher. I... I'm probably just a little tired lately."

Ooka Momiji put down her teacup and shook her head gently, but out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but glance once again toward the entrance of the dojo.

It's already past 1:30.

Meanwhile, the dojo had already gathered a lot of karuta enthusiasts of all ages who had come to practice. They were all forming their own teams to play against each other, and the atmosphere was very lively.

But that person hasn't arrived yet.

Are you waiting for someone?

Kawasaki Yuichi keenly caught Ooka Momiji's casual glance and asked directly.

Karuta battles are ever-changing, and the worst thing you can do is get distracted.

In the eyes of a master, a moment's distraction, even a fraction of a second, can be enough to decide the outcome of a match.

Today, Hongye's condition is completely different from last week; she no longer has the imposing aura and speed that she usually exudes as a queen.

Startled that her master had seen through her thoughts, Ooka Momiji glanced furtively at Iori Muga, who was standing quietly not far away.

Fortunately, Iori didn't seem to notice the conversation taking place.

I wasn't waiting for anyone.

Ooka Momiji composed herself, shook her head, and vehemently denied it.