Volume 4, Chapter 23 – A Day in the Life of the Shin’ei Style Dojo

“Bow!”

This is the inner courtyard of Tessai-san’s dojo.

Tessai-san’s three disciples and the new disciple, Chris-san, are lined up in front of him, dressed in hakama and carrying wooden swords, bowing in unison.

“Swing! One! Two! Three! Four!”

I’m sitting on the veranda of the dojo, watching the training.

Apparently, Chris-san had promised to join the dojo if she lost, and so she ended up becoming a student of Tessai-san’s.

Or rather, she tried to make excuses, so I forced her into it without letting her argue. And as a live-in student, no less.

Oh, by the way, Lu-chan and I are being allowed to stay as guests as a thank-you for healing Tessai-san’s waist.

Of course, I haven’t forgotten about Shizuku-san.

However, after losing to Shizuku-san, Chris-san even lost to someone as elderly as Tessai-san.

Furthermore, the gap between her and that demon named Belood was so large that it seemed like she wouldn’t stand a chance.

I suspect that if she fought without me, she wouldn’t even be able to beat Ade.

Thinking back, perhaps I’ve been stealing Chris-san’s training time because she’s always been taking care of me.

Considering that, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for her to properly retrain here for a while?

Reаԁ оո КаtRеaⅾіnɡСαfе

While Chris-san is training, we can continue searching.

Besides, I have a feeling that Tessai-san knows where Shizuku-san is.

Whenever I ask, Tessai-san gives me vague, evasive answers, but he never explicitly says he doesn’t know. I can’t help but feel he’s hiding something.

Now, as I watch, the training seems quite grueling.

It basically starts with practice swings, then footwork drills, then kata—striking and then switching blades, I think that’s what it’s called?—and finally ends with a practice match.

After that, they take a lunch break.

In the afternoon, they do running for physical conditioning, mental training through zazen, and lessons on swordsmanship theory, ending the day with a review session.

Incidentally, there is also the cleaning of the dojo, which is the job of the new disciple, Chris-san.

Apparently, cleaning is not just labor but a form of spiritual training.

I offered to help as a thank-you for their hospitality, but Tessai-san refused, saying it would interfere with Chris-san’s training.

After watching for a while, the morning session seems to have ended.

I hand out towels to the sweating disciples.

“Here you go, everyone. Towels.”

“Oh, we are most grateful.”

Rеаԁ οո КatReаԁіոɡCаfе

“Thank you, Fiene-chan.”

“Ah, this is the best.”

The disciples take the towels I distribute.

In order, they are Tomioka Ittetsu-san, Tanoue Yasuo-san, and Saitou Souji-san.

Ittetsu-san is the oldest at 35, Yasuo-san is 25, and Souji-san is 29.

All of them have been training at this dojo since their teens, but they are apparently still at the “Chuden” stage. There are three stages—Shoden, Chuden, and Kaiden—and once you reach Kaiden, you graduate.

“Alright. Lunch is ready, so please come to the dining hall.”

I collect the towels, take them to the washing area, and then head straight to the kitchen.

Pre-prepared lunches are lined up there: boiled rapeseed blossoms, miso soup with fried tofu, brown rice, and a few pickles.

It feels quite frugal for people who exercise so much, but I suppose this is the average for commoners.

I warm up the miso soup, quickly plate the food, and carry it to the dining hall.

“Yay, food!”

Lu-chan is her usual self.

“Lu-chan, please help me clean up afterward.”

Rеаԁ оո ΚαtReаԁiոgCаfе

“Ehh?”

“Then please help with the laundry.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

“…”

I don’t know why, but she seems to have no will to work when it comes to daily meals.

I find myself thinking about something completely irrelevant, like how hard it must be for whoever ends up marrying Lu-chan, as I finish serving the food.

Once the serving is done, I take my seat, and we begin eating upon Tessai-san’s signal of “Itadakimasu.”

“””Itadakimasu!”””

As usual, Chris-san says a prayer, and Lu-chan doesn’t say anything at all.

Incidentally, Chris-san is sitting cross-legged, while Lu-chan and I are sitting with our legs to the side.

Well, seiza is painful.

And if I sit cross-legged, depending on what I’m wearing, things might end up showing.

In this country, it doesn’t seem like women sitting cross-legged is considered unladylike, but still… you know?

“Now then. Since you’ve come all this way, why don’t Fiene-chan and Lumia-chan try a trial lesson in swordsmanship?”

Rеαd оո ΚаtRеаdіոgCаfe

Tessai-san suggested this while putting food in his mouth.

“Tessai-san, is that alright? Our Chris-san is already causing you so much trouble…”

“Ho ho ho. It matters not. In fact, if cute beginners like you two join in, it’ll probably motivate those men over there.”

Hmm, I wonder if that’s how it works.

“Then, we’d appreciate it. What do you think, Lu-chan?”

“Hoe?”

She seemed to have heard nothing, completely absorbed in eating her mountain of brown rice.

“Lu-chan, Tessai-san is inviting us to try a trial lesson.”

“Okay, I’ll do it! Sounds like fun!”

Lu-chan agreed instantly without giving it a second thought.

“Ho ho ho. It is decided then. I shall give you a bit of instruction while these fellows are out running.”

“We look forward to it.”

And so, our trial entry into the Shin’ei Style was decided.