Volume 5, Chapter 1 – Shizuku’s Condition (1)

“One! Two! Three! Four!”

About a week has passed since the battle with Suikyou, and today, the voices of the disciples training hard still echo through the Shin’ei Style dojo.

The only thing that has changed is that Ittetsu-san and Yasuo-san are gone, and Shizuku-san has joined in their place.

In the balmy warmth of May, I sit on the veranda facing the courtyard, blankly watching the training session.

Today, I’m wearing a white-based Riche-patterned—no, I mean cherry blossom-patterned—yukata, with a cherry-blossom-colored haori draped over it.

The smooth texture of the yukata feels incredibly comfortable and pleasant.

Apparently, this yukata was made using a fabric called Miyako Yuzen and is a high-end luxury item.

As expected of a high-end item, I guess.

By “apparently,” I mean that I didn’t buy this myself; it was a gift from Suikyou.

Officially, it was sent as an apology.

We had previously requested a meeting, but Suikyou cancelled it due to her own circumstances, and this was presented as a gesture of apology for that. However, in reality, it was likely a present for me from Ade.

As for me, since Shizuku-san has returned, I have no particular business with Suikyou, who has now become Ade’s thrall.

Therefore, the cancellation wasn’t a problem at all, but I was surprised to receive such a gift.

It’s not that I dislike Ade.

In fact, I think we all would have died if Ade hadn’t come to our aid back then, so if anything, I might have a positive impression of her.

However, Chris-san had a complicated look on her face; she’s grateful for the help, but since Ade is a Vampire, she probably can’t shake her sense of caution.

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Now, a practice match has begun in the courtyard, but the hierarchy in the dojo has become quite strange.

Putting aside Tessai-san, who is the master of the dojo, I originally expected the ranking to be Shizuku-san first, followed by Chris-san, and finally Souji-san.

However, Shizuku-san has become completely unable to beat Chris-san.

It’s not that Chris-san has suddenly become incredibly strong; it’s clearly that Shizuku-san is in a slump.

The lightning-fast attacks that were so Shizuku-san-like are nowhere to be seen.

And in today’s practice match, Chris-san won again with ease.

Surely it’s not that those animal ears and tail are getting in the way of her movements, right?

Shizuku-san herself seems quite shocked by her lack of mobility; after every loss, she invariably bites her lip and looks down.

I should probably do something to help her, right?

I have a pretty good idea of what might be causing it, but it’s possible that my treatment was insufficient.

After getting permission from Tessai-san, I decided to take Shizuku-san for a walk during the afternoon training session.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Fiene-dono, may I ask why you suddenly invited me for a walk?”

Shizuku-san asked me as we walked side-by-side down the street toward the east.

To avoid standing out, Shizuku-san wore a robe-like garment to hide her animal ears and tail.

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My hair also draws a lot of attention, and since wearing the “Saint Cosplay Set” robe only makes me stand out more, I decided not to hide it today.

I-It’s not like I don’t want to hide this Riche pattern or anything, okay?

Ahem.

“Yes. I was just concerned because you haven’t seemed like yourself lately, Shizuku-san.”

Shizuku-san’s expression froze.

Then, as if trying to cover it up, she hurriedly continued.

“Ah, no, that is… well, it is only temporary. I am sure I will soon return to moving as I did before.”

“Hmm, I wonder? But I have a feeling it’s something a bit different.”

“T-That is not the case. Hahaha.”

That expression… is it panic? Or maybe fear?

“Ah, we’ve reached the Neginabe River. Why don’t we sit on the embankment for a bit?”

“Eh? Ah, yes, indeed. The weather is lovely, so that would be quite nice.”

“Yes.”

We stepped off the road and headed toward the embankment.

Now that it’s May, the number of ducks crowding the Neginabe River has decreased significantly, but there are still plenty of them.

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I wonder why the ducks, which should be migratory birds, are still here in May.

They must be ducks that don’t migrate.

Surely the decrease in ducks isn’t because Lu-chan ate them.

Right?

No, but recently she often goes out by herself claiming she’s going to get a snack, and I hear she’s been going to the udon shop and eating nanban udon… so it might not be entirely wrong…

No, yeah, let’s stop. I didn’t see anything. Right?

“Ah, it is a warm and pleasant season, is it not?”

“It is. Perfect for a nap.”

“Indeed.”

Under the warm sunlight, we began chatting about nothing in particular.

“Say, Shizuku-san.”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t cure your ears and tail.”

“Eh? No, that is not something Fiene-dono needs to apologize for.”

“But it’s a fact that I couldn’t return you to your original state.”

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“Fiene-dono…”

Shizuku-san’s voice dropped.

She gazed distantly at the ducks swimming gracefully in the Neginabe River.

“So, Shizuku-san, we were talking about you being out of form earlier.”

“Ah, yes. But soon—”

“I have a request. Would that be alright?”

“What is it?”

“Would you show me your Status? I’ll show you mine too.”

“…Eh?”

Shizuku-san’s expression froze.

“I have some idea of what might be causing your current situation.”

“W-W-W-What do you… m-mean by that?”

Shizuku-san was visibly shaken. This makes me think my guess was right.

“After all, I was the one in charge of your treatment. That’s why I want to confirm it. I want to confirm what happened because of my treatment. Of course, I understand that sharing your Status with others is rude. But I promise I won’t do anything bad with it. I’ll keep it a secret from everyone. So please. Won’t you show me your Status?”

I looked Shizuku-san straight in the eyes and asked her once more.