36 Mirror Match (1/2)

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It had been too fast. All that who saw it couldn't believe their eyes because the strike to Tomoyo's throat was done with so much speed and control that even Tomoyo herself didn't realize that she was hit until she felt it herself. One of the judges even wanted to see the footage just to make sure that Kazuya had not moved before the call to begin was given.

”This cocky kid” Jirou snorted. ”He's trying to school my granddaughter”

”School your granddaughter?” Miyamoto repeated his words confusedly into a question. He didn't understand but Jirou had gained some insights on the situation.

”He's basically emulating Tomoyo's moves but on a very different scale. He's showing her how it should have been like. I really can't believe that he's Old Kou's grandson… what a little monster” he may have said it frustratingly but Miyamoto could see the impressed smile on Jirou's face.

”…” the move from before still left Tomoyo dumbfounded. She tried to remember what she just witnessed and slowed down ever detail in her mind. It had been really quick and compared to her previous strike, Kazuya had controlled it so that it wouldn't be a fatal blow.

”Contestant Kouzuki, about your tsuki strike…” The referee approached.

”Are you prohibiting me from using it despite the control you've witnessed?” he was annoyed. There already has been enough interruptions.

”Well we did ask contestant Shiroyuki to refrain from using it so it wouldn't be fair if we didn't restrict you as well” he tried to reason after sensing some hostility from the child.

”Then let her use it” Kazuya refused to budge.

”But your safety…”

”I'm aware of the risks and take full responsibility. I want her to show her best capabilities in this match”

”I see… then please be careful” the referee sighed. There was indeed some danger especially when it came to Tomoyo's strength and lack of control but since the contestants themselves didn't heed the warning, they decided to keep watch and stop the match if there was any danger.

”Did you hear that robot girl? Hold nothing back. Remember the state you were in earlier” he spoke before taking a deep breath and once again gave off a silent indifferent expression. He went back to position and waited for the next round to start.

”BEGIN!”

Both contenders stayed still. Tomoyo, who still couldn't wrap her head around the situation tried to look under the mask only to see a stoic and expressionless gaze. It was then that she understood what he had been doing. She felt warmth in her chest after realizing that he had not just trained as she stubbornly hung around him. He had been watching her.

Tomoyo knew that this was another lesson. The capabilities he showed were what she was supposed to have. She felt excited. She wanted to see what he would do next. Her desire to not let this end as quickly as possible ignited her potential once more as the pressure pressing down on her lightened as she eased up. Everything looked like it was when she was fighting with Ayame. She entered a state of concentration and had nothing else in her view but Kazuya.

”(Looks like she got it)” Kazuya tried to hold back a smile as he noticed her slowly inching closer.

*PANG* *PANG*

Continuous simultaneous strikes. The two of them struck each other with the exact same strikes like a person fighting against a reflection. There were no indications of who was winning but their pace was increasing as they continued.

Kazuya had not actually completely copied her style by heart but was only using his superior senses to match her moves. He was waiting for an opportunity while silently gauging her limits. His intention of taking charge of this girl were sincere so that she wouldn't grow up to be the person he hated. He did not know that he had already changed Tomoyo's future from the moment he stepped into the Shiroyuki dojo.

The version of the robot girl he very much despised had grown up spoiled by her grandparents and had a distrust for people. She only had an interest in two people aside from her family and they were Kouzuki Kou and his grandson, Kouzuki Kazuya. She had grown up without a friend and was educated with the fantasy that Kou's grandson would be the person entrusted to her by Kou.

Of course, when she found him, the boy showed no talent for kendo. She wondered if it was because of his lost memories because it was said that he was quite the athlete before his accident. Tomoyo thought of training him before she presented him to his grandfather. Her lack of empathy didn't let her think about how he would feel or think about her which was the cause of their misunderstanding.

Kazuya did not know this. Nor did he know that the legend of this girl in the kendo scene only started when Kuronuma Ayame had moved on to middle school where she had been left uncontested. She eventually did beat Akabane Nanami but she was only second to Kuronuma until Ayame graduated.

Needless to say, her feat of beating Ayame in her second grade greatly deviated from the life she led in Kazuya's previous life. He did not know what kind of life he'd led before he actually arrived here but Kazuya did not care. He was moving so that the tragic future he and his loved ones will face shall never come to pass. Tomoyo's change was one of them.

”Those two are amazing” Mahiru appeared beside Miyamoto. She was already given medical attention as her arm was on a sling.

”Are you fine now Sawada?” Miyamoto looked concerned. He couldn't believe what had happened right under his nose but he was their coach and teacher. He couldn't really blame or hate her for what she did.

”I'll be fine sensei. I also want to tell you that I'm resigning from the club. I'm sure you heard about what I did” She bowed apologetically and tried to hide the tears that were slowly forming in her eyes.

”Do you have to go that far? You're on a scholarship and I'm sure Kouzuki will get over it in time. He's not an unreasonable kid” Miyamoto didn't want her to leave. He understood her circumstances and like Jirou, he felt pity towards her.

”Do you really think so sensei?” Mahiru felt hesitant. She didn't really want to quit the kendo club.

”Leave him to me. You just worry about your situation” Miyamoto comforted.

”Thank you, sensei. But I will resign from my position as captain. I've failed everyone and I'm not fit to lead them. I'm really sorry for what I did sensei. I betrayed everyone's trust” Mahiru bowed even further as tears fell towards the ground.