57 Whisper (1/2)
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Jirou brought the instructors that taught the team and had them escort and accompany Mei and Kyouko in the audience along with those who were sent by Sacred Forest Academy to cheer for their team. Kazuya was glad that he was able to notice the subtle change as well.
If one were not to notice the meaning behind the name 'Black Steel' which was literally translated as 'Kurogane' then the logo engraved and located on various areas of the venue was a dead giveaway. The Kurogane conglomerate had acquired this place.
Kazuya found this move quite normal since the Kuroganes made a move to delve into the sports industry. For them to acquire a famous venue was within expectations yet one could not help but be a little cautious since it was the potential masterminds of his past life's biggest tragedy after all.
Miyamoto was lucky to have drawn block D for the team because they were separated from most of the seeded players and the defending champions. He informed Kazuya of the teams he needed to watch out for so Kazuya would observe the teams that Miyamoto had mentioned.
”[Hey Kouzuki Kazuya]” a familiar voice rang in his ear.
”[What do you want naïve girl?]” he looked at the team who was competing and found Ayame sitting on her team's side.
”[Looks like you haven't cut off this type of communication completely]” he could see a smile on her face.
”[I can disable it but it requires me to intentionally think of closing it. I forgot all about you after that day hence how you're able to communicate with me now. I have to say, I'm quite surprised, you've improved. Seeing that you're able to let me hear your voice without eye contact shows that you've been working on controlling your mana]” Kazuya nodded approvingly.
”[Mana? My grandfather calls it internal energy for some reason. The way you call it is more like a game. It fits so I'll call it that too]” She was glad to have been praised and recognized for her hard work. ”[Have you taught Shiroyuki-san how to use it as well?]”
”[No. I don't plan on teaching her 'whisper' unless she learns how to speak properly first]” Kazuya answered honestly. He already considered this since learning the whisper skill can increase her mana control skills but that would let her depend on the skill rather than speaking out so he decided not to do it.
”[Then I'm the only one who can talk to you like this?]” Ayame was quite excited since it seemed like a private communication line that only they shared.
”[Not for long. I plan on teaching this to my fiancé soon]” Kazuya smiled. The referee was already calling Ayame but she was concentrating too much on their communication that she was not able to hear them.
She was quite annoyed with the disturbance and made quick work of her opponent before she took a seat to continue her conversation with Kazuya. ”[Were you talking about that older woman who held your hand when you entered?]”
”[That's her. Looks like you still need to work on your awareness. This skill may be useful but while using it, you should still be aware of your surroundings. It's like using a cellphone, being inattentive will lead to accidents]” He added.
”[She's a lot older than you. What's so good about her? She may be pretty but I'll grow up to be even more beautiful!]” she kept note of his comment but focused on asking him about Mei.
”[It wouldn't matter to me even if that were the case. You wouldn't even be pestering me like this if I had chosen to completely conceal my mana. That's one of the biggest differences between you two. She would have taken me even if I were the most pitiful person in the world]” This was a fact that he wouldn't be convinced of otherwise. His previous life had already proven that.
”[That's not true! I might have not noticed you at the entrance when our teams met but I would have definitely noticed when our teams clashed for the first time!]” Ayame's loud declaration rang in Kazuya's mind. It was usually not possible to shout in whisper but when the right conditions are met, it was doable. She really believed in her words.
”[Don't push it. What happened already happened. If you persist on your initial intentions then I really will permanently close this way of communication with you]” Kazuya didn't want to because people naturally being able to be aware or even control mana is rare enough. He was at least open to getting along with her because of this peculiar similarity.
”[Fine... As long as you give me a chance. Do you know who to watch out for?]” She decided to change the topic since he already made himself clear.
Kazuya informed her of what Miyamoto told him about the teams. Ayame was more than happy to share some information and insights of her own since this wasn't her first time participating in the nationals.
Even with her strength, Ayame only placed second in the previous nationals. She was the favorite to win this year because her rival had already moved on to middle school but the appearance of Kazuya had thrown all predictions into disarray.
She had little concern for the team matches and focused on telling him about those people who had the ability to challenge her. From her explanations, Kazuya surmised that the people she mentioned were natural athletes that were able to naturally increase their abilities because of their strong will and passion.
”[Will? Passion?]” Ayame was confused after receiving an explanation from him. She felt a bit envious since Kazuya explained all of this whilst making it look like he was concentrating on his match.
”[Would fighting spirit be an easier term for you to understand? You're a rare type that has high control and sense so this doesn't apply to you. It is also something you lack since you are able to use mana even before understanding it]” Kazuya continued as he got the match point.
”[Didn't I show it off when I fought against Shiroyuki-san?]”
”[So you finally understand. Yes, that would be a good example of it. You were able to increase your potential more because of that]”
”[But I still lost to her though]”
”[That was only natural. It was me who taught her after all]”
”[Hmph! Full of yourself aren't you]”
”[Well you weren't able to use it against me right? Your concentration was elsewhere and that ended up being your downfall]”
”[Hey you were being unfair as well. You treated the match with Shiroyuki-san differently. Both my match and hers were for her benefit. I'm your friend now so you have to treat me the same too]”
”[You sure are fond of skipping steps. You are merely an acquaintance and hardly a friend yet. Besides, I don't think I've considered anyone as my friend yet]” now that he thought about it, among his acquaintances, he hadn't truly accepted anyone he could call a friend just yet.
”[You're lying. From the way you favor Shiroyuki-san, no one would believe that statement. Going as far as letting her improve by using a championship match]”
”[Believe what you will. I care little about winning or losing. I only joined this competition as a way to find people like you and to fulfill the requirements of grandpa Jirou so that he can continue to help me keep and sharpen my battle senses]”
The two continued to converse as the team matches continued. Miyamoto and Jirou's strategy to alternate Kazuya and Tomoyo along with Nishida to secure victories early worked as they climbed to the top of their block.
However, due to their long conversation, people who have been watching them from the sidelines noticed that both of them have been looking at each other and have been exchanging gestures for quite some time now. Tomoyo was the closest person to Kazuya physically and it would have been even weirder if she didn't notice.
”…” she tried to block Kazuya from looking at Ayame by standing in front of him and looking at his eyes instead.
”[Looks like she finally couldn't stand it and tried to interfere. Not like it matters if she blocks our vision. I've gotten the hang of this skill by talking to you for a long time now]” Ayame giggled. She felt good to have gotten an advantage over Tomoyo.
Although Mei didn't particularly like Tomoyo today, she was glad that the girl stepped in when she did. It was however a futile move as Kazuya's expression remained unchanged as if he was seeing through Tomoyo as he continued his conversation.