"As expected of Haruno. With just one move, she got our first-year freshman representative to join the Karate Club."
After following Haruno to the Karate Club's recruitment booth and filling out the application form, Toru immediately said goodbye and left.
As soon as he walked off, Haruno's friend Miyuki rushed over, shaking her arm and exclaiming loudly.
Nearby, a Karate Club member helping with recruitment snorted. "That kid probably just thinks Yukinoshita is pretty and signed up to get close to her."
Several other male club members secretly nodded, their expressions showing obvious hostility toward Toru.
Everyone here was a student at Tokyo University, and no one was inherently above anyone else. But why was that guy so damn handsome?
At Tokyo University, it was an undeniable truth that good-looking guys naturally attracted more girls.
Sure, most students didn't care about dating someone from the same school, but there were always exceptions.
Like Yukinoshita Haruno.
When you're beautiful enough, even being from Tokyo University becomes a bonus. She had already reached 'goddess' status.
With Haruno's looks, it was natural that she had countless suitors since her first year. Not just because of her appearance, but also her intelligence, capability, and most importantly, her family background, which made countless men's hearts race.
Among the students here, whether they were from the middle or lower classes, who wouldn't want to marry a rich, beautiful woman and skip decades of hard work?
Haruno understood well what those male classmates were thinking, but she still maintained her polite, elegant smile, not showing any annoyance.
Even though she knew how to use her beauty as a weapon, Haruno disliked being reduced to just her appearance, ignoring her hard-earned achievements and abilities.
"Alright, alright, everyone settle down. But I think Haruno shouldn't participate in recruitment anymore."
"While her presence has definitely boosted recruitment, most of the first-years signed up because of her, not because they're actually interested in Karate."
"Our club values quality over quantity. With so many people joining, we can't tell who's genuinely passionate. If they end up skipping practice later, it'll just make things awkward for us."
A tall man in a Karate uniform walked over, speaking with barely hidden flattery toward Haruno.
When he appeared, the guys who had been joking around immediately stopped and greeted him with smiles. "President!"
The President of the Karate Club nodded and then looked at Haruno.
"If that kid doesn't know anything about Karate, let me handle him once he joins. I'll train him myself and see if he's serious."
The other club members laughed quietly, their eyes full of schadenfreude.
Everyone knew this President had been chasing Haruno for a long time. Although she had always rejected him, he never gave up.
It was said that his family and the Yukinoshita were on good terms, and they had known each other since childhood. A well-matched pair, childhood sweethearts.
He'd even ranked top sixteen in the National Karate Tournament and was one of the top figures at Tokyo University. Now, that kid was going to suffer.
Once the President got involved, he definitely wouldn't go easy.
Of course, with Haruno's intelligence, how could she not guess his intentions? She smiled lightly and said, "No need to trouble Sano-kun. I'll train Fujiwara-kun myself."
Whether it was her aunt's request or the fact that he was now her relative, Haruno couldn't just stand by and watch him suffer.
Besides, she was genuinely curious about this first-year named Fujiwara Toru. And once Haruno took interest in someone or something, she would naturally intervene.
She was the type who liked to take initiative and stay in control.
She could tease the ones she liked herself, but she wouldn't allow anyone else to interfere.
Her words stunned everyone, and they looked at her in disbelief.
Back in her first year, countless guys had approached Haruno, asking her to train with them or mentor them, all hoping to get close to her. But she had rejected them all, saying she needed to focus on competition and train alone.
But now, she was taking the initiative to train a boy personally.
People couldn't help but wonder.
Some even had malicious thoughts. Was Haruno really just a shallow woman who only liked pretty faces?
Only Miyuki looked absolutely thrilled, eyes sparkling, her face full of gossip.
Karate Club President Sano Kazunari's face darkened, but he didn't dare argue. He knew all too well how strong Haruno's personality was. Once she decided something, no one could question it.
He forced a smile. "...In that case, I'll leave it to you, Haruno."
But his clenched fists gave away his true feelings.
Haruno frowned slightly. In Japan, using someone's first name implied deep familiarity or closeness.
Still, she couldn't reject Sano's words in front of everyone, so she just smiled without responding.
Just as the atmosphere turned slightly awkward, a new student arrived, easing the tension.
"Are you here to join the Karate Club too?"
"Yes."
"What's your name? Have you trained before?"
"Horikita Manabu. I've studied Karate. I hold a 5th Dan Black Belt."
The serious-looking first-year calmly adjusted his glasses, a confident and arrogant air about him.
But the Tokyo University seniors were already used to this kind of attitude.
Kid, stop pretending. We don't care what your rank is, or how impressive you were in high school, or if you were the student council president.
Here at Tokyo University. Whatever glory you had before, it's just average here.
Like we weren't all student council presidents at our old schools too.
Only the truly exceptional get to be kings on this campus.
...
At 11 p.m., Toru was jogging through Asukayama Park near his home.
Physical training was like sailing against the current. If you didn't keep at it, your body would naturally decline.
After running intensely for nearly an hour, dripping with sweat, Toru wiped his forehead and prepared to head back.
He didn't live in the university dorms but at home.
His residence wasn't far from Tokyo University. Without traffic, it was just over ten minutes by car.
On the surface, he was just a student, but in truth, he was a CIA agent. There were many things he couldn't let others see. Living in the dorms was never an option.
He stopped by a vending machine, bought a sports drink, and replenished his electrolytes.
As he walked down the familiar street, his eyes swept to the side, and his body stiffened.
Because that girl in the white dress, holding a black cat, had appeared again at the corner of the street, entering his field of view.
Toru took a deep breath.
He knew that hesitation would lead to defeat. So he stepped forward decisively.
Some things couldn't be avoided. You had to face them head-on.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)