A few days after the exams, in the late afternoon.
"Listen, Nozaki, would you like to join our group for the school trip?"
Nagisa, whom we all considered our class mascot, extended this kind invitation. However, despite appreciating the offer, I answered with a hint of regret.
"Thank you, but Isogai asked me a long time ago. I'm sorry."
"Oh... alright. No problem, don't worry about it."
There was a reason Nagisa invited me.
Next week, our three-day, two-night school trip would begin. Those who had not yet settled on their groups were scrambling to form them now.
"Say, Nozaki, is there anywhere specific you want to visit?"
As I bowed my head in apology to Nagisa, Kurahashi and her friends approached us. They were already debating their destinations. While the final decisions were meant for the sixth-period activity hour, their enthusiasm had clearly outpaced the schedule. I couldn't blame them; it only reflected how much they looked forward to the journey.
I thought for a moment. Since I knew very little about Kyoto's landmarks, I could only come up with the most conventional options.
"Perhaps Kiyomizu-dera?"
"Oh, you chose a very traditional spot."
"What about the Gion district too?"
"That would be wonderful!"
"What else? This is your school trip, so be more assertive with your opinions, Nozaki!"
"Haha, I'll try..."
I felt a bit guilty toward Kurahashi, Yada, and Maehara.
In truth, I knew nothing at all about Kyoto. I felt bad that I could only suggest the famous landmarks everyone already knew.
As I pondered this, I saw Kataoka pressuring Nagisa.
It seemed Nagisa and a few other students were among the last to finalize their groups. I felt a slight twinge of guilt for declining him, but I was relieved to see him eventually join a group consisting of Kayano, Sugino, Karma, Okuda, and Kanzaki.
His group was finally set, which was a relief.
"How ironic... a final school trip, and we are still at the beginning of our third year!"
Suddenly, our teacher threw out some stern words to dampen the festive mood—or so we thought. In the blink of an eye, Koro-sensei vanished using his superhuman speed. He returned dressed as a Maiko (an apprentice geisha), lugging a massive amount of luggage that no single person could possibly consume during a short trip.
"Teacher, you don't seem as excited as usual."
"He's way too excited!"
"Why a Maiko outfit, specifically?"
"The scary part is that it actually suits him!"
The sharp, sarcastic commentary from Sugino, Maehara, and Okajima was in peak form today.
"Did you catch me? Honestly, I am looking forward to this trip with you more than words can say."
As Koro-sensei shyly packed away his excessive gear before changing back, Nagisa and I exchanged helpless smiles.
●○●○●
"Alright, stop the swinging drills!"
During PE class, I finally decided to challenge Mr. Karasuma using the dual-blade style. I had practiced moving both hands simultaneously for a long time, and I believed it was time to test this in a practical encounter.
After finishing the knife drills, I was supposed to have a brief sparring match with Mr. Karasuma. That was where I planned to execute my strategy.
The problem was that I lacked a second knife. My training had relied on one knife and a simple tree branch.
I considered borrowing one from Isogai, but he was busy with his own drills. Most of the boys were using their knives for various exercises, so my only option was the girls, who were currently observing the matches with Mr. Karasuma rather than participating.
After three minutes of deliberation, I decided to approach the girl I felt most comfortable talking to.
"Kurahashi-san."
"Hmm? What is it? It's rare for you to start a conversation, Nozaki."
I spoke to Kurahashi because we had happened to meet on the way to school once and walked together, so the barrier of shyness was lower. We were also in the same group for the trip.
If Kataoka had been available, I would have borrowed from her, but she was deeply immersed in training with the boys, and I didn't want to interrupt.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but may I borrow your knife? I want to use it in my match against Mr. Karasuma."
"Oh? Where is your own?"
"I have it, but I want to try something using two knives. I wanted to borrow from the boys, but they're all busy, so it was hard to ask."
"Ah, I see. Go ahead, I don't mind."
"Thank you."
After I explained the situation, she gave me the knife graciously. I thanked her, took it, and gripped the borrowed knife in my right hand while readying my own in my left.
With my preparations complete, I headed toward Mr. Karasuma.
"Mr. Karasuma, please spar with me in the next round."
"Nozaki? Sure, let's go."
It had actually been a while since I faced Mr. Karasuma during regular class hours. Because I received personal training from him after school, I usually left the sparring opportunities during class to my other classmates.
Naturally, standing before Mr. Karasuma drew the attention of the boys, who began to gather around out of curiosity.
"What? Is Nozaki facing Mr. Karasuma?"
"Come on, let's watch this!"
Most of my classmates knew I trained with Mr. Karasuma after school; it had become common knowledge. Perhaps for that reason, the audience was larger than usual this time.
"Mr. Karasuma, I'm attacking with the intent to kill today. I'll use everything in my arsenal."
"Heh... I like that resolve. Come at me with everything you've got."
Mr. Karasuma wore a confident smile.
Today, I would land at least one blow.
With that determination, I took a sharp, fast step forward.
I launched a powerful thrust with all my might—the kind of strike Koro-sensei had previously described as sharp, heavy, and excellent. However, Mr. Karasuma evaded it by simply tilting his body half a step.
I surged forward again to close the distance, swinging the knife he had dodged in a wide horizontal arc. He retreated half a step and avoided that as well.
He dodged my attacks by the narrowest of margins, yet it didn't look like a frantic escape from danger. It was a miraculous evasion based on his total awareness of my reach and speed.
Facing him like this made me feel as if I were crashing against a wall of perfection. At the same time, it made me happy to realize that the person I chose as my role model was absolutely the right choice.
I continued the assault with the knife in my right hand, occasionally integrating strikes with my left. Thanks to the training manual Koro-sensei gave me, my left hand had become proficient enough to write legible notes, even if I hadn't yet reached total ambidexterity.
Of course, Mr. Karasuma was fully aware of this, as I had started using my left hand in our private sessions.
But today was different.
The difference was the knife hidden in my left hand.
Mr. Karasuma followed a specific pattern: he dodged the knife by a hair's breadth but blocked fist strikes with his forearm to deflect their path. Naturally, my balance would break if my lunging fist was diverted. That was usually how I lost, but today, I would exploit that very habit.
"Haaaaa!"
I gave a loud shout and lunged with my left fist. Stepping forward with my left foot, I delivered a strike packed with power. As expected, Mr. Karasuma moved to deflect my fist. Under normal circumstances, he would follow this by pushing my back to make me lose balance and defeat me. Not today.
I utilized the momentum of my deflected lunge without trying to restrain it. Instead, I took two extra steps, gripped the hidden knife in my left hand, and swung it directly toward Mr. Karasuma's chest.
"Oh...!"
He dodged it.
However, his evasion wasn't the usual half-step retreat. He made a clear leap backward to gain distance.
For the first time, I had forced him into a purely defensive maneuver. I nearly let out a cry of joy, but I suppressed my emotions and pressed the attack using both blades in tandem.
"Deciding not to just watch a retreating opponent and initiating an immediate pursuit is a brilliant, tactical move."
"Thank you!"
If I swung the right knife to the right, I would step further in and swing the left from right to left. If he dodged a vertical strike, I would use the distance he covered to attack with the other hand in an upward motion. If he dodged that too, I would advance again and strike horizontally with a reverse grip.
"Tch!"
As the attacks repeated, I managed to graze Mr. Karasuma's arm a few times. They were very shallow, minor scratches, but my attacks had certainly connected.
Even so, the match didn't end.
In fact, I didn't want it to end. I had said I would attack with the intent to kill, and no one dies from mere scratches. I chose to keep fighting.
Mr. Karasuma seemed to sense my refusal to stop. He smiled again and took a combat stance, continuing the match with me.
But things changed. He no longer settled for just dodging or deflecting. He drew a training knife from his sleeve and began launching counterattacks the moment gaps appeared in my defense. The match transformed into a genuine mock battle.
This was the first time, outside of private training, that I had forced Mr. Karasuma to respond with a counteroffensive.
I felt like celebrating, but I didn't have the luxury while facing his strikes. On the contrary, I began to lose my composure as the pressure of his attacks mounted.
"Huff...!"
"Dammit...!"
Mr. Karasuma's strikes were incredibly heavy and fast.
As I came under fire, I entered a state of absolute focus several times, barely evading his blows. Mr. Karasuma's knife began to graze me as well.
I tried to mimic his defensive style to block his hits, but every attempt was a desperate gamble. It wasn't the miraculous skill he possessed; it was just barely surviving the hit at the last second.
This is bad. I can't find an opening to counter.
I'll lose if this keeps up.
I tried every method of attack, but he blocked them all.
I entered my final state of focus for the day and thought deeply.
All my attacks are blocked.
My defense is draining all my energy.
Mr. Karasuma leaves no openings.
Therefore, I must create one myself.
But how?
I must catch him off guard with something unexpected.
Surprise means performing a movement that exceeds his expectations. What move would Mr. Karasuma find unexpected in a match like this?
I thought hard. What action completely blindsides an opponent in the heat of battle?!
I kept thinking while trading blows with him.
Finally, I reached a single answer.
But to try it, I had to get close enough to practically cling to him.
"Mr. Karasuma! This is the final round!"
Amidst Mr. Karasuma's attacks, I lunged further toward him and swung my knives. I abandoned defense entirely, pouring all my focus into the assault. I swung my knives while barely dodging his counterstrikes.
"Heh... you've really improved."
The moment Mr. Karasuma opened his mouth to speak, a slight opening appeared.
At that moment, I swung my knives... but...
"... What?!"
I released both knives from my hands as if letting them hang in the air, and chose a very classic surprise tactic... the Nekodamashi (Clap-stun).
── Clapping loudly right in front of the opponent's face to disorient them.
Startled by the sudden move, Mr. Karasuma instinctively flinched back. I didn't miss the chance when his defensive arms lowered. I snatched one of the knives I had released in mid-air and delivered a direct thrust.
I felt the recoil of the rubber blade as it bent against his chest.
I looked down. My knife was planted firmly and cleanly right on Mr. Karasuma's chest.
"Is this for real?!"
"Nozaki... he actually did it?!"
My breath caught, and my knees suddenly gave way.
I did it. I landed a clean, direct hit on Mr. Karasuma for the first time.
"Yeah... I finally did it."
My voice cracked from exhaustion. While my lungs screamed for air, I tried to regain my calm. Mr. Karasuma reached out and helped me up.
"Fifteen grazes to the arm, and one direct hit to the chest. Those are your results today. It is truly remarkable progress. When did you practice this dual-blade style?"
"After our private sessions. I thought it might only be useful for surprise attacks."
"On the contrary, your strikes and thrusts were extremely precise. It was an excellent starting point. The Nekodamashi after intentionally dropping the knives caught me completely off guard. I have high expectations for you, Nozaki-kun."
── I earned his recognition.
Mr. Karasuma recognized me.
And I was the first student in the class to land a direct hit on him.
"Yes, sir!"
I didn't fully process it at first. But hearing him say he had high expectations for me filled me with an overwhelming sense of pride. I almost let out another cheer but held it back, responding with a firm, resolute acknowledgment.
It felt incredible to have my efforts recognized like this.
I picked up the other knife I had dropped, sheathed it, and headed toward Kurahashi.
"Thank you, Kurahashi-san."
"You're welcome! You were seriously amazing! I never imagined anyone could actually hit Mr. Karasuma!"
I returned the knife, and she praised me enthusiastically. Afterward, the usual group, led by Isogai, gathered around me. Karma began mocking me as usual while Nagisa tried to calm him down, and the rest of my classmates were in a state of high spirits.
Perhaps because what I did proved to everyone that hitting Mr. Karasuma wasn't impossible.
"Alright, PE class ends here! Everyone, line up!"
Mr. Karasuma watched us with a faint smile from a distance. As the fifth period drew to a close, he ordered everyone to assemble.
The gathering was a bit earlier than usual, and I wondered why. But as soon as the ranks were formed, his meaning became clear.
"As you know, our school trip starts next week for three days and two nights. I don't want to spoil your fun if I can help it, but remember—this is also a mission."
At the word "mission," everyone understood his point.
It seemed that even on this school trip, the assassination of our target had to remain at the forefront of our minds. Okano, thinking the same thing, asked aloud.
"Does that mean we'll carry out the assassination there too?"
"Exactly. Kyoto is much larger and more complex than the school grounds. Furthermore, the target plans to accompany you on the routes each group has scheduled."
"It sounds like a real professional hit. Will you use snipers?"
"Precisely what I had in mind. The location is perfect for deploying snipers. The government has already arranged for a highly skilled professional sniper. If successful, the ten billion yen will be distributed based on the contribution ratio. Therefore, I ask you to choose routes suitable for the assassination."
" " " Understood! " " "
An assassination by sniping in the middle of the city... it was starting to feel like a scene from a thriller novel or movie.
●○●○●
Sixth period: Class Activity.
This was the time to finalize the itinerary for next week's trip.
Class E was buzzing with life. Even Terasaka, who always feigned indifference, was laughing and debating with his usual group and Hara-san.
"Listen! When are we going to Kiyomizu-dera?"
"Let's see... since it's a famous landmark, I'd like us to spend a good amount of time there quietly."
"I completely agree!"
I was in a circle with Isogai, Maehara, Kimura, Kataoka, Okano, Yada, and Kurahashi. We were loudly and excitedly exchanging opinions, accepting one suggestion and rejecting another, when suddenly, "Bitch-sensei" appeared.
"Sigh, you're all acting like children. To me, having traveled the whole world, trips mean nothing anymore."
There it was again—that condescending look Professor Irina occasionally used to appear like a sophisticated adult.
Unfortunately, that aura of dignity always shattered against the innocence of students excited for a trip.
"Then just stay here and guard the classroom, Bitch-sensei."
"And make sure to water the plants in the garden too!"
Maehara and Okajima's words were blunt and honest. Surely these weren't the words she was waiting for, but the situation was so funny I didn't bother trying to defend her.
The discussion continued. "I want to go there," "This place is great too," "But if we think about balancing the assassination with sightseeing..." and so on.
As we were deep in our debate, Bitch-sensei started shouting.
"What is wrong with you?! Don't discuss fun things like this while I'm not included!!"
"Good grief! Do you want to go or not?! Make up your mind!"
This teacher... in the end, she desperately wanted to go with us. She pulled a small pistol from her bodice and started shouting and protesting, while Maehara ran away yelling, "Don't point that weapon at us!"
Eventually, at the suggestion of Yada-san, who seemed closest to her, Bitch-sensei joined our discussion.
After some time, Koro-sensei entered the classroom carrying a massive pile of books that looked like dictionaries.
"One book for each student."
He distributed them at Mach speed. "What is this?" I wondered as I opened the massive book, which was as thick as an encyclopedia. Written in bold letters was: ── Fundamentals of the School Trip and Travel.
This wasn't a dictionary or an encyclopedia; it was just a guidebook for the trip?!
I was about to cry out in disbelief, but Sugino, who was talking with Nagisa's group nearby, beat me to the sarcastic remark.
When I closed the book and looked at the cover, it indeed said "School Trip Guidebook."
"This is a dictionary, not a guide!"
Spot on, Maehara. It seems we are in total agreement. Most of the things I want to comment on, Maehara or Sugino say first, saving me the trouble.
"It contains illustrated explanations of all tourist attractions, and the top one hundred types of souvenirs! Plus a travel self-defense guide from beginner to advanced! I stayed up all night yesterday preparing it! And there's a special gift with the first edition: a paper craft model of Kinkaku-ji that you can assemble!"
"Just how excited are you for this trip?!"
"Every teacher in this class is an eccentric without exception!"
As I flipped through the pages, I found everything Koro-sensei mentioned. I even found a section on "How to comfort yourself when you see lovers exchanging glances on the banks of the Kamogawa River."
How far into the future does this guide expect things to happen? This teacher never ceases to amaze and baffle us.
"Anyway, you can get to Kyoto in one minute, Koro-sensei."
"Of course I can. But children, there is a vast difference between mere transportation and travel. To enjoy yourselves together, to face obstacles and unexpected situations together... those shared experiences are the essence. I am very happy that I will be able to take this trip with you."
Koro-sensei said this without a shred of embarrassment.
But I understood his feelings perfectly. The truth is, I too felt a sense of excitement and joy at the thought of going on this trip with these classmates.
"Listen, Nozaki, where do you think the best spot for the assassination is?"
"What do you think about placing the sniper at the highest point of Honnō-ji temple to target him directly from above?"
"Oh, from above! Indeed, that's a type of assassination we can't do around our school!"
And so, the curtain rose on our school trip.
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