Chapter 137: Semifinals (Long Chapter)
The match came to an end, and Hachiman returned to the Sobu High gathering area. A massive crowd surged toward him to offer their congratulations—their school, their team, had birthed a legend.
"Hikki, you were amazing! Everyone saw it; all your hard work wasn't for nothing..."
"It's true. Even if I'm loath to admit that the Hikigaya of old could become this impressive, I have to say, you've proven yourself..."
Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino stood before Hachiman, offering their sincere praise. Aside from Akishin, Hachiman had only ever let a sliver of his anxiety show in front of the two of them.
The thoughts swirling in the minds of the two girls were slightly different from the rest of the crowd.
"I honestly don't know what to say... Hikigaya, keep that spirit up for tomorrow. Take down that Kitahara Shuji!"
Mizukawa Masaru's palm slammed onto Hachiman's shoulder as he laughed, offering a few words of praise, though his expression remained complicated. Why was it that right after Hachiman appeared, a guy like Kitahara Shuji had to show up too? Looking at the way Shuji dismantled his opponents, he seemed even more formidable than Hikigaya.
Reporters stood at a distance snapping photos, but they were held back by security personnel, unable to draw any closer.
Hachiman basked in the praise, unable to suppress a small smile. His heart felt genuinely light, and he responded with his usual humility.
However, he remained acutely aware that the final match loomed tomorrow.
Once the initial excitement died down, Hachiman extracted himself from the crowd and walked toward Akishin and Shizuka. He lowered his head slightly and called out, "Sensei."
"Good work."
Akishin offered a warning with a small smile. "But don't let it go to your head. The finals are tomorrow. Don't weigh yourself down too much with thoughts of winning or losing..."
Hachiman nodded, then turned his gaze toward Shizuka. She gave him a firm, reassuring nod. Hachiman then turned back to Akishin and asked, "Sensei, do you think I can beat that Kitahara Shuji?"
His tone was heavy; he wanted to know the answer now. Even with all the praise he'd received, he wasn't about to become arrogant.
This result was born from Hachiman's blood and sweat, and it was something he deserved—that mindset of looking at the essence of things gave Hikigaya a logic that was, perhaps, a bit too realistic.
Akishin didn't answer directly. Instead, he countered with a question: "Do you think you can win? You've watched plenty of his matches. You should have your own assessment by now."
"..."
Hachiman fell silent for several seconds before shaking his head. "I don't have the confidence to win. The feeling he gives off... it's almost the same as you, Sensei."
When Hachiman had encountered Kitahara Shuji near the arena earlier, he felt a strange sense of familiarity. The person across from him possessed something nearly identical to Chishima-sensei.
It was hard to explain, difficult to put into words, but the feeling was undeniable.
It was a feeling that scared him.
"In that case, the final result of winning or losing doesn't matter. What matters is that you've fought hard. You've already proven yourself." Akishin patted Hachiman's shoulder and smiled. "Alright, since we're done for today, let's head back. Today, we're going to eat something delicious to celebrate. The Unagi Don here in Fukuoka is quite famous. I've had it once before and I've been wanting it again..."
Akishin turned to leave, and Hachiman and the others followed.
Akishin's words were practically a confirmation of Hachiman's suspicion: he wouldn't be able to defeat Kitahara Shuji.
Yet, Hachiman didn't feel discouraged. When they had spoken the previous night, he had already thought it through thoroughly.
Simply wanting to know the answer early didn't mean he had lost his spirit.
On the contrary, he would swing his sword with even more intensity tomorrow.
A swordsman's heart would not break so easily.
...
That evening, the group sought out a specialized eel restaurant that was quite famous to celebrate the victory. Everyone ate with great enthusiasm, and the bill was ultimately footed by Sobu High.
After finishing the meal, the group split into smaller clusters to explore. Fukuoka was a city where ancient traditions met modern civilization.
There were countless ancient buildings interspersed with luxury shops. There were many unique little trinkets that couldn't be found elsewhere, and a thick atmosphere of local culture.
Hachiman went with Yuigahama Yui, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Komachi. Once Haruno found out, she followed along with a broad, mischievous smile.
Zaimokuza dragged Totsuka Saika and Soichi off to a game center. Kawasaki Saki joined up with Kondo Yuu and Sakurai Kaiko; the three young women went off together to see the river lanterns.
Shiromeguri Meguri, Isshiki Iroha, and the others had come as representatives of the school news club. After dinner, they headed back to the hotel to organize their reports.
Director Okazawa and a few others handled the media and reporters, as well as various administrative tasks—Hachiman had become famous, and things were starting to pile up.
It was all good news that greatly boosted Sobu High's reputation. They felt exhausted, yet happy...
Akishin and Shizuka walked side by side along the riverbank, brushed by a somewhat chilly night wind. On both sides of the river, luxury buildings were brightly lit.
Those skyscrapers with their glass exteriors looked like crystals sprouting from the earth. Ordinary people passing by couldn't help but wonder what kind of scenery lay inside.
Because they had never entered, they felt a sense of longing and imagination, yet also a sense of inferiority that kept them from stepping through the doors.
The river water reflected the neon lights from both banks, as if separating two worlds. The light swayed with the calm flow of the water—one side an illusion, one side reality—accompanied by a gentle ding-dong sound.
The sky was devoid of stars or a moon, obscured by thick clouds that looked pitch black. It seemed it wouldn't be long before it rained; that was likely why the night air felt so cold.
The night wind blew through the leaves on the roadside, creating a sha-sha rustling sound. In the midst of the silence, there was a sense of comfort. They weren't worried about the rain at all; in fact, they hoped it would fall so they could listen to its rhythm.
The two walked without a specific destination, simply wanting to walk along the river, enjoying the post-dinner tranquility and each other's company.
"Chishima-kun, thank you," Shizuka said suddenly. "Thank you for molding Hikigaya, for helping him receive praise and fix that terrible personality of his... Don't argue, this isn't the first time I've thanked you, and it probably won't be the last, but I still wanted to say it... You've resolved my anxieties."
Akishin replied softly, "You're a good teacher."
"A good teacher? No, no, no. I'm far too blunt, and I smoke..."
"You are the best teacher in my eyes, in Hikigaya's eyes, and in the eyes of all the students you teach."
"...I never really thought about those things."
"It's fine if you haven't. What matters is that we know."
After a moment of hesitation, Akishin took Shizuka's hand. Her face flushed slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in a little closer.
...
The following day, after lunch, everyone boarded a vehicle to head to the gymnasium—they had to take a car because reporters had besieged the outside of the hotel, waiting for them to emerge so they could swarm them for first-hand information.
Zaimokuza had almost been trampled by reporters when he stepped out to be questioned about Hachiman. Naturally, the others would have an even harder time. Fortunately, they took the elevator to the underground parking lot and used a car to enter the gymnasium.
With the car windows acting as a barrier, the reporters couldn't block their path.
A crowd of reporters was also waiting at the gymnasium entrance. Compared to yesterday, the number had at least doubled. Everyone had flocked here after hearing that the Gyokuryu-ki tournament had birthed two kendo geniuses.
This kind of scene was a first for everyone from Sobu High. Previously, they'd only seen it on television. The students didn't feel excited; rather, they felt a bit intimidated. They began to understand the anxiety that celebrities must feel.
Director Okazawa and a few others accepted interview requests. Even if they wanted to flee, they still had to provide an outlet for the massive influx of journalists.
Sobu High was certainly pleased with the attention.
The school administration, upon receiving news of Hachiman's twenty-five consecutive victories, sent two more department heads to assist Director Okazawa and his team in handling the various affairs.
Upon arriving at the arena, the spectators gradually began to take their seats. Several girls in particular were searching everywhere for the figures of Hachiman and Kitahara Shuji, cheering loudly once they spotted them.
Hachiman had already changed into his kendo gear and was sitting in the rest area. He raised a hand to acknowledge the cheers. It was a matter of courtesy, a way to thank those who supported him.
Except...
It felt like the part they were supporting was a bit off!
Kitahara Shuji, on the opposite side, seemed to be experiencing the same thing.
The two locked eyes across the arena, feeling like kindred spirits in their shared predicament.
The matches began shortly. As a single-arena event, it was much more engaging than yesterday when sixteen zones were running simultaneously. The audience could focus all their attention on one spot.
The round of sixteen leading into the quarterfinals commenced. The opponent was the team from Kumamoto-Minami High, Tokyo. Hachiman stepped onto the arena and swiftly defeated all five opponents.
The team was roughly as strong as Kyono High, but their captain was a far cry from Okuda Seiji, so the pressure on Hachiman was minimal.
On Kitahara Shuji's side, his match ended even faster than Hachiman's.
Thunderous applause erupted from the stands.
Everyone watched with a mix of excitement and tension. They desperately hoped Hachiman and Kitahara Shuji would be scheduled to fight together, yet they feared that if their luck was poor, they would meet before the finals.
However, there was no need to worry. As long as the organizers weren't fools, they wouldn't let that happen.
Even if the matches were said to be determined by a lottery system, when faced with specific high-stakes situations, the organizers would intervene. As the two primary spotlights of the tournament, they would naturally be kept apart until the final.
The quarterfinals leading into the semifinals...
Hachiman went through another round of matches. This time, his opponent was from Housen, a team where only the captain had hair.
From here on out, none of the teams they encountered were weaker than Kyono High; it's just that there hadn't been an opponent stronger than Okuda Seiji yet.
Hachiman nearly made a few mistakes. This was primarily because all his opponents had switched to a defensive strategy. From the vanguard (Senpyo) and the center (Jihi) to the captain (Taisho), everyone tried to exhaust his stamina, often just circling around the arena.
And the most shameless of all was the opposing captain. The captain held an advantage; they wanted a draw so they could force Hachiman out.
As long as Hachiman could be removed, the people behind him wouldn't be a problem.
That was their logic.
Even being criticized by the audience didn't bother them. How I fight is none of your business; as long as I don't break the rules, this method of fighting is legitimate.
Kitahara Shuji faced the exact same situation.
This meant Hachiman and Shuji had to use significantly more stamina to chase their enemies, and then exert even more power to break through their defenses.
Even if it was a sly way of fighting, it was incredibly effective. After two rounds were completed, Hachiman's face was slick with sweat, and he felt more exhausted than he had after his five rounds yesterday.
In the rest area, Koike Yuriko's face flushed slightly as she handed him a towel. "Hikigaya-kun, wipe your sweat."
"Thanks, Senpai."
Hachiman took the towel and wiped his face. His undershirt was already soaked through. Koike Yuriko was a third-year, Hachiman's senior, and she had recently become a massive fan of his.
Seeing Hachiman's sweat-streaked face up close and his steady, determined gaze, her face couldn't help but redden.
After taking back the used towel, Koike Yuriko handed him some chocolate. Hachiman accepted it and ate it in a few large bites, followed by a glass of water.
The four other female team members beside them watched with envy.
"That's enough, Senpai. You should get some rest too," Hachiman said to Yuriko. Without waiting for a reply, he gave a polite wave and walked toward Mizukawa Masaru and the others.
"How are you doing, Hikigaya?"
"Better now."
Hachiman sat down next to Mizukawa Masaru, his eyes fixed on Kitahara Shuji's match in the arena. The circling was still going on, and Shuji had made a few mistakes himself.
"That Kitahara player is in almost the same boat as you. Both of you are being bogged down by your opponents. The crowd is worried you won't last until the final round... That guy really is a monster. There are shadows of a dozen different styles in his moves. I honestly suspect he's mastered a dozen schools of kendo entirely," Mizukawa sighed.
Hachiman's stamina, after the brutal training from Akishin, was certainly not lacking. In his estimation, even if Kitahara Shuji was stronger, he shouldn't be that much different.
"It's fine."
Hachiman smiled. "I still have a trump card."
Mizukawa and the other three immediately perked up, their eyes sparkling. "A trump card? Was it taught to you by Chishima-sensei?"
"Yeah. So just wait; I'll definitely make it to the finals. However..." Hachiman's tone turned serious. "Mizukawa-senpai, do you guys want to win the championship?"
"The championship? Of course we do! Who enters a competition not wanting to win!"
"Alright then. You guys need to be ready. If I lose to Kitahara Shuji, you'll have to step up to defeat him and seize the title. Before that, I'll try to drain as much of Kitahara Shuji's stamina as I can... I've been observing. It seems Kitahara Shuji is the only capable one on the Private Daifuku High boys' team; the others are likely just fillers. But that's not absolute, so you have to be careful."
Hachiman's voice was grave. Since there was a chance for the championship, being a little calculating was fine. Being resourceful was a skill in itself!
Mizukawa was stunned. "Lose to Kitahara Shuji?! Hikigaya, didn't you say you had a trump card?"
"The trump card can only guarantee I make it to the finals, but it can't guarantee I'll beat Kitahara Shuji!"
The four of them looked at each other, then nodded solemnly. "Hikigaya, even if we aren't as great as you, we'll fight with everything we've got. We won't let you down."
"I know."
Hachiman smiled. After training together for so long, he knew their strength. They were stronger than most Gyokuryu-ki participants, easily on par with Tani Sanjuro.
That was why he held the thought that even if he lost to Kitahara Shuji, there was still a chance to become champions.
A few minutes later, the match in the arena concluded. Kitahara Shuji won again, defeating all five opponents. The second round was over.
A few minutes later, the third round began.
Hachiman donned his face protector. Amidst the cheers filling the stands, he walked onto the arena for the semifinal match.
The opponent this time was Kamiyama Osamu, who had received the Fighting Spirit Award (Kanto-sho) last year.
The two bowed to each other, then to the audience, before raising their bamboo swords simultaneously.
Kamiyama Osamu spoke. "Hikigaya-kun, you're truly impressive. You've achieved something unprecedented. Although some things might feel a bit unseemly, you have to lose here. The people before me should have drained plenty of your stamina. You should be running on empty by now!"
Hachiman didn't speak. Once the referee announced the start, his right foot slid back a step, his body dropped low, and his bamboo sword was held horizontally.
Tsuki! (Thrust!)
In Kamiyama Osamu's eyes, Hachiman suddenly vanished. No—it was because his speed was so high that Kamiyama hadn't had time to react before his own bamboo sword was struck aside.
"Men!"
With a clear shout, Hachiman's bamboo sword slammed squarely onto Kamiyama Osamu's face protector, after which he leaped back to maintain his alertness (zanshin).
The three referees stood frozen for two seconds before raising their small red flags.
Only then did the audience react. That had been too fast; they'd barely seen Hachiman's silhouette, but they knew he'd scored a point.
Thunderous applause echoed through the stands.
Mizukawa stood up excitedly. "T-this is Chishima-sensei's move. Chishima-sensei used it in the kendo championships..."
In the Private Daifuku High area, save for the boys' team captain, the other members began to look tense. In the rest area, Kitahara Shuji's gaze grew heavy.
Kamiyama Osamu was stunned. His mind was even more muddled than Tani Sanjuro's had been yesterday. He'd been hit just like that? What kind of move was this? The speed was insane!
Why hadn't he used it before!
Following the command, the two returned to the starting line. The match resumed. Kamiyama Osamu immediately took a defensive stance, fully intending to block that move.
However...
He found that Hachiman wasn't moving.
In fact, his bamboo sword was lowered, showing no intention of attacking.
Kamiyama Osamu quickly realized that Hachiman had no intention of fighting further. He already had one point, and he only needed to wait for the match to end to win.
Kamiyama Osamu: "..."
He wanted to curse, but he didn't know what to say. No wonder this move hadn't been used earlier; it had been specifically held in reserve for him.
He had originally intended to stall for time to secure a win, but now the tables were turned.
With no other choice, Kamiyama Osamu had to go on the offensive. Hachiman began his defense, even circling the arena himself. Seeing time was running out, Kamiyama Osamu fought with increasing desperation, inadvertently revealing an opening.
Hachiman seized the opportunity, landing a strike on Kamiyama Osamu's wrist, and brought the match to a close.
As for Kamiyama Osamu's teammates, they had essentially only made it this far by leaning on him. Their strength was slightly inferior to the other round-of-sixteen participants, and Hikigaya dispatched them quickly.
Hachiman stepped down from the stage. On the other side, Kitahara Shuji stepped up. With a body that was beginning to waver, he also secured an absolute victory in the third round.
The semifinals were over. After this, only the final remained.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
50 Power Stone = 1 Bonus Chapter (Up to 5 bonus chapters per week).
Read ahead and support the story on Patreon: patreon.com/FaaanzKun
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —