(50 Power Stone Bonus)
Chapter 139: The Final Award Ceremony, A Scene Once Unimagined (Long Chapter)
The match had reached its conclusion. Celebratory fireworks painted the sky, brilliant and gaudy, as a deafening roar of cheers erupted from the spectator stands.
However, that fervor lasted only a brief moment before plunging into a strange, heavy silence. The audience seemed a bit lost on what to do next.
The reason was simple: the two main stars were nowhere to be seen. Both had been carried out on stretchers. In a situation like that, how exactly were you supposed to cheer?
It wasn't until the organizers stepped in to guide the atmosphere that the energy finally began to recover.
Due to the condition of Hikigaya Hachiman and Kitahara Shuji, and after some deliberation by the committee, it was decided that the award ceremony would be postponed until the following day. The match was over, after all; the formalities of handing out trophies felt secondary to the drama that had just unfolded.
Inside the arena's medical room.
Hachiman was currently on the phone with his mother.
"Mom, I'm really fine. Believe me, I wouldn't joke around with my own health. Komachi is right here next to me..."
"Right, right. Trust me. I still want to compete next year, so why would I lie to you?"
"Okay, okay. I'll let Sensei take the phone..."
Komachi, Yui, Yukino, Haruno, Kawasaki Saki, Totsuka Saika, Zaimokuza, as well as Shiromeguri Meguri and Isshiki Iroha—the five members of the girls' team—were all crowded around the edge of Hachiman's bed.
Even though it was just the arena's medical office, the specifications weren't much different from a high-end private hospital room. The spacious area held only a single bed, supplemented by a sofa and a television.
Standing off to the side were Akishin and Shizuka.
Kondo Yuika, Kondo Soichi, and Sakurai Kaiko had also come along, as had Director Okazawa. They hadn't even stayed to watch the very end of the final match.
Hachiman lowered the phone and handed it to Akishin.
The doctor had already come and gone. Hachiman's ankles and wrists had been treated and wrapped in white gauze. It wasn't anything too serious—just muscle strain and sprains caused by extreme overexertion.
Akishin took the phone. From the other end came the worried voice of Hachiman's mother. "Is this Chishima-sensei? Hachiman's body... he's really okay, right?"
"Please rest easy, Mrs. Hikigaya," Akishin said reassuringly. "The doctor has already examined him. It's just minor muscle damage and some sprains from overextending himself. He'll be able to walk again in a few hours." He paused, offering a firm guarantee. "Since I'm the one who brought Hikigaya here, I will make sure to take good care of him and return him home in one piece."
After chatting for a few more moments, Akishin handed the phone to Komachi. He then took out his own device, snapped a few photos of Hachiman, and sent them to Hachiman's parents.
Mobile phones in Japan hadn't quite reached the era of seamless video calls yet. If they could have just seen their son with their own eyes via video, they surely would have been much calmer. As parents, seeing their son collapse on national television and be carried off... it was easy to imagine the panic in their hearts.
Once Komachi finished speaking with her mother, the phone returned to Hachiman's hand one last time.
Finally, Hachiman's mother spoke through the receiver: "That's right, Hachiman. We saw it on TV. You won the match. Your hard work wasn't for nothing... Mom and Dad know why you fought so hard at the end. Hachiman, we're proud of you."
Her last words were punctuated by a soft, emotional sob.
Hanging up, Hachiman let out a long breath. He looked at the gathered crowd, all wearing expressions of deep concern, and managed a small smile.
"Everyone," he announced. "We won. We actually won. The Gyokuryu-ki... we're the champions."
Yuigahama Yui and the others didn't react at first. they looked at one another, blinking, until the realization finally clicked. Yui's eyes slowly widened as she whispered, "We won? Our match... we won?!"
Suddenly, the students erupted in cheers.
"We won! We won! Hikigaya, you did it!"
"This is amazing! We're the champions!"
They had fought so many matches, pushed themselves until they were drenched in sweat, and watched their teammate collapse on the floor. If they hadn't come away with the win, they truly would have felt devastated for Hachiman's sake. In truth, they had been more nervous than Hachiman himself.
At that moment, the door to the medical room swung open, and Mizukawa Masaru's group of four rushed in.
Mizukawa had a thin sheen of sweat on his face, his breathing was short, and his hair was a mess. He had come straight there after removing his tenugui without even pausing to tidy up. However, upon entering the room, he consciously slowed his pace and softened his footsteps.
Yui and the others made a path for them.
The four of them walked up to the bed. Mizukawa Masaru asked with a dead-serious face, "Hikigaya, how are you feeling?"
Hachiman shook his head with a light smile. "I'm fine, Senpai. Just some muscle strain. I'll be back on my feet in a few hours. Don't worry."
To be cared for by so many people... it made him feel a strange warmth. He could tell the difference between genuine concern and empty platitudes now. It was a luxury he wouldn't have dared dream of before April.
He remembered last year, during the car accident. The only one by his side every day had been Komachi. And even she couldn't be there all the time; she had school. His parents were so busy with work they could only visit every couple of days. At the time, he hadn't thought much of it. Loneliness was a habit. As long as he could eat and go to the bathroom on his own, he could survive.
But...
Comparing it to now, he realized just how pathetic that existence had been. Heh.
The change was so massive it made Hachiman feel a flicker of anxiety, though he kept it hidden. Even Akishin didn't notice. He didn't want to be the one to ruin the mood.
"Well, that's a relief."
The four seniors watched Hachiman move his gauzed limbs and let out sighs of relief. They looked at each other and then smiled collectively at their kouhai. "Hikigaya, I've got good news. We won! We beat that Kitahara Shuji and took the championship!"
Mizukawa chuckled softly. "Just like you said, their team was nothing but filler besides Kitahara. I won my match quite easily."
Hachiman's smile didn't fade. He said with a hint of pride, "I knew it, Senpai. But it wasn't just me. Without you guys, we never would have reached the top."
"A bit too humble there. Without you, we might not have even made the finals," Mizukawa joked, clearly in high spirits.
He continued, "The organizers and the tournament committee announced that given your and Kitahara's situation, the ceremony is moved to tomorrow."
It was unexpected, but welcome. Though, it was a bit of a shame for the spectators who had already planned their travel home. Normally, a schedule change like this would be impossible, but the influence of this year's Gyokuryu-ki was simply too great. Many big names in the Kendo world had called in to offer their sympathies. The organizers, wanting to maintain a good image, decided to push it back a day.
Shortly after, several team leaders and a representative from the Nishi-Nippon Shimbun arrived to pay their respects, bringing a mountain of "get well" gifts. Part of this was likely due to Chishima Akishin's reputation, but mostly it was a tribute to Hachiman's own grit.
Apparently, Kitahara Shuji was receiving similar treatment, though the atmosphere over there was rumored to be grim. Especially after Kitahara left the stage, his four teammates were essentially pariahs. The audience was quite vocal—if not for Kitahara, Private Daifuku High wouldn't have even survived the first round. The Taisho, that Koyukiio fellow, had been especially loud and arrogant before his match. His words had come back to haunt him, leaving a permanent stain on the school's reputation.
As evening approached, a reporter from the Nishi-Nippon Shimbun, after clearing it with Akishin, came for an interview. The public—both those in the stands and watching at home—were desperate for an update.
Of course, as capitalists, the media's primary goal was profit. First-hand news meant big money and a boost in status. It was their way of saying, 'We got what you couldn't, you losers.' Still, since they had been respectful and sent gifts, Hachiman and the others agreed to the talk.
The reporter was surprisingly polite, avoiding invasive questions. They asked about Hachiman's health, his thoughts on his opponent and Akishin, and his daily training routine.
Hachiman handled it with his usual cynical sharp wit, playing it cool. He didn't say too much or too little. He didn't belittle Kitahara, nor did he puff himself up, consistently crediting his victory to the team and the challenge Kitahara provided.
The reporter eventually moved on to interview Mizukawa's group, and even asked Yui and the others if one of them was Hachiman's girlfriend. A few of the girls turned bright red and shook their heads in a hurry.
As Hachiman's fame skyrocketed, videos of his training began to circulate online. Many hot-blooded youths, seeing the "brutal" training Hachiman endured, began to idolize him. Some Kendo students even tried to mimic his methods to improve their skills—and promptly ended up in the hospital.
The conclusion these people reached wasn't that the training was wrong, but that they lacked a teacher like Chishima-sensei. Suddenly, everyone was asking if Akishin was taking new disciples. In the eyes of the public, the results were indisputable. Hachiman was the living proof. It was a very Japanese way of thinking—worshiping the strong.
And so, Chishima Akishin became famous all over again. He was now, in every sense, a national-level Kendo master. Anyone who practiced the art, provided they weren't already famous or too old, wanted to be his student.
Amidst this craze, the biggest winner was Sobu High. Within a few months, they had trended twice for overwhelmingly positive reasons—the kind of publicity money couldn't buy. Other schools were green with envy. It was better than winning the lottery. The principal and the board of directors were grinning ear to ear; they were already planning a massive celebration at the school, nearly hopping on a plane to Fukuoka themselves to pick up the heroes.
But that was a story for later.
That night, in a hotel surrounded by reporters, Chishima Akishin borrowed the hotel kitchen. With the students helping out, he personally cooked a massive feast to celebrate the victory. They rented a traditional Japanese room, everyone huddling around small tables. They swapped alcohol for fruit juice and toasted to their hearts' content. Akishin's cooking skills, as expected, left everyone satisfied.
Amidst the laughter, Hachiman's gaze grew a bit hazy. It felt surreal. A scene like this felt like it belonged in someone else's life, yet here it was, right in front of him.
The glass in his hand felt light compared to a bamboo sword. Across from him, Zaimokuza suddenly stood up, trying to put chopsticks up his nose for a gag. Haruno wasn't causing her usual brand of chaos; her smile today seemed genuine as she sat between Akishin and Hiratsuka-sensei, likely discussing Yukino's future.
"Hachiman, let's toast! Yay, a party should be fun!"
Yui's cheerful voice rang out beside him, followed by the soft clink of their glasses meeting.
Hachiman turned, met with Yui's flower-like smile. Under the room's lights, her skin looked fair with a soft pink hue. He asked, slightly surprised, "Yuigahama, did you just call me...?"
Wait, she didn't say Hikki?
"Mhm, I did." Yui took a sip of her juice, trying to hide the blush on her face. "I, well... I felt like calling you Hikki all the time wasn't great, so I changed it to Hachiman. Um..."
She trailed off, looking a bit anxious. "Does... does it sound weird?"
Hachiman blinked, looking away slightly. "No... it's fine. It sounds good. Much better than Hikki."
Actually, even 'Hiki-neet' or 'Hikki' wasn't so bad once you got used to it.
"Really? Then I'll call you Hachiman from now on. Oh, and Yukinon too, hehe!"
...
The next day.
The group headed back to the stadium in their vehicles. The task of dealing with the press was left to Director Okazawa and the others. They had been the busiest people since the match ended, skipping the party and barely getting any sleep.
But they didn't feel tired. Sobu High had already promised them a massive bonus.
Upon arriving at the arena, everyone was shocked to see the stands packed to capacity. It was as if the audience had never left. There were no more matches today, only the awards! In reality, some had left, but they were quickly replaced by new spectators. Among the newcomers were several big shots.
Akishin spotted Suzuki Tsuyoshi and his group and went over to greet them. He found over a dozen others he had competed with in the past. According to them, they had rushed there to witness the "pinnacle of the era" with their own eyes. This was a scene that hadn't happened in a hundred years and likely wouldn't happen for another hundred. Even if they missed the final match, they wanted to see the final handover.
The Private Daifuku High team was also present. After a night's rest, Kitahara Shuji's wrists were wrapped, and he looked much better.
Soon, the high-ranking officials from the organizing committee appeared on the stage. All the participating athletes lined up, bowing repeatedly to the officials and the audience.
Then, the ceremony began.
First was the Kanto-sho (Fighting Spirit Award). It was awarded to Kitahara Shuji and Fukuzawa Yukari from Private Daifuku. When their names were called, Kitahara and Fukuzawa left their somber teammates to take the stage. Kitahara still looked a bit down, wearing a forced smile, while Fukuzawa remained her usual cheerful self.
The Kanto-sho was a scroll, though the specific details remained a mystery to Hachiman and the rest. The two of them posed for photos with their scrolls under the flashing lights, receiving a chorus of praise.
Next was the girls' team award. Private Daifuku's manager led the girls to receive their honors. Besides the Gyokuryu-ki flag, each member received a gold-plated medal. Private Daifuku had certainly made a name for themselves, producing two monster-level geniuses and taking both the Kanto-sho and the girls' championship.
Had it not been for those final few matches, they would have been the undisputed winners of the tournament. Unfortunately, Kitahara's teammates had been so lackluster that they inadvertently highlighted his brilliance while casting a shadow on the school's overall reputation.
Finally, it was time for the boys' Gyokuryu-ki flag.
This was the honor belonging to Hachiman, to Mizukawa Masaru and the others, and to Chishima Akishin. And, of course, to Sobu High. It was the result of Hachiman's refusal to stay down and the seniors' courage in seeking Akishin's training.
As the five of them stepped onto the stage, the roar from the crowd surged to a whole new level.
The Gyokuryu-ki was a massive, sky-blue brocade flag adorned with golden tassels. In the center was a giant white-scaled dragon with golden claws. On either side, the word 'Yusei' (Winner) was embroidered in thick gold thread. At the top, it read 'Gyokuryu-ki High School Kendo Tournament,' and at the bottom was the name of the organizer, Nishi-Nippon Shimbun.
Hachiman and Mizukawa Masaru accepted the flag together, and all five members were presented with gold medals.
The ceremony concluded, and a press conference was to follow, but...
Right now, it was time to celebrate. Countless fans (mostly girls) rushed down from the stands, desperate for a photo with Hachiman and Kitahara Shuji. It was something they'd be bragging about to their families, schoolmates, and coworkers for a long time to come.
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