"It's rare for boys your age to follow the path of the sword, even in the northern district. You can't imagine my surprise at meeting a practitioner here, it must be destiny."
Hajime saw a well-dressed man emerge from the bushes, with black hair, a clean-shaven face, and brown eyes with long hair tied in a ponytail.
The boy might have mistaken him for a normal businessman, like many who had come to the central district for who knows what ambitious project, if it weren't for the extremely menacing look that was stamped on his face.
"(He looks like a hawk hunting! Who the hell is this guy!?) "
The man seemed to easily notice that he had, unknowingly, put Hajime on alert, so he raised his hands in surrender while trying to give him a friendly smile.
"I apologize again, there's no need to be afraid."
"Who says I'm afraid?"
"From the way your muscles are tense, I know you are. I came to this area for a night walk, and in the end, I was drawn by the sounds of your training. I couldn't help but notice your dedication to learning kenjutsu."
Goto's stepson was surprised that this stranger had understood, with a few glances, that he was practicing kenjutsu. But this did not stop him from checking with his senses if he was surrounded by other enemies.
"(What the hell is wrong with me? There's clearly no one here, maybe I'm paranoid? After all..... I'm not the only one who comes to this area to be alone for a bit.)"
The 17-year-old sighed deeply, while sheathing his katana. Meanwhile, the man had still not lowered his hands, trying to show that he was not ill-intentioned.
"Anyway, I'm Miyamoto, Miyamoto Hayato, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Kamijo Hajime....s-sorry about before, I was too nervous and-"
"No, there's no need to apologize. Being cautious in today's world is never a fault. I'm the one who should apologize for being so intrusive. Your reaction was normal: seeing a stranger approach like that, on the spot, at night, in an isolated place, everyone would be on guard."
A strange silence fell between the two. It lasted at least a minute.
Hayato didn't seem disturbed by the situation at all, while Hajime was torn between the thought of leaving and getting away from this strange guy or staying and training a little longer, waiting for him to leave.
"(He doesn't seem like he wants to leave... I guess it's better if I go home.)"
Goto's stepson was about to walk away, when he remembered what the 30-year-old had said at the beginning. Driven by curiosity, and frustration with his mistake, he decided to ask a question.
"What did you tell me about the legs before?" (Hajime)
"Oh, your mistake is actually quite common, your stance was good enough for the lunge, but you were too stiff with your legs when you swung the katana, which is why you couldn't stay standing. Many of my students have often made this mistake." (Hayato)
Hajime wanted to slap himself after hearing those words. Thinking back on his movements, he couldn't deny where he had gone wrong. It was a surprise, however, that someone had pointed it out to him so easily.
"Students? In fact, first I have to ask you, how do you-"
"Understand your mistake from a single glance? Well, I live in the northern sector, there, Japanese culture is well integrated into people's lives. I've had the great fortune to be able to practice the way of the sword and the warrior from a young age. I'm quite good, and my skill has allowed me to have some students."
"I see.... I have to try that move again."
Driven by his desire to become stronger, Kaori's stepbrother unsheathed his weapon and tried to repeat the moves from before again.
This time the [mage] didn't end up with his face on the ground, although he lost his balance at the end.
"You're trying too hard."
Hayato's voice reminded the 17-year-old that he wasn't alone, and that the man really had no intention of leaving, since he had sat down comfortably on the ground.
"Why are you helping me? Usually people avoid other people's problems." (Hajime)
"Yes, you're right. But I've always been taught that being kind to others is the first step to improving the world. And besides, my honor prevents me from ignoring a young practitioner who is trying to improve without proper guidance. I wouldn't sleep well at night knowing I could have done something to help you, Kamijo-san."
Goto's stepson didn't notice any lies in the words spoken by the man. At least apparently.
"(Is it really like that? Is he just a good person who wants to help me? Or is he deceiving me?)"
People who did something to help others, without expecting anything in return, or ulterior motives, were rare, very rare, especially in places like [Fumetsu], however, they still existed.
Hajime wasn't sure if he had met one of these few "saints," but one thing he was sure of, if he could make a deal with a woman like Veronica, he could certainly listen to the advice of a stranger, if it helped him improve.
"(Even if I were to improve just a little, faster than before, it would still be worth it. It certainly won't be more dangerous than training with a crazy [Omega mage] who has sudden bipolar mood swings.)"
The 30-year-old noticed that his new acquaintance was lost in thought, so he avoided talking or disturbing him until he had finished.
"As I was saying, you're trying too hard: Kenjutsu is based on using a katana, not a club or a morning star. You can't cut something if you handle your weapon haphazardly, with stiff and clumsy movements, instead of calm and precise ones. You must be like water, which is the only element capable of adapting to everything, and always changing shape."
Following Hayato's words, the young [mage] got back into position, this time avoiding stiffening his muscles too much, instead opting to be more fluid and fast.
This time there were no balance problems. The 17-year-old's movements still left a lot to be desired: he was using more energy than necessary, moving his wrist and arms unnecessarily, but it was still an improvement over before.
The man soon after applauded.
"Congratulations, you're a natural talent. Only a handful of my students understand my words on the first try."
"Thanks for your help. I've been practicing for hours."
"You're welcome. I feel like you want to ask me something, go ahead." (Hayato)
"How did you figure that out!?" (Hajime)
"From your eyes, and your body language. You should learn not to reflect your thoughts like that, you would be predictable in the eyes of an experienced swordsman."
Kaori's stepbrother paused to reflect on what he had learned so far. Far from just a little, he had improved a lot in less than an hour.
Of course, it was due to his natural talent, but also to having the right guidance by his side.
"(If he could teach me more. I could improve a lot in my kenjutsu!)"
"You want to ask me for more advice in the future, right?" (Hayato)
"!? Am I really that easy to read!?"
"No, unfortunately for you, my eyes are trained enough to notice certain subtleties. As I told you before, it would be dishonorable if I ignored you and went on my way, when you really need guidance to become a good swordsman, but let me ask you a question, why are you following the path of the sword?"
Hajime thought carefully about his answer. He couldn't lie, not to someone who was helping him without wanting anything in return, but only out of the goodness of his heart, his conscience wouldn't allow it.
And then it was clear as day that the 30-year-old would notice his lies from a glance.
But he couldn't tell the truth either, not all of it at least.
"My father used to take me to a dojo to learn kendo when I was little. I don't remember the reason, I just know that the few memories I have of him are related to this discipline. Even though I stopped going to train there, sometimes I used a wooden stick like a katana to bring back those memories."
And here, the 17-year-old took a deep breath and tried to think carefully about what to say.
"Lately, someone told me that I have a mental block, due to kendo, that prevents me from using my full potential. Their advice was this: 'learn kenjutsu to overcome your weakness.' I haven't found anyone who could teach me, but I can't help but improve and become stronger, I have goals to achieve and-"
"Stop here. I think I understand. If you say something like: 'I have someone to kill!' I will be forced to stop you and take you to the [White Corps], so don't say another word."
Goto's stepson really didn't understand how Hayato managed to figure out that he had to kill his stepfather, but he was scared at the idea that he would deny his request now.
".....You're lucky, I'll be in this district for a while. If I saw you training here again without guidance, my honor would oblige me to help you. You could come to my dojo in the northern district if you prefer. Well, it's getting late, good night Kamijo-san, it was a pleasure meeting you."
The man disappeared into the bushes where he had emerged, leaving a stunned Hajime to reflect on what he had just heard.