Once upon a time, there was a man who stood in the forest. He was a great old man, and he stood with nothing but his swords on him near a spring in the woods as the sunlight streamed between the thick foliage. Before his eyes stood the one he loved, who he held both camaraderie and hostility for. He remembers how he had chosen his love for this person, and at the same time he had lost an important friend over this. He used to believe he could always obtain anything, and so he spent his youth running wild.
Eventually the man was confronted with a choice between two different options and could only choose one of them...so he picked love. Perhaps that time was the time his youth had come to an end. With his youth at its end, he grew older in that world. Such is the unchangeable logic of the world. Eventually his lover put on their clothes, and once they were done they left the forest as though nothing had happened. The man just watched in silence, never moving a step or uttering a word as his eyes swayed and shuddered. And then, his life came to a sudden swift end as something came flying at his chest.
The man fell over with a splash, then slowly sank into the water. The weight of his beloved sword carried him to the depths of the spring. He felt no pain, no suffering. His consciousness drew far away. The handles of his beloved swords returned to the lake, and his body sunk towards the bottom of the pool. But it was then that the trails of the sword's swings drew a rainbow, which seemed to invite him somewhere. The man's body returned to its youthful prime, an event that 'could not be in this world.' The man paid a price to fit himself with these circumstances, then flew out and away to Tokyo...
Title card pops up, and this chapter is just called Prologue.
Things then tune in at Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward. There stands a certain school known as Bukuro Academy. It is midwinter where the leaves have fallen off the trees, and while school is out for the day, the enthusiasm of students is heating up in a certain part of the place. Kendo matches are being conducted in the dojo inside the school, and as cold as the air is around the place, the atmosphere within is tense with loud yells cutting through. Moritaka strikes with a loud call, and the referee calls the match in Moritaka's victory. It was a quick match where he and his opponent had looked at each other for a moment before Moritaka charged in with a swing. When the judgement call echoes out, both contestants put their shinais away and exchange polite formalities. Moritaka's opponent walks off, frustration clear upon their face. You then say Moritaka was amazing to end it so quick, or you grumble that you could pull that off too. C gets an extra line where Shuuichi laughs and asks if this is competitiveness on your part.
Anyways, Shuuichi asks what you thought about how Moritaka looked out there, asking if he looks any different to you now. He talks about how Moritaka's opponent was their strongest competitor, but clearly they weren't a match for Moritaka. Their skill levels is the same, but their experience levels were different, which Shuuichi attributes to what Moritaka's been doing in your guild. Having said that, Shuuichi also notes that Moritaka has been training besides dojo practice and guild work too as he laughs about how harsh Moritaka's fatherly master in Kabukicho is. You take note of Shuuichi's presence and note that he's in the same field as him, or you say he looks good in his kendo outfit. C gets an extra line where Shuuichi laughs some more about being used to compliments from people not his brother, but he politely accepts the comment.
Either way, Shuuichi mentions being the captain of his kendo team. He's in a high level school that preps for college though, so he doesn't put that much energy into things. But for the third year students like himself this would be their last match, and even if this is a practice match, there are plenty of people who care deeply about it. You ask if that's how it is or comment that you can understand it a bit. Shuuichi notes that you guys are having your graduations the next go around after him, and he says your feelings might change when it gets closer. Shuuichi then shrugs and puts his personal feelings aside as he says he should consider his kouhais as team captain. He then excuses himself as he says he should wrap things up.
Some time later, Moritaka runs up to talk to you, apologizing for the wait after he finished with the polite customs at the end of his match. You welcome him back and say he did great or did alright out there. Moritaka says he was feeling better than usual out there, which he attributes to your cheering for him. He noticed that you and Shuuichi were talking earlier, so he asks what you two were talking about. Shuuichi comes over and says the two of you were looking forward to where Moritaka would be going as one of the rising stars of Tokyo high school kendo. Moritaka is shocked at the idea and downplays his abilities, saying he's still inexperienced. He still thanks Shuuichi for his comments and says he'll train even harder. Shuuichi talks about how humility and honesty are virtues, which is something he laughs about wishing he could be.
At that point, loud clapping erupts from elsewhere in the dojo, which draws all your attentions. You note that a match must be starting over there and comment on how much clapping there is as you wonder if someone notable is present. Shuuichi says you've got a good eye as he confirms that, then tells you that there's a tough guy over there who's also a rising star in the world of high school kendo like Moritaka is. At his prompting, you look over to see a large framed Transient dressed in a kendo outfit, and Fergus attacks with a loud yell. The match goes by so fast that the referee is surprised as he announces that Fergus mac Roich of Bukuro Academy has won the bout. Fergus yells about focusing on youth and thanks his opponent for the match. You comment on how strong his attack was, be surprised he's fighting by dual wielding, or be curious about his mentioning of a focus on youth.
Moritaka mentions Fergus is a student of Bukuro Academy, and that his wild strength is enough to knock his opponent's shinai out of their hands. Shuuichi mentions that Fergus is Bukuro's kendo team captain as well as a second year and notes he's popular with everyone, not just his sports team. Shuuichi wishes he could be like that too. You can either say Shuuichi is unpopular, say he looks like he's making a lot of effort, or stay quiet. A has an extra line where Shuuichi laughs it off as a mean comment and says he plans on smoothing things out on the surface at least. B has a different extra line where Shuuichi is quiet for a second before mentioning he's never thought training was harsh. Being able to do things just as planned what he's good at.
Anyways, Shuuichi notes that that's all the matches done with for the day, and he considers sending the next captain to be to stand on ceremony for the end of matchup meeting so he can slack off. Shuuichi then says he's going to change clothes and asks to meet Moritaka outside after everything is done. Moritaka acknowledges the request, then tells you he'll be back soon. You either tell Moritaka you'll see him later or say he looked cool, and either way he thanks you.
Time passes as you head over to the lobby of the Tokyo Metropolitan Theater which is the school front for Bukuro Academy. Duo is there and smiles as he comments that you guys have come back, and Garm is with him as he welcomes you specifically back. Shuuichi bowls past him and starts laying it on thick about how much he loves his irreplaceable little bro, then asks if he was cold, if he was attacked by strangers, or lonely without his oNiI-cHaN. Duo is unimpressed by all this and says things were all peace and quiet until it suddenly got uncomfortably muggy now. Shuuichi laughs it off and puts it down to Duo being shy and saying it's going to make him cry. Shuuichi then turns to Garm and thanks him for agreeing to look after Duo all of a sudden.
Garm says it's no problem and adds that he had fun being with Duo since Duo is a good boy and the nap they had curled up together felt real nice. Shuuichi is shocked upon hearing that they did this and is jealous Garm got to do this since he barely ever gets to do it himself. Garm gets freaked out by this reaction, and you either ask Shuuichi to calm down, ask Duo if he's been waiting for a while, or thank Garm for watching Duo. In A, Shuuichi says it's fine and that he's always calm. He just loves his brother so much he can't stand it. In B, Duo says he had Garm with him, and if he were alone he could just boot up some game, so he's fine. In C, Garm cheers about you praising him, then says all he did was play, nap, and eat snacks with Duo.
In any case, Garm remembers to give you some chocolate, saying he brought a ton of them with him. He also gives one to Shuuichi and wishes him a Happy Valentine's. You thank Garm for the chocolate and note its unusual shape, then talk about how it's that time of the year again. Garm barks and says he asked Snow to make them for him, and that the chocolates are in the same shape as his paw pads. Duo volunteers that Garm gave him some too, then thanks Garm and says they were great. Garm laughs and says he still has a lot, so he'll give some to Moritaka later. He's so excited that he starts swinging his bag of chocolates around, which Duo tries to warn him to stop.
A chocolate piece falls out, and someone passing by picks it up to give it back to Garm. This turns out to be Kyuuma, who is surprised to see you and comments on the coincidence of seeing you at some other school. You're surprised to see him too and ask what brings him here. Shuuichi notes that you know him and jokes about you having no standards. Kyuuma introduces himself by his full name and says he's a first year student at Yoyogi, then explains he came for a practice baseball match with Bukuro. Shuuichi thanks him for his manners and introduces himself back as he mentions he's a third year student in the senior high school part of Touto Academy. Kyuuma exchanges pleasantries with him before giving Garm his chocolate back, and Garm thanks him.
You ask Kyuuma how his game went and say he did well in coming for it. Kyuuma says it went great, then thanks the Shinjuku baseball team for helping them to practice. Garm asks if Kyuuma's baseball team is any good, but Kyuuma reacts by going quiet and slumping his shoulders with a pained look on his face. Garm is surprised by this response, and Kyuuma tries to brush his actions aside and says he was just a bench warmer cheering on his senpais. He wishes he could have pitched at least once, but he says this is how it always is. Then he excuses himself and abruptly walks off.
You comment on Kyuuma leaving and note that he didn't look happy. Garm asks you if he said something he shouldn't have as he looks worried about Kyuuma, so you either assure him it's okay, say it was an accident, or wonder about it yourself. Shuuichi says it doesn't seem like Kyuuma's being caught up in his prospects. He's got plenty of time, though he notes that saying so might not sink in.
You either worry about Kyuuma or call Shuuichi an unsympathetic jerk. Garm worries some more and seems ready to cry a little, and Duo expresses concern for him. Shuuichi then suggests that you guys go somewhere else before you guys get seen, only to stop in surprise. You ask Shuuichi what he means, and Shuuichi sighs and says the end of match talks must be over now. He was planning on getting out of there after meeting up with Duo.
The next moment, a bunch of rando students start rushing in from the kendo dojo and start mobbing Shuuichi and wishing him a Happy Valentine's. Guy A hands over some chocolate as an early graduation present. Yasha B hands hers over next and thanks him for all he's done in his three years at their school. Angel C hands a chocolate too, though more as a rival thing and says he'd better remember him and not quit while he's ahead in wins. Shuuichi laughs and thanks them, though he still says to their faces that all he cares about is his brother. You either comment on all the kendo students gathering around Shuuichi, say you should probably expect as much, or say his looks are the only good thing about him.
Garm barks a bit and points your attention to Moritaka, who is also mobbed by a bunch of no namers. Alchemist A says Moritaka was so cool as he gives him a chocolate. Ciramantep B compliments Moritaka on his performance today, hands him some chocolate, and warns him not to eat too much and never once speaks like a little kid. Wolf C gives Moritaka some chocolate too and begs to touch his fur. Moritaka is befuddled by all this and thanks everyone for their gifts and words, though he also attempts to get them to calm down.
You express amazement at all the attention Moritaka is getting and note he is famous in kendo circles. You then notice that there's a bunch of people bunching around someone else too, which turns out to be Fergus with his own crowd of groupies. Gangster Girl A gives him a chocolate with all her feelings put into it. Mermaid B gives him chocolate too, b-but it's not like she likes him or anything! Pirate C sighs over how cOOl he was out there and says he was swooning again over how strong he is. Fergus laughs and thanks everyone, then says having to worry about how much to accept is another part of youth. He then immediately declares he'll take all of them. His fans all lose their minds upon him bishie smiling.
You try to remember Fergus's name as you watch the proceedings, and Fergus looks over at you for a moment before carrying on with what he was doing. You wonder if he really was looking at you and dismiss it as your imagination, though you're still unsure. Duo comments that he's getting a feeling that a storm is coming, though he corrects this to say a premonition instead as he puts a piece of chocolate up to his mouth. It seems like it might be a bit longer before they can go home, and the episode half ends by fast forwarding a few days to say you and Kengo got a shocking view of things of Ikebukuro when Claude calls you two over.
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