Only the victor is worthy of the admiration of beautiful maidens.

Matsudaira Shimizu could say with certainty that he didn't know anyone named Mizuki Hanashiro.

However, the notification from the system had just mentioned that very name, which meant she was definitely here somewhere...

He shifted his gaze toward the two adults present.

"You look so dashing—I'm starting to like you," the school nurse greeted him, dressed in a white coat, black stockings, and heels, her enchanting almond-shaped eyes full of mischief.

Standing next to her was Yumeko Shimamoto.

Shimamoto-sensei was a beautiful girl, not an adult, so he skipped her.

Beside them stood a striking woman he didn't recognize.

With her delicate, oval face and cold expression, her jet-black hair flowing down her back, she was stunning. Clad in a black women's suit, her long legs wrapped in sheer black stockings and feet in stilettos, she radiated the dignity and poise of a consummate professional. Nearly 175 centimeters tall in heels, she towered over most people there, her chilly beauty both intimidating and graceful.

"This must be Mizuki Hanashiro," Matsudaira Shimizu mused privately, noting how aloof she seemed—certainly not someone easy to approach.

Now wasn't a good time for conversation, anyway.

As the duel ended, Mizuki Hanashiro did not linger, turning elegantly on her heel and leaving.

Watching her graceful silhouette, Matsudaira Shimizu couldn't help but doubt whether someone as socially awkward and introverted as himself could ever truly succeed at playing the role of a host.

He dreaded the thought of making a fool of himself...

"Shimizu, you were amazing just now!"

An excited voice beside him pulled Matsudaira Shimizu from his thoughts. Turning his head, his gaze met with Suzune Sakura’s.

This master of green tea charm, her eyes sparkling, cheeks tinged with a delicate blush, flashed him a shy, sweet smile.

If he didn’t know her true nature, he might have been fooled by her innocent act, convinced she was a pure and obedient girl.

Fortunately, Matsudaira Shimizu only saw her as a convenient way to gain experience; in the face of her coquettish shyness, he felt nothing at all.

"I’m really looking forward to our date tomorrow," Suzune Sakura said, rising on tiptoe to draw close, her eyes shining. "I’ll make myself look so beautiful you’ll be dazzled!"

"We’ll see tomorrow," Matsudaira Shimizu replied, deadpan.

"Shimizu, you’re incredible!" Fumino Murakami joined them, giving him a thumbs-up, her eyes blazing with enthusiasm as she spoke in the earnest tone of a saleswoman, "Have you considered joining the kendo club? You’ve reached this level all on your own—you have insane talent! If you trained systematically for a while, I can’t even imagine how strong you’d become! Join us, and I’ll take you all the way to the Jade Dragon Trophy..."

Hearing this, Matsudaira Shimizu instinctively glanced down at his hands, unable to suppress a smile.

...The taste of victory was truly sweet.

For a man, nothing compared to possessing strength.

He’d never thought about this before, since no one had ever bullied or troubled him.

But after today’s events, he understood something new:

—At this stage in life, while still a student, having the ability and courage to fight back is essential. If you lack confidence to defend yourself against bullies, it’s almost impossible to build true self-assurance.

Page 2/3

He’d been sheltered by his mother for too long, which was why he’d never realized this before.

Perhaps today would mark the beginning of his journey to independence...

Even with his heart swelling at the revelation, Matsudaira Shimizu didn’t immediately accept Fumino Murakami’s invitation.

"If I get the chance, I’ll give it a try," he replied politely.

To be honest, he did yearn for the hot-blooded, youth-filled days he’d seen in sports anime.

But most sports required teammates and proper venues—hard barriers for someone as socially anxious as himself.

Given the choice between the thirty-odd members of the kendo club and the mere four in the Literature Club, he preferred the quiet of the latter.

As for the Jade Dragon Trophy... perhaps he’d wait until he’d overcome his social anxiety.

With that, Matsudaira Shimizu looked away, his gaze passing over the dazed, defeated Kenichiro Yokoyama, who was being helped to his feet.

This burly guy was no longer a threat.

Now, when facing Matsudaira Shimizu, Yokoyama’s eyes were filled with fear and uncertainty; even if he wanted to provoke him again, he’d think twice about being beaten up.

A coward—just a beaten dog!

Without pausing, Matsudaira Shimizu turned toward the edge of the court.

The three girls from the Literature Club stood there, and he walked over.

"Watching you in kendo just gave me so much inspiration!" Fuuri Tsukimiyori, wearing red-framed glasses and twin ponytails, beamed with excitement. "A perfect young samurai based on you is already forming in my mind!"

"A perfect young samurai?" Rinko Tokugawa looked at her curiously.

"Yes! A perfect young samurai should have a radiant, fierce gaze in battle, a commanding presence and tension. Yet in moments of silence, there should be a cold, melancholy expression, as though he carries many stories inside..."

The more Fuuri Tsukimiyori spoke, the more her excitement bubbled over, as if her ideas were about to spill out.

"Just one thing—don’t turn me into material for your BL stories!" Matsudaira Shimizu protested helplessly.

"Hey, I promise he won’t be BL..." Fuuri Tsukimiyori replied with a sly smile.

Matsudaira Shimizu’s gaze shifted to the unfamiliar girl beside her.

She was exquisite, like a princess from an anime—sleek black hair, delicate features, eyes clear as crystal.

Her fair, refined face was the sort that would make any normal boy like her at first sight.

If he had to rate her in terms of resolution, Matsudaira Shimizu would call her half a step short of 8K.

That half-step was docked for her petite figure.

"Tokugawa-san, it’s a pleasure to meet you," Matsudaira Shimizu greeted her calmly.

"It may not be our first meeting, Matsudaira-kun," Rinko Tokugawa replied, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, a faint, wisp-like smile on her lips.

"Perhaps," Matsudaira Shimizu nodded indifferently.

He’d learned from Eizawa Murakami yesterday that Rinko Tokugawa came from the Tokugawa shogunal family—the main branch of the Tokugawas.

The Matsudaira and Tokugawa families shared a common lineage, their ties so close that they could even adopt heirs from one another’s households.

Page 3/3

When he was younger, Matsudaira Shimizu had often visited the Tokugawa estate with his mother; perhaps he’d met the young lady of the Tokugawa family back then.

But after starting elementary school, he’d stopped visiting.

So, even if he had met Rinko Tokugawa as a child, after at least ten years, there was no way he’d recognize her now.

And he had no time to dwell on it.

Because...

Yaeba’s expression was far from pleased!

Her name hadn’t appeared even once in the recent affection notifications; she must be in a bad mood...

"You really showed off, Aki!" Akizuki Yanae glared at her ex-boyfriend with emotionless eyes.

"It—it wasn’t such a big deal," Matsudaira Shimizu replied, scratching his head.

"Not a big deal? Every single girl here is swooning over you!" Yaeba said in a flat tone.

Light spilled in from the window behind her, casting her in silhouette; she bit her lower lip, barely perceptibly sniffing, her expression tinged with grievance.

"Uh..."

Matsudaira Shimizu hesitated, then stepped in front of her, his voice gentle. "Let’s talk while we walk."

"All right, since you say so!" Yaeba took a deep breath and, without warning, chopped him on the head. "Do you know how worried I was when I heard from Mikami-sensei that you'd been dragged off to the kendo club?"

"Ouch, that hurts!" Matsudaira Shimizu clutched his head.

"I almost burst into tears!" Yaeba, relentless, poked him hard in the chest with her finger, channeling her grievance into anger. "You sure can hide things! You barely tried and knocked out the strongest member of the kendo club—how did I not know you were capable of that all these years?"

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt.

"Honestly, it was just a fluke..."

"A fluke? What next, you’ll tell me you’ve been dating a dozen girls behind my back?"

"How could I possibly—"

"Then explain why you kept it from me for so long?"

"Uh..." Matsudaira Shimizu was stumped, looking utterly at a loss.

"Idiot, idiot..."

She was genuinely upset, continuing to rain down harmless punches and kicks on him—her usual way of venting.

To outsiders, it must have looked like harmless flirting, which was why Suzune Sakura, full of jealousy, came over.

All eyes turned toward them.

‘This is going to be good...’