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In modern-day Japan, trends like girl bands, karate, and detective games were all the rage.
However, it was clear that while girl bands and detective games were pure fads, they might fade into obscurity in a decade or so.
Karate, on the other hand, was different. As a martial art with centuries of history, even after hundreds of years, it would never go out of style.
Karate originated in the 15th century, initially blending ancient combat techniques with methods introduced from China to Japan via Okinawa. The earliest form of karate was called "Tang Hand," reflecting its Chinese influence.
The karate club at Tokyo University occupied a large classroom. By the time Fujiwara Toru arrived, many members were already practicing.
"Your leg isn't high enough!"
"Captain, I can't lift it anymore! My muscles feel like they're about to snap!"
"Then you need to stretch. I'll help you later."
"No, please don't!"
As soon as Toru entered the karate club, he heard cries of pain echoing through the room. For beginners without any prior experience or foundation, the initial training in karate—like in dance or other physical arts—was always accompanied by immense discomfort.
Though the foundational training was painful, this was Tokyo University, after all. Everyone here had once been praised as a genius. Even if their talent lay in academics, years of pride made it hard for them to give up easily or lose face.
So, no matter how grueling the basic practice, the freshmen who had just joined the club gritted their teeth and persevered. Meanwhile, the sophomores and juniors looked on with amusement. They had all gone through the same struggles, and seeing their juniors suffer brought them joy.
"Yahagi, what are you looking at?"
Miki, a close friend of Yukino Shiba, noticed her best friend wasn't practicing very seriously today and grew curious.
Before Yukino could respond, she spotted Toru entering the dojo. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly straightened her posture before hurrying over to him.
Seeing this, Miki teased, "Yukino, you seem quite interested in that student, huh?"
Initially, when Miki suggested Yukino recruit Toru into the karate club, it was because of his status as the freshman representative. Sure enough, having the freshman rep join boosted recruitment numbers significantly. The popularity of karate in Japan meant the club received an overwhelming number of applications, and only a select few were chosen.
But for days on end, Toru hadn't shown up to any activities, which left Miki feeling dissatisfied. As students of Tokyo University, they despised slackers like Toru the most.
Such individuals fell into two categories in the eyes of Tokyo University students:
1. Those who were inherently useless and didn't put in effort—mere societal burdens not worth acknowledging.
2. Those who relied solely on their natural talent but refused to apply themselves, equally detested by those who worked hard and possessed ability.
Of course, jealousy played a role too. Even among Tokyo University students, there were hierarchies, and some truly exceptional talents far surpassed ordinary people.
Toru's frequent absences clearly struck a nerve with these students.
When Yukino hurried toward Toru, nearly everyone in the room noticed.
"Isn't that our freshman representative?"
"He's part of our karate club? Why hasn't he attended recent activities?"
"Probably scared off. You know how painful the basics are."
"Tch, just because he's handsome doesn't make him special. Why is Senior Yukino personally welcoming him?" someone muttered resentfully.
"You can't deny good looks do carry weight," another chimed in. "But our freshman rep was personally invited by Senior Yukino. After skipping several sessions, I'm sure even she feels embarrassed now."
"Ahh, I see!" the newcomers exclaimed in realization.
Toru saw Yukino approaching, her short hair neat and tidy, her demeanor poised. She greeted him warmly, "Fujiwara-kun, is your sister doing better?"
"She's fine now; the fever has subsided, and she can take care of herself."
"That's good. By the way, we prepared your training uniform earlier. Let me show you to the changing room."
With that, Yukino grabbed Toru's arm and led him toward the locker rooms.
The club president frowned slightly at this scene. Though Toru had valid reasons for missing previous sessions, dissatisfaction still lingered among the members. Gaining their understanding wouldn't be easy.
Yukino subtly reminded Toru, "You understand, right?"
"Yeah, I get it."
Watching Toru's nonchalant attitude gave Yukino a headache. Could it be that Toru, like his younger sister, had a hint of chuunibyou (a delusional mindset)? But that didn't seem to fit. From their past interactions, he appeared eloquent, socially adept, and skilled at navigating relationships.
Yukino doubted Toru misunderstood her underlying message.
After changing into his training gear, Toru emerged from the locker room. Yukino patted him lightly on the head like an older sister, smiling cheerfully. "Not bad! The outfit fits well—you look spirited!"
"Senior Yukino looks great in her uniform too."
Toru's gaze swept briefly over her figure. The belted training uniform accentuated her slender waist. Though the loose-fitting top concealed her curves, a closer inspection revealed hints of her voluptuous figure.
Yukino's pear-shaped physique differed from the stereotypical petite frame, making her an ideal canvas for a provocative charm. And who said uniforms had to be limited to flight attendant or nurse outfits? Karate uniforms could be just as enticing!
Pretending not to notice Toru's teasing remarks, Yukino found herself increasingly intrigued by his behavior. She wondered how he'd handle the challenges ahead. If he got bullied, things would only get more interesting.
This was Yukino's peculiar nature. The more fascinated she became with something, the more she wanted to toy with it, even dismantle it. Conversely, if she found something uninteresting, she maintained perfect decorum, devoid of dislike or emotion.
Back in the dojo, seniors and juniors continued practicing. Those with higher ranks either taught others or practiced alone, preparing for competitions. Beginners, marked by white belts, followed along under the guidance of experienced members.
"In karate, mastering 'kata' (forms) is crucial," explained Sano Kazunari, the club president. "Karate allows solo practice because of kata. It's both a fighting technique and a performance art. Only through dedicated kata practice can one achieve a balance of power and beauty."
Sano demonstrated a few moves, each strike fluid yet powerful, drawing applause from the beginners.
"You see? That's the importance of kata. Everyone line up and practice together while shouting slogans. This unifies spirit and movement."
"Yes, Captain!" the group responded in unison, following his lead.
"One, two, three, four!"
"Two, two, three, four!"
Private universities in Japan placed great emphasis on club activities, hosting competitions across various age groups—a unique feature of the system. Newcomers to the karate club trained diligently, eager to improve.
Most freshmen started as white belts, while upperclassmen sported colorful belts indicating their ranks. Black belts, symbols of honor, were rare. Achieving such a rank required years of dedication starting from childhood.
After observing the newcomers for a while, Yukino turned to Toru. "Fujiwara-kun, let's spar first. I want to see your level."
Though this would cut into her own practice time, Yukino was willing to make an exception. Whether due to her aunt's request or her personal interest in Toru, she valued spending time with him.
Just then, Sano approached, his commanding presence radiating authority. Without waiting for Yukino to intervene, he barked, "Boy, you need to prove yourself!"
Yukino raised an eyebrow but remained silent, curious to see how Toru would respond. While she wouldn't hesitate to step in if things escalated, for now, she enjoyed watching the drama unfold.
The rhythmic chanting of "one, two, three, four" softened as nearly everyone in the room turned to watch the spectacle unfold.
"Fujiwara Toru."
Toru's expression remained calm, unruffled. Truthfully, he felt somewhat guilty. Joining the club yet failing to attend activities was grounds for the president's displeasure.
"Fujiwara Toru?" Sano feigned deep thought before snapping his fingers dramatically. "Oh yes, the guy who skipped multiple sessions. Right?"
His tone hardened as he pointed toward the exit. "We don't need someone with no sense of club pride. You're expelled. Now, change out of that uniform."
Even Yukino watched with interest as Sano smirked inwardly. Go ahead, lose your temper. Punch me, and I'll have a reason to retaliate.
To his surprise, Toru simply turned around, muttering, "Oh," and headed back to the locker room.
Toru's sole reason for joining the club was Yukino's presence. He wanted to observe whether interacting with her could yield useful insights. However, upon discovering their familial connection, attending the club became optional. Even without participating, his relationship with Yukino ensured occasional contact.
Moreover, Toru's knowledge of psychology told him that appearing submissive would provoke Sano further, leading him to make mistakes.
Sure enough, Sano froze, bewildered. It was like punching air—frustrating. What kind of man are you? Don't you have any pride?!
Unaware of being manipulated, Sano snapped, "Wait!"
Toru paused, turning back with a smile. "Something wrong, Captain?"
Sano clenched his teeth, realizing how foolish he must look. "I heard you've studied karate?"
"A bit."
"Good. I'll find you an opponent. Beat them, and I'll reinstate you."
"Sorry, Captain, but I'm not interested."
"No excuses. You're fighting."
Even other club members began to view Sano's actions as petty. Clearly, his earlier demand for Toru to leave had merit, but this insistence came off as bullying.
Still, Sano couldn't back down. Spotting a tall, bespectacled freshman, he pointed. "Horikita, come here. Fight him!"
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, pointing at himself in disbelief. "Me?"
Fight Fujiwara Toru? He hesitated.
"Yes, you!"
Reluctantly, Horikita stepped forward. In high school, he had been the student council president, excelling in every field. But at Tokyo University, he realized everyone was extraordinary. His fifth-degree black belt, once unmatched in high school, paled compared to the elites here.
Facing opponents like Sano, who ranked among the top eight in national tournaments, Horikita knew he stood no chance. Despite his reluctance, he obeyed, knowing resistance was futile.
Standing before Toru, Horikita maintained his stoic expression. "Sorry, Fujiwara-kun. Since the captain insists, let's exchange a few moves."