Author: TA☆KA	Original Source: Kakuyomu / Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

－＊＊－－＊－－＊＊－－＊－－＊＊－－＊－－＊＊－－＊－

“Standing is important. We all think we are standing normally, but we are not standing normally at all.”
“What? But isn’t standing just standing?”
“The very nature of your condition changes depending on whether or not you are centered or not.”
“So something similar to staying exactly straight? Like developing a thick and sturdy core?”

“Well, the question here is how thick should that core be. You wouldn’t want to have a thick and sturdy core.”
“What? But isn’t that stronger? A thicker core seems harder to break.”
“Being able to break in the first place is the problem. You want a stronger, thinner, longer, and more flexible core.”
“Longer?”
“Imagine you are the thing that connects the center of the earth to the center of the heavens.”

“Whoa, when did we start talking on a cosmic scale? I can’t imagine that far!”
“The quality of your work depends on how you can visualize it. Good luck!”
“There’s no way you can get a sense of the distance to the center of the Earth, let alone the center of the universe!”
“The better you can visualize this, the clearer the Chi that passes through you will be. When your core is firmly in place, half-hearted evils won’t even be able to get close.”
“Aren’t you just describing a monk?!”

“Well, even if you can’t go that far, I think it’s important to know what the best way is for you to stand by using the earth and Chi.”
“How I stand, huh?”
“On a side note, Senior, you should already be aware of how you stand. You’ve already begun thinking about how you’re standing right now, haven’t you?”
“How I stand… Say, can I ask you something?”

“Why so serious? What is it?”
“I’ve been thinking this for some time, but are you my junior?”
“Of course! I’m me. I’m your junior. But…”
“But?”
“But you seem different from my senior. You’re a girl after all.”

－＊＊－－＊－－＊＊－－＊－－＊＊－－＊－－＊＊－－＊－

“But! I’m me, too!”

I said this with all her might, thrusting my hands upward from the bed. I stretched and got up, opened the window, and breathed in a lungful of morning air. It was the most pleasant awakening I had ever experienced.

The mornings in early fall were a bit chilly, but the clean air felt refreshing. When I returned after my usual run, Sir Howard was working out as usual, with one other person.

Will had decided to practice sword training with Sir Howard every morning ever since the attack. He had already been training with Sir Howard every time he visited. But now he said he was more committed to the sword than ever before. That morning, Sir Howard was teaching him again, and both of them were sweating in a good mood.

Sir Howard seemed genuinely happy training, as if he and his son were improving together. I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but I couldn’t lie that I was slightly jealous.

Still, my role of handing a towel to Papa Howard at the end of training wasn’t going to be taken by anyone.

But then… somehow, before I realized it, Corin was standing beside me, handing Will a towel.

(What?! Why the hell are you here, Corin?! You both are just like a Mandarin duck couple at this point.)

Corin and Will would eat breakfast together, and both Mama Sonia and Papa Howard looked after them with warm, contented expressions. I was sure something had changed, but I didn’t know when.

I also noticed that Bibi and Irvine seemed to be getting closer on their way to school. What was happening?

Both here and there. I was sure something had happened. It felt like things were about to explode.

I couldn’t help but clench my fists due to my silly frustrations. Mia was saying something, but I ignored her, which led to her wiggling her fingers mischievously and retaliating!

(No! Stop it! You can’t touch there! It’s off limits! Stop it!!!)

Lately, Mia had occasionally launched some very dangerous counterattacks…

That aside, let’s get back on track. The school needed many repairs, though classes could still be held. However, the training area was rendered completely unusable, so they decided to rebuild it from scratch. So, for now, training sessions would be held outdoors.

Even so, the classrooms were filled with the usual lively voices of children. Despite everything that had happened, everyone was already acting normal again. The children of Amukham were something special. They were the best. This time, it truly helped me realize that the residents of Amukham really were bred for combat. Like, really.

When I entered the classroom, everyone welcomed me warmly. Helena and Mary greeted me with bright smiles. Leila and Mabel jumped on me. Another person also moved in stealthily, so I flicked him on the forehead with my friendly finger. Stephan, who was knocked aside, gave me a shy smile while rubbing his forehead. Then Alan slipped to the back, as expected. Their smiles made me genuinely happy. Forcing my smile to naturally appear.

⇐ Previous

Next ⇒

⌈ Index ⌋