Ryousuke squinted one eye open, only to be met immediately with Rika's expectant face.
"Ryousuke-niisan~"
Rika tugged at his arm, swaying her body slightly in a classic spoiled-brat maneuver. "Accompany me to the Final Selection, please? Pretty please? I'm begging you!"
Ryousuke felt a headache coming on.
Fine, fine. Your brother is away on a mission, so you're blatantly picking on me as your only target, aren't you?
Besides, this year was the "Golden Generation"! Not only were there Water Breathing geniuses like Sabito and Giyū, but there was also Murata—the "Pathway Pillar" whose luck was so heaven-defying his haori barely got dirty.
And since Ryousuke had already personally geeked the Hand Demon, Rika could literally just hold her sword and cheer from the sidelines to pass! This lineup was safer than a bank vault.
What am I going for? To buy soy sauce in the woods?
Ryousuke was about to decline when Jigoro cut in from the side, his tone perfectly natural.
"Ryousuke, Rika hasn't traveled far on her own before, and she's got a flighty personality. You don't have a mission right now, so why don't you take a trip to Mt. Fujikasane with her? It'll be safer with someone looking out for her, and I'll be able to rest easier."
Ryousuke: (゜д゜)
Gramps! Which eye did you use to see that she needs "taking care of"? This girl is smarter than the monkeys in our back mountains! She's basically the Monkey Queen by now!!! Your favoritism is showing, old man! I'm more worried she'll tie up a demon and turn it into some kind of infinite power resource...
Feeling helpless, Ryousuke cast a pleading look toward Uzui Tengen, who was training nearby. But his line of sight was immediately blocked by a pair of "heavy thunderclouds."
Hinatsuru walked over with tea and snacks, offering a gentle smile and a nod. "Master Jigoro is right. Rika-chan is young; having Ryousuke-san accompany her for such a long journey to the exam is definitely more stable."
Ryousuke completely choked, nearly losing his breath. He looked at Hinatsuru in tragic indignation, then glanced at Makio and Suma, who were silent but clearly in agreement.
...Fine.
Women's friendships form fast! How long had it been, and they were already in a unified front to trap him?
In the end, Ryousuke ran out of excuses. Under Jigoro's instructions to "go and return quickly," he slumped his shoulders and went to pack his bags.
Rika: (●´∀｀●) Yay!
Whatever, Ryousuke thought. Just consider it a vacation. It's not a total loss if I get to see Sabito and Giyū again.
However, on the road to Mt. Fujikasane...
A youth in an ink-black haori walked in front, looking like he had lost all hope in life. Behind him followed a girl who was chirping, skipping, and vibrating with excitement.
"Ryousuke-niisan, look! Does that cloud look like a big rabbit?"
"Ryousuke-niisan, look quickly! There are fish in that stream! So fat! Hehe~"
"Ryousuke-niisan, are you hungry? I brought rice balls! Hinatsuru-姉 taught me how to make them!"
"Ryousuke-niisan! Ryousuke-niisan..."
Ryousuke felt like several hundred bees were buzzing in his ears. His brain felt swollen. Between his previous life and this one, he had never felt a road could be so long. Several times he considered using Thunder Breathing to just bolt, but the thought of Jigoro's cane and Rika's tearful offensive forced him to endure.
"Quiet. Just walk," Ryousuke finally snapped, shooting her a look.
"Oh..." Rika wilted for a second, but within minutes, she was back to humming a tuneless little melody to harass him.
Ryousuke palmed his forehead and sighed deeply.
After several days of trekking, the mountain range shrouded in a year-round mist of wisteria blossoms came into view. Beneath its beautiful surface lay the scent of blood and despair accumulated over decades.
As they reached the open ground before the shrine, before Ryousuke could find a spot to hide and slack off, a familiar figure charged over like a cannonball, grabbing Rika and checking her from head to toe.
"Rika! Are you okay? Was the trip smooth? Are you thirsty? Hungry?"
Shota had clearly rushed over like a house on fire after finishing his mission just to see her off. Rika giggled and did a little twirl. "I'm fine! Ryousuke-niisan came with me, it was super safe!"
Only then did Shota notice Ryousuke. His eyes widened, and his face instantly darkened. "Eh?! Why did you come along?"
Knowing Ryousuke's lazy nature, Shota knew he wouldn't move an inch unless a mission forced him. Ryousuke didn't even bother to roll his eyes, waving a hand tiredly. "It's a long story... but I don't feel like telling it."
He really didn't want to recount how he had been ganged up on and scammed into coming.
Shota leaned in with a dead-serious expression. "You didn't do anything... weird to my sister on the road, did you?"
Ryousuke: o_0?
Bro! I like looking at beauties, but I'm a human, not a beast! Your sister is how old?! That thought is criminal! Too criminal!!!
Besides, looking at Rika's expectant face, Ryousuke felt helpless. If anything weird happened, she'd be the one doing it to me.
Shota saw his "I'm done with life" expression and didn't push further, returning his attention to Rika with a barrage of nagging advice for the exam.
Just then, a clear, energetic voice came from behind. "Ryousuke-kun! It really is you!"
Ryousuke turned. The youth had peach-colored, mid-length hair and a bright, spirited smile. Beside him, Giyū stood quiet as a background prop, though his eyes lit up slightly upon seeing Ryousuke.
Mhm... he likes this person.
In the back, Murata looked a bit dejected.
"Sabito, Giyū, and Murata." Ryousuke walked over and patted Sabito's shoulder. "You've gotten stronger. The exam will be no problem for you."
"Hehe, I'm okay! Can't compare to you, Ryousuke-kun." Sabito scratched his head shyly. "Hey, are those your juniors over there?"
Ryousuke nodded, but before he could speak, Rika came running over excitedly.
Rika: ＞ᴗO!
"I'm Kiritani Rika! This is my brother, Kiritani Shota! You must be Mr. Urokodaki's disciples from Mt. Sagiri, right?"
"Yes. Hello." Sabito liked this enthusiastic girl's energy. "This is Tomioka Giyū and Murata."
Rika nodded vigorously, greeting them one by one. Giyū responded with a polite, expressionless nod. Murata... well, he was a bit shy. Shota watched his sister with a "doting mother" smile. Look at my sister! So cute!
Ryousuke and Giyū shared a moment as the silent background observers. After a bit of small talk, it was time for the exam to begin. Watching the new batch of swordsmen vanish into the wisteria sea, Ryousuke yawned and waved a lazy goodbye to Rika and the others.
OK! Escort mission complete! Next: seven days of vacation!
Ryousuke turned to say goodbye to Shota, but a figure appeared silently before him, bowing respectfully.
"Yasui-sama, Oyakata-sama requests your presence."
Ryousuke's footsteps paused. He raised an eyebrow. Kagaya wanted to see him? Right now? A feeling of being "calculated" bubbled up in his chest. He looked at the equally stunned Shota and was about to speak when the Ubuyashiki clan member shook their head gently.
"Oyakata-sama requested only you. Kiritani-sama, please wait in the side hall."
Great. No escaping this. Ryousuke sighed. "Lead the way."