Chapter 34 - She's into Roy!
"It's mostly girls here," Meguri explained, a bit embarrassed. "Some are wary of guys joining."
"Plus, there've been incidents—boys pulling sketchy stunts—so we're extra thorough with male applicants, checking their character."
"Got it," Roy nodded.
Those "incidents" probably mirrored the Perverted Trio's antics, like Issei Hyoudou's peeping escapades.
"But since Kiba-kun vouched for you, we can skip the long probation," Meguri said, glancing at Yuto Kiba.
"Kiba, your rep's golden around here," Roy teased. "Guess I'll be name-dropping you everywhere."
Kiba gave a wry smile.
"Kiba-san's definitely a star," Meguri said, nodding. "Some call him a medieval knight."
Kiba's chivalrous demeanor and impeccable character earned him that reputation.
"Not 'His Highness'?" Roy said, feigning surprise.
"'His Highness' gets more votes, but I see Kiba-san as a knight," Meguri said pointedly.
"Quit ganging up on me," Kiba said, exasperated. "Aren't we here to talk about Roy joining the Kendo Club?"
"Not much to explain," Meguri said, eyeing the starry-eyed club members. "What you see is the Kendo Club in action."
"After school, everyone attends club activities. Need a day off? Clear it with me first."
"We also have mandatory special training sessions—non-negotiable unless you've got a real excuse."
"Sounds like a tight schedule," Roy said, nodding. "I want a club that fits, but I don't want it eating all my time."
"We don't do ghost members," Meguri said bluntly. "But there's a way to get some leeway."
For most, she'd never bend. But Roy? With Kiba's backing and the club's clear interest, a little privilege wasn't out of the question.
"What's the way?" Roy asked.
"Prove your kendo meets my standards," Meguri said, smiling. "This is a kendo club—strength rules. Show me you've got the skills, and you can have some slack."
"Didn't you say last time that to bend the rules, someone's gotta beat you?" Murayama whispered nearby.
"What? You misheard," Katase shot back, smirking.
'Idiot, don't scare off the hot new guy.'
"No problem," Roy said, nodding confidently.
"Oh?" Meguri looked surprised. "You sound sure of yourself."
"Just a tad," Roy said, grinning modestly.
"Alright, let's do this now," Meguri said, signaling a club member to hand Roy a shinai. "Need protective gear?"
"Nah, it'll be quick. Gear's a hassle," Roy said, shaking his head. He took the shinai, thanking the girl who passed it.
She beamed, flashing a sneaky "go for it" gesture and mouthing encouragement.
"Quick, huh?" Meguri's brow arched. "That's my line, isn't it?"
She'd planned to go easy, but Roy's cockiness demanded a real test.
Still, she'd decide if he passed—couldn't let a good recruit slip away.
"Something like that," Roy said, testing the shinai's balance.
The girls cleared a space in the dojo's center, buzzing with anticipation.
"I'm not pretending I didn't hear that," Meguri said, her smile turning sharp. She gripped her shinai two-handed, settling into a disciplined stance.
Roy, opposite her, held his shinai one-handed, tip pointed down, stance loose.
Meguri blinked. "That's your form?"
His casual posture would've horrified a traditional kendo teacher.
"Relaxed works best. Get too hung up on rigid forms, and you're already half-beaten," Roy said, smiling.
"Lesson noted," Meguri said, her eyes narrowing.
A girl called, "Begin!"
Meguri gave a sharp shout, lunging with a precise strike.
Roy flicked his right hand up.
Snap!
One clash of shinai, and it was over.
Roy's weapon stopped at Meguri's throat.
The Kendo Club froze, eyes wide, staring at the dojo's center.
"No way!"
"The captain got one-shotted?"
"She let him win, right?"
"Bet she's into Roy's looks!"
"Captain's so strict, but she's playing favorites?"
The girls erupted, tossing out theories.
Most leaned toward Meguri throwing the match, charmed by Roy.
They knew her strength—capable of flooring multiple grown men.
Losing in seconds seemed impossible.
Only Meguri and Kiba knew she hadn't held back.
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