Chapter 70: Tears, Saya Busujima

With her cheeks tinged a faint red, Saeko Busujima kept her gaze fixed on Yaxing. It was only long after his silhouette had disappeared that she finally withdrew her eyes, turning instead to the wooden sword and the other broken wooden blade lying beside her. Many people were staring at her and her wooden sword with greedy eyes.

Most were drawn to Saeko’s current appearance, but greed for wealth played a role as well. Yaxing, now the renowned champion of Chuangzhu City, had countless admirers; those who loved kendo and had deep pockets would surely offer a price that would satisfy anyone.

“Miss Busujima, would you consider selling that wooden sword? I promise I’ll pay a price you’ll be pleased with.” A few well-off individuals voiced their interest.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of selling it. I wish to keep it with me forever,” Saeko replied, hugging the wooden sword tightly to her chest after seeing the avarice in their eyes. Glancing in the direction Yaxing had departed, she silently made a resolution: I will find you again.

She had seen Yaxing at Fujimi Academy’s Kendo Club. Judging by his uniform back then, he was likely a student at Fujimi as well; if she searched patiently enough among the new students, she was sure their paths would cross again. Ignoring those lingering around, she went straight into the house, leaving everyone else outside.

The onlookers exchanged awkward glances. Those familiar with Saeko found her behavior puzzling—she was always gentle and courteous, never impolite, yet now she acted so out of character. After a while, people slowly dispersed. Following the challenge at the Busujima Dojo, Yaxing all but vanished from public view.

With only a few days left before the outbreak of the zombie crisis, Yaxing dutifully attended Fujimi Academy on the advice of Ruocheng and Ruoxing, devoting each day to kendo practice in hopes of overcoming his inability to channel energy.

Three days remained before the time Ruoxing had predicted for the crisis to erupt. Yaxing sat at his desk, eyes closed as if asleep. His classmates were long used to his behavior—he never initiated conversation and responded coldly to anyone who tried, soon discouraging further attempts.

A kind of vacuum formed around Yaxing; while students elsewhere gathered in groups to chat, he sat alone, eyes closed, lost in thought. During the dojo challenge, Yaxing had deliberately let his bangs fall long to shield his eyes, so even if he looked familiar, few recognized him.

That was until a violet-haired girl entered the first-year classroom. Saeko Busujima carried a wooden sword slightly different from before—the very one Yaxing had given her. After days of searching, she had finally found Yaxing among the freshmen.

She had wanted to approach him at once, but, worried about leaving a bad impression, waited patiently for a day, carefully checking her appearance before leaving home. Only when she found no flaws did she come to his classroom.

“Excuse me,” she said apologetically at the door. Under the awed gazes of first-year students, she entered and at once spotted Yaxing meditating in the corner, a gentle smile curving her lips.

“That’s Busujima-senpai, isn’t it? I heard she won honors at the national tournament as a second-year and was captain of the kendo club. Even though she was defeated by a formidable opponent recently, no one can deny her strength! And that wooden sword in her hand—people have offered her huge sums for it, but she refused every time!”

“That’s what you care about? Busujima-senpai is stunning, and everyone says she’s the kindest, most beautiful woman in the academy. Yet you only care about her kendo? Still, why is she in our first-year classroom?”

The room buzzed with speculation, everyone talking about Saeko. She ignored them all, walked up to Yaxing, and hesitated, her manner respectful yet uncertain, until finally asking, “Your name is Yaxing, correct?”

Even Saeko found her own behavior strange—why did she suddenly not know what to say in front of him? Hearing his name, Yaxing opened his eyes, his star-like pupils glinting coldly as he replied flatly, “Is there something you need?”

His tone was as indifferent as if addressing a stranger for the first time; there was none of the familiarity from their previous encounter. Yet this very detachment assured Saeko that he was indeed the one—his looks, voice, even his manner were identical.

“I haven’t been able to forget the feeling from our last match. If possible, would you allow me to practice kendo with you?” Saeko asked with a smile, to the astonishment of everyone present.

“No,” Yaxing refused without hesitation. Other than his daily basic training, his progress was achieved through solitary insight. He would rather spend time pondering new energies or powerful sword techniques than waste it practicing with Saeko.

“He actually refused!” Not only Saeko, but the surrounding students cried out in disbelief. Faced with such a beautiful girl, how could Yaxing reject her without a second thought—could he even be considered a man?

“May I ask why?” Saeko was being turned down so bluntly for the first time. Her gentle smile froze a little, but she simply couldn’t bring herself to be angry with Yaxing.

“No time. Too much trouble,” he replied, gaze already averted.

“Too much trouble…” Saeko looked as though she had been struck. This was truly the first time anyone had ever called her a bother, and from someone she dearly liked at that. Was this a punishment for her? Perhaps a gloomy woman like herself didn’t deserve to show her feelings.

Blaming Yaxing’s refusal on the dark, violent tendencies she secretly harbored, Saeko’s expression changed—from a confident swordswoman to something more self-conscious. The sudden shift drew a sidelong glance from Yaxing. Just what was wrong with this person?

Saeko said nothing more, letting her eyes fall beneath her fringe, then walked past everyone and left the classroom. No one but Yaxing noticed the single crystalline tear that fell to the floor. He frowned as he watched her go, an unfamiliar feeling stirring in his usually calm heart.

“How odd. There seemed to be an unreasonable fluctuation in my emotions just now.” For someone like Yaxing, who always made decisions based on reason and never let feelings sway him, that momentary reaction was akin to a physical malfunction.

“My, Yaxing, you just made a girl sad~. In this regard, you’re nothing like Yechen. If you keep this up, no girl will ever like you,” Ruoxing teased, floating out and covering her little mouth as she watched Saeko’s retreating figure.