“Go ask your father...”
Once her breathing returned to normal and the sweat on her face and neck was wiped clean, Sazanoko picked up the glaive and walked steadily towards her father, Chiba Dingji’s, room.
In no time, Chiba Dingji’s bedroom appeared in front of Sazanoko.
“Father.”
“Hmm? Sazanoko, what’s the matter?”
“There’s a spot in the new move you taught me that I just can’t get right. So, I wanted to ask you for guidance.”
“Oh...then come in.”
“Yes.”
At this moment, Chiba Dingji was taking a brief pause from his busy schedule to read a book by his desk.
After Sazanoko opened the door, he set down his book and gently spoke to her:
“Sazanoko, which part of the move don’t you understand?”
“Father, I don’t know why, but when I exert force in this position and try to strike upwards with the blade, I feel the power doesn’t come through...”
...
Sazanoko succinctly conveyed the areas where she urgently needed answers to Chiba Dingji.
“Oh, oh...it’s because your posture is incorrect, your legs are too far apart, so the power cannot smoothly transfer from the ground to your waist and arms...”
Chiba Dingji patiently guided Sazanoko.
“I see...I understand. Father, thank you for your advice.”
After saying this, Sazanoko intended to return to the dojo to test whether Chiba Dingji’s advice was helpful.
But just as she was about to get up, Chiba Dingji suddenly called out to her.
“Sazanoko, wait a moment.”
“Hmm? Father, what’s up?”
“Uh...it’s nothing, just wanted to ask you a question.”
“A question?” Sazanoko sat back down, bending her knees, “Father, please go ahead.”
“Sazanoko, I’ve noticed you’ve been practicing martial arts diligently and seem to be in a good mood lately...” Chiba Dingji smiled, “So I wanted to ask you: Have you encountered anything recently that made you feel particularly joyful?”
Sazanoko hesitated.
Then she smiled:
“Father, you’re overthinking it. Recently...nothing particularly joyful has happened to me.”
“I’ve been practicing diligently without any special reason. It’s just that my physical condition has been good lately, so I want to take advantage of this momentum to train more in martial arts.”
“...” Chiba Dingji gave Sazanoko a deep look, then took a deep breath with a “hu” sound, “Alright then. In any case, practicing martial arts diligently and being in a good mood is a good thing.”
“Keep it up.”
“But remember to balance work and rest, don’t overstrain your body.”
Sazanoko: “Yes!”
...
...
After leaving Chiba Dingji’s room, Sazanoko didn’t immediately depart.
“Ha ah...”
She let out a long breath and leaned her back against the corridor wall.
She had just lied.
Recently...indeed, she had encountered something that made her very happy.
...
(Miss Sazanoko, there’s no need for self-doubt. If you strive to move forward bravely, then nothing in this world can stop your brilliance. With your skills, Miss Sazanoko, one day you will achieve accomplishments in martial arts that will earn the admiration of all.)
...
Aoto’s voice echoed in Sazanoko’s ear...
These were the exact words Aoto had said to Sazanoko during a recent overwhelming victory over the heroes of Little Chiba Sword Dojo, while resting and wiping sweat in the inner courtyard.
Even though these words were spoken a while ago, they still seemed fresh in her memory, and a faint smile appeared on Sazanoko’s cheeks.
Aoto might not have thought at that time...that his words could give Sazanoko such great encouragement.
Indeed, I might not have the talent like Mr. Tachibana...but if I persistently work hard, I too will achieve remarkable accomplishments in martial arts that will not be inferior to anyone!
Sazanoko took a deep breath.
Her heart was filled with ambition and aspiration.
She couldn’t help but wish for wings to immediately grow on her back to quickly fly back to the dojo and continue practicing martial arts.
Just then, Sazanoko’s mind unwillingly drifted to past memories.
After recalling Aoto’s words from that day, she began to unintentionally remember the scene she accidentally witnessed that day...
Aoto with only half of his body covered...a nearly fat-free and well-toned muscular upper body...
“...”
Sazanoko gently pressed her lips together, closed her eyes tightly, and curled the index and middle fingers of her right hand, tapping her forehead repeatedly with the second knuckle like knocking on a wooden fish.
“What’s worth recalling about this kind of image...?”
She mumbled to herself in a reproving, irritated tone, while firmly forcing herself not to recall such “obscene” images.
Once her emotions calmed down a bit, Sazanoko vigorously shook her head a few times, then held her wooden glaive and quickly walked back to the dojo without lingering any longer.
Arriving at the Alpha Field, she stood squarely in the center, ready to resume her practice, when she suddenly heard the familiar heavy footsteps approaching from the entrance.
Following the sound, her brother’s figure emerged into view.
“Brother, you’re back.”
Chiba Shigetarou and Chiba Domon Shiro’s “secret talk” tonight had just concluded satisfactorily.
As for the outcome, their meeting tonight turned out to be meaningful, not just a waste of time and booze.
On the proposal to find excuses to leave when the fireworks are set off tomorrow night, leaving Aoto and Sazanoko ample space for being alone, the two reached a consensus.
Returning in high spirits, Chiba Shigetarou stood at the entrance of the dojo, casting a surprised glance inside at Sazanoko.

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