She directed herself with familiarity, arriving at her destination without incident, and opened the sliding door. Inside the private room was a solitary lonely bed. And by the bedside, there was a beautiful middle-aged woman sitting on a pipe chair. The middle-aged woman let out a sound in surprise when she looked at Ayase, who had just opened the door.

  "Oh my, isn't it Ayase-chan!"

  "Hello, Auntie Suzuka."

  "Hi~ What's up at this time of the day? What happened to school?"

  "Today I am free to decide whether to attend. Students who have representative selection matches are exempt from taking classes on the day of their match. That's why I made some time to come and visit."

  "I see. Be it the selection matches, or the thing with roommates. The new principal sure does interesting things."

  When she had explained the policies of Kurono, her aunt had given her consent.

  Her aunt stood up from the pipe chair, went towards the bed, and―

  "Big brother, your cute daughter came to meet you―"

  ―called out to the man lying on the bed.

  Cheeks that had been hollowed, and disfigured into the shape of cheekbones; skin with cracks like those of dried up land, and hands, slim like twigs from winter. That man, who had withered like a mummy, was the father of Ayase. He was Ayatsuji Kaito.

  "Good morning, Father."

  Following her aunt, Ayase, too, called out to him. But Kaito didn't return the greeting. Without any response, he just continued to sleep.

  That was right…. He had been continuously sleeping for two years.

  "Well then, it'd be bad if a stranger disturbs father and daughter. I'll be at the coffee shop. Till what time are you gonna be here, Ayase-chan?"

  "I have the match in the afternoon, so I'll leave at noon."

  "Okay~ Then, I'll return somewhere around that time. See ya~"

  Her aunt left the room while waving her hand in bye-bye.

  She was such a cheerful person whenever Ayase saw her. Ayase wished she would share a little bit of that liveliness with her brother.

  …No, even father was―

  At that moment―

  "…Ku…n."

  Kaito, who was on the bed, moved his withered lips just a tiny little bit with trembling weakness.

  "Father…."

  It was the usual thing. He was whispering the same habitual words. She couldn't hear his voice. It was not in a voice which could be heard. However, Ayase remembered the movements of those lips.

  (Sorry.)

  "…Tsk!"

  Krrr. Ayase's teeth ground together. Ayase bore the feelings of sorrow and vexation, which was almost enough to make her shout, by grinding her teeth. From that day, Kaito had always continued to apologize to Ayase. That he was not able to protect. That he was not able to entrust. All alone, eternally within that rainy season.

  　※　※　※

  Listen well, Ayase. Never lose your pride no matter what. Our sword is the power to kill people. You people's gifts are the power to surpass other people. That is why you cannot lose your pride. If you lose it, your actions will just turn into mere violence. Always be polite, help the weak, and hate the wicked. Never ever let yourself be tied by your own power, and no matter what kind of opponent, always face them fair and square. Become a knight that won't be a shame to others, or to your own self.

  Those were the words that Ayase's father, the 'Last Samurai' Ayatsuji Kaito, always told her. The responsibility of those who had power. Kaito understood it so well that he was able to impart the sword and its morals into Ayase who was born as a Blazer. To make sure that she would not become a cheap and arrogant human drunk on her own power.

  Kaito's training, even if she had said it with flattery, was not a gentle one. Harsh. One could very well say that it was harsh. But, even so… Ayase loved the strength that Kaito talked about. She loved the gallant back of her father when he was swinging his sword. She loved Kaito's big and rough hand that used to caress her head whenever she showed growth.

  A small dojo, about ten disciples, her father, and herself. By no means was it a luxurious lifestyle, but there was warmth in that flow of time.

  It was a time filled with happiness. Ayase wished from the bottom of her heart that such a time would always continue.

  But, that wish of her's was cruelly crushed. On that rainy day, two years back…. By a single man who barged in on her daily life.

  　※　※　※

  It had been two months after Ayase enrolled in Hagun Academy. The rainy season had just arrived.　The season where the sky was covered by heavy rain clouds and even the wind felt damp and humid.

  After class had finished, without returning to the dorm, Ayase was holding an umbrella within the rain and was moving towards her house's dojo. Her purpose was of course, to learn swordsmanship that she, no matter what, just wouldn't be able to learn at school.

  When Ayase was in the first year of her middle school, Kaito was diagnosed with a heart disease that was impossible to cure even with cutting-edge medical treatment, and now he was barely able to swing a sword. The last time Kaito held the sword was when Ayase's admission into Hagun was decided. It was to entrust her with the secret technique that he himself had developed. To be blunt, his body was no longer in the condition to swing a sword. But, in the dojo, there were disciples who learned the Ayatsuji single-blade style from Kaito. Even if they were few in numbers, they were still warriors not unlike Ayase, whom from a young age had learned the sword under the Last Samurai.

  Among them, Sugawara from cram school, although a far cry from Kaito, was way stronger than Ayase. That was why for Ayase to receive training from him, she traveled to her home three times a week. Because she wanted to become strong enough quickly to be able to use the secret technique that her father had entrusted her with.

  Thus, commuting had, more or less, become a routine.

  But, on that day, after passing through the left, opened gate for disciples, she met with a variant that was not supposed to exist within her daily life.

  "Eh?"

  The one she encountered was a tall youth who was holding an umbrella. His hair was dyed in a light color, and there was a cigarette in his mouth. His gaze was sharp like a hungry wolf, and a tattoo of a skull could be seen from inside the untidy uniform of Donrou Academy. A youth with an atrocious yet brutal appearance who was probably worlds apart from the appreciative world of dojos or martial arts.

  Ayase, who was normally no good with the opposite sex, stepped back without thinking upon seeing the overbearing appearance of the teenager.

  "…Huhu."

  The boy, Kurashiki Kuraudo, laughed at that as if to tease her.

  "See ya."

  And disappeared into the gray town covered with clouds.

  "Who was that person…?"

  Why did someone with such a suspicious appearance come out of her house? To boot, someone who was wearing Donrou Academy's uniform. In other words, he was a Blazer. He should have no business with a swordsmanship dojo. Did he stop by to get directions or something? While thinking that, Ayase started walking towards the dojo inside the house.

  And―

  "Shit! I won't forgive that bastard!"

  The voice of Sugawara, who could be said to be Ayase's childhood friend, resounded within the dojo. Wondering what happened, Ayase hurriedly entered the dojo after sliding the door open.

  Inside the dojo the usual energetic sounds of swords could not be heard. Rather, including Sugawara, about seven disciples were standing still, doing their best to hold back their rage and shock. Their instructor, Kaito, was kneeling as well while keeping his eyes closed with a difficult expression on his face.

  "What is going on? Did something happen?"

  Ayase asked Sugawara.

  "Just now, some strange punk just suddenly intruded on us, and asked for a match with the title of this dojo at stake."

  "A dojo challenge, was it?"

  "Yeah, but Sensei's body is already worn-out, and above all the Ayatsuji single-blade style forbids such matches with stakes."

  Ayase also knew of that. The sword of Ayatsuji existed to protect. Kaito had always talked about it. It was a sword meant not to cause useless scuffles, or to show off one's strength. Under that notion, the Ayatsuji single-blade style forbade any and all fights except for official matches.

  "That is why, Instructor had refused the match, and then…."

  "That bastard insulted Instructor by calling him a coward, fiasco, and failure, and then he even spat on his face!"

  "Even though he was just a mere punk! Acting high and mighty just because he can use some ability… kuh."

  Disciples started raising their angry voices one after another. Since the time of their childhood, they had been visiting the dojo frequently, and they respected Kaito as if he were their own father. That's why they probably could not forgive that Kaito was made fun of.

  Ayase shared that feeling. Someone had spat on her father's face. Just by hearing that alone her body's temperature had risen two times.

  "Damn it, his footprints are still there. To think he came to a sacred dojo with his shoes on… tch. If Master's body was in perfect condition, that brat would have gotten his ass handed to him…."

  "That is incorrect, Nitta."

  Kaito responded in a sharp voice upon the words that one of his pupils said.

  "I couldn't have accepted even if my body was in a perfect condition, because the Ayatsuji's sword exists to protect people. It is not a sword that should be swung for useless scuffles. This is not an era to protect people with the sword, but that purpose should not be forsaken or abandoned."

  "Y-yes! I am sorry! I will reflect on this with all of my spirit."

  Nitta bowed to the reprimand, which was filled with a peaceful yet sharp tone, of Kaito.

  "Good. Others too, all of you have stopped their hand. As a punishment practice swing a thousand times!"

  After explaining Ayatsuji's sword philosophy, Kaito swiftly changed the atmosphere of the place. The disciples replied with "Osu!" and followed the order. With that the usual liveliness returned to the dojo.

  "Well then, Ayase-chan, hurry up and change into dojo clothes. After all, I can't let Ayase-chan turn into a Blazer like that who's drunk by his own power. I'll train you properly today, too."

  "Yes, please take care of me!"

  Ayase finally relaxed after seeing that the dojo had regained its energy, and hurried to the locker room.

  But, on her way… she smelled a scent that she never smelled inside the dojo. That was the smell of tobacco left behind by him. That lingering scent would always, always coil around Ayase's beloved daily life like a snake with its menacing tongue out.

  And worse, that premonition was right on.

  　※　※　※

  The next day. Just like yesterday, Ayase came to the dojo within the annoying rain.

  "Hello~ …Huh?"

  After greeting and opening the door of the dojo, she found Kaito, who was sitting on a cushion.

  "It's only you, father? It's unusual for the others to be later than me."

  "That's right, it's a first for all of them to be late at the same time."

  Kaito tilted his head, puzzled. Although all of them were never late together, there were times where one or two of them would come late. It was probably a coincidence that all of them were late together.

  "Well, they'll come around sooner or later. Now, since we're finally alone together after a long time, I'll personally see to your sword practice."

  "I am happy that you will see it, but… you're not allowed to swing the sword yourself, got it? Since Father is sick."

  "Ayase is such a worrywart. Don't worry, I'll just look it over. My body isn't in good condition because of the continuous rain these past few days."

  Ayase decided to show Kaito the stances before trying the secret technique, which she learned from him when she enrolled into Hagun Academy, while waiting for the other disciples. Ayase aimed her wooden sword, and opened her stance a tiny little bit. She lowered her waist a bit and released strength from her shoulders. She traced the movements of Kaito from within her memory of that day. One by one, carefully.

  But―

  "No."

  Kaito immediately rebuked.

  "Don't loosen your hand when you release strength from the shoulders. Tighten your wrists more, but don't put too much force. All while keeping the stances in mind."

  "Th-That is difficult."

  "If you can't do it, then you won't be able to master the secret technique. I'll show you how it's done one more time."

  After saying that Kaito reached for the wooden sword that was setup on the wall, but―

  *Stare*

  "…."

  *Stare―*

  "…I get it, I get it. I won't swing it, okay."

  Kaito surrendered by raising both of his hands up to Ayase, who was looking at him from the back with a look of reproach in her eyes.

  "For goodness sake, you really resemble your late mother in that regard. Your mother, too, reproached me by sending glares like those rather than saying it with her own mouth."

  "It's only natural, because Mother taught me that if Father ever tried to do something stupid, I can stop him by doing that."

  "It's not funny to be dominated by both generations of mother and daughter."

  Kaito sighed once, and moved towards Ayase's back. He hugged her from behind and held on to her hands, which were gripping the wooden sword.

  "Listen well: keep your wrists at this angle. The vital point behind this secret technique is not to disturb the stances by inserting too much power."

  While explaining the vital point of the secret technique, which he had entrusted her with when she was going to go to Hagun, Kaito was simultaneously helping Ayase with her posture. Feeling the sensation of rough and stiff palms that were wrapped around her hands...

  …They are big, Father's hands.

  Ayase loved that sensation which could not be referred to as gentle.

  Now that I think about it…. It's been a long time since the he last taught me this way.

  "…Fufu."

  When she became conscious of that, for some reason she became extremely happy. Ayase squeaked out a smile.

  "What happened? Laughing all of a sudden."

  "It's nothing. I just thought it's been long time since Father taught me various things in this manner. I was somewhat happy about it."

  Ayase suddenly leaned on Kaito's thick chest and brought her face closer.

  *Ba-bump Ba-bump* While listening to her beloved father's heartbeat―

  "…It would be nice if such a gentle time continues forever."

  She whispered to herself.

  "…."

  Words from Kaito didn't follow. Of course, because Kaito knew that wish couldn't come true. Of course, Ayase, too, knew that. Kaito no longer had very long to live. The time when this heartbeat, which she was listening to right now, would stop was steadily approaching. That is why Kaito had taught the immature Ayase the secret technique which she could not handle right now.

  For how many more years would Father be able to live?

  She had already made her resolve to part with him. But that was why Ayase wished that the last day to be as tender as this moment.

  -And that wish was betrayed in the cruelest of ways.

  In that moment, the sliding door of the dojo suddenly opened. Ayase and Kaito turn their eyes over to the entrance, thinking that finally the disciples had come. Certainly, there was one of the disciples there. It was Sugawara.

  But―

  "Su-Sugawara-san―!"

  Ayase's face turned pale in an instant. That was because Sugawara was there in a form that was painful to look at with bandages and gauze all over his body and face.

  "Those injuries, just what happened?"

  Kaito, who was shocked too, rushed to Sugawara's side.

  Upon seeing his instructor run up to him, Sugawara for almost burst into tears, and...

  "Instructor…. I, I am so sorry!"

  Just like that prostrated, almost like hitting his head on the floor of the dojo. Although his face couldn't be seen, his sobbing voice could be heard.

  Kaito immediately understood that it wasn't something trivial.

  "Raise your head. These injuries… it seems you didn't get these by falling down or something. Just what happened?"

  "Th-That is, we were done in by that man who came by yesterday…."

  "What…!?"

  "Yesterday night, when we were on our way back from dojo, he was waiting to ambush us seven…. Then, all of sudden he attacked us with a stick! That guy is insane! Without any hesitation he tried to smash other people's heads. He is insane, mad I tell you…. That's why, with no other way out, all of us fought back, but…."

  Sugawara sobbed heavily once at that point, and―

  "We were helpless! All seven of us together weren't even able to touch him when he wasn't using his ability, nor was he even covering his body with mana."

  "…!"

  Ayase gulped, shocked upon hearing those words. Including Sugawara, other disciples too, like Ayase, had been learning the sword of Ayatsuji since their childhood―and for them to be that helpless against someone.

  That guy, he was that strong….

  "Even though we were trained by Instructor for so many years… we were played around with by that delinquent! I am very sorry!"

  "You don't have to apologize anymore! More importantly, are the others all right!?"

  "…Nitta was beaten to a pulp and that's why she was treated with a capsule, but all of the others were hospitalized. "

  Capsules could only be used by claiming health insurance; otherwise it would be very costly. Therefore, it seemed within the seven of them, with Sugawara and Nitta out, five of them were still confined to bed. The ones with severe injuries were diagnosed with injuries such as their arms would never return to normal, et cetera.

  After confessing all of that, at last Sugawara raised his head.

  "Sensei… we were able to come this far because we admired you. We wanted become proud men like Sensei, but… I really don't want to say this but just what were we doing for so many years…!?"