It was Monday after school, at the start of a new week.
Chihaya Rei changed into his sportswear and headed to a shady corner of the sports field.
He had washed the clothes beforehand, but every now and then, he still caught the distinctive smell of new fabric.
Come to think of it, Advanced Nurturing High School really did like the color red. The uniform jackets were red, and so were the tracksuit pants and long jackets.
Chihaya Rei surveyed the sports field. There weren't many people around, just a few students taking part in club activities.
"You're right on time."
Before long, Karuizawa Kei walked over in red track pants and a white T-shirt. Chihaya Rei gave her a word of praise.
With her hair tied in a high ponytail, the back of her slender, pale neck was exposed.
"Mm..."
Karuizawa Kei nodded, then asked somewhat awkwardly, "Are you going to train me here?"
But in her heart, she couldn't help grumbling. Why would she ever come to the sports field to bake in the sun after school?
Normally, she'd bring Matsushita Chiaki and Sato Maya along to check out new shops, go shopping, and buy clothes.
Still, she was a little excited about Chihaya Rei teaching her how to fight.
"That's right."
Chihaya Rei nodded.
A few days earlier, at the karaoke place, he'd carefully observed Karuizawa Kei's limbs and waist.
Karuizawa Kei had a very well-proportioned figure, and her body was flexible. She was also tall enough compared to most girls.
Her arms were a little soft, but with his training, he was sure...
She'd have no trouble dealing with those few real delinquents from Class C.
As she gradually grew stronger, Karuizawa Kei would also be able to build up her confidence.
Just then, Karuizawa Kei noticed a rope tied around Chihaya Rei's waist.
Was he going to make her jump rope?
Noticing her gaze, Chihaya Rei untied the rope from his waist. On closer inspection, it was actually a long whip.
He smiled kindly and said,
"This is to keep you on your toes."
He'd spent quite a while looking for this whip at Keyaki Mall.
At first, he'd tried several stationery stores, but they'd all told him they didn't sell pointer sticks.
Luckily, he'd finally spotted some long whips for sale in a bedding store.
Honestly, how could anyone use such a dangerous thing in bed?
Some people really did have the strangest kinks.
To keep this dangerous item from harming anyone else, Chihaya Rei bought all the ones left in the store under the saleswoman's curious gaze.
"Huh?"
Karuizawa Kei's eyes widened, and she took a step back.
Getting hit with something like that would hurt, wouldn't it?
Karuizawa Kei suddenly thought Chihaya Rei was a demon.
Seeing her reaction, Chihaya Rei added, "Don't worry. I won't actually hurt you."
He hadn't planned to use it to bully Karuizawa Kei. At most, he'd crack it against the air or the ground to keep her from slacking off—and to bolster his authority as her trainer.
Chihaya Rei put the whip away and asked, "How's your stamina?"
"About average..." Karuizawa Kei replied.
"Then let's start with an 800-meter lap around the field to warm up."
Chihaya Rei pointed at the track and gave the order.
"Okay."
A little while later.
"Four minutes and thirty-six seconds." Chihaya Rei glanced at the timer on his phone and said flatly, "Yeah, that's pretty average."
That pace barely met the passing standard.
But Karuizawa Kei was already panting, beads of sweat forming on her cheeks.
"Here. Don't drink too much at once."
Chihaya Rei tossed her a bottle of Pocari Sweat to replenish her energy.
The whip had been the stick; the drink was the carrot.
That was what it meant to use both the carrot and the stick.
"Thanks."
Holding the cold drink, Karuizawa Kei felt much better. She blinked in surprise as she looked at Chihaya Rei.
Maybe Chihaya Rei wasn't that scary after all?
But right afterward, Chihaya Rei told her to hurry up and follow him back to the shady spot beneath the big tree.
"When girls fight, what do they usually do?" Chihaya Rei asked.
Karuizawa Kei thought about it before answering, "Slap each other, pull at their clothes, and yank each other's hair?"
Chihaya Rei looked as though he'd expected that answer.
Usually, he'd stop to enjoy the sight if he came across a scene like that. But this time, he shook his head.
"That's not enough. All you'll do is grapple with each other for no reason."
A knowing smile spread across Chihaya Rei's face.
"There's one part of the body that's extremely vulnerable, no matter whether you're a man or a woman. If it's hit unexpectedly, it hurts like hell, and you instinctively protect it. Do you know where?"
Karuizawa Kei paused, then looked down at a certain spot below Chihaya Rei's waist.
"Th-there?"
She only glanced at it before quickly turning her head away, her cheeks faintly red.
"Exactly. The groin. Guys usually avoid hitting that area when they fight each other," Chihaya Rei said calmly.
"But you're a girl. Especially when you're facing people who are trying to bully you, you don't need to hold back."
"Besides, it's a useful move for catching a stronger opponent off guard."
Chihaya Rei went on to teach Karuizawa Kei some practical fighting techniques and explain the vulnerable parts of the body. He also demonstrated the movements himself.
For instance, before attacking, stagger your feet and lower your center of gravity.
And when making a fist, tense the knuckles and align them with your target. Put your body weight behind your punch, then quickly bring your arms back to guard.
When you can't dodge an attack, it's best to take the force on the outside of your forearm, then seize the chance to counterattack...
After explaining all that, Chihaya Rei's mouth felt dry, so he took a drink of water to wet his throat.
He had no idea how much Karuizawa Kei had taken in, but he didn't expect her to remember everything at once. She'd need plenty of practice.
"Come on. Try attacking me now. Don't hold back. I won't fight back."
After a brief moment of thought, Chihaya Rei spoke. Theory had to be put into practice.
Besides, after being bullied, Karuizawa Kei had been left with serious psychological scars. She didn't dare stand up to anyone more forceful than her, let alone fight back.
Having Karuizawa Kei attack him now could help her gradually overcome her fear.
Hearing Chihaya Rei's words, Karuizawa Kei nervously swallowed.
Her brain had taken in so much information just now that she'd only understood some of it.
She lowered her head and looked at her hands. How long had it been since she'd made a fist?
The thought of actually attacking Chihaya Rei made her feel timid, but at the same time, a little excited.
Still, she could tell that Chihaya Rei was sincerely trying to teach her. He wouldn't really hurt her—that was what Karuizawa Kei believed.
As she watched Chihaya Rei's face, complicated feelings welled up inside Karuizawa Kei. She didn't want to let him down, so she clenched her fist and shouted as loudly as she had all day.
"Okay, here I come!"
"Now that's the spirit!"
And so, as the sun sank toward the horizon, Chihaya Rei's first special training session with Karuizawa Kei continued until sunset.
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