Volume 6 - CH 9

Touno Tatsuyuki

A week later, I visited the coffee shop again.

To be honest, I highly doubt that today will be fruitful.

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“Hello.”

“Hideyor~i!”

“You’re energetic today Sakuya.”

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The moment I arrived, I was greeted by Sakuya’s bright voice.

Where did the prickly attitude from when we first met disappeared to I wonder? Lately, I felt that her expressions have become a lot softer.

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“Hideyori, I like yo~u.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

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While patting Sakuya’s head, I turned toward Master’s standing counter.

Seeing that, Sakuya said [Come on, let’s head in] and guided me to the counter stool.

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“Good afternoon, Master.”

“Afternoon, you really came huh.”

“You were the one who told me to come right…….”

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I arrived exactly at the promised time but no one aside from me, Sakuya, and Master are here.

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“Gyaru-Master’s little brother is supposed to be here already though……”

“I don’t see him……..”

“Hideyori and Master got tricked?”

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What Sakuya said sounds plausible.

Certainly, things moved so quickly after I consulted Master about wanting to get stronger. It was like some gag-manga development.

In fact, everything might have been one big gag.

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“It’s terrible to accuse someone like that isn’t it. I’m right here ain’t I.”

“Woah!?”

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Before I knew it, a man was already sitting next to me.

Amazing, so this is the person Gyaru-Master sent over.

Even though this is our first meeting, I can tell that his strength is in a different dimension.

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“Hi, I’m Touno Tatsuyuki.”

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He has straight hair which looks like it was forcibly dyed blonde from its original black color. From what I can see, he seems to be about 10 years older than me

He’s quite tall and his face seems androgynous but he somehow exudes sex appeal. I can tell that he’s a popular guy.

Moreover, from his general atmosphere to aura, this guy is insane.

If he gets serious, he might even be able to take down a bear or a lion on his own.

For some reason, I felt like he’s stronger than any characters that appeared in [Breaking the Chain of Sadness].

Maybe he’s even stronger than the mastermind……?

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“I heard from my sister, the one who said he wanted to get stronger was you right?”

“Y, Yes. I’m Akechi Hideyori.”

“And I’m the beauty who’s currently in love with Hideyori, Tanikawa Sakuya!”

“Can you stop with the weird introduction!”

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Touno-san’s face went blank at Sakuya’s absurd self-introduction for a moment before he tapped my shoulder.

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“You, you’re the same as me. There must be a lot of weird women hanging around you right?”

“…….yes.”

“Ahh……so we’re comrade huh…… excuse me, can I have a glass of iced coffee?”

When Touno-san placed his order, Master put on his work mode and replied with [Certainly.]

It’s pretty unusual to see him serving a customer like this.

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“Akechi Hideyori huh. That’s a nice name.”

“Touno-san, Thank you.”

Hearing his positive reaction to my name, I was genuinely happy. People tend to get weird after hearing it after all.

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“But if you’re already on this route, going with Akechi Mitsuhide might be better you know.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Want to change it?”

“No, I think I will be fine as I am……..”

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That was some ridiculous advice.

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“So………., Akechi Hideyori, was it?”

“Yes, Akechi Hideyori!”

“Sorry, sorry, I tend to forget people’s names you see.”

“Is that so…….”

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It doesn’t seem like Touno-san meant anything bad by it.

After that, he received a glass of iced coffee from Master and he seemed to be pleased with it.

Then after a sip, he put down the glass and stared at me.

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“You know, I think you’re already strong enough.”

“Eh…..? You can tell? And you think I’m strong?”

“You’re strong. Against an ordinary person, you should be able to beat them up with no problem right. There’s no need for you to get any stronger.”

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Casually, he tried to turn me down.

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“You cur, you can tell that Hideyori is strong?”

(TLN: Reminder, Sakuya always calls others [Kisama] meaning [you bastard], etc.)

“…….you should stop calling someone cur at your first meeting okay. You will be hated you know? …….well, to answer your question, Hideyori is strong, super strong in fact.”

“What about me? Am I strong? I can even do a double under with a jump rope you know.”

“You’re weak, very.”

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Touno-san answered with a bitter smile.

This person is amazing…..

He entered the coffee shop without anyone noticing and he was able to gauge my strength……..

He even managed to correctly judge Sakuya…….

Truly amazing…….

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“Touno-san! I want to get stronger! I want to overcome my limits!”

“Give it up. Too strong a power can destroy a person after all.”

“Please……I have to get stronger no matter what……..”

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To survive.

To not die.

And to protect.

I need to get stronger to achieve those.

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“You can always take a boxing or karate class.”

“No, I don’t want such child play.”

“If you lead a normal life then there’s no problem with staying at that level right. Give it up.”

“No, I can’t afford to stay like that…….I need a real training.”

“……..are you serious?”

“I am.”

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Even though he didn’t appear at all in the game, he’s so strong.

There’s no way I am gonna pass up an opportunity to study under such a person.

Besides, I was charmed by this man’s strange charisma.

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“I’m telling you to give up for your own sake. Wanting to get stronger = Intense Training is already outdated thinking. The most efficient way to become stronger is just to keep up with the daily workout, that’s the best way.”

“I’ve been doing that every day! But I still want to break another wall.”

“If that’s the case then you should just learn some weapon techniques. Even a child can make an adult bleed with the right tool after all. It’s something pro-wrestlers learn too. If you want to challenge yourself then that’s perfect isn’t it.”

“I want to become so strong that I can win against the blade with my fist! You can call me naive but I want to be as strong as you, Touno-san!”

“Are you serious about this? Did you truly mean what you said?”

“Yes. It was my honest feelings.”

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Touno-san slowly scrutinized me with his gaze.

In return, I stared him straight in the eyes.

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“No, you better give up. If you want to get stronger then you should just use weapons.”

“Even if I use weapons, it would be useless if my body can’t move. I need to start with the basics. You can teach me that right, Touno-san.”

“Do you seriously want to learn from me?”

“Yes, I am.”

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Touno-san takes a sip of his coffee and sighs.

“I see…….you’re serious huh…….” he muttered.

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“………nah, you better stop. If you want to win against someone stronger then just go with a surprise attack.”

“Can you stop!? How many times do we have to repeat this!? I can’t keep repeating myself forever you know!?”

“Learning how to deal with weapons, using weapons myself, surprise attack!? You’re just shifting the topic aren’t you!”

“I mean……uhh….hm? You really want me to train you, Hideyori…….?”

“Yes. Please train me.”

“……….I found a leaflet of a judo class for elementary and middle schoolers this morning, do you want to take a look?”

“NO NEED!”

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It seems that both Sakuya and Master also noticed.

This man is a complete weirdo.

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“……….you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Give up, okay. One shouldn’t seek strength for conflict………I will give you a coupon for a nearby gym so just give it up alright.”

“Touno-san!”

“There’s this good meditation video I found on Youtube, it has more than 30 likes so—……..”

“Touno-sa~~~n!!”

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I pleaded to Touno-san who is still hell-bent on turning me down.

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“……..Fine, I understand. I will do it……”

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Despite his reluctance, I managed to pull out a YES from him.

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“Even though I always tried to refuse, why does it end up like this every time I wonder……..I thought people would just give up if I tell them that they’re already strong enough you know…….in fact, I planned to do just that and go back home today……”

“I will pay you so please…….”

“No need. Nee-san would give me an earful if I take your money…….if you really want to thank me then you can provide me with some Sawamura Yama materials. Either Book or DVD is fine.”

“Of course. In fact, it doesn’t have to be just Sawamura Yama, please ask for any model you want.”

“You’re badder than I thought, kid.”

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We smile evilly at each other.

Meanwhile, Master and Sakuya merely look at the two weirdos in silence.

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“Well, this is going to be a long relationship. It’s nice to meet you, Hideyori.”

“Yes, Touno-san. ………ah, maybe I should call you Tatsuyuki-san instead?”

“I’m fine with either.”

“Then, please take good care of me, Tatsuyuki-san.”

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And thus, to get some real training, I became a disciple of Touno Tatsuyuki.

TLN: this smells very much like a shonen trope….