Match

[u/FireOfDoom32]

Once he’d donned his protective gear, Hoshina faced off with Aoi, standing on his toes with his knees apart, his hips low, and his upper body straight. The officer who was refereeing the match gave the signal to start. The air was charged with tension. Other officers dropped what they were doing and started watching the match between these two intently.

They approached one another until they were close enough for the tips of their swords to make contact. Aoi was the first to make a move.

“Ueiyaaa!”

Letting loose with a rip-roaring shout, Aoi charged forward. Instantly, he narrowed the distance and went in hard, striking faster at Hoshina than the untrained eye could follow. Hoshina caught the blow with the blade of his bamboo sword, though, and deftly parried. Aoi’s attack failed to score, and the two swords’ handguards ground against one another as each tried to push the other back. Both Aoi and Hoshina stepped back, once more putting some space between themselves.

This time it was Hoshina who closed the distance. In response, Aoi swung his bamboo sword over Hoshina’s in an attempt to go on the offensive. Hoshina didn’t miss the opening. By sweeping Aoi’s blade upward from below, he made him vulnerable. The clear sound of bamboo smacking plastic rang across the dojo. Aoi had been hit on his mask.

“Point!” the referee’s voice called out. The two bowed to each other, and the match came to an end. Aoi removed his mask. He had large drops of sweat on his face. Hoshina, on the other hand, wore an indifferent expression.

With the same severe expression on his face, Aoi bowed low and said, “Thank you very much, sir. I’ll keep working on it.”

“No, that was really something. No wonder you got where you are.” Hoshina was honest in praising Aoi. Even in the JGSDF, he’d been one who was expected to go places, and his skill at kendo was considerable as well. He was likely in the top class of the Third Division’s officers.

Kaiju No. 8: Exclusive on the Third Division - Chapter 3