Sugawara Yuu had a secret.
He did not know when it had started, but there was an extra binding on him.
He could not find the reason, and even the specific content of the binding was not very clear. It simply coiled around Sugawara Yuu silently and vaguely, and no matter what, he could not undo it.
For a sorcerer, this was an extremely dangerous, even fatal thing.
Could it be that someone was able to make him establish a binding without him noticing at all?
Sugawara Yuu did not think so.
The conditions for a binding to be established were very strict. It could only be formed if the person involved consented willingly.
For reasons he himself did not know, he did not tell any of his clan members about this binding. If the clan members found out, they would certainly be greatly alarmed and try every possible means to undo his binding.
Because Sugawara Yuu was one of the strongest sorcerers in all of present-day Heian-kyō, second to none, and Sugawara Yuu, Asakura Yewang, and Gojo Tomo were precisely the three strongest sorcerers in Japan right now.
Asakura Yewang was responsible for matters such as divination of fortune and misfortune in the capital, and could only go out to provide support when the number of demons and monsters outside the capital reached a certain level. Gojo Tomo, meanwhile, had long been guarding Tengen’s barrier, preventing evil spirits from invading. In this way, only Sugawara Yuu had enough strength to deal with the strong curses among the common people.
He nearly shouldered 50 percent of the dangerous commissions by himself, slept only seven hours a week, and rushed nonstop along the road of exorcising demons.
Lacking sleep, with fatigue piling up, and after seeing too many tragedies among the common people in the world, Sugawara Yuu had long grown fed up with the struggles of the clan, and even secretly harbored anger toward the nobles who lived in luxury and knew nothing of hardship. The boy ignored the strange looks of others and cut off the long hair that symbolized nobility. When someone asked him about it, Sugawara Yuu only said, “It makes it easier to kill ghosts.” Ordinary people feared the unfathomable Sugawara sorcerer, and thus did not dare to gossip any more.
This kind of ascetic life seemed to have already become part of Sugawara Yuu. He spent the year running around outside, willingly camping in the wilderness and keeping company with dry bones; or teaching juniors and giving guidance to colleagues in the Onmyōryō; and he did not want to return to the nobles who drowned themselves in wine and pleasure.
He had no wheel tracks in his travels, no house in his dwelling, lived beneath the sky and on the ground, and went wherever he pleased. [[1]]
As for that binding that had appeared soundlessly…
Sugawara Yuu looked at the black curse that seemed to drift in and out of view around his hand, and revealed a thoughtful smile.
Now, he already knew the answer.
This was the binding Sugawara Yuu had set on himself.
Perhaps in a previous life, perhaps in his future self, he had made a vow to always be with her… This powerful cursed energy and these words had actually crossed time and affected every “Sugawara Yuu.”
“The first time I saw her, I knew it… this binding was born for her. No matter where she goes, I will be by her side. This binding will guide me to find her.”
The boy stared at the pitch-black curse on his hand, and his eyes were actually dyed a deep blue by the cursed energy that he unconsciously emitted. The smile on his face made Gojo Tomo’s scalp tingle a little.
“Hey, hey~ Yuu-chan, no matter how you look at it, this is a bit over the top…” The white-haired head of the Gojo family leaned listlessly against the corridor pillar, his pair of sky-like blue eyes examining his junior, his expression somewhat subtle.
The Gojo family was a branch of the Sugawara clan, so the two of them could be considered relatives. The unruly and uninhibited Gojo Tomo and the gloomy, cold Sugawara Yuu, two equally out-of-place guys, actually got along unexpectedly well once they spent time together.
Their relationship was part teacher, part friend, so Sugawara Yuu could tell Gojo Tomo many things he would not tell anyone else, like this binding.
But now, looking at the obsession that was unconsciously erupting from his own junior, Gojo Tomo raised a hand and rubbed his chin.
Yuu is usually always the kind of person who is easy to talk to. No matter how troublesome or difficult a commission is, even if he has to go thousands of miles away, he will still complete it seriously. But once he sets his mind on something, that shadow of obsession is everywhere, soaking into his bones.
Having a person he likes is something he is very happy for, sure… but staring at a girl he has just met with this kind of look like he wants to follow her to the ends of the earth, isn’t that a little…
At that time, Gojo Tomo still did not know of the existence of this creature called a “stalker.” Otherwise, he might have suddenly come to a realization.
“Yuu-chan, it’s better to restrain yourself a little when it comes to someone you like, okay? Such strong possessiveness will scare her away, won’t it?”
“Hm? It’s not possessiveness. I don’t regard her as private property… Tomo-san won’t understand. This is the one-of-a-kind bond between me and Hoshi. I will always be with her, whether it’s exorcising demons or saving people, doing anything… together, we will make this world a better place.”
…Look at the things you’re saying. Don’t you have any self-awareness yourself?
Gojo Tomo was at a loss for words. “…Yuu-chan, for next month’s work, how about I go instead.”
If this child didn’t calm down soon, was he really going to be okay?
But Sugawara Yuu smiled as if nothing was the matter and said something rather frightening if one thought about it carefully: “No need. Hoshi will definitely go too. I will go with her. Even if it’s Tomo-san, I won’t give you this chance. Besides… if Tomo-san doesn’t stay in the capital, they will go insane.”
“Do you want to hear what kind of terrifying things you’re saying… Aaaah, it would be great if you could learn teleportation sooner.”
As soon as he brought up those high-ranking officials and elders, Gojo Tomo’s expression became somewhat dark, and irritation slowly crept up his face.
“Don’t go too far, Yuu-chan. If Asakura Yewang goes crazy, I’ll have a headache too.”
“I’m not playing around at all.” Sugawara Yuu stood up, looked at the sun rising on the horizon, and revealed a clean, youthful smile, finally looking a bit like a boy. “It’s almost time… I’m looking forward to it, Hoshi.”
I want to take my swordsmanship, little by little, and blend it all into your way of thinking… every move, every technique, even the awareness and habits of battle, all of it will be my shadow…
In that way, we can be together forever too… Hoshi.
…
~Sugawara Minami Dojo, hour of the dragon~
Sugawara Yuu had already changed into a kendo uniform. The black, fitted clothing displayed the boy’s clear and bright bearing to the fullest, and even his pale skin and dark circles did not look quite so tired anymore.
He was holding out a kendo uniform of white top and black hakama to Sakurai Hoshi, with a considerate smile on his face. “If you’re practicing martial arts, Hoshi still needs to wear clothes that are easier to move in. Just leave this set at the dojo. Someone will wash it, and when you come, you can just change into it.”
That’s pretty convenient.
The player lady, who had not at all remembered to change into training clothes, hugged the clothes and ran into the room, let the system change her outfit with one click, and the heavy, beautiful clothing on her body was automatically folded and placed to the side.
She looked at the image the system showed of herself. Yep! Sakurai Hoshi-sama with her hair tied in a ponytail and wearing a kendo uniform was still the most handsome in the world! The player-sama was about to become the number one kendo master under heaven!
…Sorry, Sakurai Hoshi-sama talked big.
The player who had boasted grandly made a lightning-fast repentance.
Sakurai Hoshi was heartbroken.
Why did this guy even in terms of strictness look so much like Yuta…! This degree of similarity makes one completely unable to be happy at all!!
“Y, Yuu…” That was close, she almost called him Yuta again. Sakurai Hoshi-sama, who had already gotten used to clutching Okkotsu Yuta’s thigh and begging for mercy, now also unconsciously revealed somewhat pitiful eyes. “C, can I… stop now?”
Push-ups, chair-supported push-ups, and other basic training were the hardest to endure. Even with the buff from 【The Fool’s Pope】, more than an hour of continuous exercise made the player lady suffer terribly.
Sugawara Yuu could not help moving the fingers of the hand holding the wooden sword.
Mm… the way she acts spoiled and weak is also very cute…
“Not yet. Hoshi has already persisted this long. Can you work a little harder? Bring out your limits and let me see them?” The boy with black hair and snow-white skin looked at her tenderly, but the wooden sword in his hand mercilessly tapped her on the waist where she was slacking off. “Here, use force. You don’t have enough muscle, so you must train your muscle groups with the most basic exercises…”
How exactly had such a weak body managed to keep going through mountains and rivers…
He heard that before meeting Asakura Yewang, she had been walking without sleep or rest… It was hard to imagine.
“…You’ve always worked very hard, Hoshi. I will help you with everything I’ve got.” Saying this, Sugawara Yuu showed no intention at all of holding back, and the gaze fixed on her became serious to the point of being somewhat frightening. “No matter what, I will teach you all of my swordsmanship…”
The player, tired like a dead dog: Thanks, I’m very touched.
…
By the time training ended, Sakurai Hoshi’s sweat had soaked the entire outfit.
Outside of training, Sugawara Yuu was truly a very considerate and easy-to-talk-to person. Not only did he take her to enjoy a luxurious hot spring bath, he also ate very delicious food together with her… the player’s stamina bar basically shot up nonstop.
“It’s getting late today. Hoshi still has a commission to do, right?” After soaking in the hot spring, Sugawara Yuu was only wearing a simple yukata, and his hair was still slightly damp. The way he looked at Sakurai Hoshi seemed even a little moist. “That hot spring you soaked in, I set it aside just for you… if Hoshi wants to soak in it in the future, you can come anytime. I won’t let anyone else use it.”
“Today’s swordsmanship’s ‘bravery, persistence, effort,’ Hoshi did them all very well. Tomorrow, let’s work hard together again, okay?” The elegant and clear boy smiled at her in the sunset, and the fire-red clouds on the horizon set off his picturesque brows and eyes, making him especially warm and bright.
Hiss.
This time, the player lady was really a little moved.
Sugawara Yuu really was a very good teacher… although he really was strict. But if he weren’t strict, the player lady who hated exercise would probably have a hard time becoming a true ten-mile slope sword god…
After a day’s practice, the faint grudge in her heart also dispersed. No matter what relationship Sugawara Yuu and Yuta had, they were both people who sincerely wanted to help her.
All right! It’s decided! My cheat-code grandpa, Sugawara Yuu-chan!
Sakurai Hoshi relaxed and made a joke: “Yeees~ thank you, teacher~ see you tomorrow…”
“Ah…” The boy who had been called “teacher” immediately blushed red with embarrassment. “Don’t call me that… Hoshi…!”
Author’s note: 【Yuta’s emotions are too intense Yuta’s emotions are too intense Yuta’s emotions are too intense】
This chapter is just a little appetizer. Tomorrow I’ll do something big… I wonder how much you can take…
The star will be hurt, and will be healed.
Zen’in Shōya is Zen’in Naoya’s previous life. Star’s brain-dead fan.
[[1]] From Ruan Ji’s “Jiu De Song” of the Wei and Jin periods. Thank you to the little angels who threw mines or irrigated nutrient solutions for me during 2022-11-12 35:35:17 to 2022-11-13 21:42:03~
Thank you to the little angel who threw a hand grenade: Ju ge li zi, 1.
Thank you to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Mortali, flash 50 bottles; Mie Qing, Mo Mo Deng Dai 20 bottles; 40719941, Feng Qiao, (σ′▽‵)′▽‵)σ, Zi He, Ji Jin Chi 10 bottles; Lan… what was it again 9 bottles; Ni Ni my original fate, Sai Fei Er 5 bottles; He Wan Mai Wai Fu, 51294155 3 bottles; Tuan Zi Da Wang, Ye Zhiqiu, Mute 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for everyone’s support. I will keep working hard!