Chapter 305

Chapter Thirty-Six You Have a Great Big Brother

“Um~ This is a truly personal matter sparring, desu.”

Kain sat on a pale yellow suit, removed the cup lid of Go’s water, blew at the steam rising from the hot water, and leisurely enjoyed someone else’s tea.

“Five Wood—keep going, desu!”

As for Ash? He wouldn’t have any problems.

“Drink!”

Perhaps due to the encouragement from Kain, Five Wood’s movements quickened a bit.

“That’s right! Keep it up!”

Although training in the Myodo style mainly focused on cultivating the mind, it didn’t mean that this school did not emphasize martial arts practice. In fact, by consistently training until now, Five Wood could say with confidence that she would stand a chance even against five adults, provided she wasn’t wielding weapons.

At this moment, Five Wood clenched her teeth and, listening to the bleeping sounds of Timons, punched out strikes as textbook perfect as they come.

Straight punch, hook, uppercut! Direct gaze, side kick, snapping leg—round after round! Little room filled with the sound of feet hitting tatami mat.

Ash continuously defended, absorbed, and dodged while meeting Five Wood’s attacks head-on. Faced with such a high-reactivity but non-retaliatory “punching bag,” Five Wood found herself getting more and more enthused, her hands becoming increasingly quick, nearly exceeding her previous records.

“Flaw!”

“You’re wrong, that’s a flaw I’m allowing you.”

You’re not one to nag about catching flaws.

Ash’s face brushed past the young girl’s punch as he pushed his palm onto her elbow, his iron fist like a dragon capturing her entire arm rapidly; Five Wood’s body instantly slipped away from gravity’s control. In the quick transition, her vision quickly changed to the ceiling.

“Hah…Hah…Haaa…”

Five Wood, sprawled on the ground in an “X” shape, drew deep breaths of fresh air, feeling incredibly relieved from the heat and exertion.

“I…Thank…”

Is he helping me release pent-up emotions?

Should I thank him?

“Good spirit.” Ash’s masked face entered her view from above her head, just covering the ceiling light. “But aside from speed, your blows are all over the place.”

Initially, she was applying learned routines, but eventually, it became like a child swinging their punches aimlessly, attacking for the sake of attacking. If the other students in the dojo were present, they might question if the girl before them is truly their highly skilled senior apprentice.

“All your heart is reflected in your punches.” Raising her left hand, which had become disoriented due to exhaustion, then carelessly releasing it.

“What martial arts boils down to is heart, body, skill; you have an unwavering determination, you train your physique to be stronger than the average boy, and you naturally possess a talent without technique differences. Then why do I rate you so low?”

Kain took out a sweat-absorbing paper towel and placed it on Five Wood’s face.

“I guess you’ve already figured it out. After all, you aren’t as clueless as the blue guy.”

“I understand.” Without noticing that Ash was dissing another blue dummy, Five Wood nodded. “Mr. Timons says that without liking something, one cannot go far—does this mean I lack my own opinions and cognition?”

“There’s a nuance, but not much difference.” With a snap on her forehead, Ash couldn’t help smiling at her expression when she covered her head with a groan.

“Wanting your grandmaster to take pride in you, to be everyone’s role model. Because these things are what others hope and expect, you train for this kind of correctness without ever striking for yourself—this absence of self-judgment is precisely it.”

Ash didn’t specifically inquire, knowing nothing about Five Wood’s background, yet just by observing her appearance, he could conjure up at least five stories with an 80% likelihood of similarity.

“Just on that front, that punk who challenged you is more capable. At least he strikes for himself, and indeed, he wants to prove to everyone because he loves the Myodo style.”

“So, how does Myodo Five Wood think?”

…

“You can’t work hard for someone else’s dreams?”

Certainly, the Pretty Cures saved many people, weren’t they also fighting for others?

“Don’t get it confused.” Ash spotted her actual thoughts. “Some fight for others’ smiles, some for keeping promises. Fundamentally, it’s all about striving for one’s chosen path!”

Because they all clearly know what they are doing.

“Acting driven by inner inspiration, doing what one believes is right— isn’t that also fighting for oneself because one likes it?”

This was her first time hearing such logic, which sounded almost paradoxical, yet she found no grounds to refute it.

“How could a strike made only for someone else compare to those made for oneself?”

“But given that you’ve trained in Myodo for others…” Hearing footsteps approach, Ash pointed towards the door. “Why not listen to others?”

“Five Wood, may I come in?”

“Brother! Wait up!” At the sound of her beloved brother, Five Wood sat up sharply, especially flustered by seeing Ash, sitting cross-legged behind her with a carefree smile.

What would happen if brother sees this? He’ll definitely misunderstand!

“Well, Brother, please don’t enter! Just… I was exercising and am very dirty, it would inconvenience brother. So, please don’t enter!”

Five Wood spoke half-truths, but it worked, stopping Gao in his tracks.

“Then I will talk through the door.”

Leaning against it, siblings shared their conversation through a thin wooden door.

“Grandfather said that martial arts is the extremity of life, not merely for such a thing, right?” Gao asked, recalling.

“Yes—noted! But that’s not—”

“No, not that way at all. Grandfather was not criticizing you, but encouraging you to follow your heart.” Seeing her flustered, Gao gently smiled.

“Grandfather has always been concerned and worried about you.”

“My…heart?”

Her eyes involuntarily looked at him, is this not the same as what he mentioned “truly loving”?

“Really grateful, Five Wood sacrificing for the family.”

Finally finding the courage, Head Elder shared long-hidden words.

“Yet, I wish Five Wood will live more for oneself, follow your heart.”

That’s what grandfather, mom and dad, everyone hopes for.

Just a bit envious~

Seeing Kai wiping Five Wood’s face with a tissue, Ash felt a stir of jealousy, even more vexed by the reason behind it.

Forget it…I really am changing.

Judging by the elder brother’s departure, Ash extended a hand towards crouching Five Wood.

“Even without strength, he’s still a person envied for being a great elder brother.”

“Bam!”

Hand clasped tightly.

“Of course, we are family!”