Paper Planes

Kabanata 17

KABANATA 17

"Instead of the usual best of five battles that we do, for today, each team shall select their best kendouka who will fight the opposing team for the championship."

"What? Championship na agad? Hindi ba iko-consider iyong scores ng ibang teams?" Bulong ko sa katabi na muling umusog palayo.

"Whoever wins shall earn his place for the nationals next year," pagpapatuloy ng aming Master.

"Didn't he say that there'll be two spots for the nationals next year? Anong nangyari roon?" Bulong ko naman sa isa pang katabi.

"If you don't shut up, Moritake, I'll drag you out of this hall myself!"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig at sinilip ang pinuno ng aming kupunan. Tuwid ang likod nitong nakaupo habang diretsong nakatingin sa pwesto ng aming katunggali. Katulad ng iba naming mga kasama, wala ring bahid ang anyo nito ng kahit konting pag-angal sa mga pagbabago.

"The Kurozawa Masters shall decide the final winner for this competition."

Muli kong ibinalik ang paningin sa pwesto ng mga pinuno ng imperyo at bahagyang nagulat nang makitang pareho itong nakatingin sa aking kinauupuan. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at itinuon iyon sa aking harapan. Sinalubong naman ang mga mata ko ng titig ni Kira na kahit nakangiti, ramdam pa rin ang namumuong tensiyon sa loob nito. Tila hindi niya rin nagugustuhan ang mga nangyayari.

"We'll be giving you one minute to decide who among yourselves shall represent your team," sabi ni Shishou bago naglabas ng timer mula sa bulsa ng kanyang hakama at pumindot ng buton, "Your time starts now."

Mabilis kaming kumilos at hinarap ang isa't isa.

"There's not much time for a vote. I will go and fight the white team's representative," agad na deklara ni Kyo.

Walan namang angal na tumango ang aming mga ka-teammates.

"Teka lang, Kyo... I mean, Kyoshiro-senpai," pagtatama ko nang bigyan ako nito ng isang nagbabantang titig, "Is this how it's gonna be? Hindi man lang natin ku-kwestiyunin ang biglaang pagbabago ng mga patakaran?"

Nilingon ko ang aming mga kasamahan pero kanya-kanya naman sila ng iwas ng tingin. Are they intimidated by the Masters' presence?

"It's unfair when they suddenly change the rules like that. Paano iyong mga efforts ng ibang grupo? Wala lang bang halaga ang mga iyon?" Giit ko pa.

"Shut up, Moritake! Kanina ka pa! Nobody's complaining because everyone knows that the Master's words shall overrule any rule. And that includes the rules of this competition, which, if you still don't know, they have been sponsoring for more than three decades. Alam iyan ng lahat dito. Ikaw lang ang may matigas na ulong hindi marunong sumunod sa mga patakaran. Sa susunod na bubuksan mo pa iyang bibig mo, sisiguraduhin kong hindi ka na makakabalik sa club na ito kahit na makiusap pa si Shishou! Wakarimasu ka?"

Ikinuyom ko ang aking mga palad habang nakikipagtagisan ng titig dito.

"I said do you understand me?!"

Ilang sandali ko pang mariing ikinuyom ang mga ito bago dahan-dahang pinakawalan.

"Hai, Senpai," mahina kong tugon bago nagbaba ng tingin.

"Good. Now, go back to your positions," utos nito at mabilis na nagsikilos ang aming mga kasamahan at bumalik sa kanilang mga puwesto.

Pabalik na rin ako sa aking puwesto nang marinig ang bulong ni Kyo.

"Why are you even surprised that this is happening? When you already know that wherever you go, you'd always bring your bad luck and infect everyone around you."

"That's not—"

"Go back to your proper place, Moritake," anito bago bumalik sa kanyang puwesto.

Tutop ang aking bibig, bumalik ako sa aking upuan. I squared my shoulders and maintained my eyes in front. For a bit, I saw something glint in Sanada's eyes as he carefully watched my expression.

What is he up to now? I thought but immediately shoved this at the back of my mind when our Shishou spoke again.

"Alright, that's two minutes for you. May I request for your representative to please stand and take your positions at the center."

Sa gilid ng aking mata, nakita kong bahagyang itinikas ni Kyo ang kanyang pagkakaupo bago maingat na isinuot ang kanyang men. Pagkatapos noon, agad nitong binuwal ang mga paa at inangat ang sarili. Hindi na kami nagulat nang gumalaw si Drake sa kanyang upuan para kunin ang kanyang helmet. His sudden appearance only meant that Kira would stand down and give him the opportunity to represent the white team. Lalo na ngayon na narito ang dalawang Masters ng angkan para panuorin ang kanilang performance. And Drake has always been known to take the centerstage.

Kaya nang biglang tumayo si Kirang suot ang kanyang men at hinarap ang kapatid, umusbong ang bulungan sa buong gym. Nakaguhit ang isang malisyosong ngisi sa mukha ni Drake, tila may masama na namang binabalak. Nang bumaling ito sa akin, itinaas nito ang isang kamay at magiliw na kumaway. Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata, pilit na hinuhuli ang gusto nitong mangyari. When he brought his palm over his lips and blew me a kiss, I cringed and immediately returned my gaze to the two contenders who were already bowing their heads to one another.

Pumuwesto na ang mga itinalagang shinpan o referees na dala ang dalawang kulay ng flags, isang puti at isang pula. Gagamitin nila ito sa pag-determine kung sino ang bibigyan nila ng punto.

Muli namang tumayo si Shishou Watanabe habang nakataas ang hawak na pamaypay.

"The championship between the two teams will begin momentarily. Here, we have Kyoshiro Kurozawa representing the Red Team."

Marahang pumalakpak ang mga panauhin sa pagpapakilala ng aming manlalaro. Bahagya namang bumaling si Kyo sa gawi ng mga Masters at saka yumuko. Lumingon siya sa pwesto ng mga panauhin at ganoon din ang ginawa bago ibinalik sa harapan.

"And on the opposite side, we have Akira Kurozawa representing the White Team."

Muling pumalakpak ang mga panauhin at katulad ng ginawa ng kanyang kapatid, yumuko rin ito sa mga Masters at sa mga manunuod. I could see the proud smirk of Master Daiki as he eyed his two grandsons owning the kendou stage.

"Uulitin ko lang ang rules ng kompetisyong ito. Each kendouka must make an accurate strike or thrust to their opponent's strike zones. You will be judged according to your executions of the different kendou techniques, your presense of mind and the strength of your spirit's will to win."

Nagsimula ng tumambol ang kaba sa aking dibdib habang pinagmamasdan ang nakatuwid na anyo ng magkapatid. Hindi pa rin maalis sa isipan ko ang posibleng binabalak ni Drake kung bakit si Kira ang pinalaban niya kay Kyo. I haven't seen Drake in a kendou match before. But if what they said about him being a nine-time champion was true, then I could only assume that he was a better fighter than any of the two brothers. If they wanted to assure the championship, then he should have stepped in and faced Kyo instead. But he didn't. Why?

"The championship match will start..." Shishou paused for a bit before continuing in a much louder voice, "Now!"

Both Kira and Kyo's movements were unhurried as they went from their prep stance to a fighting form. They moved until the tips of their shinai touched. Both have fluid movements as they moved back and forth in the same setup. Parehong naghihintay ng pagkakataong makaatake.

It was faster than a blink of an eye when Kira made the first strike to Kyo's head. Sabay-sabay namang itinaas ng mga referees ang kulay puting bandera. Marahang nagsipalakpakan ang kupunan ni Kira habang bumabalik ang magkatunggali sa kani-kanilang puwesto sa gitna para simulan ang pangalawang round.

Muling inihanda ng dalawa ang isa't isa para sa pag-atake. Ngayon naman, si Kira ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataon ng magkakasunod na patamaan ang magkabilang balikat nito ng kanyang kapatid. Mabilis na itinaas ng mga referees ang pulang bandera.  Ang kupunan naman namin ngayon ang pumalakpak habang pinagmamasdan ang pagbalik ng dalawa sa kani-kanilang puwesto.

Ito na ang huling punto. Kung sinuman sa kanila ang mauunang makatama ang siyang tatanghalinh kampiyon. But won't Kyo be forfeiting his entry to the nationals next year? If he wins this competition, what will happen to the slot?

Bahagya kong sinilip ang pwesto ng dalawang Masters nang may matanto. This competition wasn't just about who would compete for next year's nationals, it's for the Masters' entertainment. And in the end, they'll choose the kendouka who entertained them the most.

Sa kakaisip, hindi ko namalayang natapos na pala ang laban ng magkapatid. Nang ibalik ko ang paningin sa harap, pawang nakayuko na ang dalawa sa isa't isa.

Sinong nanalo? I frantically thought as I looked for any sign from the referees, the team members and the crowd, which, in my view, suddenly multiplied. Muli lang naibalik sa harapan ang aking paningin nang muling magsalita ang aming Master.

"Kyoshiro-san, Akira-san, gokurousama," pagbati nito sa dalawang magkatunggaling agad na yumuko sa harap niya. Pagkatapos noon ay ang mga panauhin naman ang kanyang nilingon, "The referees have decided that this match ends with a draw," he said and I couldn't believe my ears.

So, what now?

"In cases such as this, we usually give the decision to the referees who will simultaneously raise the color they have determined as the winner. But because this is a special event," sandali pa nitong nilingon ang dalawang Masters at saka bahagyang tumango bago muling humarap sa amin, "Each team will send their next representative to compete for one final round — our tie-breaker round. This round shall be two-minute long wherein the kendouka of each team shall utilize every possible kendou technique they've mastered and the color who scores the most shall be declared as the winner."

Napalunok ako sa mga narinig bago nilingon ang mga kasamahan. And surely, they were all nervous as they fixed their eyes on one particular member of the opposing team. Sinundan ko iyon ng tingin at agad sinalubong ng malademonyong ngisi ni Drake. Muling dumagundong ang dibdib ko nang maalala iyong una naming pagtatagpo sa tipo ng pinapakitang ngisi nito — cold, maniacal and merciless.

I fisted my sweaty palms as I dismissed the budding fear inside. So this is what he's after— a no-holds-barred showcase of sword skills in a tight time frame.

"Please choose which among your members will—"

Hindi pa natatapos ang sinasabi ni Shishou nang agad tumayo si Drake at pumunta na sa gitna habang bitbit ang kanyang shinai sa isang kamay at ang kanyang men sa isa pa.

"Gokurousama, gokurousama..." Tuwang-tuwang sabi nito bago tumayo nang tuwid at itinuro sa akin ang hawak na shinai sabay sigaw nang malakas, "Come, my kitten, our time has finally arrived!"

Napabaling ako sa kinaroroonan ng dalawang Masters at nakitang napaawang ang bibig ng isang agad na isinarado ang hawak na pamaypay.

"Hurry up and come over here, kitten!" Sigaw uli nito na nagpabalik ng aking paningin sa mga nangyayari sa harap.

Pilit siyang pinipigilan ni Shishou at ng mga referees habang nagbubulungan naman ang ibang mga miyembro at panauhin na tingin ko'y mas dumami pa ngayon. Nakuha ng isang pamilyar na pares ng mga mata ang aking paningin nang mapansin ko ang paglapit ng isang bulto. Tumingala ako at natagpuan ang nagbabagang mga titig ni Kyo.

"Gear up, Moritake," he said in between gritted teeth.

Tumango ako at agad dinampot ang aking sandata at pananggalang. Matapos kong sinuot ang helmet ay tumayo na ako. Tutungo na sana ako sa gitna nang higitin ni Kyo ang aking braso.

"Don't you blow this chance, you understand me?" Mariin nitong tugon.

Isang beses akong tumango at muling sinubukang humakbang nang maramdaman ang pagdiin ng hawak nito.

"Patay ka sa akin kapag natalo ka ng gagong iyan, maliwanag?" Huli nitong bilin bago ako pinakawalan.

I rubbed the place where he grabbed me as I made my way to the center where an overexcited Drake was waiting.

"Finally!" He yelled as he donned his men over his head.

Bago pa ako makalapit, nakabangga ko ang naunang representante ng puting kupunan.

"A, sumimasen, hindi kita napansin," anito habang nakangiti sa likod ng suot na pananggalang, "It's too bad I wasn't your opponent, isn't it? I would have loved to strike you until you get it in your head that you have no place in here. But now, you have to face a bigger monster in this field. What are you going to do, witch? Run home and cry to your Daddy?"

Sandali ko siyang pinagmasdan. Kahit na nakangiti, ramdam kong may iba pa itong emosyong itinatago. Kinakabahan man, mahusay ko iyong isinantabi at pinilit ang sariling tumbasan ang kanyang ngiti.

"Well then, wanna bet?" Hamon ko at bahagyang nawala ang ngiti nito kaya mas lalo ko pang inigihan, "If I win this round, you'd have to join me every lunch until you graduate," matapang kong deklara.

Sandaling nakatakas ang inis nito bago tinakpan ng isang matamis na ngiti.

"And if you lose, you'd have to quit kendou..." He paused as he leaned closer to my ear, "Forever."

Tahimik kong kinuyom ang aking panga habang nakikipagtagisan ng titig dito.

"Deal," matigas kong tugon nang hindi inaalis ang paningin sa kanya.

Mas lumapad ang ngiti nito sa aking isinagot, tila nakakasiguto na sa kanyang pagkapanalo.

"Calm down, everyone. The tie-breaker round will not start unless you settle down," Shishou stressed out.

Isang beses na yumuko si Kira kay Drake na hindi man lang siya pinagkainteresang tingnan, bago bumalik sa kanyang puwesto. Nakataas ang isang kilay ng demonyo na tila hinuhulaan ang naging pag-uusap namin ng dati niyang tauhan.

"That's better," narinig kong sabi ni Shishou nang sa wakas ay muling natahimik ang buong gym.

Bumaling ito sa akin at saka ako kinamayan para lumapit. Nang narating ko na ang puwesto kung saan ako tatayo ay agad din naman niya akong pinahinto. He beamed at me before returning his attention to the waiting audience.

"Before we begin this round, let me introduce to you these two brilliant kendouka who will fight one another to determine the champion of this competition," he began. He pointed his fan at me and with a loud voice he said, "Representing the Red Team, a newcomer from the Middle School Department, the one who infamously defeated a number of College Seniors using a wooden sword..."

Hesitantly, I glanced over where the Masters were seated. I saw one of them slightly made a shift in his seat while the other one was quietly fanning himself, uninterested with what was happening in front of him.

"The kendou club's rookie member, Ayana Moritake!"

Napabaling ako sa harapan nang marinig na tinawag ang aking pangalan. Wala sa sarili akong yumuko sa harap ng mga Masters. Dahil masyadong mabilis at malalim ang ginawa kong pagyuko, umani ito ng pagkutya mula sa mga manunuod. I bit my lip as heat consumed my face.

Shit, Ayana! Get your act together!

"And representing the White Team," he paused as he pointed his fan at the smirking Drake, "Currently holding a seventh-dan grade in kendou, the nine-time undefeated National Kendou Tournament champion, the pride of our school, Ryu Sanada!"

Umalingawngaw ang hiyawan at palakpakan sa buong gymnasium habang maligayang kinakawayan ni Drake ang aming mga panauhin.

Seventh-dan, huh? If I recall, Kira's a sixth, right? I thought as I quickly took a glance at Kira. He was sitting there, slowly clapping with the crowd, with that usual smile in his face. I remembered how he fisted his hands and hid them behind him when Master Daiki talked so fondly with Drake.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay nang mapansin ang panininitig ko sa kanya. Agad ko namang inalis ang aking paningin at ibinalik sa kumakaway pa ring katunggali.

Matapos ng ilang sandali ay muling natahimik ang buong gym. Nagbigay-galang naman si Drake sa harap ng mga Masters. Kapuna-puna ang tuwa sa mukha ng Beta habang pinagmamasdan ito at ang marahang tango naman iginawad ng Alpha. Tila may itinarak na punyal sa aking dibdib nang umusbong ang inggit dito.

Bakit ka pa nagugulat, tanga?! He's never been proud of you anyway, never wanted you in the first place. Have you forgotten that?! Umayos ka, Ayana, kung ayaw mong pati ang kendou ay mawala sa iyo! I reminded myself. I squared my shoulders as I straightened my back, unyielding to the challenge in front of me.

Hindi naman iyon nakawala sa pansin ni Drake na hindi mawala-wala ang malademonyong ngisi sa kanyang mukha, tila sabik na sabik sa magiging labanan namin, like a predator salivating over his prey. Inayos na rin nito ang kanyang tindig at hinarap ako.

"Without further ado, the tie-breaker match starts..." Shishou stated and I counted from ten backwards to calm my nerves, "Now!"

I positioned myself with an initial fighting stance but before I could do anything, nasa harap ko na si Drake at agad inatake ang aking kaliwang braso. I was able to dodge just in time as I struck his wooden sword away. Hindi pa ako nakakabawi, muli itong umatake at magkasunod na tinamaan ang aking mga palapulsuhan. Umatras ako at muling inayos ang posisyon ng aking mga paa. Ramdam ko ang bahagyang pagkirot kung saan ako natamaan sa kabila ng makapal na pananggalang ko rito.

There's no doubt that he's really a kendou champion. He's fast and accurate with his strong strikes... maybe even stronger than Kyo's and Kira's! I need to think fast or he'll eat me alive! I thought as I tried to search for an opening.

Namilog ang mga mata ko nang sa isang iglap ay nasa harapan ko na naman ito.

"Let me tell you one thing you don't know about the Kurozawa kendou boy," My forehead creased with his statement, "Do you ever wonder why Aki always failed to defeat me? He lacks the strength, the vitality and the true spirit of a dragon. You know why?" He asked as I struggled to keep my stance, "Because he's gay and has feelings for me."

The information caught me off-guard. The devil saw this as an opportunity as he struck both of my shoulders. I stumbled backwards because of the impact. Rinig ko ang pagsinghapan ng mga tao nang kamuntikan na akong matumba dahil dito.

Kira's gay? My eyes immediately flew to where Kira was and saw, for a brief moment, a sincere concern ran across his eyes. Like a piece to a puzzle, I was able to find the answer to my questions and finally have a better understanding of his situation. When he saw that I was looking, his expression returned to his usual mask.

Ibinalik ko ang mga mata sa aking kalaban. Hindi nawawala ang kakaibang tuwa sa mukha nito. Tila itong paglalaban namin ang pinakahihintay niyang sandali. 

Whether what he said about Kira was true or not, when I thought about how he exploited Kira's feelings and talents for his own benefit and then disregarded them like they didn't matter, my chest would constrict with so much rage.

Gay or not, I can't believe Kira restrained his talents for this devil! I thought as I tightened my grip on the shinai. 

"Don't let anger control your heart. It blurs your mind and tires your spirit..." Bigla na lang pumasok sa isipan ko ang minsang sinabi ng dati kong shishou.

He's right. I wouldn't be able to think straight if I let my anger control me. And besides, I thought as I stared at my opponent's amused grin, this is what he wants in the first place, to distract my thoughts by disturbing my emotions. 

Humugot muna ako nang isang malalim na hininga bago inayos ang sarili.

"Don't overthink things, Arianne. Sometimes you let your body command your being. The sword is an extension of your body. Feel your chi flow towards it. Use it as a part of yourself..." I remembered Master Miyazaki's words to me as I positioned myself.

Now that my heart has calmed down a bit, my mind became clearer. And somehow, everything around me seemed to move in slow motion. Nakikita ko na ngayon ang bawat detalye ng mga galaw ng aking katunggali. Madali kong naiwasan ang pagtama nito sa aking ulo. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko nang punteryahin naman nitong muli ang aking mga balikat. Saglit akong umatras at inihanda ang sariling umatake nang maalala ang palaging pinapaalala ni Kyo sa akin.

"Mali na naman ang posisyon ng mg paa mo, Moritake!" I paused as I thought things through and then re-positioned my feet. Ngayon mas naiintindihan ko na kung ang ibig nitong sabihin.

When Drake charged to make another strike, I made a step to the opposite side, dodging his attack, before lunging forward and simultaneously hitting both his wrists, and then his shoulders. Before I could strike his head, he struck my shinai away and recoiled to his side.

I returned to my position and readied myself for another attack. And just as I have predicted, he lunged again and tried to strike my shoulder. I was quick to block his attack with my sword. Sa paraan pa lang ng pagdiin nito sa hawak na espada, ramdam ko na ang agwat ng lakas namin.

"You really are interesting, kitten. No one has ever excite me this much as you do," he claimed, "But I must apologize for I'll be taking this victory!" He exclaimed as he pushed me away to strike again.

As I was regaining my balance, something about what he did seemed familiar to me. Pakiramdam ko nangyari na iyon noon. Bigla na lang pumasok sa isipan ko iyong huling paglalaban namin ni Kira sa dojo ng mga Kurozawa. Itinulak din ako nito noon at saka malakas na magkakasunod na tinamaan sa mga balikat at ulo. Nakita ko ang mga galaw nito noon pero huli na para depensahan ang sarili.

I was sick then but it's different now.

I steadied my stance as I blocked his attacks the way I remembered Kira executed them. When my counter surprised him, I pressed forward and struck his shinai so fast, I didn't give him a chance to attack. He made a step back and repositioned himself, his smirk was already melting.

We were already catching our breaths as we both moved forward until the tips of our swords were touching. Paulit-ulit nitong marahang tinatamaan ang dulo ng aking espada at tila pinakikiramdaman kung kailan ako gagalaw. Paubos na ang aming oras at sa pinapakita nitong hitsura, ang susunod nitong gagawing pag-atake ay ang kanyang panghuli. To do this, he must be planning to strike me quickly in the head when I least expect him. Pero papaano ko malalaman kung kailan siya gagalaw?

"Feel the flow of your chi..." Paulit-ulit na paalala noon ng dati kong shishou.

Pinakiramdaman ko pa ang pagtama nito sa aking shinai. It was only for a fraction of a second but I felt one differing hit before he slid forward for a strike. I moved a bit to the side, slimly dodging the attack, before sliding forward and thrusting my sword towards his throat. I did so so strongly that he was sent flying towards the opposite direction before falling on his back, his shinai knocked off from his hands.

Napuno ang gym ng singhapan ng mga tao dahil sa nangyari. Mabilis na nilapitan ng mga referees si Drake para siguro tingnan kung may seryoso bang pinsala. Marahas naman nitong tinaboy ang mga iyon bago kusang tumayo. Dinampot nito ang kanyang espada at muli pa sanang aatake nang pumagitna sa amin si Shishou Watanabe.

"And time's up!" Anunsiyo nito bago hinarap ang humihingal na Drake, "Please return to your line."

Bumalik ako sa aking puwesto sa gitna at saka tinanggal ang pananggalang sa aking ulo para hintayin ang magiging hatol. Ilang sandali bago sumunod ang aking katunggali nang hindi inaalis ang matalim na titig sa akin. He took a deep breath and harshly exhaled them.

"That was one amazing duel, don't you agree?" Shishou Watanabe said to the audience, maybe to ease the tension, "Everyone did their best. Every kendouka has showcased their talent, their passion, their fighting spirit in using the arts of kendou. But just as any competition, there will always be winners. There will always be that one whose performance will stand out over the rest."

My gloves felt rough against my already clammy hands as I took a peek at the two most valuable persons in the room. Para akong nakuryentehan nang magkasalubong ang paningin namin ng pinakamakapangyarihan sa buong angkan ng Kurozawa. Mabilis kong inalis ang mga mata ko roon at ipinirmi na lang sa harap. Nakataas na naman ang isang kilay ni Drake bago sinilip ang pinanggalingan ng aking paningin. Nang muli akong binalingan, nanumbalik ang tuso nitong ngisi.

Mariin kong ikinuyom ang mga kamao bago inilipat ang aking atensiyon sa mga sinasabi ni Shishou.

"The two minutes are up and the hits have been made. Now, as I have previously announced, it is up to the Grand Masters to choose who among our kendouka will represent the school for next year's nationals."

Saglit na nag-usap ang dalawang pinuno. Tumango ang may hawak ng pinakamataas na ranggo sa imperyo bago inilahad ang kanyang kamay, ibinibigay sa nakababatang kapatid ang magiging desisyon. Itiniklop naman ng nakababata ang dalang pamaypay bago marahang tumayo. Sinalubong naman ito ng masigarbong palakpakan mula sa mga manunuod. Bahagya nitong itinaas ang isang kamay para patahimikin ang buong gym.

"Firstly, we want to congratulate Watanabe-sensei for guiding our children to the ways of the sword. We also want to congratulate our hardworking kendouka for a job well done," he said in a familiar, clear voice.

Isa-isa nitong pinagmasdan ang bawat miyembro ng mga kupunan na kasalukuyang pinapalakpakan ang kanyang mga kataga. Nang muling tumahimik ang buong lugar, tsaka lang siya muling nagsalita.

"To be honest, I am quite astonished to see a number of female kendouka joining the club. Although we don't discourage, we also believe that the arts is more appropriate for men."

Saglit na tumagal ang malamig na titig nito sa aking mukha, disgust was clearly written all over his face. Narinig kong napatikhim ang aming Shishou sa sinabi ng Beta. Dahilan sa pagkakabalik ng paningin nito sa mga panauhin.

"We have made a decision," he said.

Dahan-dahan kong pinakawalan ang pagkakakuyom ng aking mga palad at saka ibinaba ang aking paningin.

"The victor is..."

Alam ko na agad ang magiging hatol.