Chapter 172: Chapter 94: Aoto Flirting with Three People at Once

"Mr. Chokata, Mr. Saito, it’s almost lunchtime. What do you feel like eating?"

Saito, just as Aoto expected, responded indifferently, "Anything."

Aoto never expected to get a specific answer from Saito, so after replying "Okay," he turned his inquiring gaze towards Chokata.

As soon as his sight landed on Chokata’s face, Aoto was surprised to find that Chokata, who was usually smiling and carefree, now had his lips pursed, as if he had something on his mind.

"Mr. Chokata, what’s wrong? Do you have something on your mind?"

"Huh?" Chokata hesitated for a moment, then grinned and said cheerfully, "No, I don’t have anything on my mind."

"I just... feel a bit guilty."

"Guilty?" Aoto raised his eyebrows.

"... Mr. Tachibana, you were amazing just now. You were able to fearlessly demand Chiba Domon Shiro to retract his derogatory remarks about our Shiwei Hall and apologize, right in front of so many people."

"Compared to you... I feel inadequate..."

"Don’t be fooled by my usual easy-going attitude, my courage is actually quite small."

Chokata’s smile took on a slightly bittersweet quality.

"I’ve never dared to do anything highly noticeable in front of a crowd."

"When I heard Chiba Domon Shiro call our Shiwei Hall a Third-class Sword Dojo, I was angry too."

"But I didn’t dare to boldly step forward like you did, loudly demanding Chiba Domon Shiro to retract his words..."

"Haha... the more I think about it, the more embarrassing it feels..."

Chokata slowly drooped his head and reached his right hand to the back of his head, listlessly toying with his ponytail.

"You dared to confront those who slandered our Sword Dojo right after joining Shiwei Hall for less than two months. While I, who have been an apprentice at Shiwei Hall since the age of nine, did nothing..."

Due to Chokata’s drooped head, Aoto could only see the crown of his head and not his current expression.

Seeing Chokata’s evident low spirits, even without seeing his face, Aoto pursed his lips and then slowly let out a deep breath—

"... Mr. Chokata."

"Hmm...?" Without lifting his head, Chokata softly responded to Aoto’s call.

"It seems like you misunderstand yourself."

"Ah...?" Chokata slowly lifted his head, blinked twice, and looked at Aoto in confusion.

"Do you think that because you didn’t join me in demanding Chiba Domon Shiro retract his slander towards our Shiwei Hall, it means you’re a cowardly person?"

Aoto placed his hands on his hips, let out another deep breath, then gave Chokata a gentle smile.

"Your anger at Chiba Domon Shiro’s words shows that your bond with Shiwei Hall is only deeper than mine, not shallower."

"The reason you didn’t directly demand Chiba Domon Shiro retract his words just like I did is simply because—your temperament is softer and more kind-hearted, Chiba Domon Shiro’s actions haven’t fully enraged you yet."

"If someone were to speak excessively and outrageously about Shiwei Hall, so much so that it enrages you completely..."

"Then—"

Aoto paused, then spoke again with a resonant tone of conviction:

"I believe you will be angrier than anyone and will actively demand that person retract their malicious words more vigorously than anyone else."

"Your affection for Shiwei Hall and your determination to protect Shiwei Hall won’t lose to anyone—I sincerely believe that."

Chokata stared at Aoto blankly as Aoto spoke with firm confidence.

"Believing that my bond with Shiwei Hall and my resolve to protect Shiwei Hall won’t lose to anyone..." Chokata softly repeated Aoto’s words, then chuckled. "How do you know my bond with Shiwei Hall and my resolve to protect Shiwei Hall are stronger than anyone’s?"

"From my observations and understanding of you over this time," Aoto answered without hesitation. "Someone who doesn’t love Shiwei Hall wouldn’t passionately teach swordsmanship to the dojo’s disciples, nor would they actively care for this Sword Dojo."

From the time he temporarily stayed at Shiwei Hall, Aoto noticed—Chokata, who was usually somewhat lazy, always became especially diligent when it came to anything involving Shiwei Hall.

While cleaning bamboo swords, protectors, and the dojo floor, Chokata always did the most thorough job.

When helping Zhouzhu, Kondo, and the others teach and guide the apprentices in swordsmanship, Chokata also worked hard, never cutting corners. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

These observations of Chokata’s behavior gave Aoto the confidence and courage to speak the words he just said.

Chokata’s expression turned blank once more.

"... Haha." After a moment, Chokata’s expression slowly turned into a smile filled with complex emotions, "Mr. Tachibana, I feel like you’re comforting me with some strange sophistry..."

"But—it’s okay."

Chokata took a deep breath, then stretched his arms towards the sky like a cat, letting out a long stretch.

Immediately, Aoto saw Chokata’s signature radiant smile return to his face.

"Even if it’s sophistry, I’ll accept it." Chokata chuckled a few times, "Mr. Tachibana, thank you... after hearing your words just now, I feel much better."

"Ah haha, as my mood improves, my stomach gets hungry." Chokata cheerfully patted his stomach, "Mr. Tachibana, Mr. Saito, let’s go! Let’s have lunch!"