Midterms

“More! More! More!”

Chinami urged me on in a cool tone.

It was absurd that I was swinging a shinai at empty air until sweat poured off me, despite the cold weather.

“You’re nowhere near done! Are you planning to disgrace your master at training camp!?”

She seemed to want Spartan-style training, pushing me without giving me a single break. I’d make it up to her with a massage later.

“Hup!”

How long had I been swinging my shinai, tightening my core with every stroke?

Satisfied with my steady form, Chinami spoke.

“That’s enough. Take a short break.”

No matter how strong I was, or how well I knew how to use my strength, swinging a shinai for a long time was exhausting...