Hashimoto-sensei dropped by the clubroom for a moment to tell us she had things to do before today’s staff meeting and then left, so we decided to kill about thirty minutes before heading home. Leaving so soon after the club had just been formed without doing any work wouldn't look good, so a little window dressing was necessary.
Once we’d passed the time with idle chatter, we made sure the clubroom was locked and headed to the faculty room to return the key.
"They're certainly working hard..."
I looked out the window and watched with admiration. Down on the grounds, groups divided into four teams wearing different colored headbands were shouting at the top of their lungs as they practiced their performance routines.
They were the cheer squads for each team, practicing for the sports festival's cheering competition.
"I wonder if they’re worried that the sports festival's policies might change depending on the results of today’s staff meeting?"
"Even if the meeting changes things, it’ll be regarding the competitive events. I don't think they expect it to have much impact on the cheering competition."
As I murmured my question while watching the squads practice with such spirited energy, Yuji, who was walking beside me, chimed in.
"Is that so? Weren't the cheer squads a mix of explorers and non-explorers?"
"...Was that the case?"
"I think there were some non-explorers among the first-year squad members."
During the last school assembly, after the team assignments were announced, several first-years had mentioned as much during the squad introductions... or was my memory playing tricks on me?
As I tilted my head in doubt, Mika, who was walking ahead of us, turned back to join the conversation.
"They're definitely a mix. I'm pretty sure half the first-year squad members on our team were non-explorers."
Apparently, she had been listening to us.
Following Mika's lead, Saori-chan also turned back to provide more details.
"The candidates for the cheer squads were chosen before the midterm exams, so I think many of the first-years didn't have their exploration permits yet. Besides, many of the first-years who did have permits back then joined up with that group of repeating students, so I doubt there are many permit holders left in the squads."
I see. In that case, it was better to assume the first-year cheerleaders were non-explorers. Hearing Saori-chan's explanation, I looked back at the squads practicing on the grounds.
Just then, the synchronized routine ended, and several members who appeared to be second or third-years began performing a series of back handsprings. Once they gained enough momentum, they leaped several meters into the air and landed perfect triple back layouts.
Were they... currently doing Olympic-level floor routines?
"Whoa... what was that?"
"Incredible..."
Mika and Saori-chan stared with wide eyes, stunned by the performance. It was no wonder; those were movements you almost never saw in daily life.
We could probably do similar things ourselves, but we didn't because there was simply no reason to.
"The cheer squad is really fired up..." Yuji remarked, his voice a mix of amazement and exasperation.
"Yeah. But seeing someone else do it made me realize all over again—it really would be bad if we stuck with our original demonstration."
"You’re right," Yukino-san added. "Even what the cheer squad just did would be a shock to kids who are serious about gymnastics. I'm fairly certain no one even attempted a triple layout in the last Olympics..."
"Yeah."
I gave a short nod of agreement. I had a vague memory of an Olympic TV special saying that layout flips only went up to two rotations.
They say you should learn from the behavior of others, and it was certainly true here. Even we, who could perform similar feats relatively easily, were surprised by the cheer squad. If someone truly committed to gymnastics saw this, the shock would be immense. If it were the performance of a senior in their own field, they might swallow it out of respect, but it would be hard to accept at a mere high school sports festival cheering competition. It was highly likely people would lose heart and give up on their passions.
"...You're right. In that case, we definitely need to rethink the content of our demonstration."
"Yeah."
Having reaffirmed the gravity of what we had been about to do so carelessly, we resolved to fix it while we still had time.
After watching the practice for a little longer, we started walking again once the squad reached a stopping point.
"Excuse me, I'm here to return the clubroom key."
I entered the faculty room alone and returned the key to its rack. I scanned the room, but Hashimoto-sensei was nowhere to be seen. She seemed to be elsewhere. Since I had no other business, I bowed and left.
"Hey, good work."
"I didn't really do anything tiring. Now then, our errands are done, so shall we head home?"
I called out to the four waiting for me outside the faculty room and we started walking toward the student exit.
Now then... I wonder how I should explain this to Juzo-san.
Sitting on cushions on the wooden floor of the dojo, we sipped tea while telling Juzo-san about the situation at school and our desire to change the planned demonstration.
After listening to our explanation through to the end, Juzo-san let out a soft sigh, his arms crossed.
"I see... So that is the talk at school. It is quite a difficult problem."
"Yes. The difference in physical ability between an explorer and a non-explorer is obvious even to an amateur. Even in a relaxed school event, problems will arise if you try to compete in the same arena."
"That is so."
Even as I said that, I gave Juzo-san a look of deep skepticism. Talking about the physical gap between explorers and regular people felt hollow when addressed to Juzo-san, who handled himself perfectly fine against us.
It seemed I wasn't the only one; the other four were giving him similar looks.
"...What is it, you lot? Why the eyes? If you have something to say, speak up."
"Ah, no, well..."
As I struggled to find the words, Yuji interjected bluntly.
"We’re thinking that it feels hollow to talk about the physical difference between explorers and non-explorers to an Old Man who overwhelms us head-on in mock battles. Seriously... how can an Old Man who isn't even an explorer dominate us like that?"
"Hmph. Is that all? It is not as if I am countering you with raw physical ability. I couldn't do such a thing even if I stood on my head."
Juzo-san huffed, looking slightly annoyed by the question.
"I am well aware that the difference in physical ability between myself and you lot is as far apart as the heavens and the earth."
"...Then how are you doing it? If there’s that much of a gap, it shouldn't even be a match, right?"
Yuji looked unsatisfied and pressed him for an answer. Juzo-san gave a bold smile and offered a hint.
"Hmm... if you ask how, I can only say that I am using everything I possess."
"...Everything?"
"Yes. Everything. Sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste... and the intuition I have sharpened through a lifetime of experience. And, of course, my martial arts."
We tilted our heads, unable to fully grasp his meaning. Using all six senses? I could understand sight, hearing, and intuition, but how did one utilize smell, taste, and touch in combat?
Seeing our puzzled faces, Juzo-san chuckled.
"You look like you don't understand a word of it. Well, it is only natural. Do not rush; you will come to understand in time. More importantly, tell me about this desire to change your sports festival demonstration."
"A-Ah... right. Actually..."
Prodded back to the topic, Yuji began explaining our proposed changes.
When he finished and took a drink of tea to moisten his throat, Juzo-san was rubbing the bridge of his nose with a grim expression. He shook his head slightly, then turned to us.
"Indeed, as you say, your previous plan was quite lacking in consideration for ordinary students."
"Yes. We built that routine to look impressive and put pressure on those repeating students," I explained. "If it's something an explorer feels intimidated by, it'll be far too much for regular people."
The hiss a cat directs at another cat and the roar a lion directs at a lion are entirely different things, even if both are meant as threats. If a cat—an ordinary person—heard a lion's—an explorer's—roar up close, they'd likely fall into a state of panic even if the sound wasn't aimed at them.
"The current flow has Hirose-kun and me clashing with a wooden sword and spear, and then Kokonoe-kun jumps in to make it a free-for-all," Yukino-san added. "But since we clash with the same intensity as our usual mock battles, I think it would be terrifying for a first-time observer."
"I agree. Seeing Onii-chan and the others clashing like that is way too much stimulation," Mika said.
"Me too," Saori-chan chimed in. "Plus, in the middle of the routine, Mika-chan and I were supposed to be taken hostage by Onii-san acting as a villain, so Yuji-san and Yukino-san could rescue us. It was meant to show the repeating students that taking us hostage is pointless, but that kind of performance would be incredibly shocking for students and parents alike."
The girls pointed out all the problems we had brainstormed during lunch. When I asked Mika and Saori-chan about our usual training, they were blunt: even just watching us do a normal mock battle was too intense for regular people. Clashing weapons in mid-air wasn't something people saw outside of manga; they suggested we at least avoid aerial combat and stick to fighting on the ground for the demonstration.
Juzo-san nodded. "I understand your concerns, but if you consider the public's feelings too much, you will fail to achieve your original objective. I do not mind you changing the routine, but how do you intend to strike that balance?"
He wasn't opposing the change, but he wanted a viable alternative.
We looked at each other, and then explained the rough draft Yukino-san had proposed—one we were still refining.
"...I see. Certainly, that method provides enough consideration for the public while still serving as a deterrent to the repeating students. However, to pull that off, you will need to prepare various items... will you make it in time?"
"Yes. I think it'll be fine," I replied. "We have some of it on hand, and I'll go out to get whatever else we absolutely need."
"Go get it... I see. Well, I believe you can handle it, but do not push yourselves out of haste."
"Yes!"
We took his warning to heart.
Afterward, we finalized the details of the new demonstration with Juzo-san. In the new plan, the combat portion would only be a small part at the beginning, so Juzo-san guided us in techniques that were visually impressive but relied on elaborate skills that only experts—explorers above a certain level—would truly appreciate.
Once the plan was set, we decided to save the physical practice for another day and headed out to buy supplies.
The five of us left the Hirose residence, withdrew money at a convenience store, and made our way to a discount store near the station. Since school had just let out, there were plenty of other students around, so we didn't stand out.
"Found them, Onii-chan! Are these okay?"
"Yeah, those are the ones. How many are left?"
"Wait... there are ten left."
"Then let's just buy them all for now. If we run out while we're building it, we can always come back."
"Roger that!"
Following my lead, Mika filled the shopping basket. By the time we finished, the baskets Yuji and I were carrying were overflowing.
"That will be 29,482 yen. Out of 30,000... and 518 yen is your change. Thank you for shopping with us!"
Carrying shopping bags bulging to the point of bursting, we left the store.
Tomorrow was going to be a very busy day.