Living in the Heart of Tokyo

"Yeah, even though I haven't danced the Kagura dance in a while, I haven't slacked off on my training one bit," Mitsuha said, stretching her arms casually.

With just a simple movement, her body carried a mesmerizing grace.

Sitting on the wooden chair in the white partitioned booth.

Mitsuha's arm glided smoothly in front of her before dropping naturally, causing her light blue blouse to slip slightly and reveal her delicate shoulder—fair and exquisite.

The soft yellow light of the café illuminated her lovely face, highlighting the slender, willow-like brows above her bright, smiling eyes.

Unlike her rigorous training in the Kagura shrine at Itomori—where she'd push through bloody blisters because it was something she had to master.

Here, dancing was merely a way to hold onto that precious part of her past.

"I feel like asking you to teach me would just be a waste of your talent," Kyousuke said softly.

His eyes lingering on the smooth lines of her collarbone as he swallowed discreetly, the taste of iron and chocolate mixing in his mouth.

The warm yellow light didn't diminish her beauty at all.

If anything, it lent her skin a gentle, porcelain-like glow, making his heart pound uncontrollably.

Damn it, was this place also running a love hotel on the side?

With lighting and aromatherapy this seductive, it was practically asking for trouble.

"How could it be a waste? If I can help you, I'd be really happy," Mitsuha replied with a sweet smile, her eyes curving into charming crescents.

"Honestly, more than learning for myself, I just want to see you dance," he admitted sincerely.

Back when they were still swapping bodies, he'd even considered asking Yotsuba to secretly record Mitsuha's dance for him.

But in the end, he'd given up, not wanting to seem like he had split personalities.

"Is that so?" Mitsuha propped her chin on her hand, her deep brown eyes shimmering like autumn water as she stared at him without blinking.

"Tell you what—if I can have some of that delicious ice cream today, I'll dance for you," she teased.

"Boss! We're ready to pay!" Kyousuke slapped the table with mock drama, making Mitsuha burst into laughter.

Of course, he didn't actually shout, and the table slap was more playful than anything.

At the register, it was Mitsuha who pulled out her wallet.

"It's always been your wallet until now. Let me treat you this time—I just got a big scholarship, you know!" she said with a playful shake of her purse.

Her smug little grin utterly adorable.

After leaving the café, Kyousuke was about to hail a cab to bring Mitsuha straight back to the dorm—he had everything he needed there—but she stopped him.

"Let's go to Sendagi," she said.

Of course, he wouldn't refuse.

That was a place he'd left behind for her, a place filled with their shared memories.

As they stepped out onto the street, Mitsuha naturally slipped her arm around his, resting her cheek against it with just a slight tilt of her head.

They'd met up near the shopping street by Ochanomizu Women's University, and the street was bustling with couples.

Most of the girls were above average in looks—at least their makeup and fashion sense were trendy.

There was certainly no one out in bear pajamas and big black glasses just to grab a snack.

Most single students were either still in school at club activities or had already eaten a cheap meal at the cafeteria and were headed for the library.

Of course, some were out hunting for food and clearly regretting not eating in the school cafeteria first, stuck in decision paralysis.

"Speaking of which, our cafeteria food is actually really good. I'll take you sometime, Kyousuke," Mitsuha said, having overheard some passersby's complaints.

"Wait, your university actually has a cafeteria?" Kyousuke asked in surprise, lowering his voice to avoid judgmental looks from nearby students.

Ochanomizu's campus was notoriously tiny, kindergarten through college all crammed together, still smaller than the nearby Gakushuin campus.

"Hehehe~~" Mitsuha giggled, bumping her head lightly against his arm before explaining, "Of course it does. Even if the campus is small, there's still a decent-sized cafeteria right in front of the library."

"There are shops on the second floor too, so it's pretty convenient for dorm life."

"Do the chefs happen to be from the life sciences department?" he teased.

"Don't be ridiculous," Mitsuha rolled her eyes playfully. "Only upperclasswomen work there part-time. The chefs are professionals."

He privately agreed—someone like Miki was clearly an outlier.

While Ochanomizu Women's University didn't have the same international renown as, say, Hitotsubashi.

It was still a place that, upon hearing the name, would prompt any person to exclaim in exaggerated wonder, "Sugoi!" and admire your brains.

It wasn't a fancy finishing school, but it was a prime recruiting ground for the daughters of powerful politicians and old money families—highly sought after in the dating world.

They called it the "Women's Todai," but it was a whole different experience from the real Todai.

"But the main campus doesn't allow outsiders in, right?" Kyousuke finally asked, bringing up something he'd long wondered about.

After checking with Sakura and the others, he'd confirmed that anyone could easily tell the difference between Soubu High and Ochanomizu's affiliated high school uniforms.

Plus, from his chat with Mitsuha, he'd learned that the university was completely separate from the high school.

"Well then, let's just make you a student there too," Mitsuha said breezily.

"Crossdressing to infiltrate? Even I'm not thick-skinned enough for that," Kyousuke clicked his tongue.

That school's security was practically fortress-like—they even listed crossdressing students as eligible applicants on their website, though none had ever actually enrolled.

"Hahaha, what are you even thinking? I'd never ask you to do that," Mitsuha scolded with a playful glare.

That adorable, everyday expression of hers was exactly what melted his heart.

Unlike Eriri or the others with their unique quirks, Mitsuha was just an ordinary girl—and that very ordinariness was what filled his life with warmth.

"So, what else beside—disguise myself as a girl?" he teased her again.

"Idiot! You'd be banned from decent society if you got caught!" Mitsuha scolded, tightening her hold on his arm and resting her cheek against him again.

This silly, aimless banter was exactly what real life was made of.

"Buy out the school?" he continued to joke.

"It's a national university, silly! Or are you planning to buy up all of Japan too?" she giggled.

"Can't think of any other ideas… guess you'll just have to tell me," he teased.

"Easy. Just come to our school as a teacher!" Mitsuha said brightly, no hesitation at all.

"Hmm?" His heart gave a little jump—he realized he'd said almost those exact same words once before.

Well, not even once before—he never forgot anything.

He'd told Eriri that no matter what women's university she ended up at, he'd find a way to follow her, even if it meant becoming a teacher.

Yeah… even if it meant just being a part-time lecturer, that promise still held true.

His logic was airtight—no cracks at all.

"Though I'm confident I'm better at math than any teacher at your school, I doubt your principal would see it that way," Kyousuke said with a chuckle.

Since Mitsuha was in the Faculty of Science studying math, he'd only mentioned math.

"Of course I know that," Mitsuha replied casually. "But what I'm talking about is the kendo club coach."

Although they'd left the café in a hurry, neither of them was in any rush to take the subway or hail a cab.

They walked slowly, basking in the golden glow of sunset, chatting in low voices like a pair of high school sweethearts on their way home.

"Another coaching job?" Kyousuke sighed, feeling like his high school life was overflowing with things to do.

"Eh? Kyousuke, you don't want to?" Mitsuha puffed out her cheeks, then frowned. "That's not good… I'll have to find another teacher. The one we have now is just too—"

She trailed off, visibly troubled.

"Too what?" he prompted her.

"Too much of a pervert! His eyes are always roaming in the wrong places!"

"A guy?" Kyousuke's tone instantly turned icy.

Even if he knew Mitsuha might just be testing him, how could he stay calm hearing that?

Damn it—why would a women's university even hire a male coach?

That's not nearly cautious enough!

"Yeah. There just aren't many high-level female kendo practitioners around," Mitsuha said.

That was a lie, of course.

At a school like Ochanomizu Women's University, finding a couple of experienced female kendo instructors wasn't difficult at all.

But the current coach was a seventh-dan swordsman, reportedly certain to pass the eighth-dan exam next time.

With that level of skill, he could easily be a police kendo instructor.

"In that case, I'll be your coach!" Kyousuke declared, his confidence entirely unwarranted for someone who was only second-dan in kendo.

But to him, taking on a university kendo club felt as easy as handling one of his prized koi fish that he gifted away.

Mitsuha looked equally self-assured.

Though he was just a high school student, his coaching record already spoke for itself: he'd led the Higashi middle school and high school teams to three consecutive national championships.

Even an eighth-dan swordsman would have to show him some respect for that achievement.

Of course, it wouldn't be that easy.

At Higashi, he'd had absolute control and the school's trust.

In Japan, where everything is bound by strict rules and permissions, trying to bulldoze his way in with a shinai and oust the current coach would just get him thrown out by security—or worse, have the police called.

Student sports clubs did have some say in their coaching staff, but replacing a coach wasn't up to the students alone—the school paid the salary, after all.

It looked like he'd have to pay a visit to Konnoya Dojo with Kenzou, the kendo club president, and ask for help in finding a qualified female coach for daily practices.

He could then stop by to supervise whenever he was free.

'Perfect plan', he thought, glancing at Mitsuha.

She already looked like she was imagining a wonderful new chapter of campus life, a bright smile lighting up her face.

Nothing like the frown she'd worn when talking about the sleazy teacher.

"Mitsuha," he said softly, "maybe you should wait to join the club until I've sorted this out. Just give me a little time."

He shared his thoughts, and Mitsuha's eyes widened in surprise.

She hadn't expected him to think so far ahead in such a short time.

Her own plan was much simpler: she and a few other well-connected girls would just co-sign a petition to the school.

Worst case, they'd run the club like an independent one, each member paying dues.

"Haha, you don't need to worry so much, Kyousuke," Mitsuha said brightly, leaning closer and wrapping her arm around his.

"I'm not that shy country girl anymore, the one who could only dodge when challenged."

His concern made her feel so warm inside that she giggled and squeezed his arm tighter.

"Honestly, that so-called pervert didn't dare to do much. He just kept knocking down the girls in the club with his superior skills."

"Everyone else put up with it because it was part of training. But I'm your personal student—I joined the kendo club and knocked him flat on his knees the very first day."

"Seriously? That's amazing!" Kyousuke exclaimed, playing his part perfectly—cheering her on without hesitation was the least a man could do.

As he relaxed, compliments started tumbling out of his mouth.

"Hahaha—enough already! If you keep going, my face is going to turn red!" Mitsuha laughed, her lips curving into a dazzling smile that made her look absolutely radiant.

The topic wound down, but they kept chatting, as if they had an endless supply of words for each other.

"By the way," Mitsuha said, "Teshigawara and Sayaka both mentioned they wanted to visit my university."

"Sayaka might be able to sneak in somehow, but Teshigawara will have to wait for the Kinen-sai festival."

"So strict, huh? Even Todai's campus is practically a public park now," Kyousuke said casually.

Often, girls weren't looking for advice—they just wanted to share bits of their lives and feel that sense of closeness.

"Well, it's important for safety," Mitsuha quickly added, even though she'd been complaining about it a second earlier.

"True. Otherwise, it'd probably be crawling with panty thieves in no time."

"Hahaha! No way! The dorm area is super secure…" Mitsuha said, laughing lightly.

"Hey, Mitsuha?" A voice cut in.

Both of them turned to the left and saw a girl staring at them with wide eyes and a hand over her mouth.

Seeing she wasn't mistaken, the girl hurried over.

"I almost thought I was seeing things! I couldn't believe it at first," she said, glancing back and forth between them, eyes full of surprise.

"Good evening, Kaori," Mitsuha greeted her friend warmly, letting go of Kyousuke's arm only to grab it again a second later.

"Is this… your boyfriend?" Kaori asked directly, clearly close enough to Mitsuha to skip the pleasantries.

"Yep! He's the one I like," Mitsuha said with a bright smile, her clear eyes sparkling.

"Hi, I'm Hojou Kyousuke," he said with a small nod.

"I can't believe it! You actually meant it when you talked about him!" Kaori exclaimed.

Then she seemed to remember her manners and quickly bowed a little.

"I'm Masaki Kaori—Mitsuha's friend and classmate. She talks about you all the time!"

Looking at the lively, outgoing girl before him, Kyousuke felt like he was seeing another version of Sayaka.

Though Kaori's style and makeup were a bit flashier than what he remembered. Still, that cheerful vibe was unmistakable.

Maybe Mitsuha just had a knack for attracting cheerful airheads, he thought with an amused smile.

"Thanks for looking out for Mitsuha," he said politely.

He spoke according to the usual social etiquette, but it also sounded like a quiet declaration of his place by Mitsuha's side.

Hearing this, Mitsuha's eyes curved into a crescent smile.

Clearly, she liked his answer very much.

"Oh no, it's really Mitsuha who's always taking care of me!"

Kaori Masaki quickly waved her hands, her quick tone making it hard for him to tell if she was being polite or just genuinely flustered.

"Kaori, have you eaten dinner yet?" Mitsuha asked. They were standing in a busy street, and the three of them chatting like this stood out a bit.

"Of course not! I just finished flower arranging club," Kaori replied cheerfully. "Oh, and Sonoko was asking about you, you know. I said you were on a date, but no one believed me."

Oblivious to any tension, Kaori kept going:

"I really didn't feel like eating at the cafeteria today, so I've been wandering around looking for something good."

"But I've already walked back and forth twice and still haven't decided."

"Oh right! I remember you told me that your boyfriend is an amazing cook, didn't you?"

Mitsuha gave a small, helpless smile.

Despite the way her friend's family had pushed her to join flower arranging, tea ceremony, and even etiquette classes on weekends.

Kaori never gave off the air of an elegant young lady.

But at least the topic had landed exactly where Mitsuha wanted it to.

"Didn't I promise I'd introduce Kyousuke to you? How about today, and you can even taste his cooking!"

Her voice was light and even, but under the bright, colorful lights of the shopping street, her eyes were sparkling—nervous, excited, and filled with joy.

Introducing the person you like to your friends—such a simple thing, yet so blissful.

"You're okay with that, right, Kyousuke?" She already knew he would agree, but she just wanted to hear him say it, clear and certain.

"Of course!" There was no question.

He'd pour all his effort into it, make sure every one of Mitsuha's friends would think how lucky she was to have a boyfriend like him.

His voice was decisive—more so than in any kendo match he'd ever fought.

"That's great!" Kaori clapped her hands together, practically bouncing with excitement.

At the far end of the shopping street, the sun had long since vanished, and the night sky was spreading out above them.

The twilight was gone, but their hands were still linked as they walked towards home, weaving their way through an ordinary, peaceful evening.

"Oh, am I interrupting your date?" Kaori suddenly asked.

'Of course!' he said firmly in his mind, even if his real answer was a simple.

 "Not at all!"

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