Vol 1 Chapter 32: A Man Has Seven Enemies When He Crosses the Threshold (Vol 1: The Delinquent High School Girl’s Servant Survived and Advanced to the Second Year)

“Wow, that sparring session was amazing, wasn’t it?”

Since it was the first day, we were told to take it easy, so Azuma, Oto‐mu senpai, Rurei, and I participated in a mass sparring session. That was the end of practice.

After that, before heading to the gym, I shared my impressions of sparring with Oto‐mu senpai with Shuso Katsuko.

“I never imagined I’d get to see the L-guard—allegedly unsuitable for Japanese fighters—up close… And not just as a feint, but executed at such a high level. I was really surprised.”

The L-guard is generally considered unsuitable for Japanese fighters with their narrower shoulders, so you rarely see it among Japanese athletes.

“Our main goal is to win the National Sports Festival, but don’t underestimate the level at the High School Inter-High.”

“In your case, Katsuko, there’s also been a break, and to begin with, we’re five weight classes apart.”

Katsuko won the All-Japan Under-Junior championship when she was in her first year of junior high.

How many athletes competing in the High School Inter-High—the category one step above junior high—can go toe-to-toe with a lightweight like Oto‐mu senpai?

“Well, judging by her height, that senpai could even use it in sparring as a countermeasure during brawls with guys.”

“That may be true, but since she’s a senpai I’ll be relying on in the future, don’t let her get hurt.”

I just hope that during sparring I won’t let my blood boil and end up delivering a spinning roundhouse kick to Oto‐mu senpai.

“Well then, I’m heading to the gym now, but what about you, Katsuko? What are you doing after this?”

I was a bit curious about what Katsuko, who had just quit being a sub-trainer, would do after club activities, so I asked.

“I’m going to start karate again.”

“Karate? I thought you were going to train at a boxing gym.”

I knew you were acquainted with Chairman Yoneda of the Yoneda Boxing Gym—where Akagami Mio trains—and that you had been persistently invited, so I assumed you’d go there. Then why karate?

“Sure, focusing solely on boxing might be the quicker route to the Olympics, but doing karate is excellent cross-training, and when you consider real fight situations, boxing alone just isn’t enough.”

Cross-training means training in disciplines outside your own specialty.

It apparently improves the balance of your physical abilities and overall performance, which is why athletes nowadays often train in sports beyond their main event.

“Do you really have to do karate? Can’t you train at our gym?”

That gym not only teaches kicks but also MMA and jiu-jitsu, so it’s a perfect environment for cross-training.

“Hmm… I was with that gym for about two years, but I want to experience a new environment. Besides, I really feel that karate suits me better than kickboxing. And with kickboxing, you can’t really practice techniques against weapons, can you?”

“Well, that’s true.”

For Katsuko, it isn’t just about aiming for the Olympics—she’s also, as the sub-leader of 『Rei』, considering how she can be the most effective asset.

“By the way, what do you think of Rurei-chan? Do you really think she’s all that?”

Katsuko suddenly changed the subject and asked about the sparring session between Rurei and Oto‐mu senpai.

Throughout their sparring, Oto‐mu senpai completely dominated.

Even though there was a weight class difference, after watching my own sparring, Rurei seemed rather unimpressive; compared to the time she floored a delinquent, she looked as if she were holding back.

“Well… we did watch it, so it’s possible they were holding back…”

“That’s right. There’s no way she’d intentionally reveal her full capabilities… You shouldn’t let your guard down around Rurei-chan.”

“…Despite that, you looked pretty happy, all cozy between Rurei’s soft, plush breasts. You looked just like her pet… Guhah!”

Katsuko’s body blow struck my gut, and my vision went completely white.

That day, I couldn’t even eat dinner.

A man has seven enemies when he crosses the threshold.

I learned that you should never let your guard down—neither against foes nor friends.