#105 Stirring

Today, as always, I continue to throw Masao-kun.
Well, it's only been three days, though.

Yumeko-san said she had some business to attend to and left a little while ago.

Even so, we continue our practice in silence.

There was a special reason I could work extra hard today.
That's right! Hono-chan came to visit for the first time in a while.

Lately, since practice has shifted to focus on upcoming matches and requires more concentration, Kame-san has been leaving her with her mother to attend, but since that wasn't possible today, she brought Hono-chan along.

Hono-chan seems to have grown a little since I last saw her.
So, I want her to see that I've grown too. (I wonder if she'll understand?)



After practice, just like before,
she toddled over to bring me some water.

“Thank you, Hono-chan!”

Then, with her round eyes sparkling,
“Tama-chan, you’re so good at throwing dolls!”
she praised me.

“Really?! I’m so happy!”
I couldn't help but hug her while ruffling her hair.

“Hey! That’s not fair, Tama-chan. Hey, hey, Hono-chan, what about me?”
Izane-chan asked.

“Hmm? Mommy got all squashed.”

“What! Really? I’m so happy to hear that!!”
Izane-chan picked Hono-chan up and spun her around.
Hono-chan was giggling with joy.

Even Izane-chan, who was meeting her for the first time, was already completely smitten, her face melting with affection.
It almost made me wonder, “Is this really the Demon-Slayer Izane?”


Thanks to Hono-chan, I was reminded of the peaceful scene from just a little while ago.
But time moves on, sweeping everything along with it.
Right now, like an insect waking up in spring, it’s happening little by little.
But I felt both excitement and anxiety that from here on, all events would surely start moving all at once.




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“Hmm? It’s from Izane-chan.”

I was just messing around on my phone with no particular purpose when a notification from Izane-chan popped up.

“What could it be? Did she forget something?”

“Huh, what’s this? Did something happen? ...Oh! Is it Korakuen today? Could it be Chizuru-san’s retirement announcement?”
That’s right, that was it.
I remember hearing something like that.

“Geez, Izane-chan. I already know about that!”
Still, I opened the latest video just as Izane-chan told me to.
It really does look like today’s Korakuen tournament.


“Oh! It’s Chizuru-san!”

Unlike when she was at the dojo the other day, Chizuru-san has her hair tied back in a tight ponytail and is wearing a red and black costume. Instead of a gentle smile, she has the sharp, focused look of a wrestler, which is very cool.
And with a dignified expression, she holds the microphone and looks straight at the audience.
This must be right after she made the retirement announcement.

“Ah, Chizuru-san is just so wonderful!!”
Just as I was watching idly in full fan mode, a beast-like roar suddenly erupted!!

“Wha—! W-w-w-wait a second!”

The venue exploded!!

“I-I-It’s SATORI! It’s SATORI PART I!!”
M-my knees almost gave out.

The camera turned to show someone walking down the north aisle wearing a navy pinstripe suit...

“It’s Yumeko-saaaaan!!”
My knees had already given out.

Amidst the loud cheers, Yumeko-san took the microphone halfway and stepped into the ring.

“UNI is the one holding the ropes!!”
A strange sense of jealousy welled up.


Yumeko-san stopped in the center of the ring, slowly looked around, and then said,

“Nerima Joshi fans! It’s All-World Women’s Pro-Wrestling’s Yumeko Amamiya!!”
That was her greeting.

The fans know that Yumeko-san participated in the dojo match the other day and that Kyokoron-senshu was confirmed to participate in the Budokan tournament.
They must be expecting another participation announcement.

...Does that mean?

“Wait! Could it be that my opponent is going to be announced too?!”

Whoa, seriously?!
No, no, no, no.
I don’t know yet, I don’t know yet.
Calm down, calm down, me.

Huh?!
Wait.
Is it her?

Heh.
I’m gonna do it!
I can feel something surging from the core of my body.

Yumeko-san turned around to face Chizuru-san.
And then,
“Chizuru! I finally got to see your match live after all this time! It’s crazy, just too crazy. As always, the nickname ‘Diablo’ is well-deserved.”

Yumeko-san grinned, and Chizuru-san responded with a mysterious smile of her own before opening her mouth.

“Yumeko-san! Thank you! I’m so happy to hear you say that!”

"Thank you."
But this wasn't the same kind of thank you as before; it was laced with provocation.

This wasn't Chizuru the Nerijo staff member.
This is pro-wrestler Chizuru Takanashi!!

“Heh, well, I didn’t come here today to make small talk. I’m here to settle the score from the other day.”
Yumeko-san stepped up to Chizuru-san.

“You’ve never stood in the Budokan ring, have you? Don’t you want to stand there before you retire?”

“WOOOOOOOO!!”
The cheers swirled throughout the venue.

“Oh, that sounds nice. Our generation has never stood there once. I’d be honored.”
Saying that, Chizuru-san looked around the venue, took a step forward, and slowly stood behind Yumeko-san.

“So, you!! Who have you prepared for me!!”
Chizuru-san spat out at Yumeko-san with a piercing gaze and a menacing tone.

Shudder.

The genuine terror of a pro-wrestler came through even through the screen.
My body trembled for a moment.

“Nice. I’ve been itching to fight you again for a long time... but as you know, I have someone I need to deal with myself... so I’ve prepared the best opponent for you.”
Yumeko-san turned around and locked eyes with Chizuru-san.

What?!
The best opponent?
Who? Who is it?

Maruko-san is suspended...
Ah! Is it Izane-chan!!
I definitely want to see Demon-Slayer Izane vs. Chizuru Takanashi!!

I see!
That’s why she wanted me to watch the video right away.
Izane-chan is so cute...






“It’s Tama! My Tamae will be your opponent!!”