My Girlfriend is an Evil Woman

“Fukuzawa-san, Fukuzawa-san?”

“Huh?” Fukuzawa Fuyumi straightened up and rubbed her eyes, saying, “Sorry, has the class started?”

“No… um, the next class is at the Kendo Dojo. Aren’t you going there?”

Fukuzawa Fuyumi paused for a moment before recalling her schedule and hurriedly replied, “Thank you, I’ll go there right away.”

“Alright then, remember to bring your Kendo uniform. See you later.” The female classmate waved her hand and left first. Fukuzawa Fuyumi looked around the classroom and found that everyone had already gone to the Kendo Dojo’s changing room to get ready.

The sliding door of the classroom was not fully closed, and she could faintly hear some giggles coming from the corridor. “Why does Fukuzawa always doze off during class?”

“It’s not exactly dozing off; she pays attention during class. She just rests during breaks.”

“That’s still not normal. Maybe she lied about her age and is actually only eleven or twelve years old, unable to handle the intensity of high school?”

“Shh, lower your voice! It’s not nice to talk about others like this.”

“It’s just the four of us here; no one will hear…”

The voices gradually faded away, and Fukuzawa Fuyumi shook her little ears, feeling somewhat annoyed by the gossip—her hearing was exceptional, probably because of the constant arguing at home. She had developed the ability to discern even the slightest nuances in sounds, which allowed her to eavesdrop on those busybodies.

She mentally noted the names of the girls who had gossiped about her, except for the one who kindly woke her up, and decided to get back at them when she had the chance. Afterward, she went to the back of the classroom to find her locker and took out her Kendo uniform, hakama, and headscarf, pursing her lips with a sense of discomfort.

The family’s expenses had increased significantly this year, but the income didn’t match, far from meeting the expectations. This left her tired, and those gossiping girls didn’t understand anything, yet they felt entitled to talk behind her back…

It was all because of that sickly brat and that pretty boy; they ruined her perfect plan!

Oh, right, the next class is Kendo, and it seems like it’s a big class. She had been wanting to give that pretty boy a beating to vent her frustration but hadn’t found the opportunity. Today, she’d see if it’s possible… However, that pretty boy didn’t intentionally ruin her good deeds. After venting her anger with a couple of hits, she’d let it go. Once she got into the special advanced class and snatched a spot, then she could talk to the school about conditions.

Fukuzawa Fuyumi had made up her mind and grabbed her bag, heading to the Kendo Dojo.

……………………

“I say, Kitahara, you seem to have lost weight, huh? Ow, that hurts!”

In the men’s changing room of the Kendo Dojo, Kitahara Hideji was changing into his Kendo uniform when he felt like someone was trying to touch him inappropriately from behind. He quickly turned around and slapped away Uchida Yuma’s hand.

Uchida Yuma rubbed his hand in pain and wondered if he was seeing things, but the pain was real. However, he didn’t mind and turned to Shima Rei, asking, “Rei, did Kitahara lose weight?”

Shima Rei was hiding in a corner, changing clothes discreetly. When he heard the question, she looked over and saw Kitahara Hideji’s bare back, with well-defined muscles. His face blushed slightly, and he whispered, “Kitahara-kun has always had a good physique.”

“Haha, what are you saying? I’m asking if he has become thinner… He was already quite skinny, and now he seems even thinner, right?”

Kitahara Hideji put on his cotton Kendo uniform and replied irritably, “I’ve been exercising a lot lately!”

“Exercising a lot? Are you really practicing Kendo at home?” Uchida Yuma was persistent and reached out to squeeze his arm, exclaiming, “It’s so hard! You actually have muscles now!”

Shima Rei immediately looked concerned and walked over. He hesitated for a moment before gently touching Kitahara Hideji’s arm and blushing, he assessed it, “Um… Did you really start training? You should be careful with the intensity at the beginning. It would be troublesome if you injure your elbow or wrist.”

Shima Rei could be a bit effeminate or shy at times, and Kitahara Hideji treated such people more politely. He thanked Shima Rei and said, “I understand, thank you, Rei… Can I call you Rei?”

Shima Rei looked pleased and replied, “Of course, I’d be glad. And yes, please feel free to call me Rei.” He then seemed a bit embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, “Later, I can help Kitahara-kun with the proper posture and Suburi exercises. Using the correct form will prevent injuries.”

Kitahara Hideji’s movements and postures were based on the skill “Ancient Swordsmanship,” and he thought they should be fine. However, he smiled and said, “Sure, I’d appreciate your help later, Rei.”

“Not troublesome at all, not at all… I thought you were just reading books, but I didn’t expect you to really start practicing. Would you like to join the club activities this afternoon…” Shima Rei paused midway, remembering that Fukuzawa Fuyumi, that radish head, might also go to the Kendo Club. Though the chances of them meeting were small, if Kitahara Hideji encountered her, he would probably be targeted, and the outcome would be quite miserable. So, Shima Rei couldn’t continue with the suggestion.

Kitahara Hideji smiled and didn’t mind, while Uchida Yuma took over the conversation, “Rei, has that little brat caused trouble for you at the Kendo Club?”

Being siblings with Shima Kanae, Shima Rei and Shima Kanae had their fair share of quarrels and fights, but they always made up after a week. Shima Rei had even joined the Kendo Club’s training to prepare for the summer competition.

Shima Rei hesitated for a moment and whispered, “No, actually Fukuzawa-san doesn’t attend the regular practices much. It seems she has some agreement with my sister and only participates in competitions. She can only find time to practice once a week for an hour. Maybe because she needs to help with her family’s shop or something, my sister agreed to let her check her skills once a week. But last week, I took the opportunity to spar with her a few times. Although I lost, I found she’s actually quite straightforward. There might have been some misunderstandings before. I’m planning to talk to her and see if we can clear things up…”

Before Shima Rei could finish, Uchida Yuma exploded, shouting, “Are you planning to be a traitor?”

Shima Rei was taken aback, “A traitor?”

“She provoked us first, and we never did anything to her!”

“No, I just wanted…”

Seeing them arguing again, Kitahara Hideji quickly intervened, separating them, and said with a smile, “Alright, this doesn’t concern you guys. Fukuzawa is targeting me.”

Uchida Yuma grumbled indignantly, “We’re good friends, and if she’s targeting you, then she’s targeting all three of us! Hot-blooded youth needs an enemy, and that little brat seems suitable with her villainous face… How about we set a goal to defeat her in the coming year?”

Shima Rei exclaimed angrily, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Kitahara Hideji tried to mediate, “I can handle it myself, thanks for your concern, Uchida. I appreciate it, but I can handle her.”

Uchida Yuma waved his hand and said, “It’s nothing. Kitahara, your problem is my problem. Don’t be embarrassed! I’m Yuma, who values loyalty, not Shima who lacks it!”

Kitahara Hideji felt like he was going to spit blood. Can he even stop them from arguing?

Shima Rei was trembling with anger and shouted, “I’m doing this for Kitahara-kun’s own good!”

Uchida Yuma glanced at Shima Rei sideways and thought that he didn’t have a gun in his hand, or else he would have executed Shima Rei, the traitor, according to military discipline. He sarcastically said, “If that little brat causes trouble again during the kendo class, which side will you stand on? With your club members or your friends?”

Shima Rei was taken aback, about to speak, but Kitahara Hideji stopped him and smiled, “If Fukuzawa causes trouble again, I won’t be polite to her, and you guys can just stay neutral!”

Shima Rei mumbled, “If we can clear up the misunderstanding, it will be fine, Kitahara-kun… During the kendo class, we’ll focus on theory, and Fukuzawa won’t get a chance to cause trouble. Let’s take the opportunity to talk to her and find out why she’s upset…” He wanted to resolve the situation peacefully, while Uchida Yuma, full of youthful vigor, was afraid of nothing and directly interrupted Shima Rei, shouting, “Kitahara, I’ll help you. If she dares to act up again, we’ll beat her up together!”

Kitahara Hideji laughed and glanced at 【Ancient Swordsmanship LV 10】, saying, “We won’t bully her with numbers. I can handle her on my own.”