"Cloude, that's not what I meant! I meant that your reaction during the testing made me think that we are alike. It's a special feeling that I can't explain," said Shoyo.
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Cloude picked up his giant sword and walked out of the room, patting Shoyo's shoulder. "We'll have plenty of time in the future. I just wanted to see who my roommate is. See you tomorrow."
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Shoyo remembered there was still half an hour left, so he tidied up his room and waited outside the girls' dormitory.
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The boys' and girls' dormitories were on opposite sides of the academy, separated by the entrance plaza. Rachel had just left the dormitory when she noticed Shoyo waiting and quickly said goodbye to the girl next to her.
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"Weren't we supposed to meet at the main gate?" she asked.
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"It's not even fifteen minutes yet, and I've been waiting here directly," Shoyo replied.
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"Well, well, it turns out you're quite punctual. I've already left home early, luckily I didn't have to wait for you. By the way, who's your roommate?"
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"Cloude."
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Rachel paused for a moment to think about the owner of the name. "The one with the giant sword, right?"
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"Hmm... He's easier to get along with than I imagined. If you have nowhere to go this afternoon, would you like to come to my house? Let my mom repay you properly."
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Since tomorrow is the celebration, Rachel didn't refuse. On the way, Shoyo took the opportunity to learn about her family and background. It turns out that Rachel is a resident of Compason, which is located south of Grandecy, while to the north of Grandecy, there are two cities, Squarein and Northano. Because she didn't want to travel too far, Rachel will stay in Grandecy even on holidays for the next year.
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Arriving at the residential area on the east side, Shoyo's house is a two-story bungalow. His room is on the upper floor, while all other facilities are on the lower floor. Behind the bungalow, there is a kendo hall, and the roof of the kendo hall connects to the second floor, giving it a more spacious feel.
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"Mom, aunt, aunty, I'm back, and I've brought Miss Rachel, my benefactor. If it weren't for her stopping the prosecutor for me, I wouldn't have been able to register for this year's assessment on time."
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A young woman stepped out of the kitchen, with light blue straight hair just like Shoyo's. She is Ayaka, Shoyo's mother. "Hello." Faced with Shoyo's kind mother, Rachel appeared quite shy.
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"Aoino is busy with preparations for tomorrow's celebration, and Anami is resting. Miss Rachel, right? Please have a seat, and thank you for helping my little brother."
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"It was nothing, just a small favor." Even the other party's mother praised herself, and she tried to appear indifferent, but couldn't hide her inner joy.
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"Mom, I passed the first assessment!"
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"Seeing how happy you are, I already know. If you hadn't passed, you wouldn't have set foot inside this house. How's the old man doing?"
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The mother and son began discussing matters related to the academy, and in their conversation, Ayaka showed a deep nostalgia for the academy and a close acquaintance with the Headmaster.
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Shoyo walked to the room next to the dojo and shared the good news with Aunt Anami, who was lying on the bed. Although there were bandages separating them, he could still feel her smile through her eyes and the corners of her mouth, as she raised her thumb to encourage him.
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Anami was originally the successor of the family's kendo tradition but suffered severe burns to her face, left hand, and legs during a trip. Although it didn't affect her speech and basic actions, most of her body was wrapped in bandages, confining her to the house. Ayaka took care of her, and Shoyo was less than six years old at that time. However, because of this, she had more time at home to teach the foundations of kendo to Shoyo together with Aoino.
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"Let's have dinner before returning to the dormitory." Faced with Ayaka's kind and gentle smile, Rachel hadn't felt this warmth in a long time. A comforting feeling surged up, causing her crystal-clear tears to well up, which she managed to hold back.
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"What's wrong? Do you need to rush home?"
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"...I don't have a home."
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