Bofuri (The Strongest Shield Of Tensura)

Chapter Nine

By the time training was over, Kaede was well and truly tired. After a two hour long sparring session with Shogo, that ended in a draw (No you definitely did not lose Shogo, you definitely did not lose. You were obviously holding back.) Kaede was eventually directed to a blacksmith.

Two stores were passed before she made out the one she was directed to.

"How can I help you, miss?" An apprentice approached and asked, zeroing in on Kaede. He looked younger than she was.

"I'm here to order a shield, customized." She said. "Armour too, also customized."

"For you?" The apprentice asked.

"Yes."

"Uh, of course, miss." He said. "Let me fetch my master." He departed, and a short while later, an older man with a beard, slightly singed, emerged from the forge.

"Shield and armour, my boy said." The man said. "I'm master Gus."

"Kaede Honjou." She extended a hand out to the larger man. For a moment she was left with her hand extended, then he took it in his own, though she was the one who shook it.

"So what kinda shield are you wanting for?" He gave her a once over. "With your physique, I reckon you get yourself a buckler, or a heater. A round shield if you want to be extreme."

Kaede found her gaze drawn to her own body, unable to refute his words that she was, indeed lightweight. Even with the running she had been doing for almost a year, she was still in the realm of petite, albeit with a little muscle.

But that would change soon. With the changes her body was going through, it was only a matter of time before she had a perfectly robust body. Just this morning, she noticed signs of a six pack.

"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of a tower shield." The round shield she used back in training was actually pretty good. Especially since it would work well with her counter, once she learnt how to incorporate throwing, into her fighting style. However she just didn't feel right without holding her familiar rectangular shield.

Gus raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that lass? Balancing that, with your-"

"I'm aware." Kaede interjected. "-with my frame," she finished. "But I’m not looking for convenience. I’m looking for reliability, for something that feels like an extension of me." Kaede crossed her arms, standing firm. "I’ve used rectangular shields before. They suit my fighting style."

Gus studied her silently for a moment, his sharp eyes narrowing as if trying to gauge whether she was serious or simply naive. Finally, he let out a low grunt, scratching at his beard. "Alright, lass. If you’re set on it, then we’ll make it work. But you’re gonna have to be precise."

Kaede nodded. "I’ve already thought about the design. I want it rectangular, just shy of my full height. Reinforced edges, but not overly heavy—I’ll be using it for more than just blocking. It’ll need a slight curve, enough to deflect blows instead of taking them head-on. And the handle... make it adjustable, with a strap I can secure to my forearm. I want the option to wield it with one or both hands."

Gus raised an eyebrow again, this time with a glint of interest. "Huh. Not bad. You’ve actually put some thought into this. Most folk come in asking for something flashy and end up breaking it the first time it sees real action."

Kaede allowed herself a small smile.

"Glad you approve," Kaede said dryly, moving toward her side of the room.

Kirara watched her for a moment before clearing her throat and gesturing to the folded fabric on the table. "Anyway, I’ve got something for you. Your uniform came in."

Kaede glanced at the neatly folded stack of clothes Kirara had set out. The fabric was crisp, the design simple yet functional, with subtle detailing that hinted at its quality. Kaede walked over and picked it up, running her fingers over the fabric. "Looks good. Thanks for picking it up."

Kirara shrugged, leaning back into the couch with an air of casualness that didn’t quite hide her fidgeting. "It’s not a big deal. I figured you and Shogo would be too busy punching things or swinging shields around to notice."

Kaede raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment, setting the uniform aside. True, sparring with Shogo was something she actually looked forward to. "Something else on your mind, Kirara? You look... twitchy."

"Twitchy? I’m not twitchy," Kirara said quickly, straightening up. She hesitated, her usual bravado faltering for a split second before she masked it with an exaggerated toss of her hair. "Actually, now that you mention it... like, I was thinking we should go shopping tomorrow. Together."

Kaede turned to face her. "Shopping? For what?"

Kirara’s confidence wavered again, and for the briefest moment, Kaede caught a flicker of shyness in her expression. "You know, stuff. Clothes, accessories, supplies—important things. I mean, it’s not like I can trust your sense of fashion, so someone has to help you pick out something decent."

Kaede stared at her, unimpressed. "Right. Important things."

Kirara huffed, crossing her arms tightly and looking away. "Look, I just thought it’d be nice, okay? After all, you just got here, like, you'll have to get clothes eventually. Plus, I could use a second opinion. On stuff. Or whatever."

A small smile tugged at Kaede’s lips. "So, you just want company."

Kirara’s head snapped back toward her, her cheeks faintly pink. "What? No! I mean—maybe. I don’t need company, obviously, but, like, if you’re coming along, I won’t stop you. For your sake, of course. Like, someone has to keep you from buying something embarrassing."

Kaede chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Alright, fine. I’ll go. But you’d better not drag me into one of those accessory shops that smells like perfume."

Kirara grinned triumphantly, leaning back with a satisfied air. "Deal. But don’t blame me if I make you try on something cute. You could use a change from the whole ‘serious warrior’ thing you’ve got going on."

Kaede rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her face as she turned back to her bag. "Sure, Kirara. Whatever you say."

Kirara watched her for a moment, her grin softening into something warmer before she stood and stretched. "Alright, it’s a date, then. Don’t chicken out tomorrow, okay?"

Kaede waved a hand dismissively. "I’ll be there."

Kirara’s laugh echoed through the suite as she headed for her own room. "Oh, you will. But it’ll be worth it."

Kaede shook her head again, exhaustion finally catching up to her as she sank onto her bed. Despite her fatigue, she found herself looking forward to tomorrow, if only a little.