Chapter 428: Can’t Even Call Me Dad
Soon, the whole living room was decorated by the two of them with a brand new look, filled with fresh fragrance, and full of vitality.
Ikeba Shizuka took advantage of this break to go to the bedroom.
When she came out again, He Ye ran to her and said with a smile, "Master, look, isn't she much prettier now?"
Hanyu Kusunoki also came over, waiting for comments with an expectant look on his face.
“Beautiful, very beautiful!”
Ikenami Shizuka's eyebrows were curved like a crescent moon. She handed the wooden box she took out from the bedroom to He Ye.
He Ye took the wooden box doubtfully and asked curiously, "Master, what is this?"
"This is a gift from Master. Open it and take a look."
Ikebo Shizuka smiled gently.
Kazuha carefully opened the box and saw two decks of old karuta cards lying quietly inside.
It can be seen that the original owner preserved them very carefully, and the patterns on the cards are still exquisite and delicate.
"Wow, what beautiful karuta cards!"
He Ye cried out in surprise.
Hanyu Kusunoki also exclaimed: "Master, this must be very precious, right?"
"This is the karuta I used when I was young. Now, I give it to you. I hope you can also create your own brilliance in the world of karuta."
Ikebo Shizuka spoke slowly, with a barely perceptible hint of recollection in her eyes.
The past is like smoke, fleeting, yet vivid in my mind.
"Master, I will definitely cherish it and live up to your expectations."
Kazuha held the karuta in both hands, looked solemn, and bowed deeply.
Ikebo Jinghua collected her thoughts, smiled gently, raised her hand to help He Ye up, "Okay, don't put pressure on yourself, Master just wants you to be happy."
After saying that, she turned and looked towards the window. The wind chimes that had just been hung were swaying in the wind. The afterglow of the setting sun slowly sprinkled down, giving everything a layer of warm golden edge.
"Stay for dinner. Master will make you something delicious."
"That's great. I haven't eaten food cooked by Master for a long time."
"I agree. I've only heard from my junior sister how delicious it is, but I've never tried it myself."
"Okay, Master will do it for you."
Ikenami Shizuka walked into the kitchen with a smile, put on an apron, and started to get busy.
He Ye and Hanyu Kusunoki were not idle either, one helped to wash the vegetables and the other helped to set the table.
However, the two of them were more of a hindrance than a help, and they started fighting while busying themselves.
"Ah, Brother, why did you mess with my face!"
"Who told you not to hide? You're covered in it now!"
Hanyu Kusunoki stood by the pool with a sly smile on his face, shaking the green leaves in his hand vigorously. The water droplets on the leaves fell all over Kazuha's face.
"Humph~"
He Yejiao snorted, showing a little dissatisfaction.
She gently licked the water drops sliding down her nose with her pink tongue, her movements were playful and cute, and then she hugged Ikebo Jinghua who was preparing the dishes, and said teasingly: "Master, my senior brother bullied me, he is bad~"
While complaining, she did not forget to tilt her head and make a face at Hanyu Kusunoki.
Ikebo Jinghua kept moving her hands, without turning her head, and just said lightly: "Xiao Nan."
"Yes, Junior Sister, I was wrong!"
After apologizing obediently, Hanyu Kusunoki glared fiercely at Kazuha who was looking smug.
Very good, now you have someone supporting you. If you have the ability, you can bring your master over here at night. Otherwise, don’t blame your subordinates for being ruthless.
By then, you can’t even call me brother, let alone dad.
……
With the two of them constantly making trouble, dinner was finally prepared before dark.
"Mm, it smells so good. Master deserves to be called the dinner king."
Looking at the delicious dishes on the table, Hanyu Kusunoki couldn't help but praise them.
Especially the fish dishes that Shizuka Ikenami is famous for, the appearance alone is enough to whet your appetite.
If Qingzi from next door saw this, she would definitely run over with drooling, and ask eagerly if she could adopt another adopted daughter.
"Master, I want to learn this!"
Kazuha's eyes lit up, and suddenly she felt that karuta was not so important anymore.
Ikebo Shizuka smiled and shook her head, "Okay, you guys are the ones who are so sweet, eat quickly."
As soon as the words fell, the two of them couldn't wait to pick up their chopsticks and start eating, their target directly targeting the steamed sturgeon on the table.
Each of them picked up a piece of fish and put it in their mouths, squinting their eyes in satisfaction.
"Eat slowly. No one is competing with you for the food. Don't choke."
Ikebo Jinghua looked at them wolfing down the food, her eyes full of kindness and tenderness.
Amidst the laughter and joy, she suddenly felt that it was no big deal if her husband and son did not come back, as she still had her two disciples to accompany her.
After dinner, He Ye and Hanyu Kusunoki took the initiative to clean up the table. They washed the dishes and wiped the table just like they did at home, and were very busy.
After cleaning up, the sky had already completely darkened and the night enveloped the earth.
"Come on, both of you go change your clothes and get ready for practice."
Ikebo Jinghua changed into a white training suit, held a wooden sword in her hand, and tapped each of her two disciples on the head gently.
"Master, please knock gently, or it will become dumb." He Ye rubbed his head and pouted, like a wronged kitten.
Hanyu Nan laughed at the side, "Junior sister, you are not smart anyway."
"Brother, say it again!"
He Ye waved his little fist.
The two went to the guest room to change into their training clothes. Hanyu Kusunoki wore a black training suit, looking calm and capable, while Kazuha wore a white training suit, looking like a fresh lily.
They followed Ikebana Shizuka out of the courtyard gate.
The destination is Osaka Castle Park Shudokan.
Practicing martial arts still requires a professional venue.
"So many people!"
He Ye held Ikenami Shizuka's arm and looked back and forth in the busy monastery, his eyes full of curiosity and excitement.
When she practiced Aikido before, she always practiced on the grounds in the academy, and she had never been to such a large venue.
In just a short while, she saw many people wearing different training clothes and holding different training equipment walking into the monastery.
"Master, this way."
Hanyu Kusunoki waved to the two of them from the front.
He had someone book an empty venue in advance.
“It’s a bit of a waste…”
Ikeba Shizuka walked in, looked at the empty, cleanly cleaned venue, and muttered something softly.
"No waste, this is suitable for practice!"
Hanyu Kusunoki retorted as he closed the door, shutting out all the noisy sounds outside.
Ikebo Shizuka was silent for a moment.
The waste she mentioned was not about wasting money, but it was a waste to use such a large venue only for her two stupid disciples to practice.
However, considering that she didn't want to undermine the confidence of the two, she chose to remain silent.
"Get ready to practice."
"Yes!"
Kazuha put down the box in her hand and took out the karuta cards and arranged them one by one on the prop board.
The rules of competitive karuta are very simple. There are two decks of cards, each with 100 cards. On them are written the waka in Japanese history, which are poems and songs. The most commonly used one is "Ogura Hyakunin Isshu".
At the beginning of the game, the referee will take away a deck of cards, and the two opponents will randomly take 25 cards each from another shuffled deck and arrange them in five card formations in front of them, called holding cards. The remaining 50 cards will be discarded.
There will be 15 minutes of recitation time. When the time is up, the referee will draw a card from a complete deck of cards and recite it. The two opponents need to determine the location of the card as soon as possible after the recitation. Whoever touches the designated card first will get the card.
When grabbing cards, you are allowed to directly sweep away other cards near the opponent's designated card. As long as you are in line, you get the card. You are not allowed to touch other cards. The winner can send any card in his own array to the opponent's array.
In the end, the person who clears his cards first wins.