Natsume's Mute Classmate Is a Master of Swords

As Natsume fled through the forest from a yokai once again, a classmate who had been missing for half a month suddenly fell from the sky.

His head full of questions, Natsume was distracted for just a moment. The yokai charged at his frail classmate, and Natsume jolted to his feet in alarm.

"Kutani-kun, get out of there!"

But the boy raised a hand, and cherry blossoms scattered, beautiful as a painting. A sharp blade shot out from among the petals, and the god wielding it cut down the evil yokai at its master's command.

It was over in an instant.

The one who had dealt with the yokai lowered his head. Backlit, he looked down in confusion at the battered Natsume in his arms, opening his mouth but making no sound.

Panting, Natsume suddenly remembered that his rather aloof classmate... seemed to be mute.

*

Kudani Tsunetsuki had transmigrated a month ago. His inability to speak was a debuff that kept him from having normal relationships with his classmates. Every day, he either spaced out or was on his way to spacing out.

Then he fell into a Honmaru. Looking at the System screen that lit up alongside this group of sword spirits, he finally found something to motivate him.

The sword spirits here had just been attacked. They said they had been about to be matched with a new master when their location was discovered. They were low on strength, so they fought with everything they had... and got beaten into the dirt! Now they could either wait for the government to rescue them, or hope a sudden arrival of a Saniwa would repair the Honmaru and quickly establish contact.

Kudani Tsunetsuki: ? Is this right? Are these swords any good?

He looked around. Every one of them was injured, yet they sat before him with their backs straight and their eyes burning with fervor.

Kudani Tsunetsuki: Fine.

The System could restore his voice, but it would cost points. That was the usual setup, but how was he supposed to earn points...? Kudani Tsunetsuki pondered. The answer: he had to show off.

Ha.

You're telling me, a mute, to show off?

Excuse me? Why?!

He took a deep breath. And he had to show off with this whole group of swords, too.

Fine.

The sword spirits waited tensely, every muscle taut, for the voice of the chosen master to descend from above. Instead, the boy before them gave them an angelic smile.

Kudani Tsunetsuki's fighting spirit blazed. To escape his inability to speak, he was determined to become this Honmaru's Saniwa.

Later, as he listened to the notifications, [Showing-Off Points +1, Showing-Off Points +10, Showing-Off Points +10086...], he contentedly stroked Teacher Cat's paw.

Teacher Cat: Natsume! Help me! (Struggling helplessly)

1. OOC warning!

Theme: A little excitement makes life all the more wonderful