[He's absolutely right to assume that Kaoru wouldn't allow even a second of being off guard to go unpunished. He keeps his own well-maintained, and it's likely more than clear now that Kaoru's seen his share of battle. It's not a particularly refined stance in regard to any one school of training or another, but he knows how to keep himself from harm. It's largely self-taught, but efficient.
It's definitely a surprise when Soujirou exhibits speed similar to that of a demon, though, and even for an actual demon, sight can't be relied on in this situation. It's sound he leans to instead, turning just a fraction of a second before the strike would have hit—
And then there's Chizuru running forward, and Kaoru has to pull his own block back a little as he curves to protect her from his own blade and from Soujirou's reach. It's a hasty and therefore somewhat sloppy move. He's nicked by the sword that he otherwise could have blocked entirely, and his own may still swing wide enough to catch Chizuru despite his efforts, but he's certainly trying.]
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It's definitely a surprise when Soujirou exhibits speed similar to that of a demon, though, and even for an actual demon, sight can't be relied on in this situation. It's sound he leans to instead, turning just a fraction of a second before the strike would have hit—
And then there's Chizuru running forward, and Kaoru has to pull his own block back a little as he curves to protect her from his own blade and from Soujirou's reach. It's a hasty and therefore somewhat sloppy move. He's nicked by the sword that he otherwise could have blocked entirely, and his own may still swing wide enough to catch Chizuru despite his efforts, but he's certainly trying.]
I told you to stay back—!