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He tapped the edge of the landing stage with his staff. Several small rowing boats were bobbing gently in the water.

‘I want you to pair off and row these boats to the other shore and back.’

‘How’s that going to help with our balance?’ asked Saburo.

‘One of you will be rowing. The other must stand on the stern,’ explained Sensei Kano. ‘Change over when you reach the far bank. It’s a race, but one not necessarily won by the fastest rowers. If your partner falls in, you have to row in a complete circle before continuing again. Yori-kun, can you ensure everyone observes this rule?’

The class began to pair off and clamber into the boats.

‘Would you join me in my boat?’ asked Takuan of Akiko, stepping in front of Jack in the line.

‘I was intending to row with Kiku,’ she replied, bowing her head in appreciation of the offer.

‘Of course,’ replied Takuan. ‘But wouldn’t it make more sense if Saburo partnered Kiku?’

Saburo’s mouth fell open at the suggestion, while Kiku blinked in surprise.

‘A big strong samurai like you would surely relish the opportunity to race with a light, fast girl like Kiku.’

Saburo stood tall, tightening the obi round his ample waist, trying to match up to the praise. ‘Well, if you put it like that…’

‘Excellent,’ said Takuan, as if the decision had been made. ‘Don’t look so put out, Jack. I’d row with you, but it would be an unfair advantage.’

‘What do you mean?’ said Jack, taken off-guard.

‘With you having been a sailor, you stand the best chance of winning,’ explained Takuan, helping Akiko into a boat. ‘It wouldn’t be fair if the girls didn’t have some male strength to even up the competition.’

‘Not that Akiko needs any help,’ Takuan added quickly, noticing her brow furrow slightly at his comment.

‘You’re certainly right about that,’ said Jack, climbing into a boat with Yamato. ‘It’s good of you to add ballast to her boat, though! But I still don’t rate your chances.’

‘That sounds like a challenge,’ grinned Takuan. ‘See you at the finish line.’

Takuan eased his boat away from the jetty, Akiko settling in the stern.

‘He’s certainly got a way with words,’ said Yamato, taking up the oars.

Jack nodded his agreement, watching Akiko drift by, her gentle laughter carried on the breeze. He very much hoped she wasn’t being taken in by Takuan’s charms.

Once everyone was lined up, the non-rowers climbed on to the rear rail of their boats. Many of the students were wobbling precariously, despite holding out their staffs for balance.

‘Are you ready… go!’ shouted Sensei Kano.

The little boats surged forward. There was a huge splash as Saburo was the first to topple into the water. He came up gasping and nearly capsized the boat as Kiku helped him back in, before picking up the oars and starting their penalty circle.

Jack quickly found his sea legs and urged Yamato to paddle harder. They eased ahead of the pack. Behind them, Jack heard another splash and glanced round to see Cho floundering in the pond. Emi was irritably telling her off, saying she should have chosen Kai instead. Kai looked like she would have appreciated swapping over, considering her partner was the heavyweight Nobu.

Akiko and Takuan were making steady progress, with Takuan being careful not to rock the boat as he rowed, though Jack knew Akiko could probably stand on one leg in a storm and still not fall over. These days her new talents seemed boundless. Then Jack spotted Kazuki and Hiroto speeding up behind them, Hiroto rowing in long, powerful strokes while Kazuki crouched on the stern, keeping his centre of gravity low and his bō in hand.

‘Row faster!’ shouted Jack. ‘They’re catching up.’

Yamato put his back into it. They passed the midway marker of an ornamental stone, but Hiroto proved the better oarsman and soon the two boats were drawing level with one another. All of a sudden, Jack’s ribs flared with pain and he almost toppled overboard.

‘That’s cheating!’ exclaimed Yamato, having witnessed Jack receive