Chapter 49: Alright, Go Get ‘Em, Yukinoshita!

…

With Hayama Hayato, the “King of School Popularity,” joining the fray, this otherwise ordinary match suddenly became the center of hot debate.

Of course, strictly speaking, this match couldn’t really be called ordinary, because it determined who got the rights to use the tennis court.

…

Right now, a crowd had gathered at the tennis court at the school’s corner, packed tightly together.

A rough count showed over 200 people. Some were from Hayama’s clique, but even more were busybodies who’d overheard the news somewhere and swarmed in just for the spectacle.

Most were Hayama’s fans, though he always called them friends. What seemed fake and insincere to Himekoji was taken by others as proof of Hayama’s approachable nature.

The crowd was mostly second-year students, peppered with a few first-years; third-years were rare.

It almost made Himekoji Akito suck his teeth in disbelief—

Whoa, this guy’s serious!

Seriously, that level of popularity could rival a politician, couldn’t it?

“Hayato! Hayato! Hayato!”

Hayama’s supporters spontaneously started a mexican wave — no, a cheering wave.

Huh? What was that about? It’s not a concert!

Well, it wasn’t that everyone was truly dedicated Hayama fans. More likely, most people just thought it looked fun and exciting, so they joined in on the cheering wave to be part of things.

Right?

That must be it, right?

He really wanted to believe that was the case!

Anyway, this whole show was kind of scary. From an outsider’s perspective, it felt chilling, almost like a weird fan club. Honestly! The youth fan club cult!

…

Amid the chaos, Hayama Hayato walked solemnly towards the center of the tennis court. Under the gaze of the spectators, he showed no sign of nervousness. His smile was open and cheerful. He was clearly already used to that kind of attention.

In contrast, Himekoji’s side completely lost in terms of momentum. In fact, if you closed your eyes, the deafening cheers and shouts from the opponent’s side coming at you from all directions would be super disorienting.

In front of everyone, Hayama-sama spoke—

“I think activities like this are way more fun when everyone joins in. So, let’s both send out four players. Two versus two matches twice. If the overall score ends up tied, we’ll use the individual point scores to find the winner.”

Hayama said four people because Yukinoshita had returned holding the first aid kit just then.

Therefore, excluding Totsuka, who was a member of the tennis club and couldn’t compete, Himekoji’s side conveniently had exactly four people.

Yep, classic Hayama-style belief: everyone participates, everyone has fun.

But since it was a match, there had to be a losing side. And usually, only the winners really got to enjoy themselves.

Hayama’s belief, in Himekoji Akito’s view, was undeniably wrong.

…

Yukinoshita, returning with the first aid kit, gave only a cold glance at the crowd on the other side before walking straight over to Totsuka.

“You can handle treating injuries yourself, right? It’s pretty simple,” she asked him, just like that.

“Eh? Ah… um…”

Totsuka was so surprised he could only stammer out that response. His face dumbfounded, he instinctively reached out and took the first aid kit from her hands.

“Yukino-chan went to get the first aid kit specially for Saika… Ahh, she really is gentle,” murmured Yuigahama, clasping her hands over her own uselessly large chest, a sentimental expression on her face.

Even Himekoji Akito was a bit taken aback.

…

Speaking of which, what would have happened if Saika had told Yukinoshita he couldn’t use the kit? Would the lofty Yukinoshita have actually stepped in and treated his wound herself?

Imagine it—

Yukinoshita puckering her small lips gently blowing cool air onto your wound…

Then the girl lifts her snow-white, delicate neck slightly, looking up at you gently from underneath, and in a soft voice, asks you—

“Akito, does it hurt?”

…

Huh? Wait? Since when did the name become Akito here?

Didn’t that mean his imagination just totally spilled out?

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! Himekoji Akito wasn’t looking forward to that at all!

…

Hmm… Well, maybe he should… take a fall like Totsuka had?

You know, wasn’t it like… an opportunity only comes once?

…

“Fine then. Like that. Four players each. Two versus two matches twice.” After dealing with Totsuka, Yukinoshita finally turned her attention back towards Hayama. She stepped forward and answered him cleanly, without fuss.

Look—

This was Yukinoshita. Facing any challenge, she would meet it head-on and crush it with full force. This was Yukinoshita.

…

Four people, grouped in pairs?

That means…

Wait, wasn’t this just like the tennis class? They had to team up?

He subconsciously glanced back. Sure enough, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were already standing together.

Geez, why are you guys the same too! So quick to pair up?!

But luckily, there were four people, an even number. So after those two paired up, Himekoji wasn’t the only leftover; speaking of being left alone, Hikigaya was in the same boat.

So, without a doubt, the team pairings were—

Yukinoshita with Yuigahama.

Himekoji with Hikigaya.

Ever eager, Yukinoshita decisively stepped onto the tennis court first.

Her teammate Yuigahama, however, visibly hesitated.

“Yui, if you stand there, it means you are against me. Are you okay with that?” The moment she saw Yuigahama step onto the court, Miura immediately crossed her arms and glared at her.

Hostility flashed in Miura’s eyes, made dark and slightly unnatural with mascara and eyeliner. Along with that, Miura’s blonde hair seemed to swish with displeasure as she stood there, radiating pure Queen vibes.

The proud look of Miura Yumiko, amplified by the whispers and gossip from the spectators outside the court, felt like a total public shaming.

Pushed further down by that, Yuigahama’s eyes slowly lowered towards the ground.

Gripping the hem of her skirt, her body trembled slightly, seeming very tense.

Himekoji watched from the side speechless, curling his lip.

Inside his mind, he grumbled impatiently—

Seriously! Didn’t you guys have a proper heart-to-heart back in the classroom?

Why doesn’t it look like anything worked?

It’s still just the Queen and her servant…

Himekoji was thinking that even as the next moment—

Yuigahama lifted her head.

Her face was clearly different from one week ago, now completely makeup-free. Though her bare face looked much younger and less put-together, this was the real Yuigahama that Himekoji recognized.

Yuigahama wasn’t anyone’s servant. She didn’t need to please anyone.

For the first time, she met the other girl’s gaze seriously, without flinching back:

“Yumiko, we are friends, but… but the club means a lot to me too! So, I have to play!”

“Oh… is that so? Heh, well aren’t you brave, Yuigahama? I’ll remember that,” Miura curled her lips up. Her smile bloomed like fiercely burning hellfire, blazing hot across her face.

However, the girl probably forgot: she wasn’t the only one on the court who could be called Queen.

After Miura had been striking her pose for quite a while, it finally seemed to bother Yukinoshita just a little. The girl suddenly stepped forward.

“You dare to bully my frien—”

Hmm, when saying that word, Yukinoshita’s cheeks seemed to flush slightly. Ah, right; saying “friend” was bound to be embarrassingly cringey, huh?

She paused calmly for a moment, then continued:

“You dare to bully a member of my club? Do you realize this? Just so you know, I hold grudges, regardless of how I might appear.”

No, no, no, you totally do seem like that type, he thought instantly.

Himekoji swiftly offered his classic deadpan mental retort.

“Miss Yukinoshita, was it? Sorry, no mercy from me. You’re some kind of rich girl, aren’t you? If you don’t want to get hurt, I’d advise you to give up now,” Miura swung her racket once, flashing a smile brimming with confidence.

Oh dear heavens, that idiot Miura!

Challenging Yukinoshita like that… Talk about waving a death flag!

“No worries,” Yukinoshita also flashed a smile of supreme confidence. “I’ll be gentle. I’ll pick apart that worthless pride of yours bit by bit.”

Compared side by side, hers was clearly the authentic, genuine unbeatable smile.

No doubt about it, this woman Yukinoshita was a tricky enemy, but weirdly, she made for a totally dependable teammate.

Hmm. An enemy to this woman… now that was pitiful.

Hey, wait… Isn’t he like… Yukinoshita’s enemy too?

Hold on! That suddenly felt incredibly terrifying! Should he maybe try rushing over to surrender?

Nah, surrender?

Pffft! Surrender? Forget that!

…

Damn, that was close. Himekoji Akito nearly gave in.