Chapter 83: The Second Tennis War (5)
"You can't use that kind of move! Why are you so obsessed with Rocket Racket?!"
Yuigahama hurriedly stopped the discussion of despicable tactics squared, grabbing Luke Nova's arm and trying to drag him away.
"I know, I know! Let go already! I was just joking!"
After surviving Yuigahama's grip, Luke stood up and sighed helplessly. Looking sideways at the puffed-up Yuigahama, he said, "Seriously, what did you even come to the tennis court for?"
"Hm?"
Yuigahama froze, not reacting.
Did this girl's reflex arc really take longer than normal people's?
Luke helplessly reminded her again, "Didn't you say you lost rock-paper-scissors to Yukinoshita during lunch and had to do a penalty game? Don't tell me you really came here to be a cheerleader…"
"Ah—!"
Yuigahama finally reacted and cried out in panic. Her eyes widened more and more, and her voice started trembling.
"Oh no~ Oh no—! I was supposed to buy drinks! Yukinon must be getting annoyed waiting for me!"
Oh, so the penalty for losing was going to the school store to buy drinks.
This girl had actually thrown the whole thing to the back of her mind.
Yukinoshita's tutoring still needed strengthening.
"Then you don't need to rush anymore… The person herself has already appeared."
He pointed at Yukinoshita, who was walking straight toward them from a distance.
Yuigahama's body stiffened. Like a robot, she creaked her head around and looked at the cold-faced Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Yuigahama-san, promising someone something and then standing them up to run away is an extremely rude act."
Yukinoshita spoke coldly to Yuigahama.
"Sorry, sorry! I'll go right now!"
Yuigahama did not explain herself. She waved her arms in a panic and hurriedly ran toward the school store.
Only then did Yukinoshita's displeased expression improve somewhat.
"Bring me an orange juice too!"
Luke took the chance to call after her.
Yukinoshita turned her gaze toward him.
"And what are you doing here?"
"Good question!"
Luke turned his head and looked at Yukinoshita seriously.
"To protect the world, I'm waiting here for the hero so I can issue the main quest."
"Hey! Have you people decided or not?!"
Miura Yumiko shouted at him impatiently.
"Almost."
He answered Miura, then turned back toward the confused Yukinoshita.
Yukinoshita sighed.
"Could you explain it to me in a normal way?"
And so, he explained everything that had happened here to the confused Yukinoshita.
Thankfully, his ability to explain things was not bad. Before long, he had conveyed the entire sequence of events to her.
After hearing the cause and effect, Yukinoshita nodded, having sorted out the situation.
"Who exactly is going to play?"
Miura Yumiko walked over.
"Miura-san, Totsuka-kun's right to use the tennis court was never a valid wager to begin with."
After analyzing the situation, Yukinoshita spoke bluntly to Miura Yumiko.
"Hah? What are you talking about?"
Miura looked at Yukinoshita in confusion.
"Totsuka-kun offered up part of the court usage rights that already belonged to him as the wager. But whether you win or lose, you won't suffer any loss, correct?"
Yukinoshita continued looking at Miura.
"So from the beginning, this cannot be considered a fair match."
Miura Yumiko frowned.
"So what exactly are you saying? You want to go back on the match we already agreed to?"
"It does not count as going back on it. I am merely saying that a wagered match should be built upon a fair foundation before it begins."
Yukinoshita continued.
"Since Totsuka-kun has already paid part of the price, logically, you should also offer an equivalent wager for it to count as fair."
Yukinoshita then pointed at Luke.
"Also, although my club member is careless with his words and has a rather poor personality, the so-called 'Rocket Racket' is only a statement, not an act that has actually happened. Therefore, it cannot become a reason for you to forbid him from playing."
Luke nodded heavily.
Although she had insulted him, still…
Nice work, Yukinoshita!
"Hah! After saying such a long pile of stuff, don't tell me you're scared?!"
Miura probably had not listened at all and answered directly.
Yukinoshita's expression immediately darkened.
Luke moved a little farther away from the cold aura radiating from Yukinoshita.
Yukinoshita did not say anything else. She silently walked over to Totsuka Saika.
"Totsuka-kun, may the Service Club take full responsibility for this match?"
"T-this match…"
Totsuka Saika anxiously glanced at Hikigaya and Luke.
"Totsuka-kun, this is something only you can decide for yourself."
Yukinoshita warned Totsuka Saika seriously.
"If you leave it to us, we will do everything we can to help you take back the rights that belong to you."
Hearing her say that, Totsuka Saika pressed his lips together without saying a word. His anxious appearance made him look exactly like a kitten brought into a stranger's house.
Yukinoshita also remained silent, but her eyes stayed fixed on Totsuka Saika with a serious gaze.
In the end, Totsuka Saika nodded, agreeing to her request.
"Good. The Service Club accepts your request."
Yukinoshita returned to Miura Yumiko.
"Now the Service Club will be competing against you. So, what punishment can you prepare for your loss?"
"Loss?"
Miura asked in disbelief.
"How could we lose?"
"So now you're the ones who are afraid? Afraid of losing to us, so you don't dare put down a fair stake for this match."
Yukinoshita countered.
"How is that possible?!"
Miura's irritated eyes sharpened, and she glared hard at Yukinoshita.
"In that case, let's change the wager. How about the losers become the winners' servants for one day?"
"Servants?"
Luke, who had gone back to poking at ants, raised his head.
Read as: servant.
Written as: slave.
"I have no problem with that. I only hope you won't regret it."
Yukinoshita responded coldly.
"So will the match be one-on-one, or mixed doubles?"
Miura glanced at Luke beside her, then turned back to Yukinoshita.
"One-on-one, of course. When the time comes, I'll have you keep buying drinks and lunch for me."
Huh?
That's it…?
Luke lowered his head and went back to poking at the ants.
Yukinoshita replied, "I hope that when you lose, you can continue showing that expression. I will strictly demand that you follow the standards of a servant…"
Luke raised his head.
Yukinoshita continued, "Whether it is housework, cooking, or tea ceremony, I hope you prepare in advance. Otherwise, I will absolutely make you repeat every failed process again and again until I am satisfied."
Luke lowered his head again.
Boring.
Yukinoshita and Miura, who were preparing to borrow tennis uniforms from the girls' tennis club, continued arguing the entire way.
The uneasy Totsuka Saika walked over to Luke's side and asked in a trembling voice, "I-is this… really okay? With those two like that?"
"What's wrong with it?"
Luke looked at Totsuka Saika.
"The Ice Hero facing the Fire Demon King. Isn't that a perfectly normal thing? Just watch the match…"
…
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