Chapter 85: The Second Tennis War (7)
The tennis ball was blocked back by Yukinoshita and bounced up right beside Miura's feet, making her let out a small scream.
"You probably didn't know this, but I'm also good at tennis."
Yukinoshita's eyes, which were already cold as usual, turned even colder now, like a predator facing its prey.
Miura stood frozen where she was, returning Yukinoshita's gaze with a fierce look mixed with fear. She probably had not expected Yukinoshita's technique to be this polished.
"Yukinon is amazing…"
Yuigahama exclaimed in admiration at that counterattack.
Luke also nodded in surprise.
This girl practiced dance before, didn't she…?
"Tsubame Gaeshi!"
The broadcasting club roared.
"…Who would have thought Yukinoshita-san would actually return that serve?! Is this the legendary Tsubame Gaeshi?!"
"…"
Did those broadcasting club guys have nothing else to do?
He sincerely hoped the student council president could cut their budget a little, so they would stop being bored all day.
"Miura-san, unlike you, my attacks will be even fiercer."
Yukinoshita smiled faintly and began launching her own offensive.
The tennis ball flew over the net.
Yukinoshita attacked!
Her technique truly was refined. Even Miura Yumiko, who had been in the tennis club during middle school, was forced onto the back foot.
Whether attacking or defending, Yukinoshita Yukino handled it with ease. Or rather, her defense against the returning ball was itself a form of attack.
Just by hearing the voices of the spectators, one could already understand the situation on the court.
Every one of Yukinoshita's returns drew surprised gasps from the audience.
Her movements and posture had already conquered the crowd.
Only Yuigahama, the centrist, loudly cheered for both sides at the same time.
In everyone's eyes, Yukinoshita at this moment was like a fairy leaping around the court with the tennis ball, almost as if she were dancing. Even the sound of the tennis ball hitting the court and colliding with the racket seemed to be accompanying her movements.
"Yukinoshita-san attacks again! The ball is flying out, front court—eh? No! Its target is the back court!"
"Could this be a Zero-Shiki Lob?!"
"Miura-san noticed it! Can she make it in time? …What a pity! She couldn't reach it!"
"It seems Yukinoshita-san still has the upper hand. Her domineering posture is just like the leader of a faction."
"So…"
"The Goddess of Victory is about to kiss the Yukinoshita Faction!"
A noise appeared in the middle of that natural rhythm.
These broadcasting club guys were really ruining the mood…
Also, what the hell was the Yukinoshita Faction?!
"Can I use Rocket Racket?"
Luke turned to Yuigahama speechlessly.
"T-that might not be good…"
Yuigahama, who also belonged to the Yukinoshita Faction, murmured hesitantly. This time, she actually did not say no outright!
Although the broadcasting club had no sense of atmosphere, their reactions were quick. Just as they said, Yukinoshita continued scoring against Miura Yumiko through her technique, while Miura could only keep struggling to respond.
Soon, the score reached—
1:0.
And in the second game, Yukinoshita had already taken the third ball first, meaning 40 points.
The two of them had naturally chosen the women's tennis format of best two out of three games.
So as long as Yukinoshita took one more point from Miura Yumiko, she could declare victory at 2:0.
Even if Miura got lucky and took one or two points, as long as Yukinoshita maintained this offensive rhythm, it could already be said that victory was firmly in Yukinoshita's grasp.
However, Yukinoshita seemed to have run out of strength…
He saw Yukinoshita's movements growing slower and slower, her body trembling constantly. He did not know whether she could hold on any longer.
"I think the wager between those two has gone a bit too far. Should we maybe follow the original agreement instead?"
Hayama Hayato walked over and spoke softly beside him in concern.
"Can you not stand so close?"
Luke glanced at him.
This blond guy was indeed bright and handsome, with a faint smile always on his face…
"Hm?"
Hayama looked a little confused.
Luke pointed toward Ebina not far away, who had already imagined so much that smoke was coming out of her head and she had fainted.
Mm. Looks like there's no need.
Heh~ Serves her right!
"Hehe."
Hayama also laughed awkwardly twice, then politely stepped a little farther away.
"Besides, the right to decide isn't with me anymore."
Luke watched Yuigahama walk over to Ebina and press a drink against her forehead to cool her down, then withdrew his gaze.
"That's true."
Hayama sighed and turned his gaze back to the court.
Right now, it was Miura Yumiko's chance to serve. She held the tennis ball in her hand, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling.
Under Yukinoshita Yukino's relentless attacks, she was also somewhat exhausted. But with her competitive spirit, she was unwilling to miss even the slightest chance at victory.
Miura Yumiko served.
A mistake.
The ball was limp and completely lacking force.
That accurate description suddenly appeared in his mind.
"She can win…"
He looked at the tennis ball, which seemed to have a floating feeling to it. As long as Yukinoshita still had even a little strength left, she could seize this opportunity.
"Not necessarily."
Hikigaya beside him murmured softly.
"Hm?"
Luke looked at him in confusion.
"The sea breeze is here…"
Yukinoshita moved toward where the tennis ball would land.
But that ball suddenly deviated sharply from its path.
At the same time, Luke saw the surrounding girls' fluttering skir—hair, which also proved that the sea breeze had arrived.
Facing the tennis ball that had suddenly changed direction, Yukinoshita was also clearly startled. She tried to move and chase after it.
Thud.
"Yukinon!"
Yuigahama looked at Yukinoshita, who had fallen, in panic.
"I'll go check."
Luke stopped Yuigahama and ran out.
Miura Yumiko saw Yukinoshita's powerless body slump down, and a flash of worry appeared on her face. But seeing that guy run over, she stopped in place.
"Are you okay?"
Luke, who was closest to the court, came to Yukinoshita's side and helped her up.
"I'm fine. I just don't have any strength left…"
Yukinoshita said weakly.
"Then let's end it here. Do you need me to have Yuigahama take you off the court?"
Luke asked her.
"No. The match isn't over yet."
Luke tried to persuade her.
"You don't need to be afraid of the punishment. Miura may have a terrible personality, act impulsively, look down on everyone… hm? Forget it. I take back what I just said."
"In short, she can still be counted as a good person. You don't need to worry too much."
Yukinoshita still insisted.
"I simply don't want to lose."
"But you already can't move. Also, I'm the one who accepted the match, so if we lose, it should count as my loss. You're just the hired fighter I invited, so please don't misunderstand, Yukinoshita-san."
"If we followed your logic, this world would no longer have winners and losers."
"Why are you so stubborn?"
"This is merely persistence toward victory."
"But you're already at the end of your rope, President Yukinoshita!"
And so, Yukinoshita pressed her lips together without saying a word.
What a pain.
Luke brought his four fingers together.
Forget it. Maybe he should just use a Hell Burial Chop to knock her out and carry her away!
…
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