Chapter 86: The Second Tennis War (8)
"What?! The second-in-command of the Yukinoshita Faction has brought four fingers together! C-could this be the Hell Burial Chop? Is he planning to overthrow Yukinoshita-san right now and commit gekokujou?!"
Luke turned his head viciously, only to see a broadcasting club member hurrying over with a first-aid kit.
His gaze instantly cleared.
Oh. No wonder he had not heard those guys' noisy voices. So they had gone to get a first-aid kit.
Fine. He would spare them from Rocket Racket this time.
"U-uh… scary."
The broadcasting club guy took two steps back.
"This first-aid kit…"
"Just give it to me."
Luke took the first-aid kit and waved at Yuigahama, who had been itching to rush over for a while.
"Are you okay, Yukinon?!"
Yuigahama jogged over and immediately began worrying over Yukinoshita's injury.
Yukinoshita shook her head. She had already opened the first-aid kit herself and was preparing to disinfect the scrape.
Yuigahama clumsily helped her take out a bandage.
Miura walked over, intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Yukinoshita's wound, then returned to her usual attitude.
"Hey, have you guys decided or not?"
"We forfeit."
Luke said that to Miura.
Hayama, who had been standing nearby the whole time, hurriedly spoke to them.
"Since both of you worked so hard, there's no need to take it too seriously. Everyone had fun playing, so let's call the match a draw, okay?"
"Eh? But I finally got my chance to turn things around."
Miura sounded a little dissatisfied.
Yukinoshita still wanted to say something.
"Yukinon!"
Yuigahama shouted directly and crouched in front of her, looking straight into Yukinoshita's eyes.
"You can't keep going. I'm really worried about you!"
"Even if you say that…"
"As your friend, I don't want you to continue!"
Yuigahama interrupted Yukinoshita's words, making Yukinoshita unconsciously turn her face away and look toward the court floor.
Yuigahama's fearless, direct words left her oddly at a loss. She also knew that someone as simple as Yuigahama could not possibly be lying, especially at a time like this.
The atmosphere fell silent. Everyone waited for Yukinoshita's decision.
"Although Yukinoshita lost the match, she gained her friend's sincere words. Faced with such heartfelt speech, President Yukinoshita also appears somewhat bashful. Could this be what they call losing the match but winning friendship?!"
Annoying broadcasting club.
"…"
And so, Luke also lowered his gaze to the ground.
Eh?
Where was Yukinoshita's racket?
He really had to give them one Rocket Racket. They were seriously annoying.
"Haa."
Yukinoshita wiped the cool iodine over the wound and let out a breath. Then she nodded.
"Hmph."
Seeing her action, Miura Yumiko showed a faint smile.
"Then I can choose my spoils now, right?"
"A wager is a wager."
Yukinoshita said that directly.
Since that was the case, once they returned to class after the break, or after school, he would talk to Miura and see whether she could cancel this punishment.
Luke thought that.
Although he still kind of wanted to see this punishment…
Only…
"L-Luke, they chose… you…"
Totsuka Saika gently tugged at his sleeve, pulling the thinking Luke back to reality.
Luke turned his head. Miura Yumiko held her racket smugly in one hand, resting it against her slender waist, while her other hand raised one finger and pointed straight at him.
Looking at Miura Yumiko's finger pointed directly at him, he reacted only after a long pause.
"…Huh?"
Hearing his confused voice, Miura frowned in dissatisfaction.
"What do you mean, huh? Saturday or Sunday, choose one! I'm going shopping, and you're carrying my bags!"
Yukinoshita also looked at Miura in surprise.
Miura raised a delighted smile, a dangerous light flashing in the corner of her eyes.
"You were badmouthing me in front of Yukinoshita just now, weren't you?"
"I hold grudges!"
She actually heard that when his voice had been so low?
Luke fell silent for a moment, then defended himself.
"But didn't I take it back?"
"Hah? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Miura looked helpless, and even her finger drooped.
"Even so, weren't you people from the Service Club the ones who accepted the match? Aren't you one of its members?! Of course choosing you makes sense!"
The broadcasting club's voice rang out again.
"Oh my, who would have thought Miura-san's final choice would actually be the nameless second-in-command of the Yukinoshita Faction? Ah! What a shame. I wanted to see more interaction between the Fire Queen and the Ice Queen!"
Whoosh!
"Ow! The second-in-command of the Yukinoshita Faction has gone berserk! He actually used the legendary move—Rocket Racket!"
The broadcasting club student easily dodged the weakly thrown racket, which had no attack power at all, and continued shouting.
"Gentlemen, we must flee for our lives! One final line—"
"Long live the Yukinoshita Faction!"
At that moment, Luke finally realized it completely.
The one being stepped on was not Yukinoshita.
It was him.
Miura Yumiko let out a smug, delighted laugh.
After chasing away the noisy broadcasting club, Luke turned and looked at the smiling Miura Yumiko.
Then he also revealed a strange smile.
"U-uh?!"
Miura's smile froze. Looking at Luke's smile, she vaguely sensed something bad.
Luke took two coupons out of his pocket.
"You said shopping, right? Want to go eat yakiniku while we're at it? I have coupons!"
The scene went silent.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
Miura panicked and could not help stepping back.
"Making preparations in advance!"
"Eek, no! I'm enslaving you, not going on a date with you! Don't decide things on your own!"
"…Sigh. True."
Luke understood and sighed.
Miura let out a breath of relief.
Who knew Luke would then say, "Then how about a haunted house? I'll be your guide!"
"Ah! I give up! Let's just call it a draw! A draw!"
Miura shouted.
"Too late! Miura Yumiko! The one you offended is the Yukinoshita Faction!"
…
The next day.
Inside the clubroom, Luke flipped through a novel out of boredom. Beside him, President Yukinoshita was also reading some unknown book in silence.
Although Miura had insisted yesterday that the match had ended in a draw, Yukinoshita still considered it a loss.
However, from what Luke observed, Yukinoshita's mood seemed fairly good. Just like the broadcasting club had said, although she had lost the match, she had gained friendship.
Yukinoshita could mercilessly refute an opponent's theories and words, but when faced with emotional sincerity, she had absolutely no way to defend herself.
So after hearing Yuigahama's true feelings, she seemed very happy.
The above was all based on his observation and summary.
At that moment, the clubroom door opened with a clack.
"Hellooo~ Hellooo~"
Mm. That strange way of greeting could only be Yuigahama.
And behind her was Totsuka Saika, shoulders hunched, looking nervous and timid.
…
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