Yukinoshita Yukino didn't mock Shirase's chuunibyou remark. Instead, she gave him an ambiguous look. "Were you just trying to liven up the mood with those words?"
"Ah, caught again. You really are sharp, Yukinoshita," Shirase admitted with admiration.
"If only you could behave normally, I'd actually enjoy talking with you."
Her tone was calm, but then she muttered softly—as if to herself—"Now I finally understand why Hiratsuka-sensei likes you. You probably share common interests."
"Manga?" Shirase guessed.
Yukinoshita gave a small, knowing hum. "At least, whenever she accidentally reveals her love for shounen manga in front of me, she immediately tries to cover it up out of embarrassment."
Then she lifted her racket again, pointing it toward him. "Enough talk. Let's continue."
"Here I come!"
As Shirase started serving again, Yukinoshita quickly found herself at a disadvantage. After missing a simple return due to fading stamina, both of them stopped at the same time.
From the sidelines, Yuigahama Yui looked between them, puzzled. Did I miss something again? Why can't I ever read the mood with these two?
Yukinoshita tilted her flushed face upward, squinting slightly against the sunlight, her breathing uneven.
Shirase lowered his racket. "That's enough for today. Let's rest."
Yukinoshita didn't argue. She took a sip from her water bottle and said between breaths, "Long exercise sessions are still a bit too much for me."
"Actually, we haven't played for that long…" Shirase smiled faintly. "But tennis really does demand quick bursts of energy."
She glanced at him. "Are you trying to flaunt your stamina?"
"It's not bragging—it's just a fact."
Shirase barely looked winded. Returning the racket to the still-baffled Yuigahama, he turned toward the exhausted genius girl. "If I were Hiratsuka-sensei, I'd make you do regular endurance training."
"Thankfully, you aren't her." Yukinoshita smiled lightly. "Having someone force me to exercise every day would be unbearable."
"If Hiratsuka-sensei heard that, she'd be disappointed, thinking you lack motivation—"
"Unfortunately, you'll be disappointed instead," she cut in smoothly. "She's said similar things before, but never anything about me lacking motivation."
"That's just her trying to protect your dignity."
"Oh? Then perhaps I should quote you word-for-word next time I see her."
Yukinoshita laughed quietly, clearly amused rather than offended.
Shirase didn't stay longer. He nodded casually to Yuigahama, who was still processing their exchange, and turned to leave.
Barely three meters away, Yukinoshita—still holding her water bottle—called out, "Don't lose in your match the day after tomorrow. If you do, be prepared for my merciless ridicule."
Without turning back, Shirase waved. "When the time comes, you'll witness the ultimate technique of Tsubasa Oozora's final disciple."
"Wasn't he Echizen Ryoma's disciple earlier?" Yuigahama whispered in confusion. "Why's it Tsubasa Oozora now?"
Yukinoshita gave her a sidelong glance. "You actually understand his references?"
"Eh? Not really. I just know both names are from famous old manga."
"Oh." Yukinoshita let it drop—she wasn't interested anyway.
Then she noticed Yuigahama fidgeting beside her, looking like she wanted to ask something.
"What is it?" Yukinoshita asked.
Fiddling with her hands, Yuigahama mumbled, "Um… you and Shirase-kun seem to get along really well?"
Yukinoshita recalled how he'd stood up for her back at the restaurant and smiled faintly. "To put it precisely, I wouldn't mind being friends with him."
"Eh?!" Yuigahama's jaw dropped. She clearly hadn't expected such a direct answer.
Yukinoshita continued calmly, "You're wondering why I suddenly invited him to play tennis, right?"
"Yes! Yes, exactly!" Yuigahama nodded furiously, like an eager chick.
Yukinoshita turned toward the school gate, where Shirase's figure had just vanished.
Her eyes softened as she said, "I just wanted to test whether he's nervous about the upcoming match."
Yuigahama's eyes widened further. "So… did you find out?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Yukinoshita's lips curved faintly. "From his composure, I'd say he's completely unfazed. Not the slightest sign of pressure."
Then her smile deepened. "Now I have a reason to watch the match in person."
"Then I'll come too!" Yuigahama chirped.
Yukinoshita didn't refuse. Though Yui's bursts of affection could still be overwhelming, she didn't mind them now. Having someone beside her felt… nice.
...
Saturday morning arrived quickly.
The weather was clear and bright—the sky already full of light by seven.
At the Nakano residence, the quintuplets sat lined up neatly in the living room, all looking unusually serious.
"It's about time we left," Ichika said, glancing at the clock and sweeping her gaze over her sisters. "If we go early, we'll find seats. Otherwise, we might have to stand."
"I thought it was just a friendly match. Would seats really run out?" Miku asked skeptically.
Nino answered instead. "Officially it's a friendly match, but from what I read online, Toritsu High invited Shirase-kun's team for a reason—beyond last time's results."
"What reason?" Yotsuba leaned forward, curious.
Itsuki stayed quiet, listening.
"I can't confirm everything," Nino continued, "but apparently, the team that beat Toritsu High last year had a player similar to Shirase-kun in style and ability."
"Fast and explosive?" Ichika caught on immediately.
Nino nodded. "Anyway, the match starts in two hours. We can ask around when we get there. Maybe those rumors are true."
The sisters all agreed to go.
Shirase had helped them so much with studying—and his patience and effort had paid off. Supporting him felt like the least they could do.
As they packed up, Ichika noticed Itsuki moving slower than usual. Approaching quietly, she asked, "You've seemed distracted lately, Itsuki. Something bothering you?"
Itsuki froze, clutching a pack of snacks. Turning to face Ichika's calm, knowing smile, she stammered, "N-no, not at all. Why would you think that?"
Ichika chuckled. "It's nothing big. Yesterday when we mentioned Shirase-kun, you seemed… a little off. And just now too."
She leaned in, eyes glinting with amusement. "You had that same reaction again."
"You must've misunderstood. I was just listening carefully," Itsuki said quickly.
"Ah, I see." Ichika smiled softly, not pressing. But she noticed the relief flash across Itsuki's face.
Watching her sister's flustered reaction, Ichika's thoughts drifted uneasily toward Nino's room.
No way… could it be?
If her hunch was right, that could turn messy.
As one of five sisters, Ichika didn't want anything—especially a boy—to divide them.
But as time passed, she couldn't guarantee Itsuki's calmness would last.
Meanwhile, Shirase woke early as usual. Before getting up, he used [Immersive Hosting] to run a quick simulation.
Final score: 2–3. A narrow loss, but his best yet.
After breakfast, he and Kojima Kana left for school together.
Kana spoke gently, trying to encourage him. "You'll do fine, Shirase. Don't overthink it."
Shirase smiled. "Do I look nervous to you?"
Kana relaxed. "True. You're calmer than I am. Really, there's nothing to worry about."
Then, puffing her chest slightly, her cheeks turned pink. "If your team wins today, your big sister will reward you."
Shirase blinked. "A reward?"
Kana's blush deepened, though she tried to stay composed. "Well… anything you want, of course."
Shirase put a thoughtful finger to his chin. "Even crushing stones on your chest?"
Kana's attempt at dignity collapsed instantly.
---
bonus chaps
100 stones -> 1 chapter
200 stones -> 2 chapters
300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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