Chapter 134 Tennis 22

"Watch the moon rise."

Following the other party to the venue where the players were warming up before the game, Kurikawa Sana called out his name coldly.

The boy who had just taken out his racket to practice turned around, his eyebrows raised under his dark curly bangs. "Isn't this the goddess of Hyotei Academy? If I remember correctly, her name is Kurikawa Sana. What's up? What do you want from me?"

Kurikawa Sana went straight to the point and asked bluntly, "Why did you treat Yuta like that? Aren't you ashamed of sacrificing the health of your juniors to win?"

As if he had heard a funny joke, Guan Yuechu sneered, "How could he be victorious? Didn't he lose to Echizen Ryoma? He couldn't even beat a first-year."

Thinking of the long list of special moves in Echizen Ryoma's attribute column, Kurikawa Sana asked expressionlessly: "Oh, then you can beat Echizen Ryoma?"

Guan Yuechu: “…”

Recalling the strength of Echizen Ryoma that he had just witnessed, Guan Yuechu's mouth twitched slightly, but he quickly returned to calm.

"How difficult is it to beat him? I just told Yuta how to defeat Echizen. Echizen's left eyelid was bleeding after being hit by a racket in his previous match against Fudomine. It's clear that all we need to do to win is hit the ball into Echizen's left eye, but Yuta didn't listen. Tsk, how short-sighted."

Kurikawa Sana: "..."

Now it was her turn to fall silent.

How could this person say such terrible things so calmly? It reminded her of Hanamiya Makoto in the basketball world, who also disregarded the health of others and recklessly harmed his opponents during the game.

Besides, when she caught up with him just now, she also saw Guan Yuechu's attitude towards Yuta.

——Cold violence.

Just because Yuta lost, Guan Yuechu tore off the mask of a gentle, considerate and reliable senior, and made no secret of the fact that he had been exploited thoroughly before.

Yuta apologized to him, but Guan Yuechu pretended not to hear him and talked to someone else, leaving Yuta standing there in shock, looking hurt.

"Just because you didn't win a game, you treat Yuta like this?"

Guan Yuechu sneered, "So what? I had already calculated everything. Doubles number one won just as I planned. As long as Yuta beats Echizen Ryoma, victory in all three matches will be within reach, and St. Rudolph will have secured the victory. But Yuta can't even beat a first-year player. What else can I say to him?"

Kurikawa Sana: "..."

He is such a confident person, she also wants to learn how to be so confident. The five-dimensional ability in Fuji Shusuke's attribute column is extremely strong.

Kurikawa Sana's expression was indescribable. "How can you be so sure that you can beat Fuji Shusuke?"

"Oh, I've already collected all the information about Fuji Shusuke. You'll know when you wait. I'll make sure that Fuji Shusuke's reputation as a genius ends today."

As if remembering something, Guan Yuechu chuckled meaningfully, "Since we're talking about Fuji Shusuke, I'm really curious about something... Kurikawa-san, do you like Tezuka Kunimitsu, Fuji Shusuke, or Fuji Yuta?"

"Oh, by the way, I almost forgot about Hyotei's Atobe Keigo and Oshitari Yuushi, as well as Kanagawa's Yukimura Seiichi. There are really a lot of them. Which one of them do you like?"

Kurikawa Sana: "...?!"

How did the topic suddenly turn to this point? And where did this guy know so much? How did he know her so well?

"The person you really like can exclude Yuta first, because you haven't confessed to him, Yuta only likes you one-sidedly. If you don't like Yuta, why do you stand up for him? Worry about his health? Come on, you just don't want to lose the admiration and love of others, right?"

Seeing the girl's frown and silence, Guan Yuechu's smile widened a little. "It's really interesting that someone who can't even figure out her own feelings is so righteous as to lecture me on some nonsense."

The boy's tone was full of sarcasm and pride in thinking his analysis was correct.

Kurikawa Sana clenched her fists tightly, feeling her fingertips sinking deeply into her palms.

This major event that could affect the lifelong health of someone's spine and shoulder bones was just a light-hearted "some trivial matter" from Guan Yuechu's mouth. This person is really hopeless.

Yuta's shoulders and spine have begun to ache, so he always has a frown on his face, while the seniors he respects are always sarcastic and mocking.

"Have you always looked at everyone and everything around you with such malicious eyes, Guanyue-kun?"

"In your worldview, the emotion called concern between people is a very rare and precious thing, right? That's why you speculated with the greatest malice that my normal concern for Yuuta-kun is normal. Has no one ever worried about you, Mizuki-kun, so that the simplest concern is so - incomprehensible to you."

Guan Yuechu's expression changed slightly, and the smile on the corner of his mouth froze on his face.

"I absolutely hate anything that harms the health of others. I hate anything that doesn't respect one's health. You, leading Yuta-kun astray... are even more unforgivable."

The girl's voice came out from the depths of her throat, almost bitten. She clenched her fists, and her blue eyes were filled with surging anger.

Guan Yuechu frowned, keenly aware that something was wrong.

This reaction is no longer simply a matter of not wanting to lose someone else's love; there are definitely other deeper reasons.

This emotional ups and downs were abnormal. Was she really that angry about Yuta? Besides, no real damage had been done.

"What's wrong? Listening to you, are you not feeling well?" Guan Yuechu curled his lips. "Did you come to me just to talk about this? If there's nothing else, I'm going to start warming up. It's going to be my second singles match against Fuji Shusuke soon."

"Play a game with me." Kurikawa Sana took out her pink tennis racket from the tennis bag behind her with an expressionless face.

"……ha?"

"Play a game of golf with me. If I win, you must apologize to Yuta for what you have done so far and advise him to never play clear sky volley again."

【Fuji Shusuke, Favorability +8. 】

Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment and resisted the urge to look around.

Is Fuji Shusuke around here too?

"Ha, what if I win?" Guan Yuechu raised his eyebrows.

Kurikawa Sana stared at him. "Whatever bet you want, I will accept the loss and do it."

Guan Yuechu narrowed his eyes slightly in a playful manner, his gaze sweeping over her fair and slender limbs. He had already analyzed the data and drawn a conclusion in his mind - she did not have what it takes to win.

"Okay, if I win, how about you transfer to St. Rudolph?"

"Can."

The black-haired girl walked into the stadium with an expressionless face, and the expression on her extremely beautiful face was also extremely cold.

Guan Yuechu smiled and shook his head, then walked slowly into the venue, thinking that her sudden challenge was just an impulsive act of anger.

If Hyotei's goddess really transferred to St. Rudolph, it would be extremely interesting.

Putting aside Hyotei's reaction, he was already looking forward to seeing Fuji Shusuke's expression. From what he had observed, Fuji Shusuke wasn't completely indifferent to the person his younger brother liked.

The more he thought about this, the more amusing it seemed to Guan Yuechu, and the slightly sarcastic smile on his lips became even bigger.

But soon, the next second, he couldn't laugh anymore.

With a loud "boom"!

The tennis racket in the girl's hand drew a pink lightning-like trajectory, as fast as thunder.

The green tennis ball ripped through the air like a cannonball, carrying her fury as it whizzed past Guan Yuechu's face. The sharp wind lifted Guan Yuechu's bangs and hair, revealing his suddenly constricted pupils in shock.

"you……"

For the first time, Guan Yuechu discovered that he had lost the ability to organize language.

Was there something wrong with his eyes? Or was he dreaming?

But the burning sensation from the serve brushing against his cheek just now told him that all this was not an illusion.

“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!”

Three more aces were served, and the tennis ball hit the wire mesh with a loud noise, as if it was going to penetrate it.

"I won the first game, it's your turn."

It was not until Kurikawa Sana came in front of him with an expressionless face that Guan Yuechu finally realized that it was time to change places.

…Damn it, how is this possible?!

It must be because we don't have her data. Stay calm. As long as we spend a little time collecting her data, we will never lose.

But soon, Guan Yuechu found that such an idea was still too naive.

In the face of absolute strength, no data can help.

"40-0, end of the second game."

It was Kurikawa Sana's turn to serve, and she won the match directly with another super high-speed serve that made it difficult for her to even touch the ball.

"The score is 3-0."

"4 to 0."

"5 to 0."

She just hit ball after ball indifferently and calmly, while calmly announcing the score.

The girl's voice was colder than ever before, and it sounded unreal, as if it didn't belong to this world.

“…How is this possible?!”

Guan Yuechu gripped the racket tightly, his muscles tensed and veins bulged.

Such power, such ball control, such technique... How is she so good at tennis?!

"Bang"!!!

Guan Yuechu seemed to be frozen in place, his face turning pale.

——The last ball played by Kurikawa Sana in the sixth game brushed past his left eyelid, and he could even feel his eyelashes being brushed by the tennis ball that was covered with gravel on the ground.

He had no doubt that if the ball really hit his eye, with that unreasonable speed and force, his left eye would be directly damaged.

But she didn't do that. She gave the ball a strong spin, so that the turning point and angle of the ball after landing were calculated with incredible precision. It didn't move forward even an inch, but just flew past his eyelids.

What kind of terrifying power and ball control is this?!

The black-haired girl on the other side of the net tilted her head. "Didn't you just suggest that Yuta hit the ball right into Echizen's left eye? What, now that it's your turn to experience it yourself, you can't handle it? Besides, I even held back and didn't actually hit the ball."

A drop of cold sweat ran down Guan Yuechu's forehead.

This guy really did it on purpose.

She is giving someone a taste of their own medicine.

Her strength is probably stronger than any other contestant present today. No... let alone the small metropolitan and Kanto tournaments, her strength is enough to win the national championship!

"The score is 6-0, I win. Remember to fulfill your promise and apologize to Yuta."

Ignoring the still-shocked and pale Guan Yueyue, Kurikawa Sana calmly put her racket back into her bag. "If I were a member of Seigaku, I would have beaten you in a real match, but unfortunately, I'm not. But it doesn't matter. Fuji-kun will play against you in the second singles match later, and he will definitely beat you."

【Fuji Shusuke, Favorability +5. 】

...added again!

Kurikawa Sana paused.

Through the reflective nameplate on the tennis bag, she saw what seemed to be a thin figure with blue-white and chestnut-brown hair, not far behind her.

Woohoo.

Just now, when she was fighting with Guan Yuechu, she heard that Fuji Shusuke's favorability had been increasing. Did he feel good about beating Guan Yuechu? Woo woo woo.

The most added part was when she asked Guan Yuechu to apologize to Fuji Yuta. She was indeed a brother-protecting maniac, but at that time she didn't know that Fuji Shusuke was nearby.

After this operation, his favorability has changed from negative to positive.

【Fuji Shusuke's current total favorability: 6.】

Kurikawa Sana took a deep breath, looked up at the sky, and felt a sense of sweetness after suffering.

Everything was fine, except that she always felt like a spy now. She needed to observe her surroundings at all times, otherwise she didn't know when a potential target would appear nearby.

But no matter what, now the favorability of all the captureable targets is finally non-negative! Wait, and Tezuka Kunimitsu is still in an unknown state.

Thinking of the fleeting glance she exchanged with Kunimitsu Tezuka off the court just now, Kurikawa Sana fell into deep thought.

…

*

Seigaku's No. 2 singles match against St. Rudolph ended with a score of 6 to 5. Seigaku's Fuji Shusuke, who had a 5-5 lead, chased down the deficit, letting the opponent win the first five games. From the sixth game onward, he didn't give up a single point, winning six games in a row and taking the match.

Kurikawa Sana watched the entire game and felt nothing but admiration.

To let the opponent win 5 games and then come back to win 6 games, what a terrifying strength, it can almost be said to be a show of strength. The ability to let the opponent win 5 games shows absolute confidence in oneself and the belief that one can perfectly control the entire game.

Fuji Shusuke should have been furious with Guan Yuetsu, who had hurt and exploited his brother. But he suppressed his anger, giving the opponent five games to start with, letting him get a taste of the sweetness first and then getting lost in it.

Finally, Fuji Shusuke showed his strength again, making his opponent run around the court without being able to catch a single ball, and the audience outside the court were also shocked.

For a guy like Guan Yuechu who thinks he can control everyone, this kind of loss can be said to be a great humiliation, which makes him more uncomfortable than a direct 6-0 defeat.

Is Fuji-kun a bit of a sinister person?

Thinking of this possibility, Kurikawa Sana suddenly shuddered.

What to do? Wouldn't her little plan be like child's play in front of him?

…

*

Guan Yuechu that guy fulfilled his promise.

After the game, Guan Yuechu solemnly apologized to Fuji Yuta and asked him not to use the clear sky interception again, saying that he should just pretend that he had never taught him this move.

Fuji Yuta was surprised at first, then his expression was lost, but he still bowed to Guan Yueshu and shouted loudly, "Thank you for your care all the time, senior, please continue to play with us in the future!"

Kurikawa Sana saw clearly that Guan Yuechu was also stunned for a moment, as if he didn't expect that even though she treated him like this, Fuji Yuta could still regard him as a respectable senior as always.

After being stunned for a moment, Guan Yuechu lowered his head and smiled.

This time the smile was different from any previous one. It was no longer filled with any sarcasm or arrogance. Instead, it had a sense of "I really lost to you" and "I really can't do anything about you".

Kurikawa Sana also followed Fuji Shusuke's example and observed quietly from the sidelines, taking everything in.

Humph, you've been influenced by your angelic junior, right? Evil senior.

It seems that Guan Yuechu has really thought it through this time and will never do such excessive things again.

However, Fuji Yuta still looked a little depressed.

"Yuta-kun, haven't you figured it out? Why do you still look so depressed?" Kurikawa Sana walked up and patted him on the shoulder.

"...It's you!" Seeing it was her, Fuji Yuta was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly, "I just told Guanyue-senpai that I would try to play on my own from now on. But even with a powerful return move like the Clear Sky Volley, I still couldn't defeat Echizen. If I don't use this move anymore, won't it be even more difficult to move forward?"

"So, what are you going to do, Yuta-kun?"

"I'm going to consult a doctor tomorrow to see how many clear-air volleys I can hit in a match or over a period of time without affecting my health. As long as I strictly follow the doctor's advice, I think there shouldn't be any major problems."

Kurikawa Sana: "..."

Help, he is so stubborn!

This time she didn't intend to convince him with words. Kurikawa Sana took the racket and ball from the other person's hand and made a clear sky interception posture in front of him.

“…What are you doing?!”

The girl leaned forward, her posture and center of gravity extremely low, her spine and shoulders bent unnaturally—exactly the batting stance for the clear sky volley he was obsessed with.

With a "click", Yuta Fuji could hear the sound of her bones crackling.

Heartache and anxiety clenched his chest, and Fuji Yuta raised his voice: "Stop it now!"

With a "bang" sound, Kurikawa Sana hit a clear shot and the ball hit the opposite wire mesh.

Fuji Yuta's face changed. He grabbed her hand and took back the racket and ball. "No, stop! You can't play like that!"

"I can't fight, so why does Yuta-kun have to fight?"

“………”

Kurikawa Sana continued: "Look, Yuta-kun, I just did this little move, and you are already so worried and nervous. Put yourself in their shoes, wouldn't your brother and family be even more sad if they saw you hurting your body?"

Upon hearing this, Fuji Yuta was stunned and stood there in a daze.

…So that’s how it is.

Fuji Yuta lowered his eyes, looked down at his toes, and finally felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.

He was so obsessed with winning that he had long forgotten to think from other people's perspectives and completely forgot how worried his family would be.

The more you care, the more heartbroken you will be.

"I understand. I won't play in this position again. Never again." Fuji Yuta finally relaxed his frown and said softly, "Thank you, Kurikawa-senpai."

Kurikawa Sana felt relieved that she had finally convinced him.

She felt a strong sense of accomplishment when she pulled someone back on track from the path of harming their own body.

At the same time, there was a "ding" sound.

【Fuji Shusuke, Favorability +20. 】

Kurikawa Sana: "......?!"

Huh? Is Fuji Shusuke secretly watching from nearby again?

Good guy, why don’t you come out and chat with me? It’s not a good idea to always observe from the side.

But a 20-point increase in favorability was truly remarkable. It completely solved the issue of Yuta's clear sky interception, which had been a major concern for Fuji Shusuke. He no longer had to worry about Yuta's health, and thus, his favorability increased to an unprecedented level. Yuta was indeed the key to Fuji Shusuke's favorability.

Why not continue pursuing the victory in this direction?

Kurikawa Sana suddenly had an idea and smiled at him, "Although I don't have the Clear Sky Volley anymore, I still have a stronger trick! In exchange, Yuta-kun, I will teach you another more powerful but harmless volley."

Fuji Yuta opened his eyes wide in surprise, "Huh? You can play basketball too?"

Kurikawa Sana proudly put her hands on her hips, "Yes, and you fight super well! I can definitely teach you a move that's even more powerful than the Clear Sky Volley!"

Just kidding, that was Federer's "Hand of God".

The sun shone on the tennis court, and the breeze blew gently, blowing the girl's silky black hair, lifting a bright smile on her face, and delivering patient, gentle and firm guidance.

"Yuta, the sound of the opponent's hitting the ball should be synchronized with the stepping down. The upper body and shoulders should be rotated, and the racket head should be higher than the wrist. When we return the ball, the racket head should have a significant lag behind the wrist, and the swing of the racket should not be too large. This will enhance the ball control."

"The power of the ball comes from the force applied to the racket by the center of gravity moving forward. This allows you to return to defense as quickly as possible. This forehand volley can counter Echizen-kun's 'B-shaped drive' today."

“…I tried it, and it seems to be true! Amazing! Does this move have a name?”

"Hmm, I haven't thought of it yet... Got it, 'Hand of God'?"

"Really?..."

"That's right. When Echizen yells 'B-shaped drive,' you yell, 'Take my 'Hand of God'! Hit the ball back!"

"puff……"

The sunlight shines on the boy and girl, giving them a golden glow. Their laughter and the sound of tennis balls echo on the court. The scene is warm and beautiful for a moment.

The brown-haired boy wearing the blue and white team uniform of Qingxue stood not far away, watching the scene quietly, his blue eyes like the clear sky reflecting the scene before him.

When did this change begin? Kurikawa Sana.

Today she stood up for Yuta, and the anger she showed when she lectured Guanyue - or rather, the intense emotions that were almost sadness - were not fake.

She cared about Yuta's health and persuaded him again and again to give up the clear sky interception. Finally, she demonstrated it herself, so that Yuta could learn to think from other people's perspective and finally stop being obsessed with it.

Not only that, she also personally taught Yuta a more scientific and reasonable way to volley the ball. Even he only realized today that her tennis skills were so amazing.

Kurikawa Sana, how much is there about her that they don't know?

Does Tezuka know about this? Do Hyotei's Atobe or Obito know about this?

But no matter what, at least at this moment, her sincerity and concern for Yuta are genuine.

So sincere that...

——So dazzling.

Fuji Shusuke closed his eyes, thinking that the scene that appeared in front of him would be his younger brother Yuta's hitting the ball, frozen in the last second, but the sweet smile of a black-haired girl appeared in front of him instead.

“………”

*

The other side.

Kurikawa Sana heard the notification sound of her favorability increasing.

【Fuji Shusuke, Favorability +9. 】

She couldn't help but stand there in a daze.

Fuji Shusuke's favorability is now 35.

It was also a coincidence that the day I first met him, my favorability rating was minus 35 points.

It’s really not easy to change from negative 35 to positive 35.

Fuji Shusuke is really a good brother.

She also has a very good brother in the real world, but she hasn't seen him for a long time.

Kurikawa Sana lowered her eyes somewhat dejectedly.

However, does Fuji Shusuke plan to watch silently from a distance all day long, but never show up no matter what?

She quietly looked around with her peripheral vision but did not see Fuji Shusuke.

After teaching Fujiyuta the "Hand of God" forehand volley, Fujiyuta no longer frowned, but smiled and waved goodbye as he left. Before leaving, he didn't forget to say, "Thank you, I really still like you."

At that time, Kurikawa Sana was surprised at first, then moved by the boy's sincere and passionate confession, and finally couldn't help but tremble, subconsciously afraid to hear the voice of deducting her favorability.

But no.

Hmm... Is it because Fuji Shusuke has left? That's why the favorability points weren't deducted?

"I'm sorry, Kurikawa-san. I want to apologize to you for what happened earlier."

Hmm? Whose voice is that?

"I shouldn't have said that to you before. I was wrong."

…Fuji Shusuke’s voice!

Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, then suddenly turned around in the direction of the sound.

The person who had increased her favorability by dozens of points all day was now standing behind her. The brown-haired boy had a gentle smile on his handsome face, a stark contrast to the way he had been when they first met, smiling but without a trace of smile in his eyes.

"I take back what I said before. You didn't mean to play with Yuta's feelings. It's because you are a good person that Yuta fell in love with you."

...Huh?

Hearing Fuji Shusuke's sudden conclusion, Kurikawa Sana was completely stunned, but soon her face turned a little red.

Ah, this, it's a bit embarrassing to be praised so much all of a sudden.

But is this the reason why I didn't lose favorability points just now? Because the misunderstanding has finally been resolved.

"Because of Guan Yuechu, I have been too wary of anyone from other schools who approaches Yuta. I'm worried that they will have ulterior motives towards Yuta like Guan Yuechu. I'm sorry." Fuji Shusuke said softly.

Kurikawa Sana: "!!!"

It turns out that the culprit is Guan Yuechu!

It turns out that Fuji Shusuke had already seen through Guan Yuechu's conspiracy. Recalling Guan Yuechu's bad attitude towards Yuta, Kurikawa Sana suddenly understood it. Anyone would have PTSD if they were in his place.

But there was another point. Fuji Shusuke was right about her. She was indeed pursuing and confessing to several people at the same time, juggling all of this. She was quite surprised that Fuji Shusuke's favorability had turned positive without resolving this matter.

As expected, the person Fuji Shusuke cares about most is his younger brother Fuji Yuta. As for the others, he doesn't care too much.

"It's okay, Fuji-kun." Kurikawa Sana shook her head slightly.

Hearing her name, Fuji Shusuke paused.

"I'll be very satisfied if Fuji-kun stops hating me."

The girl smiled and raised her head, her bright and beautiful blue eyes curved because of her smile, like two sweet crescent moons.

Fuji Shusuke opened his eyes and looked straight at her smiling face.

After a moment of silence, the young man smiled and said, "How could I hate you, Kurikawa-san?"

Kurikawa Sana: "..."

Liar! Who lost 35 points of favorability before?

"Kurikawa-san, are you sure you don't want my apology or compensation? If you want me to do anything for you, I'm willing to help you."

Hmm... what to do? She really couldn't think of anything right away...

Fuji Shusuke smiled and narrowed his ice-blue eyes: "How about I take you to find Tezuka?"

Kurikawa Sana: "..."

Ah this.

What kind of death question is this?!