Asking Akiba Reiko to perform before the match was indeed a spur-of-the-moment idea of ​​his. As the classic theme song from "The Crimson Love Song," "Togetsukyo" was perfectly suited to the atmosphere of the karuta tournament.

Reiko Akiba lived up to her reputation as the "Queen of High Notes," delivering a flawless performance of the piece.

Compared to the original singer, it's clearly a level above.

Kazuha Toyama and Momiji Ooka, kneeling in front of the card table, were still immersed in the song they had just heard, their pretty faces filled with rapture.

Especially Hongye, her delicate face flushed with a faint blush, her eyes sparkling with an unusual light—the lyrics of this song seemed to be telling her about her feelings for her husband.

"Both contestants, please get ready."

Yuzuru said warmly.

Upon hearing this, Kazuha and Momiji's eyes instantly sharpened.

The previous look of euphoria vanished, replaced by a state of complete focus on the game. The two women's slender fingers hovered above the card array, ready to strike at any moment.

Hongye suddenly spoke up: "Little Yezi, are you ready to lose?"

Kazuha retorted without backing down: "Nan once said that talking trash during a match... is a sign of insecurity."

Yuzuru: "......"

Did I say that myself?

Okay, let's just pretend I said it.

His gaze swept over the girls kneeling on either side of the card array, a slight smile playing on his lips, as he picked up a song card from the reading table:

"So, the first song in the final—"

"When I meet an old friend after a long separation, I can hardly recognize him."

Before she finished speaking, Hongye's fingertips had already swept across the card array like lightning.

"Smack!"

The crisp sound of cards being struck echoed throughout the venue.

Kazuha's pupils contracted slightly, and she wrinkled her little nose in annoyance.

She took a song card from the red maple card array, placed it in the array in front of her, quickly adjusted her breathing, and stared intently at the array.

Hongye withdrew her hand, slowly adjusting her cuffs, and parted her red lips slightly: "Little Yezi, don't let me win too easily~"

Kazuha snorted: "Don't get cocky, this is just the beginning!"

Yuzuru smiled slightly and continued reciting the next waka poem.

As both the reader and the referee, he couldn't show favoritism to either side. Given Kazuha's personality, she also wanted to win this gamble of love fairly and squarely.

.........

Inside the spectator venue.

The audience held their breath, staring intently at the big screen.

"Hongye is so fast!" Xiaolan clenched her fists nervously.

"Go Kazuha!" Sonoko shouted, waving her arms.

Eri, standing to the side, seemed to be deep in thought. Her profession as a lawyer allowed her to quickly analyze the situation: "Kyouba's speed in getting to her hand is faster than Kazuha's. If Kazuha wants to win, she must find a way to break through."

Yukiko rested her chin on her hand and said with a smile, "Isn't a story of turning defeat into victory even more interesting?"

"No need to worry." Ikeba Shizuka lightly tapped her folding fan, gazing quietly at the determined-looking girl on the large screen, and murmured, "That girl, Kazuha, is most adept at striking after the opponent has acted..."

As the game entered the middle stage, Ooka Momiji was temporarily in the lead.

The card array in front of me was already half cleared.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Ye Guangjie's forehead, and a hint of solemnity crossed her pretty face. Her opponent's strength had exceeded her expectations, and if things continued like this, she would undoubtedly be defeated.

No, no, no!!!

We absolutely cannot lose!

She absolutely will not allow anyone to take Nan away from her!

"Take a break."

Kazuha suddenly raised her hand and called for a pause.

"Mm." Yu Sheng Nan nodded and gave her a gentle smile.

Looking at that smile, the girl's heart calmed down for some reason, and the anxiety in her water-green eyes was gradually replaced by gentleness.

She closed her eyes, and memories flooded back—

When she first became an apprentice, Master Jinghua taught her how to arrange the cards step by step; when she practiced late into the night, Nan quietly handed her hot milk and a loving hug; on the eve of the competition, Xiaolan and Yuanzi stayed up all night to make a support banner for her...

"Hearing the wind when you're ready to win is like hearing the wind; making your move is like throwing a punch."

My master's teachings echoed in my ears.

"Nan, Master, Ran, Sonoko, Akemi-nee, Ai... Everyone is watching me, please cheer me on!"

"I won't lose, I definitely won't!"

When the girl opened her eyes again, her aura suddenly changed.

At the right moment, exciting music also rang out in the venue.

Kazuha: "......"

Ooka Momiji: "..."

The two girls looked at Yuzuru with blank expressions.

Is that correct?

"Ahem, sorry, sorry, I just couldn't help it."

Yuzuru coughed twice, snapped his fingers, and the music stopped.

It's really not his fault; He Ye's performance was just too much like the protagonist in a shonen anime. A dose of inspirational words during a downturn instantly revived him.

It would be a shame not to have some background music.

Don't underestimate our bond, you bastard!

"Excuse me."

He Ye knelt down again, staring intently at the card array, his aura overwhelming.

Ooka Momiji looked at her opponent, who seemed to have changed somewhat since before, and paused for a moment before narrowing her eyes: "Oh? Finally getting serious?"

Kazuha took a deep breath, a confident smile curving her lips: "Now, it's my turn!"

...

"The game continues."

Yuu Nan's voice echoed in the Satsuki Hall, and the cuffs of his white kendo uniform swayed gently as he raised his hand.

His long, slender fingers picked up a new song card from the stage.

"The dew on the evening primrose vanishes in an instant."

As the reading aloud ended, Ooka Momiji's fingertips had already moved.

But this time, Kazuha was even faster—her palm slashed down like a knife, striking the target card just as Momiji was about to touch it.

"Smack!"

The crisp sound of cards being struck echoed in the room.

Hongye's pupils contracted slightly, then she chuckled softly, "Interesting. It seems Little Yezi has finally woken up?"

"Thanks to you." Kazuha smiled playfully, took a card from her own deck and handed it over. "Now we're just getting started."

Seeing the two women locked in a fierce argument, Yuzuru picked up the karuta card again and recited: "On a spring night, I dream of a floating bridge, pausing to gaze at the night sky—"

"Smack!"

Once again, Kazuha made the first move, her movements so fast they left afterimages.

The red leaf's fingertips lingered for a second, hovering in mid-air.

"Fireflies flit through the summer night, their soft light illuminating a sweet dream—"

"Snap!" Kazuha beat him to it again.

"In the deep of night, a lonely soul lies in his bed, his heart breaking."

"Smack!"

Four consecutive poems, with He Ye as if entering an uninhabited realm.

Her eyes were filled only with the card array and the poem; all external sounds disappeared. At this moment, the energetic girl's aura was fully unleashed.

Even the proud noblewoman had to take it seriously.

"A beautiful counterattack," Ooka Momiji exclaimed sincerely. "As expected of a girl who can win the heart of my husband, Momiji."

But that's where it ends.

She has discovered the card that Kazuha has been paying attention to.