Chapter 148 Tennis 36
After a thrilling 2v2 game, I also got the email and contact information of Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede, and Sawakita Eiji.
Even when she waved goodbye to them and left, Kurikawa Sana was still immersed in surprise and unable to come back to her senses.
Oh my god... She actually played a game with three of the NBA's top players! When she mustered up the courage to ask, she had no idea they would actually agree!
Before leaving, they raved about her basketball talent and told her to contact them anytime if she was interested in pursuing a career in women's basketball. The high praise made her feel embarrassed again. Excuse me, in a sense, her basketball was Shaquille O'Neal in a different gender.
"Kurikawa-san."
Yukimura Seiichi's sudden voice brought Kurikawa Sana back to her lost thoughts, "Hmm?"
His steps suddenly stopped. "Nothing. I just realized for the first time that I don't seem to understand Kurikawa-san at all."
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, "Huh? Why do you say that suddenly?"
"I didn't expect that Kurikawa likes playing basketball, and is so good at it." Yukimura Seiichi thought, it seems that this cannot be described simply as good. I'm afraid that the strength she just showed has no rivals across the country.
"It's okay, I actually prefer playing volleyball." Kurikawa Sana touched the back of her head a little embarrassedly.
Yukimura Seiichi looked at her in surprise, "Volleyball? Does Kurikawa know any other ball sports?"
Kurikawa Sana smiled mysteriously: "Tennis."
“……!”
[Yukimura Seiichi, favorability +3. 】
Kurikawa Sana: "!!!"
Tennis is indeed extremely important to Yukimura, so much so that just by saying that she can play tennis, he immediately increases his favorability towards her.
"Is Kurikawa-san's tennis as good as your basketball?" asked Seiichi Yukimura.
Kurikawa Sana: "Haha, I know a thing or two."
Yukimura Seiichi: "..."
Ever since he saw her skills just now, Yukimura Seiichi automatically translated her words "knowing a thing or two" into "blowing the whole court without any pressure".
"I see... That's really exciting." Yukimura Seiichi chuckled. "By the way, is there anywhere you'd like to go tomorrow?"
Kurikawa Sana thought for a moment in distress and said, "No."
"How about playing tennis with me?"
"Eh? Playing ball with Yukimura-kun? Sure! That's a good idea..."
"Well, about half an hour. It can't be too long, otherwise it will put too much strain on your heart."
Yukimura Seiichi glanced at her heart rate on his phone. While she was playing basketball, her heart rate had been within the normal range for strenuous exercise. But after half an hour, it had become noticeably irregular, so he could only do it for half an hour, no more.
"Okay, okay. Then where shall we meet tomorrow? Yukimura-kun."
"Let's meet here at Kamakura High School Station. Is nine o'clock in the morning okay?"
“Sure, sure!”
The girl agreed excitedly. It seemed as if visible flower bubbles appeared on her head. Her black ponytail swayed with her steps, and her happiness and joy were obvious.
Just looking at her like this can brighten people's mood.
Yukimura Seiichi stared at her quietly, and when he came to his senses, he discovered that a smile had appeared on the corner of his mouth since he didn't know when.
After discovering this, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
…She’s really able to pick up on other people’s emotions.
She is like a little sun, shining warmly on everyone who is close to her.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but stop suppressing the curve of his mouth.
At this moment, Yukimura Seiichi felt someone suddenly pat his shoulder.
?
Yukimura Seiichi looked back and saw the man with a friendly smile on his face and a Polaroid camera in his hand. "Hello, I just passed by here and thought you guys were really beautiful, so I couldn't help but take a picture."
As soon as he finished speaking, he handed over a Polaroid photo.
Yukimura Seiichi was slightly stunned.
The white-framed photo, with Kamakura's deep blue sea as its backdrop, is beautifully framed. In the image, a dark-haired girl walks in front, smiling broadly, her long ponytail flowing behind her.
The boy with iris-colored curly hair walked behind her, looking at her from behind. His smile held a hint of doting that he himself was unaware of. The wind lifted the hems of their clothes, creating a warm and beautiful scene.
"I'm sorry, was I too offensive?" Seeing that Yukimura Seiichi didn't respond for a while, the passerby who took the photo touched the back of his head awkwardly. "If this has caused you any trouble, you can destroy this photo. I don't have a copy..."
"No offense, on the contrary, you took a very good photo. Thank you very much." Yukimura Seiichi smiled and said, "Excuse me, can you give me this photo?"
"Of course! I was planning to give it to you anyway." The other person also smiled. "Having my work appreciated and liked by others is the greatest reward for me. Well, see you again if fate brings."
"Thanks."
The other person turned and left. Yukimura Seiichi lowered his eyes and looked at the photo in his hand, lost in thought for a moment.
Until the girl's voice sounded, he subconsciously put the photo into his pocket.
"Yukimura-kun, what's wrong with you?"
Kurikawa Sana trotted back to him and said, "I walked for quite a while and realized you weren't following me, so I came back to look for you."
"Nothing." Yukimura Seiichi still had one hand in his pocket, feeling the touch of the four corners of the photo. "I'm thinking about tomorrow."
Kurikawa Sana blushed, "Does this mean... Yukimura-kun is also looking forward to tomorrow?"
"That's indeed the way it can be understood." Yukimura Seiichi curled his lips.
“……!”
The girl's face turned even redder and she ran away in panic.
"Then, see you tomorrow, Yukimura-kun!"
"good."
Looking at the girl's back, Yukimura Seiichi couldn't help but smile, and the photo of the two of them gradually became warm in his palm.
When I'm with her, I always seem to laugh uncontrollably.
He had not lied to her just now, he was indeed looking forward to meeting her tomorrow.
I look forward to seeing her play tennis, which she is "a little bit proficient in," tomorrow, I look forward to continuing my stroll along the beautiful blue Kamakura beach tomorrow, and I look forward to...seeing her and her smile.
But even Yukimura Seiichi himself could not have predicted that tomorrow...
——He will break his promise.
…
*
The next day.
Kurikawa Sana waited for a long time at Kamakura High School Station, but Yukimura Seiichi never showed up.
Having stood for a long time, her legs already feeling sore and numb, Kurikawa Sana pulled out her phone, somewhat confused. The first message she had sent to the other person today was sent after she had been waiting for more than ten minutes.
【Yukimura-kun, have you set off yet? 】
[I'm already here, waiting for you right here at Kamakura Station~]
【Yukimura-kun? 】
All the messages I sent showed as unread, and no one answered my calls. It was so strange.
...Did something happen? Yukimura-kun isn't the type to leave someone alone.
Just when Kurikawa Sana was puzzled, the voice of the platform attendant at Kamakura Station answering the intercom attracted her attention.
"What? A passenger collapsed at Shonan Kaigan Station? And they didn't notice it until half an hour later? How did they do that?!"
“……!”
Kurikawa Sana couldn't help but be stunned.
Shonan Kaigan Station...is the previous station from Kamakura High School Station where they agreed to meet!
The person the train attendant mentioned on the intercom who collapsed at the previous station...could it be Yukimura-kun?!
It's not impossible... Yukimura has acute radiculitis, and in its most severe form, it can cause breathing difficulties and rapidly progressive paralysis. And given his personality, he wouldn't miss an appointment or reply unless something happened that even he couldn't predict or control.
Without time to think more, the train heading to Shonan Coast just arrived at the station. She got on the train without hesitation, anxious and furious.
The train was speeding, then slowed down and stopped at the station. The scene reflected in the glass window gradually became clearer. When she saw the figure of the young man on the platform of Shonan Kaigan Station, Kurikawa Sana felt as if her heart was tightened in an instant.
It’s really Yukimura!!!
The staff brought a medical stretcher, and the boy lay on it, his face pale and in unprecedented pain. His body occasionally twitched uncontrollably, which was heartbreaking to watch. His phone had also fallen to the ground and he couldn't pick it up.
!!!
"Yukimura-kun!!!"
Hearing the girl's frantic voice, Yukimura Seiichi gasped and turned towards her with difficulty. His face was filled with pain and a complex mix of emotions. The moment their eyes met, the air around them seemed to stand still for a moment.
The boy's pale lips moved slightly, and Kurikawa Sana saw clearly that he was uttering a very soft apology.
[Shen し訳]
“……!”
Inexplicably, Kurikawa Sana felt a lump in her throat. "Yukimura-kun, let's go to the hospital first. Don't talk..."
Is he a fool?
Even though he was in such pain, he still apologized to her immediately.
She didn't know whether Yukimura suddenly fell ill on his way to find her, or whether he knew he was not feeling well but still insisted on going out because of their agreement.
No matter which one it is...you're all idiots, Yukimura-kun.
She was just a strategist who was trying to gain his favor, and it wasn't worth it for him to do this.
Seeing Yukimura Seiichi's reaction, which clearly showed that he knew the girl, the staff member who brought the stretcher said to Kurikawa Sana, "Are you his friend? Then let's go to the hospital together, and help contact his family to come to the hospital."
"good!"
Picking up Yukimura Seiichi's cell phone, Kurikawa Sana clenched her palms with mixed feelings.
At this moment, she seemed to understand why Yukimura had been urging her to go to the hospital for treatment, even though his favorability was still very low.
It turns out that watching someone you know suddenly fall ill from such a healthy state... this is how you feel.
Heartbroken, worried, nervous, and sad.
It is impossible to turn a blind eye.
…
*
Two hours later.
Tsuchiya General Hospital, Kanagawa.
"The patient suffered from severe acute radiculitis, with progressive dyspnea and decreased blood oxygen saturation, accompanied by symmetrical flaccid paralysis of all four limbs, which was the cause of his sudden collapse. We have alleviated his respiratory problems with mechanical ventilation and controlled his limb spasms with medication injections. The patient is currently in a safe condition."
"But MRI imaging shows that the patient's nerves are structurally compressed to the point where there is no time to lose. If Yukimura wants to get back on his feet and regain his mobility, surgery is needed immediately to relieve the nerve compression."
The doctor's calm and professional voice echoed in the hospital corridor filled with the smell of disinfectant.
“How, how could this happen…!”
Yukimura Seiichi's mother burst into tears. The beautiful lady with long curly purple-blue hair covered her mouth with her hands as she cried, feeling extremely distressed. "Seiichi..."
"I understand. Then, doctor, what is the success rate of the operation?" Yukimura Seiichi's father hugged his wife tightly, his face also full of worry.
"The success rate of the operation is between 80% and 90%. If you cooperate well with the recovery after the operation, regaining your athletic ability will not be a problem," the doctor replied.
"...I understand. Please arrange surgery for Jingshi as soon as possible. Thank you, doctor."
"Okay, I've checked for you. The earliest surgery date is July 9th. You'll receive routine preoperative treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. There are no other risks during this time, so please rest assured."
"Thank you so much."
"You're welcome."
…
After the doctor left, the remaining people were still standing there in a daze, including Kurikawa Sana and the regular players of Rikkai University's tennis club.
Yukimura's parents were present, and everyone chose to listen quietly to the conversation between the doctor and the elders, but they were extremely anxious in their hearts.
There was no password set on Seiichi Yukimura's mobile phone. Just now, Sana Kurikawa notified his parents to come to the hospital through the phone that Yukimura dropped on the ground.
After the announcement, Sanada Genichirō called Yukimura's phone, and Kurikawa Sana answered it. After hearing her voice, the other party was silent for a moment, as if she didn't expect Yukimura to be with her, even with the phone in her hand.
However, when she informed him that Yukimura had fallen ill and was admitted to the hospital, the breathing on the other end of the line suddenly became heavy and tense. After finding out that it was Tsuchiya General Hospital, Sanada Genichirō said in a hoarse voice that he would be there soon.
"Thank you all for caring so much about Jing City and rushing here as soon as possible..."
Looking at the group of tall young men in the corridor, Yukimura's mother stopped crying and said with emotion: "With your encouragement, Jingshi will definitely work hard to recover."
Sanada Genichirō stepped forward, bowed, and said, "You're welcome, Auntie. This is what we should do."
Kirihara Akari also clenched his fists and said, "That's right! Buchou will be safe!"
"Thank you." After she finished speaking, Yukimura's mother turned to Kurikawa Sana and stepped forward to hold the girl's hand. "Thank you, Kurikawa-san, thank you for sending Seiichi to the hospital in time. Otherwise, the doctor said that if it had been a step later, tracheal spasm would have caused Seiichi to suffer more serious consequences..."
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "You're welcome, Auntie! This is what I should do, and it was the subway staff who found Yukimura-kun in time..."
"No, the medical staff just said that when Jingshi was taken to the hospital, the rollers on the folding stretcher broke. It was you, Kurikawa, who acted decisively and rushed to the emergency room carrying the stretcher without a second's notice..."
Yukimura's mother looked at Kurikawa Sana with tenderness and gratitude, "Thank you so much, Kurikawa-san."
Yukimura's father nodded with satisfaction, "Yes, please allow us to express our gratitude to you."
Today's children are really full of energy and strength. They are strong and hopeful.
Kurikawa Sana blushed, once again internally admiring the flawless exchange of the god-level item, O'Neal's possession. Last time, he saved Akashi from the kidnapping, and this time, he carried the stretcher to save Yukimura.
"Then, Seiichi's father and I will go pay the bill and sign the consent form for the surgery," said Yukimura's mother. "The doctor said Seiichi still needs a few tests, and we'll be able to see him in the ward in a few hours."
Everyone nodded, "Uncle and aunt, you have worked hard."
After Yukimura's parents left, everyone at Rikkai looked at Kurikawa Sana, and Yanagi Renji was the first to speak: "Kurikawa-san, thank you for helping Seiichi."
"Kurikawa-senpai is actually in Kanagawa. Did he come here specifically to see Minister Yukimura?" Kirihara Akaya couldn't help but say, "When the minister wakes up, I will definitely tell him that it was you, Kurikawa-senpai, who saved him. That way, the minister won't hate you anymore."
“………”
Kurikawa Sana opened her mouth wide, not knowing how to react for a moment.
Yanagi Renji: “…”
Silence, endless silence.
...Someone please take care of this kid Chiye’s mouth!
Besides, Seiichi had long since stopped hating Kurikawa Sana. Yanagi Renji quietly opened his eyes and looked at the black-haired girl.
"Akaye, stop being rude!" Sanada Genichirō growled, and the seaweed-haired boy was so scared by his muscle memory that he immediately stood at attention and remained straight for the rest of his life.
Kirihara Akaya: "...Yes! Vice Minister Sanada."
Genichirō Sanada turned to Kurikawa Sana and said, "My members in our club are not well disciplined. I apologize for that. Thank you for saving Seiichi."
Kurikawa Sana quickly waved her hands, "Thank you all for being so polite. It's really just a small favor..."
"Are you okay?" Niou Masaharu suddenly asked, his usual cynical expression gone. The white-haired boy's emerald green eyes stared quietly at Kurikawa Sana. "You ran so far carrying a stretcher and the weight of a person. Are you feeling any discomfort?"
Niou Masaharu clearly remembered that Yukimura had told him that Kurikawa Sana had a fatal defect in her heart that could endanger her life at any time, and her body was not suitable for strenuous exercise. Was it really okay to carry her on a stretcher like this?
Kurikawa Sana was a little surprised. Why would Niou suddenly ask this? But she still shook her head and replied, "I'm fine. It doesn't matter. The most important thing is that Yukimura-kun is okay."
[Niou Masaharu, Favorability +3. ]
...Do you like Yukimura that much?
I will pay this much for him.
Niou Masaharu retracted his somewhat complicated look.
Perhaps, the reason why she and Minister Yukimura have such a deep understanding of each other is precisely because both of them are seriously ill.
"So, what should we do now?" Marui Bunta frowned and said, "My uncle and aunt were here just now, so I didn't dare ask the doctor. But I'm still very concerned about the success rate of the operation."
Kirihara Akari was also stunned, "Oh right... 80% to 90% success rate, doesn't that mean there's still a 10% to 20% chance that Buchou won't be able to stand up?!"
“………”
"Damn it! Aren't modern hospitals very advanced? Can't they have 100% success rate?!"
In an instant, everyone fell into silence, and the atmosphere in the corridor suddenly became heavy and depressing.
Yagyu Hiroshi tilted his glasses with a headache, "Akaye, stop being willful and foolish."
Despite saying this, Kirihara Akaya's words hit everyone like a slap in the face.
He was right. No one could predict or guarantee that there would be no accidents during surgery.
If the operation really fails, if Yukimura really can no longer walk, can no longer hold the tennis racket that is as important to him as his life, the proud and powerful "Son of God" will fall from the altar... I can't imagine how cruel it would be for Yukimura Seiichi to no longer be able to walk and play tennis.
Can't the surgery be 100% successful? Although Kirihara Akaya's personality is childish, what he said at this moment is also what they deeply hope for in their hearts.
"There is one more thing. The surgery is scheduled for July 9th, which happens to be the last day of the Kanto Tournament. The captain cannot attend..." said Jack Kuwahara, one of the regular third-year players at Rikkai University.
Genichirō Sanada growled, "Even without Seiichi, we will definitely win! We can't lose. The Kanto Tournament trophy—that day, it will be our gift to Seiichi for a successful surgery!"
"Yes! Vice Minister Sanada!" The boys' eyes suddenly became extremely determined.
Yanagi Renji also reached out and patted Kirihara Akaya's shoulder, "Akaya, you must believe in Seiichi. No matter how difficult and painful the operation is, he will definitely get through it successfully."
As he finished speaking, Yanagi Renji's gaze swept over the black-haired girl, as if hinting at something else.
…
*
Two hours later.
When Kurikawa Sana stepped into the ward, her eyes subconsciously felt sore and she felt like crying.
For a moment, she seemed to see herself, her former self.
The same is true for her in the real world. The disease came like a mountain falling on her, and her life suddenly changed drastically. She could only curl up in the hospital bed.
The young man who had been so high-spirited yesterday now lay in a hospital bed, unable to move. His delicate and handsome face was pale, covered by an oxygen mask.
——It is flaccid paralysis caused by acute radiculitis, and he needs a successful operation before he can stand up again.
Yukimura Seiichi, such a perfect person, it was impossible to associate him with the word "paralysis" in the past.
The person on the hospital bed suddenly spoke. His voice was very soft, weak and hoarse, as if he had just returned from the gates of hell, but Kurikawa Sana still heard it clearly.
"So this is what it feels like to be unable to walk or move."
“……!”
Her heart felt as if it was being squeezed by a large hand. Kurikawa Sana had a strong ability to empathize, and she felt even more heartbroken, "Yukimura-kun..."
"I'm sorry, Kurikawa-san, I couldn't play with you today." Yukimura Seiichi lowered his eyes, feeling the weakness in his body, "I broke the promise."
Kurikawa Sana couldn't help it any longer, her eyes instantly moistened, "None of this is important! The most important thing is that Yukimura-kun gets well--"
"No, it's very important."
Yukimura Seiichi looked at her and said word by word, "I will definitely get better, and then I will play the match with you that I missed today."
“……!”
Sensing the determination and seriousness in the other person's tone, Kurikawa Sana's tears stopped suddenly and she opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Having said that, when he woke up not long ago, Yukimura Seiichi found that he wanted to sit up with force, but he couldn't control his body to sit up.
My arms, legs, and back seemed to have lost all strength, and even my little finger was out of control.
The pain traveled through every nerve in his body, bringing a sharp, piercing, burning pain, and finally returning to numbness.
Yukimura Seiichi closed his eyes.
But no matter what, he will not give up.
As long as there is a one percent chance of success, he will try his best.
He believes that the reason why he is called the "Son of God" is not because he possesses extraordinary talents as others believe, but because he has the courage to face pain calmly, shatter darkness, and walk out of the haze in the face of adversity and despair.
"I won't give up." Yukimura Seiichi said, "Don't worry, I will be fine."
Kurikawa Sana lowered her head, "...Even though I'm already working so hard, Yukimura-kun still comforts me and tells me not to worry..."
"In this regard, it's the same for you, Kurikawa-kun," Yukimura Seiichi said softly.
Although her condition was more serious than anyone else's, she still shone like a little sun on everyone around her.
Glancing out the window at the deepening night, Yukimura Seiichi said softly, "It's already late. Tomorrow is Monday and we have classes. The latest Shinkansen is almost arriving. Kurikawa-san, you should go back to Tokyo first."
Kurikawa Sana suddenly raised her head, "How can this be possible? I'll ask the teacher for leave tomorrow——"
"I appreciate your kindness, Kurikawa-san," Yukimura Seiichi interrupted her, a rare occurrence. "I don't need any special treatment. If you truly want my own good, then go back to Tokyo. While you continue your normal life and attending classes, I'll get better day by day."
"My surgery will be successful, and I will get through it, then rehabilitate and recover."
"The next time we meet, you will see a healthy Yukimura Seiichi."
"So, don't give up on yourself, Kurikawa Sana."
Seiichi Yukimura spoke a very long speech in one breath, which was rare for him, and his voice became clearer and clearer.
The genuine concern in his words was evident amidst the mist of the oxygen mask that kept rising, disappearing, and rising again.
Kurikawa Sana looked at him in surprise, speechless for a moment: "Yukimura-kun..."
"Let's make a deal." Yukimura Seiichi's voice became gentle. "If my surgery is successful, you also promise me that you will consider receiving active heart treatment when the time comes."
"If this hospital doesn't work, go to another one. If domestic hospitals don't work, go abroad."
The young man stared at her and said word by word -
"I will be with you. Don't give up on yourself easily."
…
Kurikawa Sana was completely stunned.
As the other person spoke gently yet powerfully, her inner confusion, struggle, and uneasiness seemed to be smoothed out by a colorful brush with gentle strokes.
All that is left is shock.
——Yukimura Seiichi.
She silently repeated the other person's name in her heart.
The pain and fear I felt when I first came to this world and had my favorability deducted by others have long since disappeared.
Really, a very good person.
“…I promise you.” Kurikawa Sana lowered her head, tears falling with a “plop” sound, and a splash of water bloomed on the back of her folded and clenched hands.
"Thank you, Yukimura-kun."
[Yukimura Seiichi, favorability +10. 】
Under the oxygen mask, the boy looked at her quietly, a smile spreading across the corners of his mouth, his deep blue eyes seemed to be filled with the myriad stars outside the window, shining brightly.
"Well, it's a deal then."
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