Chapter 159 Tennis 47
When facing Kirihara's question, Kurikawa Sana felt a little panicked, worried that her targets would lose favor with her again.
It was impossible not to feel awkward when the system's outrageous operation was brought to light during a match with so many people watching. However, at that time, she felt more of other emotions, which overwhelmed her concern for her favorability.
The match between Seigaku and Rikkai University was attracting much attention. Kurikawa Sana looked around and saw a target every ten meters among the spectators. Echizen Ryoma, Fuji Shusuke, Atobe Keigo, Oshitari Yuushi, Akutsu Jin... If everyone had any hearing problems, they should have heard Kirihara's question.
But they did not reduce their favorability. On the contrary, many people increased their favorability.
The only explanation I can think of is that everyone may not agree with Kirihara's playing style, and her words resonated with people, so her favorability increased.
Especially Fuji Shusuke, his favorability increased the most.
And now, Fuji Shusuke was standing right in front of her.
Kurikawa Sana looked up at the other person, "Fuji-kun, what do you want to talk to me about?"
The light in the boy's ice-blue eyes turned gentle, and he said softly, "Thank you for speaking for me just now."
Kurikawa Sana stared at him for a long time and couldn't help but sigh: "Fuji-kun, you are really a very gentle person."
Fuji Shusuke couldn't help but feel confused.
He... gentle?
Fuji Shusuke didn't deny that the word "gentle" was indeed a comment he often received. However, considering Kurikawa Sana's impression of him, he was a little surprised.
…In the past, he never seemed to have a good tone towards her. It was considered good if it was not harsh, not to mention gentle.
But now she says that he is very gentle.
Why?
Or did she realize that the "Bear King" she met last time on the commercial street was him?
Fuji Shusuke's ice-blue pupils shrank slightly.
Kurikawa Sana continued, "I've vaguely felt this before. No matter how much you've been hurt, Fuji-kun seems to have a hard time getting really angry or taking it seriously. But once your family or friends are hurt, you immediately take it seriously."
It was like this last time with Fuji Yuta, and it was the same this time with Tachibana Kippei. No matter how much Kanzuchi and Kirihara Akaya provoked him, Fuji Shusuke never took any real action.
Only when it is confirmed that they have indeed caused harm to his younger brothers Yuta and Kippei Tachibana, will Fuji Shusuke really get angry, and then show his strength and quickly end the game, and this is the case every time.
A saintly father-like personality, Fuji Shusuke.
"No matter how many times Kirihara hit you, even the hardest one to the stomach, you were never truly angry. You kept hoping that he would wake up and not do such things again."
Kurikawa Sana sighed softly, "You weren't really angry until that ball went at Tachibana-kun."
Hearing this, Fuji Shusuke couldn't help but be a little stunned.
This was the first time someone saw through this in him, except for his sister, Yumiko Fuji.
"But Fuji-kun, you are also a human being. You will feel pain too."
"If possible, next time, Fuji-kun, please pay more attention to your health. Your health is very important." After saying this, Kurikawa Sana seemed a little annoyed and said, "...I'm sorry, I think I said too much and crossed the line a bit."
"After all, I'm not really Fuji-kun's friend, so I don't have the right to ask for so much... Fuji-kun used to hate me."
The girl's voice was gentle and sweet, but with a hint of grievance and anger, which made people feel nervous.
system:【………】
The system fell silent.
Sana, Sana, what's wrong with you? Why are you emitting the fragrance of Longjing tea?
Fuji Shusuke also fell into silence.
It was the first time I knew what it felt like to lift a rock and hurt my foot. It was even more painful than the ankle I sprained during the game just now.
"I haven't..." he said subconsciously.
The next second, the words "I don't hate you anymore" were stuck in Fuji Shusuke's throat, making it difficult for him to say them out loud.
Because once he said these words, it meant admitting that he did hate her before.
But he was brave enough to take responsibility for his actions. Fuji Shusuke paused and reorganized his words: "I did do something wrong before. I hope Kurikawa-san doesn't take it to heart."
The young man sighed softly, with a helpless look as if he had admitted defeat.
"I've changed my mind now. Kurikawa-san is a very good person."
【Fuji Shusuke, Favorability +5. 】
【Fuji Shusuke's current total favorability: 75.】
…
*
Under the summer tree, the boy and the girl looked like a painting just by standing under the tree. Their looks complemented each other, and the atmosphere between them became increasingly heated, as if no one else could fit in.
Kirihara Akaya watched from a distance for a long time with his hands in his trouser pockets. He couldn't help but curl his lips and walked forward and said, "Kurikawa-san, didn't you promise Director Yukimura that you would accompany him to the operating room with us? It's almost time, it's time to leave."
The sudden message made Fuji Shusuke look up at him.
Regarding Rikkai Daiyukimura's condition and surgery, I didn't know how to respond for a moment.
"I know." It was Kurikawa Sana who broke the silence first. She nodded to Kirihara Akaya and waved to Fuji Shusuke, "Well, I'll be leaving first, Fuji-kun."
Fuji Shusuke also nodded and said, "I wish Yukimura-kun a successful operation and a speedy recovery."
Regarding the blessing to his own minister, Kirihara Akaya, who had long since recovered from his red-eye state, paused and nodded politely to indicate that he understood.
After returning to normal from the red-eyed demon state, Kirihara Akaya's emotions also stabilized a lot.
Once things settle down, it becomes awkward.
Kurikawa Sana and Kirihara Akaya had just taken a few steps forward when the boy curled his lips and asked, "...You must think I'm lame, right?"
"Hmm?" Kurikawa Sana looked at him in confusion.
Kirihara Akaya turned his head away, "...he said he'd finish the game in 13 minutes, but he ended up losing."
Kurikawa Sana: "I think Kirihara-kun is actually very strong even when he doesn't hit anyone. Perhaps you have considered taking some medication for high blood pressure and then playing normal tennis."
Kirihara Akaya: “…”
Is this a roundabout way of saying he's sick?
Kirihara Akaya pointed at himself and said, "Me, high blood pressure?"
"Yes, isn't your 'demon' state, where your eyes turn red, due to pathologically high blood pressure?" Kurikawa Sana analyzed seriously. "From an objective perspective, even without the 'demon' transformation, your fundamentals and skills are very solid, with plenty of power and precise ball control."
"However, your strength and speed will indeed be greatly enhanced when you 'demonize'. If you don't want to give up this aspect of your understanding, you can also consider taking courses on emotional management. This will allow you to maintain your sanity even when you are in the red-eye state without affecting your physical health. You can gain strength without hitting tennis balls that harm others, and then your 'evolution is complete.'"
The girl's voice was calm and gentle as she analyzed. The plan she proposed seemed to be genuinely considered for him, and it sounded effective. Kirihara Akaya was stunned for a moment, and asked hesitantly, "Aren't you... angry?"
"Why should I be angry?" Kurikawa Sana asked back in confusion.
Kirihara Akaya clenched his fists tightly, "...Just now during the break, I embarrassed you."
If he was in his normal state, he wouldn't be like this, but in his "demonized" state, he lost some of his sanity.
He really respected Yukimura-san, so he couldn't understand why Kurikawa-san couldn't just love Yukimura-san wholeheartedly. He was such a good man...
He became even more anxious when he thought that the minister was going to have surgery today and if the surgery failed, he might never be able to stand up again.
That's why, when Kurikawa-senpai was obviously worried and anxious about Fuji Shusuke of Seigaku, she asked such a question.
"Ah, that one." Kurikawa Sana smiled helplessly. "As for that question, Kirihara-kun didn't accuse me wrongly. I have no right to be angry."
In order to conquer, she really couldn't just follow Yukimura's path, and her actions really didn't just follow Yukimura's path.
Therefore, there was actually nothing wrong with what Kirihara said to her.
As for Kirihara's violent tennis, Kirihara is Yukimura's teammate and the ace that he has high hopes for and focuses on training. Kurikawa Sana thinks that she may not know Kirihara well enough, but she must believe in Yukimura's vision.
Yukimura, who so gently yet firmly advised her not to give up her life, would not completely let Kirihara go astray and would definitely guide her.
With time, Kirihara will definitely change in the future. He is extremely talented. Perhaps he has become violent now only because of his pathological high blood pressure and red eyes. As long as he can control his reason, he will definitely become the ace of Rikkai University.
"Regarding the question you asked me during the break, Kirihara-kun did nothing wrong. I was wrong," Kurikawa Sana said seriously. "The only thing wrong was that you injured someone while playing after becoming a demon. Other than that, you did nothing wrong."
“………”
Her tone didn't sound like she was joking, and Kirihara Akaya looked stunned.
…So he was right?!
"you……"
The rest of what Kirihara Akaya wanted to say was still stuck in his throat when he was interrupted by another young boy's voice.
"Sana-senpai."
A young man wearing a FILA baseball cap and carrying a tennis bag walked over and directly grasped the girl's white and slender wrist in front of him.
“……!”
Kirihara Akaya's eyes suddenly widened.
What is this first-year kid from Seigaku doing?!
He's still watching here!
"Senior Sana, aren't you going to watch my match?" Echizen Ryoma always goes straight to the point, staring at the opponent with his amber cat eyes.
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm sorry, Echizen-kun, I won't be able to see your match this time. I have an appointment with a very important friend. He's going to have surgery soon, and I have to go to the hospital and wait for him to come out."
Echizen Ryoma paused, "Is he the director of Rikkai University?"
Kurikawa Sana nodded, "Yes."
"I see."
The young man loosened his grip, shoved one hand back into his trouser pocket, and used the other to push his cap down to hide his expression. "Go ahead, and I wish the Minister of Rikkai University a smooth operation and a speedy recovery."
Echizen Ryoma lowered his eyes.
Rarely, he did not say anything like "I will definitely be the winner", but rather humbly wished his senior, whom he had never met, a successful operation and a speedy recovery.
This wasn't because he lacked confidence in winning the competition; Echizen Ryoma had always been strong and confident. It was simply a simple deduction. Sana-senpai was going to visit the Rikkai University president, which showed they had a good relationship. If he had defeated Rikkai University, then Rikkai University wouldn't be able to present the Kanto Tournament trophy to their president at the hospital.
He had heard from Senior Gan that the Rikkai University president was facing serious surgery. Even if he won the match, it wouldn't be appropriate to show off in front of his opponent when facing a life-threatening illness like this. Sometimes, chewing quietly when someone is sick is a virtue.
Ryoma Echizen had a strong premonition that the director of Rikkai University would definitely get through this and stand on the field again.
Anyone who can be respected and admired by such strong regular players of Rikkai University must be undoubtedly powerful.
Maybe then he would have a chance to spar with the other party.
…
*
Half an hour later.
The corridor in front of the operating room at the University of Tokyo Hospital.
The young men in Rikkai's bright yellow uniforms all looked worried. They couldn't stand or sit for very long. They all paced back and forth nervously, worried about the safety of the people in the operating room.
Kurikawa Sana was also among them. She clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and silently prayed for Yukimura Seiichi in her heart.
More than ten minutes ago, they sent Seiichi Yukimura into the operating room together.
When the young man with purple hair was pushed in, his face was pale with illness. Although he was the one facing the fear of surgery, Yukimura Seiichi still gave them a comforting smile.
"It's okay, it will be fine soon," he said.
Time passes by every second.
The red lights in the operating rooms are still on, and the screens on the corridor walls show the status of all operating rooms. As time goes by, the status of some other operating rooms has changed from "in-operation" to "resuscitation."
Kurikawa Sana looked up at the screen several times every minute, and her clenched palms were sweating.
Until the words on the operating room belonging to Yukimura Seiichi finally changed from "intraoperative" to "resuscitation".
“!!!”
Kurikawa Sana stood up suddenly.
The doctor also came out of the operating room and announced, "The patient's surgery was successful, and he will regain normal mobility after rehabilitation. He is now waiting to wake up from anesthesia. Once he wakes up, you can visit him in the ward."
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