Chapter 26
The Hyotei Tennis Club returned from Canada with a full load and plunged headfirst into the fierce vortex of the national competition with almost no time to breathe.
Each match was like a tempered blade, sharpening the young men's will and skills. Sitting in the audience, my eyes followed that figure.
In the finals, Hyotei once again faced the reigning champion Rikkai University. The atmosphere was so tense it felt like water could be squeezed out of it. On the court, Atobe Keigo seemed reborn.
He moved faster, not relying solely on explosive power, but the connection of his steps and the shift of his center of gravity were incredibly smooth, as if he had practiced the footwork thousands of times, and he could always appear precisely at the landing point of the ball.
The power of the swing is more condensed and penetrating, and every shot is accompanied by a sharp sound that breaks through the wind.
Even more astonishing was his near-perfect control of his body: the incredible flexibility during his ultimate saves, the astonishing core strength displayed during his aerial smashes, and the way he deftly handled the devastating "thunder" of Sanada Genichirō with effortless ease, defusing the force with ingenuity.
"Did you see that?" Yuushi Oshima, who was sitting next to him, pushed up his glasses. The blue light behind the lenses shone with an all-seeing brilliance. He lowered his voice and said, "Since returning from Canada, I've been secretly adding training to my daily routine. It's a special training for strength and reaction, and it draws on many martial arts principles."
He gave me a meaningful look. "It seems that some of the 'dojo instructions' made a very deep impression on him, and he's putting them into practice."
I understood. No wonder his movements evoked a familiar charm, the mastery of a warrior's muscles and bones. His understanding and execution, integrating power from different realms, was truly astonishing.
Watching him challenge his limits on the court again and again, his fearless and dazzling demeanor, born to stand in the center of the spotlight, is more dazzling than any trophy.
Finally, the fierce battle came to an end, and Rikkai University successfully defended its title with its unfathomable overall strength.
Bingdi finished second in the country.
On the podium, silver medals draped across the chests of the young men. Atobe Keigo stood at the front of the group, his posture still as straight as a pine tree, his purplish-gray hair damp with sweat and plastered to his forehead.
His face didn't show much disappointment, only the calmness of a king and a hint of regret for not reaching the top. But deep within his eyes burned a more blazing, more unyielding fire. He calmly accepted the runner-up trophy, as if it were just a new starting point.
I applaud him wholeheartedly. His ability to maintain pride, draw strength, and forge ahead fearlessly despite failure is his true shining light.
The smoke of the national competition has dissipated, and the tail end of summer vacation has quietly slipped away.
Xiaokong is one month old. From the shivering little ball of fur, he has grown into a chubby and energetic little guy.
According to the veterinarian's instructions, it's time to take it for the first vaccination.
The veterinary hospital was filled with the distinct smell of disinfectant and animals. A doctor in a white coat held a tiny syringe, a gentle smile on his face. Xiaokong, as if sensing something, twisted uncomfortably in my arms, whimpering in frustration.
"Be good, Xiaokong, don't be afraid, it will only take a moment..." I coaxed it softly, holding its small body firmly and gently in my arms, and gently supporting its little head with one hand to prevent it from moving around.
The little guy's black eyes were filled with fear, and his wet nose rubbed against my arm.
The doctor's technique was skillful, and the needle tip quickly pierced the skin on the back of Xiaokong's neck.
"Ah--Wu!!!" Xiaokong instantly let out a shrill scream, kicking desperately with his four short legs, tears in his eyes.
My heart also tightened, but I didn't dare to relax my hands. I just hugged it tighter and more gently, lowered my head and whispered to comfort it: "Okay, okay, it's over. Xiaokong is the bravest..."
Just when I was concentrating on comforting the poor crying little thing in my arms, I didn't notice that Keigo Atobe, who was standing behind me, quietly raised his cell phone.
The lens focused silently.
In the center of the picture is Xiaokong with tears in his eyes and his mouth open screaming. His aggrieved expression is so vivid that it makes people feel both distressed and want to laugh.
But the subject and focus of the picture is the girl holding it.
She lowered her head slightly, her profile calm and gentle, a few strands of hair tucked against her cheeks. She wore a simple white T-shirt, but her back was straight, like a mother animal protecting her cubs, exuding a sense of focused and resilient strength.
The sunlight shone through the hospital window onto her, outlining a warm and beautiful silhouette. Although her face could not be seen clearly, her upright posture and the gentle aura she exuded formed an incomparably moving picture.
Click.
There was an extremely faint shutter sound, almost drowned out by Xiaokong's whimpering.
Atobe put away his phone calmly, as if nothing had happened.
He walked forward, gently scratched Xiaokong's chin with his slender fingers, and said in a low voice: "Okay, it's over, men should be strong." The little guy seemed to recognize the familiar breath, and rubbed his head against his palm aggrievedly.
night.
Atobe Keigo's Instagram account, which has many followers but rarely posts personal updates, quietly updated a photo. There were no fancy words, just two simple words:
【Clear Sky】
The focus of the photo is the little puppy with an exaggerated expression and crying for food. It looks so cute and adorable.
But the background and soul of the photo is the girl holding it, revealing only her upright and gentle back. The sunlight outlines her figure, and even just her back is filled with a sense of quiet and tenacious strength, as beautiful as the most refreshing summer breeze.
Almost the moment the post was published, Yuushi Ozaki liked it.
And left a meaningful comment:
[In the Ice and Snow Kingdom, the sky is clear and bright. Xiaokong is so lucky. (Smiling emoji)]
This seemingly simple photo, which only shows a back view and a puppy, and the intriguing caption and comments, are like a stone thrown into a calm lake, quietly stirring up countless ripples and speculations within Bingdi and even the wider circle.
The September sunshine, with its early autumn crispness, filtered through the auditorium's tall stained-glass windows, casting dappled shadows. The opening ceremony was solemn and warm, the air thick with the vibrant energy of a new semester.
As the student council president, Keigo Atobe stood at the center of the podium. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and the microphone carried his deep, gorgeous, and magnetic voice clearly to every corner of the auditorium.
His speech was as wonderful as ever, with clear logic and great momentum.
From the impressive achievements of Hyotei clubs in national competitions, to the student union's upcoming plans for library expansion and club funding reform that will benefit all students, to proposals for a more transparent and efficient student union operating system...
Each part is powerful and full of convincing power and the sense of responsibility of a king.
The applause from the audience was thunderous, like a surging tide.
“…the initial conception of these reform proposals could not have been improved without valuable suggestions and thinking from different perspectives.”
Atobe's voice was steady, and his gaze swept across the dense crowd below the stage, lingering for a fleeting moment in a corner. "Although the proposer himself may not care about these empty names, the progress of the Student Union cannot be separated from every student who is willing to contribute their wisdom."
My heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason, and my cheeks felt slightly hot.
Was he referring to those ideas I'd casually mentioned during our phone call about optimizing the process for approving community funding? Although he didn't mention any names, and even spoke in a calm tone, as if stating objective facts, I just had a hunch.
The person he said "doesn't care about fame" might be me.
Thunderous applause erupted once more, drowning out the momentary excitement. Under the gaze of the crowd, Atobe nodded slightly, his gesture calm and elegant.
The ceremony ended and people poured out of the auditorium.
Rie squeezed in next to me like a happy little bird, with a gossipy and excited smile on her face.
"Wushan Wushan! Did you see that? Didn't the president glance in our direction when he was giving his speech just now?"
She lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling, "Everyone's been guessing who gave him the 'valuable advice' he was talking about! And more!"
She couldn't wait to pull out her phone and open Instagram. "Look at the photo the president posted last time! 'Clear Sky'! It's just her back, but she looks so elegant! The whole school is going crazy, with so many people trying to guess who this girl is from behind! Is she the president's crush? Do you know the inside story? Tell me!"
She shook the screen of her phone, and on it was the back of me holding the howling Xiaokong in the pet hospital.
I looked at the photo, feeling a bit dazed.
Was it filmed by Atobe? It even has a "clear sky" caption.
When I thought of Xiaokong's name, a corner of my heart moved slightly.
"I don't know." I shook my head, my tone calm, "Maybe he's a friend of his."
I have no interest in INS and have never registered an account. Those heated speculations are far away from me.
"Oh, so boring!" Rie pouted in disappointment, but soon rekindled her enthusiasm, "But it doesn't matter! Big news! October 4th is Atobe Sama's birthday!"
She leaned closer mysteriously, "According to the tradition of the Atobe family, a grand birthday ball is held every year! When the time comes, everyone will be staring at who Atobe Sama will invite to dance the first dance!"
Her eyes sparkled, "That person! It must be the real culprit! The answer will be revealed in due time!"
Atobe's birthday... October 4th.
I couldn't quite follow Rie's excited gossip and analysis. A single thought was swirling in my mind: His birthday was coming up.
The last time he came back from Canada, he specially brought me that pair of beautiful glacier blue earrings. In return, it seems that I should prepare a gift for him as well?
But...what should I give as a gift?
Over the next few days, this thought popped up from time to time.
Something tennis-related? Too common, he has everything.
Giving expensive gifts? It seems deliberate and distant.
Giving him his favorite roses? But that seemed... too ambiguous.
After much thought, nothing seemed suitable.
Until one cool autumn night, I sat at my desk, looking at the bright moon outside the window, my fingers unconsciously stroking the pair of blue and purple flower earrings.
A vague idea gradually took shape.
Maybe... I could give him something unique and shining that he could keep for a long time...
I picked up my phone and swiped my finger through the address book.
【uncle】
Without hesitation, I dialed the request for the overseas video call. The prompt tone waiting to be connected echoed in the silent room, carrying a strange sense of anticipation.
A few seconds later, the screen lit up, revealing a vigorous face with eagle-like eyes and a kind expression between its brows. The background was a simple study, with calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls and various rare stones displayed on antique shelves.
"Uncle." I spoke, subconsciously using the most familiar and intimate Chinese name, with a subtle hint of dependence in my voice that only appeared when facing this elder.
On the other end of the line, the elder with a dignified face but gentle eyes was slightly stunned, then smiled and responded in the same fluent and pure Chinese: "Xiao Yin? Calling so late, are you missing your uncle? How are you doing recently? Are you eating well? Do you have enough money to spend?"
I held my phone, staring at the familiar face on the screen, and for a moment I was at a loss for words. How could I tell this august elder that I wanted to make something special for a boy as a birthday present?
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