Chapter Six
Time slips away silently like sand through our fingers. When the autumn wind carries the fragrance of osmanthus into the campus, Rikkai University's annual Kaihara Festival is just around the corner.
The classroom was filled with a joyful atmosphere as everyone sat together, chattering excitedly about the activities the class was going to organize.
After a show of hands, Group D of Grade 1 finalized the beverage stall plan, which included launching several limited-edition special drinks. Just imagining the lively scene filled everyone's faces with anticipation.
On their way home from school, the setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them. Yukimura turned to look at Yuzuru beside him, his voice tinged with amusement: "Yuzuru, what kind of program is the Chinese club preparing for this year's Umihara Festival?"
"It's not a program, it's about selling handmade products." Yuzuru shook the canvas bag in his hand, his tone slightly troubled. "I also got a task to make ten handmade bookmarks."
"Is that so?" Yukimura's smile deepened. "Do you need any help?"
"No need, no need, I can do it myself." Yuzuru quickly waved his hand, then looked at him curiously, "What about the tennis club? What kind of program are you putting on this year? Or... are you wearing women's clothes?" She deliberately dragged out the last few words, with a hint of teasing.
Yukimura paused slightly, glancing at her with a half-smile: "Heh, Yu seems to know very well."
"Huh? No, no!" Yuzuru's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly waved her hands to explain, "It was when I was in the third year of junior high school, Mina and I came to see Rikkai University's Kaihara Festival. That program... was very successful." She couldn't help but smile as she recalled the tennis club members dressed in women's clothing back then.
“I know,” Yukimura said casually, a hint of cunning in his voice.
"!...!" Yu Sheng suddenly looked up at him, his eyes filled with surprise. How did he know?
"But we probably won't see Echizen-kun's amazing performance this year, hahaha." Yuzuru quickly changed the subject, recalling Echizen Ryoma's calm demeanor in women's clothing back then, and couldn't help but laugh out loud, his eyes curving into crescent moons.
"Oh?" Yukimura raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on her smiling face with a hint of danger.
Yuzuru noticed his gaze and quickly tried to salvage the situation: "Aichi is definitely prettier! Oh no, I mean she's incredibly handsome in men's clothes and radiant in women's clothes!" She became more and more anxious as she spoke, her cheeks turning bright red.
"Hehe." Yukimura chuckled softly, then suddenly stopped and moved closer to Yuzuru. His handsome face loomed large before her, and Yuzuru instinctively tried to pull back, but Yukimura grabbed her waist, rendering her immobile. The next second, soft lips lightly covered hers, a fleeting touch, carrying a cool temperature.
His face didn't leave hers, his nose almost touching hers, his deep eyes filled with seriousness, yet also with a hint of seduction: "Is it pretty, Ayu?"
Yuzuru's heart skipped a beat, his cheeks burned so hot they could fry an egg, and he avoided looking at him, his voice barely audible: "So...beautiful."
Just as preparations for the Umihara Festival were in full swing, an unexpected piece of news arrived—this year's Umihara Festival would coincide with a Sino-Japanese exchange activity, and a Chinese delegation would be visiting the school for a month-long exchange. They would not only visit various activities of the Umihara Festival, but also needed students proficient in Chinese to serve as guides.
Yuzuru Hanyu, who had just won the national youth Chinese recitation competition, was naturally the obvious choice. When the news came, Hanyu was filled with anticipation. It had been a long time since she had been able to communicate freely with her compatriots in her mother tongue, and just thinking about it made her excited. However, when she met Yukimura's meaningful gaze, she felt a chill run down her spine.
"You're going to be a guide?" Yukimura gently brushed a stray hair from her ear, his tone unreadable. "It's a great opportunity. Yuu has always been wonderful."
"Yes!" Yuzuru nodded vigorously, his eyes shining. "I haven't spoken this much Chinese in a long time, I'm kind of looking forward to it."
Yukimura looked at the light in her eyes, a smile curving his lips, and gently traced his fingertips across her cheek: "Be careful." But—the upcoming visitor from afar seems to be stealing a lot of his Yu's attention.
Lanterns for the Haihara Festival have begun to be hung on campus, and banners for Sino-Japanese exchange activities have also been quietly put up.
The osmanthus flowers at the school gate were in full bloom, their fragrance wafting over the stone steps. Yuzuru Hanyu, dressed in Rikkai University's uniform, stood ramrod straight, his long, light brown hair tied into a neat ponytail with a pink headband, his eyes bright and focused.
As the bus carrying the Chinese delegation slowly came to a stop, she stepped forward, a polite smile on her face, her voice clear and pleasant: "Welcome to Rikkai University, I am your guide, Hanyu Momozawa."
She greeted each of the teachers and students in the delegation. When her fingertips touched those of student representative Li Zhi, she felt the warmth of his palm and a long-lost sense of warmth welled up in her heart. "Next, I will lead you on a tour of the campus. Please follow me." With that, she stepped aside to lead the way, her steps calm and steady.
"This is our vocal room." Pushing open the slightly ajar door, the intermittent sounds of instruments drifted in, and several club members were engrossed in practice. "For this year's Haiyuan Festival, the vocal club is preparing for an instrumental ensemble performance, which will be held in the school auditorium. Our school's club activities are very well-managed; there are at least three activities per week, and we undergo assessments at the end of each month to ensure everyone truly benefits." She explained patiently.
"This is the chemistry lab. All the equipment here is the latest. We conduct our daily lab classes and club activities here."
"Next door is the biology lab, which has a dedicated specimen display area and potted plants that our students have cultivated themselves."
Yuzuru led the group through the teaching buildings and venues, clearly explaining the functions and features of each place. Occasionally, members of the delegation would ask questions, and she would always answer them calmly. Her fluent Chinese, with its gentle tone, made the guests who had traveled from afar feel very welcome.
As we walked onto the outdoor field, the faint sound of rackets hitting the ball could be heard from the tennis courts in the distance. "Among the outdoor activity clubs, the tennis and baseball clubs have the most outstanding results."
Yuzuru raised her hand to indicate, "This is the tennis club. Their daily management is very strict. Outsiders are not allowed to enter during club activities to avoid disturbing training. In three days, you will have a friendly match against the tennis club. They will all be present. I believe it will be a very exciting competition." She recalled how Yukimura and the others trained, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.
As the sun began to set, the tour finally drew to a close. Yuzuru stood at the school gate and nodded slightly: "That concludes today's tour. Thank you all for your hard work."
"Thank you for your hard work, Momozawa-kun. Your explanation was very detailed, thank you." Li Zhi extended his hand again, a sincere smile on his face. "I look forward to the next exchange activity."
After seeing the delegation off, Yuzuru's tense nerves finally relaxed, but her legs felt as heavy as lead. When she got home, she didn't even have the strength to change her shoes. She went straight to the sofa, buried her face in the soft cushions, and mumbled, "So tired~" As soon as she finished speaking, drowsiness washed over her like a tide, and she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
In a daze, I felt a tingling sensation on my calf, as if someone was gently pressing it.
Yuzuru struggled to open her eyes. Through her blurry vision, she saw Yukimura kneeling beside the sofa, his fingertips gently massaging her sore calf muscles. "Oichi..." she said in a soft, sleepy voice, instinctively acting coquettishly.
The next second, warm lips suddenly covered hers, silencing her unfinished words. Breath exchanged between their lips and teeth, Yukimura's kiss was filled with urgency and tenderness, his tongue gently prying open her teeth, entwining and swirling with hers.
Yuzuru responded instinctively, her hands unconsciously wrapping around his neck. Only when they were both slightly out of breath did Yukimura slowly pull away, his forehead pressed against hers, his breath hot against hers.
"Your legs must be sore from standing all day," he chuckled, his fingertips continuing to knead her calves with just the right amount of pressure, relieving the stiffness and soreness in her muscles. Yuzuru squinted her eyes comfortably, like a lazy kitten, letting him do as he pleased.
After the massage ended, Yukimura got up and ruffled her hair. "I'll go prepare dinner. You can rest a bit more." Watching his retreating figure as he headed towards the kitchen, Yuzuru felt a warm glow in her heart, and her fatigue seemed to dissipate considerably. A satisfied smile played on her lips as she closed her eyes for a short rest. Soon, soft sounds came from the kitchen, blending with the twilight outside the window to create a warm and peaceful scene.
Three days later, flags fluttered on the tennis courts of Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School, and the banner for the China-Japan Tennis Exchange Tournament unfurled in the breeze. Beside the wooden rest area, the teacher leading the team brought the two together, introducing them sideways: "This is Yukimura Seiichi, the captain of the tennis club." Then, turning to the other side, he said, "This is Li Zhi, the representative of the Chinese students."
Yukimura Seiichi nodded slightly, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and extended his hand: "Nice to meet you." Li Zhi also flashed a hearty smile and returned the handshake: "I've long admired Rikkai University's tennis club. It's an honor to meet you today." The moment their fingertips touched, anticipation for the upcoming exchange flashed in both of their eyes. Then they sat down side by side and began to finalize the match details.
"This exchange tournament consists of five matches: three singles and two doubles. Regardless of the score, all matches will be played in their entirety." Yukimura opened the tournament schedule prepared before the competition.
The teacher representative spoke calmly yet with undeniable logic, saying, "After all, 'friendship comes first, competition second,' and the focus is on learning from each other."
Li Zhi nodded repeatedly, his fingertips tracing the schedule: "Our team members are also looking forward to exchanging skills with the Rikkai team."
The whistle blew, and the first doubles match began. Rikkai's energetic Kuwahara and Marui Bunta leaped onto the court, while the Chinese delegation sent out Wang Zimo and Lin Jie to compete.
On the court, tennis balls flashed like white lightning. Jackal's powerful smashes and Wen Tai's skillful volleys complemented each other perfectly. Wang Zimo and Lin Jie were not to be outdone, pressing forward step by step with precise baseline confrontations and agile net play.
The score went back and forth, and finally, with Wang Zimo's backhand shot landing at a tricky angle, the score was 6-4, and the delegation won its first victory. Both teams applauded from the sidelines.
After a short break, the second doubles match began. Yagyu Hiroshi and Niou Masaharu, dressed in their team uniforms, took to the court, their elegant serves and unpredictable feints instantly igniting the atmosphere.
Yang Heng and Liu Hao of the Chinese delegation responded calmly, demonstrating resilience in their offensive and defensive transitions. After a fierce battle to 6-5, Rikkai secured the victory with a precise serve from Yagyu, making the score 7-5 and leveling the overall score.
On the sidelines, Yukimura rested his chin on his hand, watching the match. Yuzuru quietly approached him and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear: "It's a friendly match, but they're playing quite seriously."
Yukimura's eyes crinkled slightly as he softly replied, "Yes, the delegation mainly came for exchange, they're not professional athletes."
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow, surprised, "Ah, you know better than I do." Yukimura turned to look at him, a hint of a smile in his eyes, "Have you forgotten Renji's specialty? He had already compiled all of his opponent's information before the match."
The two exchanged a smile, then turned their attention back to the arena, where every brilliant counterattack drew cheers.
At noon, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, and the match paused. Yuzuru followed the delegation members to the school cafeteria for lunch. The curry rice and miso soup on their plates smelled delicious. The players from both sides chatted as they ate, talking about everything from tennis techniques to everyday anecdotes. The language barrier quietly melted away in their laughter.
After lunch and a short rest, the tournament resumed. The remaining three matches were equally exciting, with every point fought with focus and effort from both sides. Regardless of the outcome, sincere cheers always rang out from the sidelines.
As the final singles match ended and the scoreboard froze, all the players gathered in the center of the court, shaking hands in greeting. Li Zhi smiled and said, "Today's match was very beneficial, and I look forward to meeting again next time." Yukimura nodded in response, "You are all welcome to come to Rikkai University again anytime." A friendly exchange match came to a close amidst mutual blessings.
The cultural festival area next to the competition venue was already bustling with activity, with each class's stall showcasing its unique character. Students enthusiastically greeted customers: "Seasonal specialty drinks, welcome to try them!"
A slightly exaggerated exclamation came from not far away: "Western Fantasy Haunted House, dare to take on the challenge!"
Another sweet aroma wafted from somewhere: "The handmade cakes and macarons are so delicious!"
Yuzuru followed the sound to the stage area and burst out laughing when he saw the words on the poster: "The tennis club's program is the stage play 'Sleeping Beauty'."
Faint sounds of arguing came from backstage. He peeked out and saw Niou Masaharu dressed in a princess dress with tiered skirts, a playful smile on his face, seemingly unconcerned about the outfit; while Yagyu Hiroshi, dressed in prince's attire, looked embarrassed, hesitating to speak from his script. Yuzuru rubbed his forehead, thinking to himself: What kind of leverage does Yukimura have that makes Yagyu so willing to go to such lengths?
A month passed in the blink of an eye, and Yuzuru Hanyu and the members of the delegation got along better and better.
On the eve of his departure, Yuzuru carefully prepared gifts: an amulet carrying blessings of peace, a cherry blossom bracelet adorned with delicate pink and white petals, and bookmarks and refrigerator magnets printed with Rikkai University's iconic scenery.
The delegation members also reciprocated with gifts: antique round fans painted with landscapes, sachets emitting a delicate fragrance, and antique-style combs and mirrors with exquisite and elegant patterns—each piece brimming with heartfelt sentiment.
Although these days were fulfilling and enjoyable, Yuzuru was so busy that he unconsciously neglected Yukimura. Only after the delegation left did Yuzuru realize that his captain had been throwing a tantrum, remaining silent and withdrawn at home, with a faint sense of detachment in his eyes.
Left with no other option, Yuzuru had to resort to coaxing and pleading, offering kisses and making Yukimura's favorite snacks. Only after a series of seemingly humiliating attempts to appease the proud president did Yuzuru finally calm down and bring a smile back to his face.
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