Floodlights bathed the court in sharp white glow.
Cheers from the audience rose and fell like waves.
On the scoreboard, two names shone side by side—Kasumi Hoshino & Yeamori Arisa.
Kasumi tightened her ponytail. She spun her racket once, then gripped it firmly.
Beside her, Yeamori stretched casually, that usual confident grin tugging at her lips.
"Kasumi, remember? You control. I power."
"Yeah," Kasumi replied with a calm smile.
The referee's whistle cut through the noise.
The match began.
---
The opponent's serve was fast—skidding low, sharp.
But Kasumi's reflex was quicker. She angled the return perfectly.
The ball bounced midcourt. Their opponents stumbled, unready.
"Now!"
Yeamori seized the chance—an explosive smash that crashed just inside the line.
The audience erupted.
"Point won!"
---
Up in the bleachers, Shion sat quietly.
His expression was unreadable… but his eyes carried a faint spark.
Souta leaned closer, lips curving into a grin.
"These two are serious."
Shion said nothing, only tightening his grip on the water bottle in his hands.
---
Rally after rally, their contrast became clear.
Kasumi—precise placements, steady defense, calm strategy.
Yeamori—relentless smashes, lightning footwork, boundless energy.
Their opponents grew confused.
Whenever they targeted Kasumi's "weak" returns, Yeamori transformed them into explosive counters.
And when they braced against Yeamori's power, Kasumi's soft drop shots pulled them into traps.
On the sideline, the coach muttered to himself,
"This chemistry… they're like a textbook doubles team."
---
Timeout.
Both girls sat on the bench, towels pressed against their flushed faces.
Yeamori panted between laughs.
"Kasumi, without your returns… I'd be dead by now."
Kasumi smiled softly.
"And without your smashes, I'd be useless."
For a moment, their eyes met. A quiet trust passed between them.
On that court, they weren't just partners—they were a perfect duo.
Up in the stands, Shion watched silently.
Warmth spread faintly through his chest.
"She's not alone anymore. She's found her rhythm… even here." shion thought herself
---
The score locked even. Final set—tiebreak.
The audience leaned forward, cheers hitting their peak.
Kasumi wiped sweat from her wristband.
Yeamori tapped her shoulder, eyes burning with determination.
"Last point, Kasumi. Ready?"
"Always."
The whistle blew.
The serve came fast, aiming straight for Kasumi.
Her return was deliberately low, deceptively weak.
The opponents lunged forward, eager for a smash.
But the ball dropped sharply at the net.
They scrambled, barely lifting it back high.
"Kasumi!" Yeamori shouted.
Kasumi lifted it perfectly.
Yeamori leapt, twisting into a backhand smash.
The ball thundered down the baseline.
"Point won! Match won by Kasumi and Yeamori—7–6!"
---
The crowd roared.
Yeamori thrust her racket into the air, letting out a wild victory scream.
Kasumi collapsed onto the bench, chest heaving, relief softening into a gentle smile.
"Yeahhh!!" Yeamori hugged her tight, nearly lifting her off the seat.
Kasumi laughed quietly against her shoulder.
In the stands, Shion rose to his feet.
He didn't clap. He didn't cheer.
But a small, rare smile flickered on his lips.
"Kasumi… you proved it. Court or clinic, you belong to both worlds." thought.
Souta caught that smile. He leaned over, teasing.
"Seeing you proud feels strange."
"…I was just watching the match," Shion replied flatly.
But Souta could see it clearly—warmth in Shion's eyes.
---
Match over.
Kasumi wiped sweat from her face when Shion appeared beside her, calm as always.
He extended a chilled sports drink.
"…Good job," he said softly.
Kasumi accepted it, eyes meeting his.
She was exhausted, but her smile was genuine.
"Thanks. You know, this win wouldn't have been possible without you."
"…I didn't do anything on court."
Kasumi shook her head.
"No. You gave me belief. And that's the biggest support there is."
The cheers of the crowd faded into the background.
In that quiet moment, it felt like only the two of them existed.
---
"Victory doesn't just come from points." Kasumi thought.
"The real joy is knowing someone was there—watching. Supporting."
I've found my answer. I can balance both worlds… because I'm never truly alone.
The gymnasium slowly emptied. faded, leaving only the echo of footsteps.
Kasumi slung her racket bag over her shoulder. The sunset poured orange light across her tired face.
Yeamori bounced beside her, still overflowing with energy.
"Bet Shion's happy, right?" she teased with a grin.
Kasumi blinked, cheeks warming.
"Wh-What are you—"
"Ever since she found out about me and Shion… teasing me has become her new favorite hobby." Kasumi thought helplessly.
Yeamori pouted dramatically, then burst into laughter.
At the entrance, Souta was waiting. He clapped slowly, smirking.
"Well, well… the tennis queens arrive."
Kasumi sighed. "Souta…you didn't know this really hard for me"
"yeah,i know kasumi You looked different out there And Shion? He just sit there like a statue, staring at you the whole time."
Her face turned red instantly. She tried to hide it, but her reaction gave her away.
Behind her, Shion appeared—still holding her water bottle.
"You talk too much," he said calmly.
Souta let out an exaggerated sigh and laughed.
---
Later, the team dispersed. Evening air was cool, river glimmering with soft reflection.
Only Kasumi and Shion walked side by side now.
Her steps slowed. The fatigue of the match pressed against her body.
"Finally… a chance to breathe," she whispered.
"Tired?" Shion asked calmly.
Kasumi shook her head.
"I'm tired… but happy. Feels like balancing everything was worth it."
For a while, only their footsteps echoed against the riverside path.
"You should take a break," Shion said quietly.
Kasumi chuckled softly.
"Maybe one day… no tennis, no doctor camp. Just rest."
She glanced at him, voice gentle.
"And maybe… with you."
Shion didn't reply. But his lips curved into a faint, almost invisible smile.
---
The river flowed in silence.
Sakura petals drifted in the evening wind, scattering across their path.
Kasumi thought to herself,
Two roads stand before me—the court and the clinic. But now… I know I can walk both. Because someone is walking beside me.
---
---Chapter 26 End---