After a brief warm-up, the real practice began.
Tennis.
The P.E. teacher had everyone pair up.
Masao's class had twenty-six students—thirteen pairs, in a perfect world.
But of course, the world wasn't perfect. He was left without a partner.
The other lone wolf was Kawasaki Saki.
Coincidentally, the first-year Class J was also on the tennis courts today.
With only twenty-five students, the one left standing alone was none other than Yukinoshita Yukino.
Gripping his racket, Masao stood still, his eyes flicking between Kawasaki Saki and Yukinoshita Yukino.
A familiar, self-indulgent dilemma surfaced in his mind.
'Well, now. Two beauties, and I have to choose? What a pleasant problem. I suppose, being the gentleman I am, I'll just have to suffer through playing with both of them.'
In reality of course, his dilemma was pointless. Under normal circumstances, neither girl would have accepted his invitation.
If he'd tried to appeal to Yukinoshita using their "weight loss consultation" as an excuse, she would likely have hesitated for a moment before coolly suggesting he spend the period practicing his swings against a wall.
His gaze traveled from Yukinoshita's refined, icy beauty to Kawasaki's more… pronounced assets.
The choice, for Masao, became clear.
He walked toward Kawasaki Saki.
—
She was in a corner, lazily batting a ball against the wall with a bored expression.
"Hey, Kawasaki-san," Masao began. "How about we pair up?"
Kawasaki Saki shot him a sidelong glance.
"I'm fine by myself," she replied, her voice flat and final.
She turned her attention back to the wall, effectively dismissing him.
Faced with her chilly disinterest, Masao didn't bother to press on the matter.
'Fine. Plan B it is.'
He made his way to the opposite corner, where Yukinoshita Yukino was practicing with a quiet, deadly precision also against a wall.
"Yukinoshita-san," he said. "Would you care for a match?"
Yukinoshita looked at him, a faint, knowing smirk playing on her lips. She'd been watching his little parade from across the court this whole time.
"What's this?" she asked, her tone lightly barbed. "Did your first choice reject you?"
She crossed her arms. Though she was shorter than him, she managed to convey an impression of looking down her nose.
"I might consider it," she continued, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "But your technique is abysmal. You would bore me. Tell you what—go and complete ten thousand practice swings. Then, I might consider your invitation."
"Ten thousand!" Masao gasped, a shock running through him.
Even if he could physically do it, his arm would be a useless lump of flesh afterward.
The rejection was crystal clear. He'd expected as much, but still…
'Hmph. Rejected by both. Just as I predicted. But still… it's irritating.'
His mind, ever-active behind his glasses, began to whir.
A mischievous spark lit in his eyes. If they wouldn't play with him, he'd make them play with each other.
He marched back to Kawasaki Saki.
"I said I'm not interested," she preempted him, not even turning around.
"It's not from me," Masao said smoothly. "It's from Yukinoshita Yukino, in Class J. She said she's observed you, and believes your skills might be… adequate. She wants you to come over for a match."
Kawasaki Saki stopped her lazy volley and finally turned to face him, a frown creasing her brow. She had seen him talking to the other girl. This "adequate" comment, delivered with such a condescending tone, grated on her nerves.
She knew who Yukinoshita Yukino was—the school's ice queen. But Kawasaki Saki wasn't one to be summoned.
"Is that so?" she said, her voice low and cool. "Fine. Tell her I accept her challenge."
A smile tugged at Masao's lips. "I'll pass it along."
He hurried back to Yukinoshita, who was waiting with an expression of amused skepticism.
"Yukinoshita! My classmate, Kawasaki Saki, has issued you a formal challenge. She's over there." He pointed dramatically. "She wants to see if your game matches your reputation."
Yukinoshita's eyebrow arched higher.
"How transparent. But…" Her gaze drifted across the court to where Kawasaki Saki stood, now staring back with a defiant intensity.
Their eyes met across the net. Kawasaki's gaze was a challenge, sharp and defiant. Yukino's was an assessment, cool and calculating.
For a long second, the only sound was the distant thwock of other tennis balls. Then, a flicker of something—acknowledgment?—passed between them.
"Very well," Yukinoshita said, a glint of competitive fire in her eyes.
"I accept."
She walked onto the nearest court with the poised grace of a champion. Kawasaki Saki matched her stride for stride, her own presence radiating a tough, confidence.
They took their positions without a word.
Tanaka Masao slid into the umpire's position with a satisfied grin.
'Perfect. Since neither wants to play with me, they can play with each other. Really, I'm doing them a favor. They should be thanking me.'
The idea that they might talk later and figure out his little scheme never crossed his mind. In his view, both were far too aloof to bother with such trivial conversations.
—
On the court, Yukinoshita gestured magnanimously.
"You can serve first."
Kawasaki gave a curt nod. She bounced the ball twice, her focus narrowing.
"Don't miss it," she said, her voice a low warning.
The ball shot over the net like a bullet—a powerful, aggressive serve.
Yukinoshita was ready. She moved with fluid efficiency, her return just as sharp and precise.
The rally began in earnest, the sharp thwock of the ball echoing rhythmically. They exchanged over a dozen shots, a display of surprising skill and intensity, before Kawasaki finally sent a ball just wide of the line.
It was only a practice match, so they kept a simple tally of points, not bothering with the formalities of games or sets.
Yukinoshita didn't smile upon winning the first point; her expression only grew more serious. Kawasaki wasn't discouraged either; her jaw tightened with renewed determination.
Soon, the ferocity and grace of their impromptu match began to draw eyes from both classes.
A duel between the two striking and notoriously unapproachable girls in the year was a spectacle not to be missed.
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