"The opposing team looks like a bunch of losers. If Yuu were fighting, the match would be over easily. I don't get why they're dragging it out."
On the second-floor stands, Masuzu swung her legs, casually giving her assessment.
Her eyes weren't on the ongoing match. She just stared straight at someone's serious face. Occasionally, she let out a soft, foolish giggle, lost in her own world.
Yukino, who had been holding back the entire trip, was focused on watching the match. Hearing that comment, she couldn't help but retort, "Don't talk like that. That high school is a regular at nationals too. Their strength is on par with our kendo club. Especially their captain. I just checked the data. He got into high school on a sports scholarship. I heard he's almost never lost a match…"
"My Yuu has never lost at all, including in most sports besides kendo." Before Yukino could finish, Masuzu seized the opening and countered, "You don't trust Yuu. Are you rooting for the opposing team, Yukinoshita-san?"
"That's not what I meant." It felt like debating with a fanatical idol stan. Yukino couldn't help but press a hand to her chest, taking a deep breath to keep her cool voice steady.
"Natsukawa-san, I'm just saying, don't underestimate any participant who's made it to nationals. If you really care about him, please analyze Tenkuji-kun's chances of winning from a fair and objective perspective—"
"Haaah…"
Letting out a heavy sigh, Masuzu crossed her arms over her chest. She deliberately puffed out her chest and said discontentedly, "What's there to analyze 100%? Yukinoshita-san, why won't you believe in my Yuu? Is there anything about him not worth believing in?"
"…"
This was clearly provocation.
Her slender eyebrows twitched continuously. A cold aura emanated from her. A wintery chill descended upon the gymnasium.
For once, in front of someone other than her sister or Yuu, Yukino felt an anger that made her chest tight.
(Her unreasonable, self-centered attitude is getting more and more like that person.)
(This world is getting filthy again.)
"Yukinon, calm down! Calm down! Getting mad at her will only make you suffer more!"
Before the icy bomb could explode, Yuigahama quickly grabbed her sleeve and whispered advice.
"I'm perfectly calm, Yuigahama-san."
Though she said that, Yukino flashed a cruel smile. Her cold face declared, "It's quite sad, but I seem to have gotten used to dealing with difficult people like this… The saying 'getting used to the stench of a fish market until you can't smell it anymore' must be like this."
"The anger I get from the pet, I'll fully repay to its owner. So, Yuigahama-san, you don't need to worry about me fighting with Natsukawa-san."
"How can I not worry? You're clearly so mad you want to take it out on Yuu for revenge…" Her advice failed. Yuigahama gave a wry smile, then turned to Masuzu on the other side, speaking in a desperate tone, "Natsukawa-san, too. Don't be like Yuu-kun, always provoking Yukinon's emotions… Can't we just get along?"
"Since Dango-chan said so, of course, no problem!" Masuzu immediately smiled. She obediently folded her hands in her lap and turned to Yukino with a gentle, graceful smile. "Let's get along, Yukinoshita-san."
Her eyes still cold, Yukino said bluntly, "Sorry, if you keep acting like this, I can't get along with you."
"Then how about I give you a riddle to improve our relationship?"
Without waiting for a response, Masuzu spoke up. "Once upon a time, after the Big Bad Wolf was punished by the hunter, Little Red Riding Hood went back to the forest for something. But on the way, she met the wolf's wife, who wanted revenge. She had a brilliant idea. She stuffed two apples in her chest and managed to escape—so, why was that?"
Yuigahama asked curiously, "Because the wolf's wife ate the apples first and got full?"
"WRONG!"
Masuzu crossed her arms and solemnly announced the answer.
"Because Little Red Riding Hood's grandmother was eaten by the Big Bad Wolf. Now she's Big Red Riding Hood, so the wolf's wife wouldn't seek revenge on her."
"…"
(You think you're funny?)
While Yuigahama was still confused, not grasping the riddle's meaning, Yukino had already shifted her gaze back to the match area. She decided that from now on, no matter what Masuzu said or did, she wouldn't pay attention.
Don't argue with someone who's got issues. It'll only make you look petty and harm your health.
As they chatted, the first match had ended. No points were scored.
The second match featured a fierce bald guy who looked strong and impressive. His aggressive attacks were perfectly countered by his opponent. Clearly, it was an even match.
"So, there's a high chance he'll have to fight."
For some reason, despite her discomfort with Yuu because of Masuzu, Yukino began looking forward to seeing him fight and end the match quickly.
Ten minutes passed. The second and third matches had ended. Out of five matches, three had ended in draws. The remaining ones were the most thrilling: the vice-captain and captain matches.
At the same time, many people had noticed the stalemate in area number five. Besides the unpredictable outcome, they were more interested in the dark-skinned girl and the handsome short-haired guy who stood out among the bald and buzz-cut men.
The girl who fought in the third match, after putting on her face guard, bowed to the handsome short-haired guy, their captain. Then she ran to the match area and crouched in front of her opponent.
From then on, Yuu's match was certain.
Yukino straightened her back, focusing more on the scene where bamboo swords clashed. Occasionally, she glanced at him unintentionally, then casually looked away.
Because she was so focused, when a familiar voice sounded beside her, she didn't react immediately. She nearly jumped and screamed.
"He looks so handsome in his kendo uniform too. He's truly amazing."
"Ah!" Before she could scream, Yukino quickly pressed her lips together. She furrowed her brows tightly to hide her surprise and stared at Haruno, who had casually sat beside her.
"Sister, when did you get here?"
"Of course, I just arrived~" Haruno affectionately ruffled her head, unbothered when Yukino coldly brushed her off. She moved past and cheerfully greeted the two girls beside her.
"Yahaalooo! Long time no see, Yui-chan, Masuzu-chan~"
Both were startled by the sudden greeting. Yuigahama and Masuzu responded with different levels of warmth.
"Haruno-san, long time no see… You really came to watch the match."
"Sorry, I don't recall us being that close."