The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

Now, he felt like this match had become torture.

"Hasegawa takes this game, 5-0!"

The referee mercilessly dropped the small flag in his hand, ending another game.

Brothers, who understands?

Just now, Hasegawa used the move he mentioned again, something called 'Limit of Talent Blooming,' which he said would predict three shots to score.

One shot was enough, but he still needed three?

He really, I'm crying.

Then, he also explained that this was one of the three gates of the State of Selflessness, and there was also the Limit of a Thousand Refinements, which could deliver double counterattacks, and the strongest Limit of Seamless Perfection.

However, because his own skill was insufficient, he couldn't make him use it.

If everything he said was true, then he should be grateful that he didn't go all out and beat him to death on the court.

"You're still far from it."

Not far away, Hasegawa Izumi maintained his swing, hitting the final shot. After leaving those words, he walked back to the rest area on the other side without looking back.

He didn't need to look to know the result of this shot.

"Arigato, Hasegawa-san."

"Because of you, I've seen how vast this world is!"

As his stamina reached its limit, Kawamura Kentaro's vision gradually blurred. His eyes opened and closed, leaving only that tall, imposing figure that remained unforgettable, so distant and unattainable.

"Plop."

He fell to the ground.

"Match end, Hasegawa wins this match with a score of 6-0!"

The referee made the final announcement with a slightly numb expression.

Because this match had no twists and turns at all, Kawamura, the captain of the Tennis Club, had no room to counterattack.

This was truly the darkest day for the Tennis Club!

However, he quickly realized what kind of tennis prodigy could so easily defeat Kawamura.

If he could be invited...

So he quickly chased after him, extending his hand and making a sincere invitation: "Hasegawa-kun, you are the man who can carry the future of Tou-ei tennis! Please join our club! We will definitely make you the greatest tennis star!"

"Oh, thank you, but I'm not interested... Also, I'm in a hurry, so I won't chat much."

Hasegawa Izumi walked past him expressionlessly, tossing the tennis racket in his hand back to its original owner.

Now, after the match.

All he could think about was the half-price potato chips at the supermarket near his home.

25 Dirty Players

"Izumi, thanks to you, our Far East Magic Society has won another battle! From now on, those guys will finally feel the pressure we've put on them! The moment our Far East Magic Society reaches the top is not far away!"

As he walked back, Takanashi Rikka approached him, speaking while making a fist, envisioning the future.

"The plan is proceeding as expected."

Hasegawa Izumi nodded.

After all, he was only facing ordinary people with some talent; it was only right to surpass them. If he were facing opponents from the hidden world, perhaps that would give him a sense of accomplishment.

"Izumi-chan is becoming more famous again, and you've gained many fans. I feel like you can hold your head high in class from now on, hee hee..."

Fujiwara Chika also approached, standing on the other side, speaking as she followed closely.

"Peak produces false supporters, twilight witnesses true believers... This kind of thing doesn't matter at all, let it be."

This might be something the girl worried about, but he actually never cared, seeing through it instead.

"Izumi-chan's answers are always so cool~"

Fujiwara Chika leaned forward slightly, looking at his face, which had returned to its stern expression, and said with a smile.

"The atmosphere is really good, those few people."

Not far away, Eriri secretly observed this scene, biting her lip.

"Izumi too, to be getting along so well with some random guy behind my back!"

Flames almost shot from her eyes.

"Sawamura-san, it's time to pack up!"

Beside her, a member of the art club called out.

"Okay... Okay, I got it."

Eriri turned her head, offering another brilliant smile.

"Hostile."

As they walked off the tennis court, Hasegawa Izumi suddenly felt a prickling sensation on his back. He turned to see several people from the News Department approaching them.

It was the usual post-victory interview.

"Excuse me, Hasegawa-kun, do you have any explanation for the 'techniques' you displayed during the match?"

He responded briefly, offering a reasonable explanation for the principles behind his tennis moves.

For example, how to execute an outward spin serve or a Wave Ball, which could be considered a way to give back to the Soccer Club for the crushing defeat they suffered in this match.

"So, who is your next challenger?"

Asahi Shizuku asked, holding back a smile.

"The Soccer Club."

He gave his answer based on his previous assessment.

"As for this time's trash talk segment..."

His expression suddenly turned incredibly grim.

"Tell them to wash their necks and wait!"

After bidding farewell to Chika and Rikka, respectively.

Hasegawa Izumi hurried to a nearby supermarket after getting off the train station.

After purchasing the remaining half-price potato chips and Happy Water, he also prepared the ingredients for the next few days.

As the saying goes, only those who manage a household know the cost of firewood and rice.

Ever since he took charge of the household, he had started to budget carefully.

After all, his family wasn't wealthy, and he had to be frugal with his allowance, otherwise, he wouldn't have enough for games, novels, and such.

"Seriously, it's so easy to make money in the 2D world."

Returning home, he couldn't help but complain as he looked at the figurines on his bookshelf.

Shuchiin High School.

The results of yesterday's challenge quickly spread throughout the school in this age of widespread internet.

Hasegawa Izumi's performance in the duel was almost undeniable, which instantly earned him a large following at Shuchiin. His personal prestige soared to its peak, and his popularity was unmatched.

As Hasegawa Izumi stepped onto campus, he clearly noticed that everyone's gaze towards him had changed.

No longer was it arrogance, contempt, or condescension; it was now more of envy, jealousy, and admiration.

He had successfully transformed his reputation from negative to positive.

However, he was not satisfied.

"Sage, you don't seem very happy today. Could it be... the Management Bureau attacked you?"

Takanashi Rikka asked, her expression wary as she scanned their surroundings.

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered!"

With the huge commotion they had caused, they naturally had contingency plans for such a situation.

Enemies wouldn't just let them grow stronger!

"No, what I find strange is, why hasn't anyone volunteered themselves even after I've gone this far? Are they still observing?"

Hasegawa Izumi mused with his eyes closed, stroking his chin.

"Is defeating the Go Club and the Tennis Club not enough prestige?"

Takanashi Rikka also pondered.

A classmate sitting in front overheard their conversation from behind and suppressed a laugh.

What if people simply didn't want to join and become 'chuunibyou'?

It had nothing to do with personal strength; they didn't want to be treated like fools!

After finishing his bento, during the lunch break.

"Izumi-chan, let's play a new game today! I'll definitely beat you this time!"

Fujiwara Chika cheerfully approached his seat.

From the depths of the girl's eyes, Hasegawa Izumi saw a familiar competitive spirit.

"Alright, let's do it then."

He nodded in agreement, as per their previous arrangement.

"Wait...!"

A slender arm blocked the space between the two.

"Takanashi-san, why are you stopping us? Do you also want to play 'Old Maid'?"

Fujiwara Chika turned her head and asked curiously.

"If you want to challenge the Sage, you have to beat me first!"

Takanashi Rikka said coolly, covering the area of her eyepatch with one hand.

"Fine, then I'll beat you first! And then I'll beat Izumi-chan!"

Fujiwara Chika agreed without hesitation, showing no fear at all.

Her momentum was extremely strong right now, she was practically certain of victory.

Hasegawa Izumi temporarily lent his chair to Chika, allowing her and Rikka to battle with the student desk as the boundary.

The game involved a total of 53 playing cards. Players would take turns drawing cards, and pairs of identical cards would be discarded. The loser would be the one left holding the Old Maid card.

"It looks like a game of luck. As long as I don't show any tells when drawing a card... Is Chika trying to gamble with me?"

Hasegawa Izumi pondered while watching the match.

However, he felt it wouldn't be that simple, especially since it was Chika!

Before long, Fujiwara Chika and Rikka had drawn cards until only two or three remained in each of their hands.

It could be said that this move would decide the winner.

"Which one could it be?"

A hint of slyness crept into Fujiwara Chika's smile as she touched Rikka's three cards in order with her right hand, seemingly observing Rikka's expression to guide her actions.

"This is it...!"

At a certain moment, Takanashi Rikka's expression visibly wavered. Chika then drew that card.