The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

"See? I told you so."

Kazeno pointed at her with both fingers, wearing an expression that suggested he had seen through everything.

"Whatever, I can't be bothered to argue with you."

Nibuya Morika knew that the more she explained, the more complicated things would get.

Most importantly, she wasn't concerned with trivial matters like romance right now. While it was true she was thinking about men, it was about a man who could potentially ruin her entire life at any moment.

Before school ended.

"After school, head to the gym. We need to negotiate with the Basketball Club regarding Friday's matter."

She received a message on her phone from the cheerleading captain.

"They really know how to cause trouble."

She couldn't help but sigh again.

"Nibuya-san, are you also going to the gym?"

Just as she was leaving school and had stepped out of the classroom, someone suddenly called out to her from behind.

Turning her head, she saw it was her classmate. He was tall, reasonably handsome, and seemed to be in the Basketball Club. What was his name again?

She couldn't remember.

Never mind, it wasn't important. Just some ordinary person.

"Yes, is there something you need?"

Out of politeness, Nibuya Morika replied with a smile.

"Ah, I meant, we're going the same way. How about we go together?"

He said.

Although he came from an ordinary background, Nibuya was very attractive, naturally drawing the attention of some boys, like this freshman who had joined the Basketball Club.

"How about it...? We're all taking the same path, there's no need to consider that, right?"

She still refused quite tactfully.

"Sorry to bother you."

The boy scratched his head and left without pressing further, looking embarrassed.

A few minutes later.

The members of the cheerleading club and the Basketball Club had all arrived at the venue.

At Shuchiin, sports clubs were more popular, with the Basketball Club and last year's Soccer Club being the most popular. Compared to the disbanded Soccer Club, the Basketball Club hadn't lost its main force and its popularity was almost unrivaled.

This was all thanks to the current captain of the Basketball Club, third-year Hyuga Konji, and the second-year vice-captain Hiiragi Gosho. Not only were their skills excellent, but their looks were also outstanding, and their buzz cuts made them look even tougher.

"Captain Hyuga, my idea is..."

The cheerleading captain was negotiating with Hyuga Konji.

The other members of the Basketball Club were practicing on the court, while the other members of the cheerleading squad were resting on the seats by the wall.

"The Vice-Captain's posture when playing is so cool!"

"I still prefer second-year Kato-senpai."

Nibuya Morika glanced over. The girls next to her were acting like love-struck fools, discussing which of the boys in the Basketball Club was the most handsome and outstanding.

"Sigh."

So vulgar!

It seemed that joining the cheerleading squad wasn't a good choice either.

Because of certain matters, the girl was very troubled, so much so that her mind was more cluttered than usual.

"Thump! Thump! Thump...!"

Suddenly, a series of urgent knocks echoed.

The gymnasium wasn't sealed, so this was a reminder to everyone.

For a moment, everyone stopped what they were doing, their attention completely drawn to the entrance.

At the main entrance of the gymnasium, silhouetted against the light, four figures entered imposingly from outside.

Takanashi Rikka unfurled a black automatic umbrella, her expression exceptionally cold.

Dekomori Sanae stood with her right foot forward and her left foot back, striking a cool pose from her previous dramatic entrance.

Wearing a red sun hat, Fujiwara Chika pressed down on the brim with one hand, remaining impassive and feigning mystery.

The one leading, Hasegawa Izumi, had his hands in his pockets, exuding an air of complete arrogance.

"Yo, members of the Basketball Club, hello. Are you in emergency preparations?"

A wicked smile curved his lips.

At this moment, everyone in the gymnasium finally snapped out of their initial shock.

"You're Hasegawa, right? You came here today specifically to gather intel on our Basketball Club."

Hyuga Konji, the captain of the Basketball Club, spoke first, stepping forward with a confident gaze.

Honestly, he felt a sense of pride that his strength was being recognized.

After all, the other party's behavior was incredibly arrogant; he even played tennis without a racket. It was clear he hadn't been serious before!

Compared to that, this meant he was taking their Basketball Club seriously...

"No."

To his surprise, the other party immediately denied it.

"Huh?"

This left him feeling incredibly frustrated.

"I'm not here for you. For me, the match against the Basketball Club is just another victory waiting to happen, nothing special... I'm already researching my opponents in the Kendo Club."

Hasegawa Izumi said calmly.

He had already delivered his trash talk to the Soccer Club earlier, so here he was, completing the trash talk segment for the Basketball Club.

"You're too arrogant!"

"Don't start anything here at school, you idiot!"

Immediately, some hot-headed members of the Basketball Club wanted to make a move, but they were held back by others.

"Hasegawa-kun, I know you're brimming with confidence after defeating the Go Club and the Tennis Club, but we'll show you that the Basketball Club's strength is different from theirs! We were just the runners-up in the national tournament, losing by a single point. Your arrogance will end with the Basketball Club!"

Hyuga Konji's expression turned serious.

"Alright, I'll be looking forward to it."

Hasegawa Izumi's tone was flat, like he was reading lines, just a perfunctory politeness.

In his heart, only opponents who could compete in the national championship were worth his attention, preferably in more prestigious individual competitions.

And at Shuchuin High School, there were only two such individuals currently.

After dealing with the Basketball Club, it was time to handle the real business.

Takanashi Rikka swept her gaze around and said, "Mori Summer, it's time for you to come out and meet us."

"Mori Summer?"

"Who's that?"

Everyone was completely bewildered by the strange name, exchanging confused glances.

Only Nibuya Morika hugged her knees, burying her head deep within them, playing the ostrich.

Just pretend I didn't hear anything!

They can't see me! They can't see me! They can't see...

She chanted silently in her heart.

"Nibu-tani-san, you can't escape your destiny. You are the final piece of the puzzle I've been searching for!"

Hasegawa Izumi, sensing Nibu-tani's attempt to shut herself off, delivered a powerful blow.

Life is unpredictable. Since you can't resist it, you might as well enjoy it!

This was the lesson he wanted to impart to her.

"Ah...! Are you done messing around! Hasegawa, I'm going to kill you!"

A furious scream erupted from the gymnasium.

Nibu-tani Morika immediately rushed out, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the exit of the gymnasium.

"Let's go."

The remaining trio immediately followed.

Inside the venue, everyone was in disarray.

"So, so Nibu-tani-san is already..."

A first-year freshman from the Basketball Club muttered tearfully.

31 Enduring Hardship

Near the gymnasium was a rather secluded green area.

"Pat."

Nibu-tani Morika dragged Hasegawa Izumi all the way outside, then pushed his shoulders, pinning him against the wall.

They were now almost face-to-face.

In a romantic drama, this would be a scene leading up to a kiss.

However, from the girl's eyes at this moment, only burning anger could be seen.

"You, how many times do you need to torment me before you're satisfied! I don't want my life to end like this! If you want to play your games, then play them yourselves, but don't drag me into it. Can't you just pretend we never met!"

"Mori Summer..."

"Don't call me by that name!"

Facing the girl's furious questioning, he replied indifferently, "Don't rush, Nibuya."

"How can I not rush! What you're doing is like holding a knife to my throat! I don't even dare to go back now. They must suspect I'm involved with you and will distance themselves from me..."

The more Nibuya Morika spoke, the more wronged and dissatisfied she felt, her head gradually lowering.

She didn't want someone to see her dejected, pathetic expression.

"It doesn't matter if you have friends like that or not, right?"

He said dismissively.

"Don't think everyone is like you!"

Nibuya Morika raised her head again and said fiercely.

"You're not facing the heart of the problem. As expected, you actually understand... You and they are ultimately different. Perhaps you're still a bit confused, but I believe after some time, you'll come to accept this."

His words startled the girl, hitting the mark almost perfectly.

"Also, the protagonist for this performance isn't me, but someone else."

Before Nibuya could retort, he raised his right hand and pointed behind her.

"Hm?"

Nibuya Morika turned around and only then noticed that, at some point, three people had appeared there.

"Judging by your eyes, you're a completely corrupted ordinary person. Is it because your mind has been eroded by the Management Bureau's magic? Whatever, death... Although the Sage has confirmed your identity, I, Dekomori, still need to use my own methods to verify it, death! Let me see if you are the true Mori Summer!"

Saying that, Dekomori Sanae pulled a book from under her clothes. Its black cover was adorned with colorful, paper-cut-like decorations.

What is she doing?