My Cousin, the Young Lady, Throws a Tantrum / Like a Wife Confronting Her Husband for Staying Out All Night

"I'm not taking her side. I'm just telling the truth." Kageyama Sora wiped the tear tracks from her cheek with his thumb. As his fingertip brushed her warm skin, he heard his heartbeat quicken. "I told you before that I came here for you... Your astonishing win rate in the software I invented made me pay attention to you without even realizing it. And when I came here for the National Tournament and found out you were such a young, beautiful girl, I was even more surprised... Do you know what my first impression was when I saw you?"

"W-what was it?" Haramura Nodoka's pupils widened slightly, the dim hallway lights reflected in her tearful eyes.

"I saw a rising star. I saw a genius..."

Haramura Nodoka's face turned crimson. She stared at Kageyama Sora in disbelief, her eyes sparkling faintly, as if she were stunned—or perhaps feeling something else.

The sight of Haramura Nodoka like this melted Kageyama Sora's heart.

She tightened her arms around Nodoka, drawing her closer, and gently rubbed her chin against the top of her head. "Nodoka, I believe you'll definitely make it to the National Tournament."

Laughter drifted from the mahjong room in the distance, startling the sparrows and the fallen cherry blossoms on the windowsill.

Haramura Nodoka murmured a soft "Mm" in his arms. Her flushed ear slowly pressed against his warm neck. In the dusk of the hallway, two young hearts quietly drew closer, beyond the realm of victory and defeat.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps came again.

Kageyama Sora instinctively looked up and saw Miyazono Saki running after them, her cheeks flushed.

When Miyazono Saki saw Kageyama Sora and Haramura Nodoka embracing, her face suddenly turned red. The girl who had come running with such courage was abruptly flustered. "D-did I come at a bad time?"

"Not at all." Kageyama Sora smiled and beckoned to Miyazono Saki with a finger. "I think you and Nodoka should have a proper talk. You can say whatever you want. Isn't that why you came after her in the first place?"

"Mm..." Kageyama Sora's words helped Miyazono Saki find her resolve again.

She looked at Haramura Nodoka and took a deep breath. "What I want to say is, I used to play mahjong with my family, and it was always accompanied by bad memories. Whether I won or lost, there was always some ceremony that made me angry. That's what mahjong meant to me..."

Haramura Nodoka paused. She remembered that when Miyazono Saki had turned down her request for another match yesterday, she had said something similar. The reason Kageyama Sora had just come up with for her seemed to be the same, too.

Miyazono Saki summoned her courage and poured out her thoughts. "But today was different... When I played mahjong with you, Haramura Nodoka, I don't know why, but I felt so, so happy."

Haramura Nodoka paused, then instinctively replied, "You don't know why... Even though winning should make you happy."

But Miyazono Saki gently shook her head. "No, that's not it. Playing mahjong with you, Haramura Nodoka, feels completely different from playing with my family... Wanting to get to Plus-Minus Zero, and finding it so difficult to win—that's a feeling I've never had before. It makes me... so, so happy."

Haramura Nodoka suddenly met Miyazono Saki's gaze. All she saw was joy, and eyes full of stars.

Chapter 22: The Young Lady Cousin Throws a Tantrum

It was said that Miyazono Saki joined the Mahjong Club the next day and began her mahjong career. But how she would fit in and what path she would take from then on were things Kageyama Sora couldn't be sure of.

There was no doubt, however, that he had become very interested in Miyazono Saki.

No, he had become very interested in Kiyosumi High School as a whole: the seemingly lazy yet unfathomably shrewd Club President, the energetic Yuki Kataoka, and Haramura Nodoka, his original target.

His instincts told him that Kiyosumi High School's Mahjong Club might shine in a different way at this National Tournament.

As for why Miyazono Saki joining the Mahjong Club was only something he'd heard about, it was because Haramura Nodoka had told him in a text message.

As for why she'd sent a text instead of telling him in person...

Even Kageyama Sora, who seemed mature about everything, found himself feeling a rare trace of embarrassment and helplessness.

He had noticed that Haramura Nodoka was still feeling down, even after talking with Miyazono Saki for a long time. He had been planning to comfort her properly.

But then he received a phone call. Ryumonbuchi Toka's voice roared through his phone. "Didn't you say you were going to enroll at Ryumonbuchi High School? It's been two days! Where have you been fooling around, cousin? I'm giving you until today to come back and take care of your enrollment, or else you'll be sorry!"

With that, Ryumonbuchi Toka hung up without giving Kageyama Sora a chance to respond.

Not wanting to anger his young lady cousin, who seemed to have a bit of a temper, Kageyama Sora had no choice but to say goodbye to Haramura Nodoka for the time being and head to Ryumonbuchi High School.

When Kageyama Sora arrived, he saw Ogira, Ryumonbuchi Toka's all-around butler, waiting at the entrance.

Kageyama Sora didn't need to guess why Ogira was there. Ryumonbuchi Toka had sent him to handle Kageyama Sora's enrollment. He went up to him at once. "Um... About my enrollment..."

The moment Ogira saw Kageyama Sora, he took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. "You only need to sign here, young master."

Kageyama Sora quickly scanned it to make sure there were no traps, then signed as he grumbled, "Didn't Toka say that if I didn't come in person, I wouldn't be able to enroll—and that I'd be sorry?"

Ogira chuckled, his voice gentle. "You know how it is. The young lady can be a little tsundere."

Kageyama Sora looked up, his expression playfully surprised. "Oh? You're badmouthing Toka?"

Ogira replied with complete conviction, "It's not badmouthing her; it's the truth. And if I can use my own words to convey some of her feelings to you, that's exactly what a good butler should do."

After Kageyama Sora finished signing, Ogira continued, "By the way, once you're done, you can go to the Mahjong Club and find Miss Toka. Honestly, the young lady has wanted to introduce you to the club for a long time."

"Then please show me the way."

He had just witnessed the unusual atmosphere of Kiyosumi High School's Mahjong Club, which had made him curious about Ryumonbuchi Toka's club as well.

Besides, he was fairly sure he wouldn't be disappointed. He had already met three members of Ryumonbuchi High School's Mahjong Club, and each one was unusual in her own way.

With Ogira leading the way, Kageyama Sora arrived at Ryumonbuchi High School's Mahjong Club.

He pushed open the double oak doors inset with brass carvings, and his breath caught in his throat.

He was wealthy himself and had long been accustomed to luxurious surroundings, but seeing a club's meeting space decorated like this still left Kageyama Sora somewhat astonished.

The deep walnut floor gleamed with an amber sheen, reflecting the brilliance pouring from the three-tiered crystal chandelier overhead. Every facet scattered tiny points of light, weaving the entire six-meter-high space into a flowing web of radiance.

Gold-embroidered chiffon curtains covered the broad, curved wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Through a gap, he could glimpse the wisteria trellis outside. Eighteen carved mahjong tables were arranged across the Persian-carpeted area. Each tabletop was fitted with warm, jade-colored sensor lights, and the leather armrests on the chairs even came equipped with automatic tea dispensers and temperature-controlled pastry trays.

Compared with Kiyosumi High School, whose club activities took place in an abandoned school building, Ryumonbuchi High School's Mahjong Club could only be described as luxurious.

As Kageyama Sora walked in and stared at the decor in mild surprise, Ryumonbuchi Toka spotted him at once.

The blonde young lady planted her hands on her hips, her ahoge swaying with her agitation. "Our honored guest, my cousin, has finally arrived. So, where have you been fooling around these past few days?"

The bespectacled girl pushed up her glasses, clearly displeased by Ryumonbuchi Toka's imprecise description.

Nearby, one of Ryumonbuchi Toka's teammates—a short-haired silver-haired girl who looked a lot like a boy—teased her, clearly enjoying the show. "You make it sound like you caught him cheating."

"Both of you, shut up!" Ryumonbuchi snapped, then glared fiercely at Kageyama Sora. "Out with it!"

Kageyama Sora certainly wasn't going to tell her the whole truth, especially since explaining all that messy business would be a hassle.

More importantly, given how much Ryumonbuchi Toka cared about Haramura Nodoka, Kageyama Sora knew better than to say anything about that.

So he put on a mysterious air. "I had a few personal matters to take care of. They're all settled now. Sorry for the wait, Toka."

When Kageyama Sora said, "Sorry for the wait," his tone was especially gentle. Ryumonbuchi Toka was instantly torn, annoyed and unsure whether she should still be angry.

Just then, Amae Koromo came running out of the bedroom attached to the Mahjong Club.

Today, Amae Koromo wore a pale pink dress trimmed with lace.

She seemed to have just woken up, and came out rubbing her eyes, still groggy.

But the instant she saw Kageyama Sora, Amae Koromo was wide awake. Like a little cannonball, she charged at him. "Cousin, you're mean! You said you'd enroll at Ryumonbuchi High School right away, but if Toka hadn't nagged you, would you have forgotten to come back?"

The conversation might have seemed peaceful, but everyone was really digging a hole for themselves.

Kageyama Sora couldn't help wondering whether Amae Koromo had done it on purpose.

But... perhaps it didn't matter whether she had or not.

Kageyama Sora simply picked Amae Koromo up and held her like a giant doll. "You're so cute, Koromo."

Amae Koromo practically beamed at the praise. She was petite and fair-skinned, and despite being older than the others, she had the body of a little girl. Now she was nestled in his arms, soft and fragrant. Who could resist that?

Well, at least Kageyama Sora seemed to manage.

He held Amae Koromo in his arms and spoke to her in the same manner he had used with Ryumonbuchi Toka. "Some things came up, so I had to take care of a few personal matters. I'm sorry I kept you waiting, Koromo."

Chapter 23: Like a Wife Confronting Her Husband for Staying Out All Night

The evening light slanted through the activity room's glass windows, casting a sharp shadow between Ryumonbuchi Toka's brows.

She brought her teacup down hard on the wooden table with a crisp clack, as though accusing Kageyama Sora.

"Something came up, and you had personal matters to take care of?" She narrowed her amber eyes, suspicion plain in her gaze. The golden ahoge in her hair swayed gently as she moved. "Personal matters? Didn't you say you were going to meet Haramura Nodoka? Did you have to stay out all night!?"

Ryumonbuchi Toka rose abruptly and stared intently at Kageyama Sora, looking just like a wife catching her husband after he'd stayed out all night.

It wasn't strange that Ryumonbuchi Toka looked ready to catch him cheating.

She always got worked up whenever Haramura Nodoka came up.

"Haramura Nodoka..." Amae Koromo, still nestled in Kageyama Sora's arms, looked up. "She's the person Toka cares about so much..."

"I-I don't care about her that much!" Ryumonbuchi Toka's cheeks instantly turned pink. All the imposing air she'd just built up vanished, and her face flushed like the sudden bloom of a sunset.

She turned away in a panic, her hair sweeping through the air in a sharp arc. "She's... she's just a rival!"

But the exchanged glances and faintly upturned lips of the other girls in the activity room silently gave her away.

Feeling exposed, Ryumonbuchi Toka pretended to be calm and brushed her hair aside, changing the subject almost awkwardly. "Well, it doesn't matter to me anyway. Since you've decided to study at Ryumonbuchi High School, just come to school as usual tomorrow."

She picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip, trying to use its warmth to calm the turmoil inside her.

Kageyama Sora discreetly wiped away a bead of nervous sweat.

He was actually afraid Ryumonbuchi Toka would keep pressing him about Haramura Nodoka and his night away.

If Ryumonbuchi Toka found out he hadn't just gotten to know Haramura Nodoka, but had also gotten involved with her in this way and that, who knew how she'd go crazy?

Maybe it was because he'd seen her naked the first time they met, or maybe it was just her personality. Though he didn't want to admit it, Kageyama Sora was a little afraid of his cousin Ryumonbuchi Toka.

So, of course, he played along when she changed the subject.

"Of course." Though he had some ties to Kiyosumi High School's Mahjong Club, he had no intention of enrolling there.

The reason was simple: he couldn't pull strings there, and life at Ryumonbuchi High School was more comfortable. He could skip class without getting in trouble, which made it easier for him to do things.

Then Ryumonbuchi Toka gave Kageyama Sora a proper introduction to the members of the Mahjong Club.

As the atmosphere gradually relaxed, Ryumonbuchi Toka began introducing the club members to Kageyama Sora.

She walked over to the window, the setting sun outlining her in gold. "You've already met Koromo and me."

She lightly pointed to the two of them, then gestured to the girl with a high ponytail, a red ribbon, and a star-shaped mark on her face. "That's Kunihiro Hajime, my maid. You've met her before, too."

Kunihiro Hajime playfully winked at him, the ribbon in her hair swaying gently with the movement.

"Then there's Inoue Jun." Ryumonbuchi Toka pointed to the girl with a breezy, tomboyish air.

Inoue Jun grinned broadly, showing a row of white teeth, and casually gave him an encouraging gesture.

Finally, Ryumonbuchi Toka's gaze fell on Sawamura Tomoki, who was focused on her computer screen.

"Tomoki is our information specialist." Ryumonbuchi Toka sounded a little proud. "Whether it's analyzing our opponents' playing styles or keeping up with the latest competition news, there's nothing she can't find out."

Sawamura Tomoki pushed up her glasses, looked up from the computer, and gave Kageyama Sora a slight nod. Her hair fell over her shoulders like black silk.

Looking at these vivid, distinctive club members, Kageyama Sora couldn't help picturing the Mahjong Club at Kiyosumi High School.

Just like the girls in Kiyosumi High School's Mahjong Club, each of them was lively and radiant... though there was one difference: the skirts at Ryumonbuchi High School were quite long.

Still... as he watched everyone go about their own business, Kageyama Sora couldn't help asking, "Speaking of which, the National Tournament qualifiers are coming up soon. Aren't you nervous?"

"Hahahaha! Why would I be nervous?" Ryumonbuchi laughed arrogantly, as if he'd asked her something amusing. "The Ryumonbuchi Mahjong Club, led by me, Ryumonbuchi Toka, will definitely make it to the National Tournament."

As she spoke, the young lady holding her teacup looked positively radiant, her golden ahoge bobbing up and down.

She really was easy to read.

The sky outside gradually darkened, and the dusk lent the activity room a quiet air.

Kageyama Sora watched everyone keeping busy. Kunihiro Hajime was fiddling with the mahjong tiles, while Inoue Jun and Sawamura Tomoki seemed to be discussing something.

He couldn't help asking, "Speaking of which, the National Tournament qualifiers are coming up soon. Aren't you nervous?"

Ryumonbuchi Toka turned around abruptly, her eyes blazing like two flickering flames. "Hahahaha! Why would I be nervous?" She threw her head back and laughed, her voice bold and hearty as she swung her arms, the coffee cup in her hand shaking gently. "The Ryumonbuchi Mahjong Club, led by me, Ryumonbuchi Toka, will definitely make it to the National Tournament! This time, we're going to place!"

The sunset fell across her face, gilding her smile, while the ahoge in her hair danced merrily with her laughter.

Looking at the spirited girl in front of him, Kageyama Sora suddenly felt that her pride and confidence were so pure and dazzling.

Still... it wasn't an exaggeration.

After all, Ryumonbuchi High School's Mahjong Club had an especially impressive record.

Last year, Ryumonbuchi High School advanced to the National Tournament in first place with a lineup of five first-year students.

Ryumonbuchi Toka herself had also won the individual competition at the Nagano Prefecture qualifiers.

In the team competition at the National Tournament, they placed first in both the first and second rounds. They were eliminated in the third round not because they lost, but because the other teams lost too quickly, leaving them short on points.

With that record behind her, Amae Koromo made a name for herself in the mahjong world, becoming one of the three so-called "Children Loved by the Tiles."

"National Tournament..." Amae Koromo, still nestled in Kageyama Sora's arms, pondered.