As he spoke, he had his assistant follow the original plan and give everyone a gift.
The gifts were all jewelry and other accessories. Even Yuki Kataoka, who had won a chicken wrap, received one.
Kageyama Sora's wealth and thoughtfulness made every gift look valuable. Haramura Nodoka was embarrassed to accept hers, and she wasn't the only one.
Just then, Hisa Takei lifted her teacup and smiled. "Kageyama, you're so considerate. These will be perfect accessories for tomorrow's Hot Spring Festival. Everyone, don't let his kindness go to waste."
She glanced around at the group. "Since we have a special guest, why don't we end practice early tonight and let everyone unwind?"
Helping Nodoka Change Her Yukata
As soon as Hisa finished speaking, the whole room erupted with excitement.
Yuki Kataoka practically leaped to her feet, raising both fists over her head. "Doing math problems every day is so exhausting! We can finally relax!"
She flopped dramatically onto the cushion, her brown hair spreading around her like a dandelion in bloom. Her voice trailed off in a playful whine.
Kageyama Sora's fingers, which had been resting casually on his knee, came to a sudden stop. He raised an eyebrow, a ripple of puzzlement passing through his dark eyes. "Does your school have a rule that you can't compete if your grades are bad?"
Hisa Takei ran her fingers around the rim of her teacup. The pale brown tea swayed gently inside.
A knowing smile curved her lips. "Yuki is bad at calculating points, and that can sometimes be a fatal weakness in a match. So I have her do extra problems to make up for it."
As she spoke, she looked at Yuki, who was sprawled across the cushion pretending to be dead. Her gaze was fond, if exasperated.
Kageyama Sora nodded thoughtfully. His long fingers tapped an absent rhythm against his knee.
After a moment, his expression brightened. "How about I start teaching her tomorrow? You know how good I am with numbers."
He leaned back against the cushion, confidence radiating from him as if he had everything under control.
Hisa's lowered lashes fluttered. Her teacup made a soft clink against its saucer.
She looked up, her eyes shining with delight. "That would be wonderful. You have an incredible grasp of data and an amazing memory. Even if Yuki learned just a little from you, she'd improve a lot."
She straightened, her voice full of earnest anticipation, as though she could already see the team growing stronger.
Poor Yuki hadn't even recovered from the prospect of a break when the news hit her like a blow.
She sat bolt upright, the half-eaten chicken wrap in her hand slipping slowly from her fingers. Sauce dripped onto her kimono, leaving a dark stain, but she didn't even notice.
"Wait! I haven't agreed to this!" she protested, waving her arms. But the others' cheers drowned her out. She could only stare glumly at her chicken wrap, as though its golden, crispy crust had turned bitter.
Meanwhile, Nodoka's fingers tightened around the box containing her pearl hairpin until her knuckles turned white. Her earlobes were crimson.
Flustered, she hurriedly stuffed the box into her bag. The ends of her pink hair brushed her flushed neck, making her shiver.
Kageyama Sora's gaze lingered on her. He swallowed, then asked in a low, persuasive voice, "Want me to walk you back to your room? I had a new yukata prepared especially for you... It matches mine."
Yuki, who had been slumped a moment before, suddenly sprang up like a toy switched on. She slapped the table, making the wooden surface thud.
Her eyes widened with excitement. She bounced over to Nodoka. "Great! Let Kageyama be your escort!"
She winked at Nodoka and blew her a kiss, then secretly gave Kageyama a thumbs-up.
Overwhelmed by everyone's teasing looks and laughter, Nodoka fled the room like a startled rabbit. Her hurried footsteps echoed down the hall. Kageyama leaned against the doorframe, watching her disappear, the smile on his lips growing more pronounced.
Kageyama watched Nodoka's retreating figure, still remembering the softness of her hair beneath his fingertips.
He took his time straightening his cuffs, though a restless undercurrent remained in his eyes. Yuki's teasing still rang in his ears, but he had already set off down the corridor, his footsteps tapping a quiet rhythm against the wooden floor.
When he slid open the paper door to the guest room, Nodoka was standing in front of a folding screen with her back to him.
Her pink hair was loosely pinned up, with a few stray locks falling against the nape of her slender neck. The sash of her yukata was tied crookedly.
At the sound, she turned in a panic. The hem of her yukata brushed the tatami, stirring the faint scent of incense.
"W-why are you..." Her voice faltered. Kageyama had already come closer, leaving her between himself and the screen.
"I said I'd help you change into your yukata." His voice was warm as it brushed past her reddening ear.
His long fingers deftly untied the sash of her yukata. The silky fabric slipped loose, revealing the outfit beneath.
Soft and lovely, just as Kageyama remembered.
Nodoka let out a startled cry and instinctively drew her arms across herself, but Kageyama gently caught her wrists and lowered her hands.
"Don't be shy." His nose brushed her flushed cheek. "Look, the cherry blossoms are in bloom."
It was hard to say whether he meant the cherry blossoms on her yukata or the way she had once captured his attention late at night.
In any case, the blossoms embroidered on the soft fabric looked lifelike, glowing gently in the evening light.
Nodoka gazed at the matching yukata, its pink blossoms complementing Kageyama's black one, and felt her cheeks grow hotter.
But Kageyama didn't hurry. He lifted a strand of her hair and kissed it lightly. "Nodoka, your eyes are prettier than the cherry blossoms."
Before she could reply, he leaned down and brushed a warm kiss against her neck.
Nodoka shivered and tried to pull away, but he held her close.
Kageyama's kisses traced a gentle path along her collarbone, and her yukata loosened slightly as he helped her into the new one. "Stay still," he murmured beside her ear. "I'll be gentle."
When his hand rested against her, Nodoka finally found her voice. "W-wait... We're going to the hot spring soon. We can't..."
Her voice trembled with nerves, giving it an especially soft quality.
Kageyama only chuckled, lightly kissing her earlobe. "There isn't much time."
Then he kissed her, and she clung to him as her nervousness gradually gave way to warmth.
The room grew warmer. Nodoka felt weak in his arms and let him help her with the change of clothes.
By the time her pink cherry-blossom yukata was on, she was leaning against him, dazed and flushed, her lips rosy.
"You look lovely." Kageyama bent his head and kissed her once more. "But next time, don't run away."
His voice was persuasive, almost like a gentle warning.
Nodoka hid against his chest, too flustered to answer.
Outside, the evening deepened. The shadow of the cherry tree fell across the paper window, lending the moment a hazy, romantic glow.
Sweeter Than Cherry Blossoms
By the time Kageyama had finished helping Nodoka change, she was thoroughly flustered.
When her clothes were finally in place, Nodoka found herself letting out a breath of relief.
But she was still too innocent. This clearly wasn't over yet.
"So obedient." Kageyama's nose brushed her warm ear, and his breath tickled her neck.
Nodoka had turned as pink as the yukata she had just put on.
Kageyama laughed softly, his voice low and enticing. "Nodoka, your eyes are prettier than the cherry blossoms."
Before she could respond, he caught her trembling lips in a kiss. As they drew close, she thought she could taste the lingering scent of tea on his breath, mingled with her own nervousness and embarrassment.
The room grew warmer. Outside, the evening light turned the paper window a honeyed gold, stretching their overlapping shadows across the floor.
When the kiss ended, Nodoka leaned against him, dazed, her lips rosy like petals brushed by spring rain.
Kageyama bent down and kissed her once more, smiling with satisfaction. "You're so sweet, Nodoka."
His warm breath brushed her reddened ear, and she instinctively curled closer to him. His eyes darkened, and for a moment he nearly forgot himself.
Since they were going to the hot spring soon, Kageyama kept things gentle and didn't go any further. Even so, Nodoka looked radiant and flustered.
By the time Nodoka and Kageyama finally left the guest room, the evening light had melted into a rich caramel hue, bathing the courtyard in amber.
Their joined hands were hidden beneath the wide sleeves of their yukata. The cherry-blossom scent lingering in Nodoka's hair mingled with the cedar scent of Kageyama's, filling the corridor with a subtle warmth.
They rounded a vermilion pillar, and the entrance to the hot spring area came into view.
The building was designed in the traditional Kyoto machiya style. Elaborate cloud and water patterns decorated the wooden beams, and warm yellow lanterns lit up one by one beneath the eaves, illuminating the sign that read "Hot Spring."
Steam wafted through the partly open lattice windows, carrying a delicate yuzu fragrance. Black stones lined the pool, reflecting specks of light beneath the water like stars fallen into a river.
"Wow! This is incredible!" Yuki's amazed voice came from inside the hot spring area.
She had already changed into a pale blue yukata with an enormous bow at the waist. Now she leaned against the doorway, eyes wide as goldfish. "This isn't a hot spring—it's a place for the gods! We have to thank Kageyama for upgrading us to VIP treatment!"
Beside her, Mako Someya smiled behind her camera. The shutter clicked again and again, capturing not only the glittering pool but also Nodoka standing at the edge of the light, her ears flushed.
Hisa Takei leaned against the round doorway, twirling the strap of her sandals around one finger. A mischievous smile crossed her face. "Some people took an awfully long time to change. They weren't sneaking off to do anything embarrassing, were they?"
Her deliberately drawn-out words made Nodoka stiffen. Kageyama calmly drew her closer behind him and replied, "Don't underestimate me. If we'd been doing anything embarrassing, we wouldn't have been back so quickly."
The remark made Hisa, who thought of herself as an expert at teasing, blush with embarrassment.
"Club President, look over there!" Saki Miyanaga suddenly tugged at Hisa's sleeve and pointed toward the outdoor platform on the other side of the pool.
A koto stood there, and a woman in white was plucking its strings. The clear notes mingled with the sound of flowing water, becoming heavenly music amid the rising steam.
"This hot spring even has a performance?" Mako asked curiously as she took another picture.
Yuki answered brightly, "It's part of the VIP treatment Kageyama arranged. There'll be performers, and no one else will be here—just us! How cool is that? Nodoka's marrying into a rich family!"
Nodoka was already blushing, but the teasing made her cheeks pinker than her own hair. She was terribly embarrassed.
Kageyama looked down at Nodoka in his arms. She was staring at the prayer plaques hanging beside the pool, covered in visitors' wishes.
"Want to write one?" he asked softly, his warm breath brushing her ear.
Nodoka shook her head, then nodded. Her fingers absently twisted the hem of her yukata. "But... I don't know what to write."
"Then write..." Kageyama took her hand, picked up a wooden plaque and a brush, and carefully wrote the words on the paper. "National Tournament champions."
"National Tournament champions..." Saki, who stood nearby, stared at the words in surprise. Her eyes shone with unmistakable excitement.
"That's right. If we want to win the National Tournament, we may as well start wishing for it here."
Just then, a server in wooden sandals approached, carrying a tray of chilled plum wine and Japanese sweets.
"Please enjoy," she said sweetly, interrupting them.
Yuki scampered over like a little squirrel and grabbed a snack. "Wow, this is delicious! Nodoka, you have to try one!"
Yuki pulled Nodoka over to the stone table. Watching her friend happily stuff her cheeks, Nodoka gradually relaxed.
Hisa took a small sip of plum wine and glanced at the lantern marked "Open-air Bath" above the pool. "Speaking of which, I hear you can see an entire grove of mountain cherry trees from the outdoor hot spring. At this time of night..."
Before she could finish, Yuki had already dragged Saki toward it, shouting, "Let's go see the cherry blossoms!"
Saki stumbled as Yuki pulled her along, but she didn't seem to mind. It was clear she had grown close to everyone.
Kageyama tucked a loose strand of Nodoka's hair behind her ear and asked quietly, "Want to go?"
She looked up and met his warm, ardent gaze. Remembering what had happened in the room, she felt her heart begin to race again.
"Mm... I do," she whispered, letting him take her hand and lead her toward the lights.
Outside the hot spring area, night-blooming cherry blossoms drifted in the evening breeze. Some fell into the pool and spun with the ripples; others landed on visitors' shoulders, adding a poetic touch to the lovely night.
The group strolled along the cherry-blossom path, their laughter mingling with the flowing water.
Nodoka and Kageyama brought up the rear, their fingers interlaced as they held tight beneath the falling blossoms.
"I'm really happy..." Nodoka whispered. "I'm so happy you came."
Kageyama paused, surprised she would say that.
But her words warmed his heart. "I just wanted you to be happy. Knowing you are is enough for me."
Saki, Would You Mind If I Joined You?
The group walked over the fallen night blossoms, chatting and laughing as they made their way to the hot spring.
Steam rose from the water, carrying a faint sulfur scent that mingled with the sweetness of cherry blossoms. Warm yellow lanterns cast flecks of light across the surface. Pebbles showed through the flowing water, and a red koi occasionally swam past, stirring ripples.
Nodoka soaked in the warm water, finally letting her tense nerves unwind.
Watching her friends laugh and play nearby, she smiled contentedly.
The peaceful mood didn't last long. Kageyama's assistant hurried over and whispered something in his ear. His expression immediately grew serious.
Seeing everyone look disappointed, Kageyama said, "I didn't realize I was so popular. You all look like you'll miss me. But you'll probably feel more at ease without a man around, so don't worry. I'll come back as soon as I'm done."
He gave Nodoka's hand a reassuring pat. As he turned to leave, the atmosphere by the pool dimmed with him.
But everyone soon cheered up again. An experience like this was rare, after all.
Unfortunately, luck wasn't on their side this time. By the time Kageyama finished handling his international meeting, the moon was already sinking toward the horizon.
Weariness washed over him. He hesitated briefly, then decided to go relax in the hot spring. It had nothing to do with whether the others were still there; he simply wanted to unwind.
Before you continue