Chapter 20

With that, he signaled his assistant to distribute the gifts to everyone according to the original plan.

The contents were all pieces of jewelry, and even Yuki Kataoka, who had won the chicken wrap, received a decorative accessory.

It had to be said that the financial resources and capability of Kageyama Sora made every gift he gave look quite valuable; Haramura Nodoka felt too embarrassed to accept it, let alone the others.

At this moment, Hisa Takei smiled lightly while holding her teacup: "Kageyama-kun is truly thoughtful. These will serve perfectly as accessories for everyone at tomorrow's Hot Spring Festival, so you shouldn't let his kindness go to waste."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the group: "Since our distinguished guest has arrived, why not end practice early tonight and let everyone go relax?"

Chapter 44 Helping Haramura Nodoka Change into a Yukata

The moment Hisa Takei finished speaking, the entire Japanese-style room felt like a firecracker that had been lit.

Yuki Kataoka jumped up immediately, clenching her fists and raising them high above her head, her voice filled with joy: "The days of doing math problems every day are just too bitter; I can finally relax!"

She threw herself backward onto the mat in an exaggerated manner, her brown hair spreading out like a blooming dandelion, her voice trailing off with a coquettish tremor.

The fingers that Kageyama Sora had been resting casually on his knees suddenly froze. He raised an eyebrow slightly, ripples of confusion appearing in his ink-colored eyes: "Does your school have a rule that you aren't allowed to compete if your grades are poor?"

Hisa Takei rubbed the edge of her teacup with her fingertips, the light brown tea swaying gently in the cup.

A gentle smile curled the corners of her lips, carrying a sense of calculated wisdom: "Yuki's ability to calculate points is very poor, and such a flaw 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 raised her eyes to look at Yuki Kataoka, who was lying on the mat playing dead, her gaze filled with indulgent helplessness.

Kageyama Sora nodded thoughtfully, his slender fingers tapping rhythmically against his knees, producing a steady "tap-tap" sound.

A moment later, his expression suddenly cleared, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes: "Why don't I start teaching her tomorrow? You know about my numerical ability."

As he spoke, he leaned back slightly against the cushion, radiating the confidence of someone in total control of the situation.

Hisa Takei's lowered eyelashes trembled violently, and her teacup clinked against the saucer.

She looked up abruptly, a spark of pleasant surprise bursting in her eyes: "That would be truly wonderful. After all, with your absolute mastery of data and photographic memory, even if Yuki learns just a fraction of it, she will become much stronger."

She straightened her back, her tone filled with solemnity and anticipation, as if she could already see the future of the team's improved strength.

Poor Yuki Kataoka hadn't even recovered from the joy of relaxation before she was struck dumb by this news.

She sat up straight from the mat, the half-eaten chicken wrap in her hand sliding slowly from her grasp; she didn't even notice the sauce dripping onto the hem of her kimono, leaving a dark stain.

"Wait! I haven't agreed to this yet!" She waved her arms in protest, but her voice was completely drowned out by the cheers of the others. She could only look at the chicken wrap with a bitter face, as if its golden, crispy crust had been covered in a layer of frost.

On the other side, Haramura Nodoka's knuckles turned white as she gripped the gift box containing the pearl hairpin, her earlobes turning red as if they were about to bleed.

She hurriedly shoved the gift box into her bag, her pink hair tips brushing against her flushed neck, triggering a small shiver.

Kageyama Sora's gaze clung to her like a physical weight. His Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and his voice was low and seductive: "Shall I accompany you back to your room? I specifically prepared a new yukata for you... it's a matching set with mine."

Yuki Kataoka, who had been wilting like a withered plant, suddenly acted like a doll that had been switched on, slapping the table with a "pop" that made a dull thud on the wooden surface.

Her eyes widened, sparkling with excitement as she hopped over to Haramura Nodoka: "Great! Let Kageyama-kun be your knight in shining armor!"

As she spoke, she winked at Haramura Nodoka and secretly gave Kageyama Sora a thumbs-up.

Haramura Nodoka, forced into a corner by the burning gazes and laughter of the group, bolted out the door like a startled rabbit. The sound of her panicked footsteps echoed in the hallway, while Kageyama Sora leaned against the doorframe, watching the direction she had disappeared, the curve of his lips deepening.

Kageyama Sora gazed at the back of Haramura Nodoka as she fled, the soft sensation of her hair still lingering on his fingertips.

He straightened his cuffs in a leisurely manner, though he could not hide the dark tide surging in his eyes. Yuki Kataoka's teasing still echoed in his ears, but he had already lifted his feet, stepping onto the wooden floorboards of the corridor with a "clack-clack" sound, like some kind of cryptic rhythm.

When he pushed open the sliding paper door of the guest room, Haramura Nodoka was standing in front of the screen with her back to him.

Her long pink hair was loosely pinned up, a few stray strands hanging over her slender nape, and the sash of her yukata was tied in a crooked knot.

Hearing the movement, she turned around in a panic, the hem of her yukata sweeping across the tatami mat and stirring up a faint, lingering fragrance.

"You, how did you..." Her voice cut off abruptly because Kageyama Sora had already closed the distance, trapping her between the screen and himself.

"I said I would help you change into your yukata." His voice, wrapped in warm breath, brushed against her flushed earlobe.

The man's articulated fingers had already skillfully untied the sash of her yukata, and the silk-like fabric slid down in response, revealing the reality beneath.

Soft, white, and adorable—it was something Kageyama Sora had once savored in detail.

Haramura Nodoka gasped, her arms instinctively shielding her chest, but Kageyama Sora caught her wrists and pressed them gently against the screen.

"Don't hide." His nose brushed against her burning cheek. "Look, the cherry blossoms have bloomed."

It was unclear whether he was referring to the cherry blossom pattern on the yukata or the ones he had once savored in the night.

However... on the soft fabric, the cherry blossoms were vivid and lifelike, glowing with a gentle luster in the twilight.

Haramura Nodoka looked at the matching set that complemented Kageyama Sora's black yukata, her cheeks growing even hotter.

Kageyama Sora was in no hurry; his slender fingers pinched a strand of her hair and pressed it to his lips for a light kiss: "Nodoka, your eyes are even more beautiful than the cherry blossoms."

Before the words had faded, he leaned down, his warm lips pressing against her neck.

Haramura Nodoka trembled all over, wanting to struggle, but he pulled her even tighter.

Kageyama Sora's kisses trailed down her collarbone, the neckline of her yukata slowly opening under his movements. "Don't move," he whispered in her ear, "I will be very gentle."

When his palm finally covered the cherry blossoms that Haramura Nodoka possessed, she finally found her voice: "Wait, wait a moment... we have to go to the hot spring later, we can't..."

Her voice carried a nervous, tearful tone, which only added to her delicate charm.

Kageyama Sora merely chuckled, using his teeth to gently nip her earlobe: "It's too late."

As he spoke, he had already kissed her lips, his tongue forcefully prying open her pearly teeth to entwine with her own.

The air in the room grew increasingly scorching; Nodoka felt her entire body go limp, leaving her with no choice but to let Kageyama Sora have his way with her.

His fingertips slid down her slender waist, and every touch felt like it was igniting a fire.

By the time the pink cherry blossom yukata was finally fastened, she was already slumped in his arms, her eyes hazy, her lips swollen red, and her whole body radiating an alluring aura.

"So beautiful." Kageyama Sora lowered his head and pecked her lips once more. "But, you aren't allowed to hide next time."

His voice carried a seductive quality, like some kind of gentle threat.

Nodoka buried herself in his arms, lacking even the strength to nod.

At this moment, the twilight outside the window grew thick, and the shadows of the cherry blossom trees cast upon the paper screens added a hazy filter to this ambiguous scene.

Chapter 45: Sweeter Than Cherry Blossoms

It could almost be said that Nodoka was only able to get her yukata on after being thoroughly toyed with by Kageyama Sora.

When Kageyama Sora finished helping Nodoka dress, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

However... Nodoka was still being naive; it was clear that this was not over yet.

"So obedient." Kageyama Sora's nose brushed against her burning earlobe, his warm breath leaving a tingling sensation against her neck.

Nodoka turned as pink as the yukata she had just put on.

Kageyama Sora let out a low chuckle, his voice carrying a heart-seducing huskiness: "Nodoka, your eyes are even more beautiful than cherry blossoms."

Before the words had even faded, he captured her trembling lips. The moment his tongue forcefully pried open her teeth to entwine with hers, Nodoka felt as if she tasted the lingering scent of green tea on his breath, mixed with her own panic and shyness.

The air in the room grew hotter, and the twilight outside dyed the paper screens a honey-like color, stretching the overlapping shadows of the two figures long across the floor.

When the kiss ended, Nodoka lay limp in his arms, her eyes unfocused and her lips swollen red like petals kissed by spring rain.

Kageyama Sora lowered his head to peck her lips again, a triumphant smile on his face: "Nodoka, so obedient."

His warm breath brushed against her flushed earlobe, causing Nodoka to shrink into his arms involuntarily... a movement that made Kageyama Sora's eyes darken, nearly leading him to do something out of line.

Because they were going to the hot springs later, Kageyama Sora only satisfied his cravings and did not go all the way, but this was enough to make Nodoka look exquisitely tender and alluring.

When Nodoka and Kageyama Sora finally stepped out of the guest room, the twilight had already melted like caramel, soaking the entire courtyard in a gentle amber hue.

Their clasped hands were hidden beneath the wide sleeves of their yukatas, and the scent of cherry blossoms lingering in Nodoka's hair intertwined with the cedar scent on Kageyama Sora, creating ambiguous ripples along the corridor.

Turning past the vermilion-lacquered pillars, the entrance to the hot spring area suddenly revealed itself before them.

The entire building adopted a traditional Kyomachiya style, with intricate cloud and flowing water patterns carved into the wooden structure. Warm yellow lanterns lit up one by one along the eaves, illuminating the plaque inscribed with the character for "Hot Spring."

Through the half-open lattice windows, steaming heat carrying the elegant fragrance of yuzu rushed toward them. The obsidian tiles paved at the bottom of the pool refracted light under the water, as if a galaxy had fallen into the pool.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Yuki Kataoka's exclamation came from inside the hot spring area.

She had changed into a water-blue yukata early on, with an exaggerated bow tied at her waist. At this moment, she was clinging to the doorframe of the hot spring area, her eyes rounded wider than a goldfish's: "This isn't just a hot spring; it's a place where immortals live! We really have to thank Kageyama-kun for upgrading us to VIP!"

Mako Someya, standing beside her, pursed her lips and chuckled softly. The shutter of the camera in her hands clicked repeatedly; the lens captured not only the shimmering hot spring pool but also Nodoka, who stood at the intersection of light and shadow with flushed earlobes.

Hisa Takei leaned against the moon gate, twirling the strap of her wooden sandals with her fingertips, a cunning smile appearing in her eyes: "Tell me, for some people to take so long to change into a yukata, could it be that they took the opportunity to do something naughty?"

Her intentionally drawn-out tone made Nodoka stiffen, but Kageyama Sora calmly pulled her behind him and responded nonchalantly: "Don't underestimate me; if we were doing something naughty, how could we have appeared so quickly?"

This remark actually made Hisa Takei, who considered herself an experienced veteran, feel a bit embarrassed.

"Club President, look over there!" Saki Miyanaga suddenly tugged on Hisa Takei's sleeve, pointing toward the open-air platform on the other side of the hot spring pool.

There, a guzheng had been set up, and a woman in plain clothes was plucking the strings. The clear, resonant music intertwined with the murmuring water, sounding like heavenly music amidst the swirling steam.

"This hot spring inn actually has performances?" Mako Someya asked curiously while taking photos.

Yuki Kataoka quickly and lively replied: "After all, this is the VIP treatment that Kageyama-kun specifically upgraded for us! Not only is there someone performing here, but there aren't any other people! Just us! It's so cool! Our Nodoka has really married into a wealthy family."

This made Nodoka, who was already blushing, even pinker than her own pink hair, and she was incredibly shy.

Kageyama Sora looked down at Nodoka in his arms. She was staring blankly at the prayer plaques hanging by the pool, which were densely packed with the wishes of guests.

"Do you want to write one?" He asked in a low voice, his warm breath brushing against her ear.

Nodoka shook her head, then nodded, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her yukata: "But... I don't know what to write."

"Then write..." Kageyama Sora took her hand, picked up a wooden plaque and a brush from the side, and wrote neat characters on the paper: "National Tournament Domination."

"National Tournament Domination..." Saki Miyanaga, who was closest, was somewhat stunned after seeing this, a light of near-excitement appearing in her eyes.

"That's right. Since we want to win the National Tournament, we might as well start praying for it here."

Just then, a waiter from the hot spring inn walked over in wooden sandals, carrying chilled plum wine and wagashi on a tray.

"Please enjoy, honored guests." A sweet voice interrupted their interaction.

Yuki Kataoka immediately scurried over like a little squirrel, grabbed a small snack, and stuffed it into her mouth: "Wow! This is so delicious! Nodoka, you have to try it!"

Nodoka was pulled to the stone table by Yuki. Watching her stuff her cheeks and eat with gusto, her mood gradually relaxed.

Hisa Takei picked up the plum wine and took a small sip, her gaze sweeping over the "Open-air Bath" lantern hanging above the hot spring pool, and she suddenly spoke: "Speaking of which, they say you can see the entire mountain cherry blossom forest from the open-air bath. At this hour..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Yuki had already grabbed Saki Miyanaga and ran toward that side, shouting as she ran: "Let's go see the cherry blossoms!!"

Saki Miyanaga was pulled off-balance, but she didn't blame Yuki, which showed that Saki Miyanaga was truly getting along well with everyone.

Kageyama Sora tucked a stray lock of hair behind Haramura Nodoka's ear and asked in a low voice, "Do you want to go?"

She looked up, meeting his gaze—gentle yet burning with intensity—and suddenly recalled everything that had just happened in the room, her heart beginning to race once more.

"Mm... I want to go," she replied softly, letting him take her hand as they walked toward the shimmering lights in the distance.

Outside the hot spring area, night cherry blossoms drifted down in the evening breeze, some falling into the pool to spin with the ripples, others landing on the shoulders of passersby, adding a touch of poetry to this beautiful night.

Everyone strolled along the cherry blossom path, their laughter and chatter weaving together with the sound of the babbling spring.

Haramura Nodoka and Kageyama Sora trailed at the back of the group, their fingers interlaced, holding onto each other tightly amidst the falling petals.

Haramura Nodoka whispered, "I'm really happy... I'm so happy you could come."

Kageyama Sora was stunned, not expecting Haramura Nodoka to say something like that.

Yet, it truly warmed his heart in that moment: "Ah, I just wanted you to be happy. If you're happy, that's enough for me."

Chapter 46: Saki, do you mind if I join you?

The group stepped over the night cherry blossoms carpeting the ground, chatting and laughing as they arrived at the hot spring pool.

Rising steam carried a faint scent of sulfur, mingling with the sweet fragrance of the cherry blossoms. Warm yellow lanterns cast fragmented shadows onto the water, the pebbles at the bottom of the pool appearing and disappearing in the flow, while an occasional red koi fish swam by, stirring up ripples.

Haramura Nodoka soaked in the warm spring water, her tense nerves finally beginning to relax.

She watched her companions playing and laughing beside her, a look of contentment spreading across her face.

However, this tranquility did not last long. Kageyama Sora's assistant hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear, causing his expression to turn grave instantly.

Seeing that everyone looked disappointed, Kageyama Sora said, "I didn't realize I was so popular; you all really don't want me to leave. But you'll be more comfortable playing as just girls without me around. Don't worry, I'll come back as soon as I'm done."

He patted Haramura Nodoka's hand reassuringly, and as he turned to leave, the atmosphere by the hot spring pool dimmed along with him.

Nevertheless, everyone soon cheered up again; after all, an experience like this was truly rare.

It was just that their luck was a bit poor this time; by the time Kageyama Sora finished handling the international conference, the moon outside the window had already shifted to the west.

Exhaustion washed over him like a tide, but after a moment of hesitation, he decided to head to the hot spring pool to relax anyway. It had nothing to do with whether the others were still there or not; he simply wanted to unwind.