Making Money in a Multiverse from Saki

Her fingertips brushed across Kageyama Sora's collarbone, leaving a faint, almost imperceptible touch. "But... do you like me like this?"

Hero Saves the Beauty

The Fukuji Mihoko of today gave Kageyama Sora a completely different impression.

The Fukuji Mihoko he had met before had been gentle, tender, understanding, and a little cute—not like this... slightly devilish version of her.

But Kageyama Sora had to admit that the Fukuji Mihoko of today was incredibly alluring.

Faced with Fukuji Mihoko, who was so far beyond his usual expectations, Kageyama Sora's heart pounded like a drum and his throat tightened. For a moment, he did not know how to respond.

Fukuji Mihoko seemed to find the current Kageyama Sora adorable. Without giving him a chance to think, she pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to his increasingly rapid heartbeat as she murmured softly, "Actually, I feel pressure too. Every match, I'm afraid of letting everyone down."

There was a trace of vulnerability in her voice, completely unlike her usual reliable image as Club President.

But... she seemed to be opening her heart to Kageyama Sora.

And that tiny hint of fragility stirred something in Kageyama Sora's heart.

As if possessed, Kageyama Sora raised his hand, intending to stroke the top of her head, but stopped halfway.

Fukuji Mihoko lifted her head and looked at him with blazing eyes. Then she rose onto her tiptoes, allowing Kageyama Sora's hand to touch the top of her head.

In a certain sense, that gesture was practically a sign of affection.

No, it was a sign of affection.

Watching Kageyama Sora's stunned expression, a desire to conquer rose naturally within Fukuji Mihoko. "Can I lean on you for a while? Just a little while."

As she spoke, she buried her head in Kageyama Sora's arms and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.

Kageyama Sora's entire body stiffened. His hands hovered in midair before slowly falling, lightly resting on her back.

The hallway was so quiet that only their mingled breathing could be heard. An ambiguous atmosphere spread through the air.

Fukuji Mihoko raised her head, meeting Kageyama Sora's gaze. They were close enough to feel each other's warm breaths.

Just then, footsteps sounded in the distance. Fukuji Mihoko gave a soft laugh and released Kageyama Sora. "Looks like our time alone is over."

She straightened her skirt and returned to her usual elegant demeanor. "The next time we meet, I hope Kageyama can bring me a surprise."

With that, she blinked, turned, and left, leaving Kageyama Sora standing there with a heartbeat that refused to settle.

Watching Fukuji Mihoko's retreating figure, Kageyama Sora scratched his head helplessly. "I get the feeling there's going to be one more person in my circle... but I don't hate it."

After Kageyama Sora had composed himself and headed to the spectator area for Kiyosumi High School's match, he was surprised to find that there were not many spectators.

Even though plenty of people had come earlier because of Haramura Nodoka.

Seemingly noticing Kageyama Sora's confusion, Hisa Takei thoughtfully explained, "Ryumonbuchi High School and Kazekoshi Girls' High School are competing at the same time, so everyone went to watch them."

But in any case, the major schools had not been assigned to face one another in this second round.

So the outcome... was naturally a one-sided crushing victory.

Without any suspense, Kazekoshi Girls' High School, Ryumonbuchi High School, and Kiyosumi High School all won.

Over at Ryumonbuchi High School, Amae Koromo had not even needed to play.

Kazekoshi Girls' High School, on the other hand, was more interesting.

For instance, Ikeda Kana... the cat-like girl who had cried while clinging to Fukuji Mihoko earlier, naturally achieved a sweeping victory with an overwhelming advantage. Her confident appearance was nothing like the fragile girl who had cried in Fukuji Mihoko's arms.

What an enormous contrast.

Kageyama Sora found it rather astonishing. He truly could not understand how a girl who was so energetic and formidable on the field could secretly cry outside of matches.

Just as Fukuji Mihoko had opened her heart to him and said that she was actually under a great deal of pressure.

In the hallway, light and shadow reflected through the glass doors like geometric patterns on mahjong tiles, cutting diamond-shaped designs across the floor.

Perhaps because he had been thinking about it all along, Kageyama Sora found himself walking toward Kazekoshi Girls' High School's resting area, intending to have a proper chat with Fukuji Mihoko.

But as soon as he arrived, waves of cold air drifted through the half-closed door, carrying the sounds of a suppressed argument. A woman's angry accusation rang out. "As captain, you played far too weakly!"

Captain?

Wasn't that Fukuji Mihoko!?

With that thought, Kageyama Sora instinctively looked through the gap in the door. He saw a woman in a suit standing there against the light.

She wore a sharply tailored black suit, her hair pinned high to reveal cold, stern brows and eyes. The raised palm cut through the air with a fierce whistle, casting a shadow in the backlight like a venomous snake striking.

Her gaze seemed to be scrutinizing a failed hand, filled with dissatisfaction and fury.

Such a beautiful, soft face...

Without thinking, Kageyama Sora rushed inside.

The moment Kageyama Sora slammed open the door, the aluminum handle struck the wall and left a dent with a crisp sound, like someone violently slapping the table during a mahjong game.

Tall and straight-backed, he gripped the other woman's wrist with astonishing strength. Before he had even realized what he was doing, he had already caught the hand that was about to strike Fukuji Mihoko's face.

"Kageyama..." Fukuji Mihoko, who usually kept one eye closed, abruptly opened both eyes. She stared at the scene before her in disbelief. She had already prepared herself to be hit, but she had not expected... Kageyama Sora to suddenly appear.

The woman whose wrist had been caught—Kazekoshi Girls' High School's current coach, Kubo Takako—tried to wrench free of Kageyama Sora's grasp as she demanded unhappily, "Who are you!?"

Kageyama Sora lowered his eyes, his bangs casting a shadow across his face.

He did not let go. His voice became cold. "Why are you hitting her? Didn't she win!?"

Kubo Takako grew even angrier at Kageyama Sora's words. "Unauthorized people are not allowed in here. This is not the place for you to play hero and save a beauty."

Kageyama Sora was not a violent person himself, so he released Kubo Takako's hand.

He calmly stood in front of Fukuji Mihoko. "I'm not playing hero. I just want to ask why you would slap a player who won. Fukuji Mihoko did very well, didn't she?"

Kubo Takako became increasingly furious. "What do you know! It may look like a victory, but it was full of flaws! If she becomes complacent because of this, she could lose the next match!"

Kubo Takako seemed thoroughly enraged as she suddenly turned toward Ikeda Kana. "And you! What are you so proud of? What was that Seven of Circles just now? If your opponent hadn't been so weak, do you think you could stand here acting pleased with yourself!? With such weak play, do you think you're invincible nationwide!?"

A Date?

Ikeda Kana, suddenly being berated right in the face, looked as terrified as a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Yet she was so frightened that she did not dare move at all.

She stood there trembling, desperately wanting to run, but she did not dare disobey. She feared that she would be the next one slapped.

Coach Kubo Takako pressed a hand down on Ikeda Kana's shoulder, her voice becoming increasingly fierce. "You messed up because of this last year too, didn't you? You let your opponent win a double yakuman and disgraced our tradition. You haven't forgotten, have you!?"

Coach Kubo Takako's voice was like a steel needle, stabbing at Ikeda Kana's temples until they throbbed.

Memories suddenly surged up. She remembered this time last year, after losing to Amae Koromo, when the coach had smashed a teacup viciously at her feet in front of the entire team.

The flying shards of glass had scraped her calf, leaving a thin streak of blood. The pain seemed to crawl over her skin again even now.

From then on, whenever Kubo Takako frowned even slightly, Ikeda Kana's knees would go weak beyond her control.

And now, Kubo Takako raised her hand at Ikeda Kana, seemingly intending to hit her just as she had nearly hit Fukuji Mihoko.

Kageyama Sora was not familiar with Ikeda Kana, so naturally, it was not his place to intervene.

Still, he could not help complaining inwardly that this coach was far too vicious.

But... he had already stepped in once for Fukuji Mihoko. If he stepped in again... that would not be very appropriate.

But... was he really going to watch Ikeda Kana get hit!?

Kageyama Sora thought it over and decided to intervene after all. Otherwise, he would feel guilty forever.

Though his thoughts were complicated, they flashed through his mind in an instant.

But because of that momentary hesitation, he was one step too late.

Fukuji Mihoko, who had nearly been struck moments earlier, reached out and caught Kubo Takako's wrist.

She had not resisted even when she herself was about to be hit, yet she stepped forward when Ikeda Kana was about to be slapped.

As usual, she kept one eye open and one eye closed, but her voice was exceptionally cold and calm. "Her mistake is my mistake. If someone must be blamed, blame me. Ikeda ranks second in the school, and in practice matches against graduates, she even set a record of +31% as first seat. You were among those who played against her, Coach Kubo. Considering the score difference, I believe her play just now was the best option. And... last year's opponent... Amae Koromo, it would not be an exaggeration to say she was possessed by a Monster. Even I might have fallen to her. Ikeda should have been blaming herself for the entire past year..."

Kageyama Sora had not expected Amae Koromo to be involved as well.

And he finally understood why Ikeda Kana had clung to Fukuji Mihoko and cried before the match.

So this psychological pressure had been weighing on her for an entire year.

And Kageyama Sora had to admit that Fukuji Mihoko, standing up to protect her teammate like this, looked so beautiful that she seemed to be glowing...

Ikeda Kana was the same. As if infected by Fukuji Mihoko's radiance, she murmured dazedly, "...Captain."

Fukuji Mihoko then released the coach's wrist. She pressed her hands together and smiled brilliantly. "Because I'm proud of her..."

Kubo Takako's expression gradually softened.

She released Ikeda Kana and adjusted her clothes. "We'll hold a proper meeting after we get back and review everything."

With that, Kubo Takako prepared to leave, but...

As she departed, she shot Kageyama Sora a vicious glare. "And you, brat. I don't care whose boyfriend you are, watch yourself."

Kageyama Sora was not angry, only helpless. He looked at Fukuji Mihoko. "Was your coach a delinquent before? She's incredibly fierce..."

Before he could finish, the members of Kazekoshi Girls' High School's Mahjong Club, led by Ikeda Kana, had already gathered around and hugged Fukuji Mihoko.

For some reason, Kageyama Sora saw the word "bond."

He suddenly felt that all the girls participating in these matches were wonderful. Each had her own unique charm, and every one of them... was the protagonist.

None existed to serve another, nor was anyone merely there to make someone else shine. Every one of them was working hard toward her own dream, shining unbelievably brightly.

It was a sight he could never have seen in his own field, no matter how much money he spent.

He suddenly felt that his decision to stay had been the right one after all.

After comforting her teammates, Fukuji Mihoko looked toward Kageyama Sora. "Sorry you had to see that."

"You weren't a joke. I saw how responsible you are. You were dazzling," Kageyama Sora said honestly, making Fukuji Mihoko's face suddenly flush red.

Kageyama Sora was about to say something else when he noticed the gossiping looks around them.

After thinking for a moment, he held out his hand to Fukuji Mihoko. "Today... the matches are all over. Would you mind taking a walk with me?"

Fukuji Mihoko froze for a moment, then a gentle smile appeared on her face. "Of course. It would be my honor."

The two walked out of the venue side by side, the setting sun stretching their shadows long behind them.

Fukuji Mihoko unconsciously rubbed the cuff of her school uniform. Kageyama Sora caught sight of a ginkgo leaf caught in her hair from the corner of his eye. When he raised his hand, the breeze stirred by the motion made her instinctively shrink back.

"Don't move." He softened his voice. The moment his fingertips touched her hair, Fukuji Mihoko's eyelashes trembled fiercely. The golden leaf fell into his palm, edged in gold by the sunset. "You had a leaf in your hair."

"Th-thank you." She stepped back half a pace, the tips of her ears redder than the fiery clouds on the horizon. There was none of the imposing confidence she had shown while confronting her coach for her teammates.

When they passed a vending machine, Kageyama Sora stopped. The glass reflected their offset figures. "What do you want to drink? My treat."

Fukuji Mihoko stared at the beads of water rolling down the glass, then suddenly pointed at a bottled milk tea on the bottom row. "That one."

The metallic snap of the pull tab was crisp and pleasant. After taking two sips, she pressed the bottle against her heated cheek. "Actually, Coach Kubo..."

"She cares about you all a lot," Kageyama Sora added. He noticed Fukuji Mihoko's grip tighten around the bottle. "Her way of expressing it is just a little rough."

"Mm." She looked at the students laughing and playing in the distance, her gaze turning distant. "After we lost last year, she stayed with us every day for three months, practicing until late at night. The day she smashed that cup, she was actually so angry that she cried too..."

Before she could finish, the milk tea bottle suddenly tipped, and brown liquid spread into a dark stain across her skirt.

"Oh no!" Fukuji Mihoko panicked, searching through all her pockets without finding any tissues.

Kageyama Sora had already removed his school uniform jacket and draped it over her shoulders. It carried the warmth and scent of sun-dried fabric. "I know a hotel nearby. Let's go deal with it first."

Because he was excessively rich, Kageyama Sora chose only high-end hotels.

Yes, he was just that absurdly wealthy.

After arriving, Kageyama Sora looked at Fukuji Mihoko. "Go take a shower, change into a yukata, and give your uniform to the room service staff here... They'll clean and press it for you."

A Kiss After the Bath

The frosted glass of the luxury hotel's bathroom glowed with warm yellow light, while rising steam had already seeped through the door crack in a hazy mist.

Fukuji Mihoko could hear her own rapid heartbeat, pounding like a drum until her eardrums hurt.

As she removed her school uniform stained with milk tea, a fragrance unique to a young girl mingled with the faint scent of milk tea and filled the changing room.

Fukuji Mihoko stared at her flushed cheeks in the mirror. Water droplets slid from the ends of her hair to her collarbone, winding into a glistening trail.

The hot water from the shower washed over her body, yet she kept feeling that Kageyama Sora's gentle gaze still lingered on the ginkgo leaf in her hair, while the sensation left by his fingertips seemed to still be lightly caressing her.

"Will he get impatient waiting outside?" Fukuji Mihoko bit her lower lip, the hand holding the body wash trembling slightly.

A citrus fragrance spread through the steam. In a daze, she remembered the sun-warmed scent of Kageyama Sora's school uniform. The two scents intertwined in her mind, leaving her restless and distracted.