Chapter 35

Kageyama Sora's palm pressed against the small of her back, his fingertips applying firm, rhythmic pressure to the hollow just above her tailbone. Watching the girl's face flush with shame, a soft chuckle escaped his throat: "Know fear now? You didn't look like this when you were swinging that baseball bat earlier."

"I, I'm not afraid... but are you serious..."

As she asked, Ikeda Kana dug her nails deep into his shoulder, causing Kageyama Sora to wince slightly.

Kageyama Sora narrowed his eyes, surprised that this little girl dared to pull such a stunt even after he had offered her a modicum of comfort. He really had been too lenient with this little kitten.

A stray cat is a stray cat; after being comforted, it doesn't learn to be sensible—it only grows more brazen.

Kageyama Sora lowered his head to bite her collarbone, his teeth grazing the delicate skin. Just as he was about to leave a mark, the tip of his tongue suddenly swept gently over the reddened patch: "If I leave a mark here, do you think your beloved captain will notice..."

Ikeda Kana shuddered at the thought, instinctively wanting to resist, but under Kageyama Sora's practiced control, her body went limp against her will, her struggle turning into a weak, ineffective push.

"Let go... I'm going to scream..." Her threat was feeble, the tail end of her sentence carrying a tremor she hadn't even noticed herself.

...Kageyama Sora almost blurted out that no one would hear her even if she screamed until her throat gave out.

But that was too low; he wouldn't say something like that.

Kageyama Sora lifted his head, his lips still stained with the sweet, cloying scent of her skin.

He used his thumb to wipe away the tear that had spilled from the corner of her eye during her struggle, his movements as gentle as if he were touching fragile glass: "Go ahead, scream. Maybe let more people see how a disobedient little kitten gets punished."

His fingertips slid from her flushed cheek to her chin, forcing her to tilt her head up and meet his gaze: "Or, if you apologize nicely now, I might consider letting you go?"

Ikeda Kana felt her eyes sting from the pressure in his gaze, yet she stubbornly bit her lower lip, refusing to speak.

The night wind blew in through the broken window, carrying the scent of wild grass from outside the factory, fermenting in the cramped space along with their tangled breaths.

Kageyama Sora suddenly leaned down, pressing a fleeting kiss to her lips. Before she could react, he pulled back a few centimeters, his nose brushing against her trembling eyelashes: "Still being stubborn? I really am going to leave a mark now..."

The girl suddenly tilted her head and bit down on the web of his hand. Though the force was fierce, he saw right through her bluff.

Chapter 78: Ikeda Kana's Heart is in Chaos

Amidst Kageyama Sora's provocation, Ikeda Kana suddenly tilted her head and bit down on the web of his hand. Though the force was fierce, he saw right through her bluff.

Kageyama Sora didn't dodge or flinch, letting her vent until Ikeda Kana released her teeth on her own, at which point he pressed the bleeding wound against her lips: "Done biting? Now it's my turn."

This kiss was no longer gentle; it was filled with punitive aggression.

He pried open her clenched teeth, his tongue sweeping across her dental arch. The moment she tasted the metallic tang of blood, he shifted into a soft, lingering suckle.

Ikeda Kana's nails raked five red marks into his back, but he gripped the back of her head to deepen the kiss until her legs went weak and she could only hang onto him, gasping for air.

"Dare to cut me with a utility knife again?" Kageyama Sora licked the silver thread of saliva from the corner of her mouth, his palm kneading her waist through the fabric. "Remember, a kitten's claws are only for acting cute."

Ikeda Kana's knees were still trembling uncontrollably, but Kageyama Sora suddenly let her go.

The girl slumped onto the rusted iron plating, her pleated skirt bunched up at her waist, revealing a large expanse of skin reddened by friction.

He buttoned his shirt with measured deliberation, the crescent-shaped marks from her nails still visible on his collarbone, yet he smiled with unbridled arrogance: "Run along, little kitten. Don't fall into my hands next time."

Although he could have easily had his way with Ikeda Kana in this setting, Kageyama Sora decided that, considering Fukuji Mihoko, it was better not to get involved with this scratchy cat for the time being.

The night wind, thick with the smell of rust, poured down her throat. As Ikeda Kana braced herself against an iron frame to stand, she heard her own frantic heartbeat thumping painfully against her eardrums.

She bent down to pick up the baseball bat that had rolled onto the floor, her hair falling forward to hide her burning cheeks. In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of Kageyama Sora leaning against the wall, fiddling with that Zippo. The moment the flame flickered to life, it illuminated the meaningful curve of his lips.

"Don't let me see you touch the captain again!" she forced herself to say viciously, though she stumbled as she turned to leave.

A low, deep chuckle came from behind her, like a feather brushing against her spine. Ikeda Kana scrambled out of the factory, stumbling until she had turned three corners, only then leaning against the glass wall of a convenience store to gasp for air.

The streetlights stretched her shadow into a thin, long line, and the folds of her pleated skirt were still stained with factory dust.

Ikeda Kana tremblingly touched her neck, where the warmth of Kageyama Sora's fingertips still lingered. Even when she swallowed, she could feel her throat brush against the skin he had kissed.

She suddenly remembered the crisscrossing scratches he had revealed when he pulled open his shirt, and her heart skipped a beat. In a panic, she pulled a pack of mints from her pocket, only to find the wrapper already crumpled from her grip.

Returning home and pushing open her bedroom door, she ignored her two younger sisters and went straight to her room.

Ikeda Kana stared at her disheveled reflection in the mirror—her lips swollen and red, the faint, lingering redness on her collarbone, and her crooked tie.

She suddenly pulled the quilt over her head, but her mind was filled with the shadow cast by Kageyama Sora's eyelashes as he leaned down, and his raspy voice as he bit her earlobe and whispered, "The little kitten is going to have her claws pulled."

The next day, Ikeda Kana felt she had composed herself enough to resume mahjong training.

She should have been focusing on the upcoming tournament, but Ikeda Kana simply couldn't settle her mind.

She kept zoning out during practice. When she played the wrong tile, she would hallucinate the feeling of Kageyama Sora's hand gripping her wrist, the sensation of his fingertips pressing against her pulse terrifyingly clear.

When Captain Fukuji Mihoko handed her a towel, she stared at the captain's fingertips and suddenly recalled the scratches on Kageyama Sora's chest, her cheeks burning instantly.

"Hmm?" The captain's voice pulled her back to reality: "You've been distracted all day. Is something bothering you?"

"No, no, I just didn't sleep well, Captain!" Ikeda Kana shook her head in a panic, a shiver running through her as her hair brushed against her collarbone.

She remembered the sensation of Kageyama Sora's tongue licking that very spot. Her throat tightened as she took a large gulp of water, only to end up coughing violently.

As droplets of water slid down the corner of her mouth, they blurred into the memory of Kageyama Sora's thumb wiping away her tears—a gentleness that was truly alarming.

Though Fukuji Mihoko was worried, she wasn't a mind reader; she simply assumed Ikeda Kana was anxious about facing Amae Koromo again.

As a gentle captain, Fukuji Mihoko offered soft comfort: "It's alright. You've trained so hard this time; you'll definitely be fine..."

"Definitely... fine..." Ikeda Kana's cheeks were crimson, thinking to herself that she would definitely be able to forget the influence Kageyama Sora had on her.

But... lying in bed late at night, Ikeda Kana tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The moonlight outside the window spilled in through the gap in the curtains, casting long, thin shadows on the ceiling; she could almost mistake the silhouette of the trees for the shadow of Kageyama Sora.

She irritably ruffled her hair, touched the skin behind her ear where he had kissed her, and suddenly bolted upright from the bed, rushing into the bathroom to splash her face desperately with cold water.

Water droplets traced down her jawline as Ikeda Kana stared at her own reddened eyes in the mirror, suddenly recalling the strength with which Kageyama Sora had kneaded her waist when he said, "See if you dare use a utility knife on me again."

That touch, laced with a sense of punishment, was fermenting in her memories, turning into some secret craving that scorched her nerves in the silence of the deep night.

When the hot water from the showerhead poured over her shoulders, Ikeda Kana felt as if she had drifted back into that rusted, shadowy corner.

The water snaked down her collarbone, mimicking the path of Kageyama Sora's fingertips, while his breath, carrying the scent of peppermint, pierced through her memories and condensed into scalding whispers amidst the rising steam.

She curled up in the corner of the bathtub, letting the foam wash over her flushed cheeks, a stifled whimper escaping her throat.

As the water washed over her earlobes, the sensation of being kissed by Kageyama Sora suddenly came back to life.

She traced her neck with trembling fingertips, imagining them to be his calloused palms; the rough texture, mixed with the man's scent of gunpowder, branded fine shivers onto her skin.

The warm water rose past her waist, the memory of his kneading grip turning into a tide that drowned her in dangerous desire.

When her fingers unconsciously reached between her legs, the sound of the showerhead suddenly became deafening.

She bit her lower lip, the image of the scratch marks Kageyama Sora had revealed when he tore open his shirt flashing before her eyes; the crisscrossing red marks morphed in the mist into his pitch-black pupils, gazing at her surrender with a triumphant smile.

The pain of her nails digging into her palms intertwined with the pleasure radiating from her fingertips, exploding like brilliant fireworks deep within her consciousness.

Scalding water flowed over her swollen lips, and she could almost taste the metallic tang from that night's predatory kiss.

Her breathing grew increasingly frantic, and the water droplets from the showerhead hitting her skin felt exactly like the irresistible force he used to control her.

Her consciousness drifted between reality and illusion until the final broken sound was swallowed by the rushing water; Ikeda Kana lay limp in the bathtub, staring at the swirling steam on the ceiling, unable to distinguish if the moisture on her face was tears or water droplets.

Chapter 79: The Eve of the Tournament

Setting aside the complex thoughts of the girls, the four teams that had advanced to the regional finals were: last year's champions, Ryumonbuchi High School; Kazekoshi Girls' High School, who had held the title for years before losing to Ryumonbuchi last year; and the two dark horses, Kiyosumi High School and Tsuruga Academy.

For Kageyama Sora, Kiyosumi High School was all too familiar, but among the final four, Tsuruga Academy was the only one he knew absolutely nothing about.

There wasn't any clear information regarding Tsuruga Academy either, as they, much like Kiyosumi High School, were entering the regional finals for the first time.

On the eve of the regional finals, Kageyama Sora felt a bit anxious, so he decided to head over to Kiyosumi High School, where Nodoka was.

After all, Ryumonbuchi High School had a massive budget, so the young ladies could simply drive there the next day.

As for Kazekoshi Girls' High School, he wasn't really in a position to go there, considering how poorly things had ended with their coach last time.

Kageyama Sora had assumed that Nodoka calling him over meant she needed his help, but he never expected that it was actually their club president, Hisa Takei, treating everyone to a meal, and that she had specifically told Nodoka to make sure Kageyama Sora was invited.

At a street-side ramen stall.

The middle-aged man handed over the freshly boiled ramen with a kind expression: "Here you go, your chashu ramen."

Yuki Kataoka excitedly took the bowl, the girl whose appetite stood in such stark contrast to her physique looking completely satisfied: "Thank you so much!"

Hisa Takei smiled as well: "Don't be shy, everyone, dig in!"

"Itadakimasu!"

Yuki Kataoka certainly wasn't shy, opening her mouth and diving straight into the noodles.

You had to admit, some people just made eating look appetizing; Kageyama Sora felt hungry just watching her.

This reaction pleased Hisa Takei, who was footing the bill: "It's fine to have another bowl, you know. It's my treat, to prepare for tomorrow's match."

As she spoke, she glanced at Kageyama Sora, who hadn't touched his chopsticks yet, and teased with a smile: "A young master like Kageyama-kun wouldn't eat something like this, would he?"

Kageyama Sora chuckled and shook his head: "That's an exaggeration. When I was busy working late at the office, I lived on instant noodles and coffee. I'm not like those young masters you're thinking of who only eat Michelin-star food."

With that, Kageyama Sora began to eat, giving a thumbs up: "Delicious."

Everyone else had started eating, but Nodoka seemed unsure of how to begin.

Kageyama Sora suddenly remembered that Nodoka was also a young lady from a wealthy family; perhaps she wasn't used to eating such... image-breaking food?

Just as Kageyama Sora was pondering this, Yuki Kataoka asked bluntly: "Is this Nodoka's first time eating ramen?"

Nodoka's face turned bright red instantly: "It's not like I don't know what ramen is."

After saying that, she tucked her hair back slightly to keep it from falling into the broth, then took a cautious bite.

Then... her cheeks turned even redder, and her eyes squinted into happy crescents: "...It's so good."

When she looked up, she locked eyes with Kageyama Sora, who had been staring at her the whole time; she blushed even harder and buried her head back into her bowl, eating in silence.

Saki Miyanaga, seeing Nodoka eating so intently, was also taken aback: "Is it... that good?"

Although it was indeed delicious, the way Nodoka was burying her face in the bowl made Saki Miyanaga feel a bit strange.

At that moment, Yuki Kataoka, having finished her first bowl, suddenly looked up: "Boss, another one!"

Hisa Takei felt even better seeing everyone enjoying themselves, especially when she saw Mako Someya beside her eating earnestly, and she laughed: "I'm so glad it's to your taste."

Mako Someya blushed slightly; being teased by an old teammate about being a picky eater was naturally embarrassing.

Hisa Takei didn't continue to tease Mako Someya, instead turning to Kageyama Sora: "Kageyama-kun, is it good?"

"Yes, it's very good," Kageyama Sora smiled. "The flavor is excellent."

By the time everyone finished eating, it was already quite late.

Yuki Kataoka was so slender, yet her lower abdomen was slightly rounded now; Kageyama Sora couldn't help but exclaim, "To think you ate three bowls."

Yuki Kataoka smiled triumphantly, "My stomach is a bottomless pit, you know."

As it turned out, because they had spent so long eating, the last bus had already departed.

Hisa Takei sighed and looked at Saki Miyanaga, the latest addition to the Mahjong Club, "I'm very sorry, the venue is quite far from here, and we have to gather very early tomorrow morning."

To this, the good-natured Saki Miyanaga indicated she didn't mind, "It's okay, I'll be fine."

However... as soon as those words fell, Mako Someya, who had been in a great mood from eating delicious ramen just moments ago, instantly looked as if she had been drained dry, her face full of despair, "Waking up early... just thinking about having to get up early tomorrow makes my back ache."

Hisa Takei felt helpless seeing Mako Someya looking so listless, "It can't be helped. If we can win the prefectural preliminaries this year and shine at the National Tournament, perhaps we can secure a budget for everyone to stay overnight."

Everyone at Kiyosumi High School was very easy to coax.

Even though it was just a pipe dream...?, Yuki Kataoka was already fired up, "Then, let's stay at a luxury hotel next time!"

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic and lively, Kageyama Sora, who considered himself the financier, stepped forward, "No need for next time, we can do it this time."

After drawing everyone's attention to himself, Kageyama Sora walked over and ruffled Yuki Kataoka's hair, "I'll arrange for a car to pick us up. How about we stay at a hotel near tomorrow's competition venue tonight?"

Hisa Takei was the first to show a conflicted expression, "That wouldn't be very appropriate..."

Kageyama Sora naturally knew what she was struggling with, so he said, "It's fine. After all, I've invested in the National Tournament, and as the seeded players I've chosen, it's only right that you receive some proper investment from me."

His expression was earnest and sincere, making it clear to anyone that he meant it from the heart, rather than just trying to protect anyone's pride.

Precisely because of that, Hisa Takei was slightly puzzled, "You trust us that much?"

Recalling how each of them shone during their matches, Kageyama Sora countered, "Is there any reason not to trust you!?"

Of course, no one felt they weren't worthy of trust; after all, everyone was aiming for the championship.

However, seeing that everyone still looked like they were afraid of inconveniencing him, Kageyama Sora added, "Don't refuse me. Just pretend I want to spend the night with my girlfriend..."

"Sora!..." Nodoka Haramura suddenly blushed, her entire composure crumbling.

Then, laughing, he pulled his girlfriend into his arms.