Anime Multiverse: Making Money Starting from Saki Chapter 36

"Don't refuse me, just pretend I want to spend the night with my girlfriend..."

Kageyama Sora's words caused an instant uproar. Yuki Kataoka covered her mouth dramatically, eyes wide, and a "Whoa" of astonishment escaped her lips.

Saki Miyanaga, meanwhile, was eyeing the two with curiosity. Whatever she was thinking, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, giving her a delicate, blushing appearance that was completely different from her usual demeanor.

How to put it? Both Yuki Kataoka and Saki Miyanaga were quite carefree; despite both having ambiguous relationships with Kageyama Sora, they were actually shipping the couple on the side.

Hisa Takei, who was rarely involved in any ambiguity with Kageyama Sora, was stunned for a moment before she caught on, laughing as she teased, "Kageyama-kun, that's a truly straightforward reason you've got there."

The person in question, Nodoka, was beet-red, struggling to break free from Kageyama Sora's embrace like a startled little rabbit. "D-don't say such things!"

Her voice was filled with both shame and urgency, but to the onlookers, it only made her look even more adorable.

Kageyama Sora just smiled indulgently, pulling Nodoka closer and arching an eyebrow at the group. "Alright, alright, stop teasing Nodoka. The accommodation for tonight is settled. Everyone, get some rest so you can face the tournament in peak condition tomorrow."

Soon, the van arranged by Kageyama Sora pulled up in front of the ramen stall.

The girls dragged their luggage and chattered as they boarded. The interior was luxurious and comfortable, with soft leather seats, warm ambient lighting, and pre-prepared drinks and snacks that left everyone in awe.

Yuki Kataoka sank into a seat and sighed, "Wow, this is too comfortable! It feels like riding in a private jet!"

Kageyama Sora chuckled. "You might not believe it, but ever since your last training camp, I've been preparing for when it might come in handy."

Hisa Takei gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, always so farsighted."

Upon arriving at the hotel, Kageyama Sora had already handled the check-in process in advance.

He had specifically arranged for Nodoka to stay in the same room as him, while the other team members were placed in adjacent rooms.

Even though it was something that should have been embarrassing, Nodoka accepted it by default; clearly, the busyness of this period had made her want to spend some time alone with Kageyama Sora as well.

Walking into the room, the spacious and bright space, the soft large bed, and the exquisite decor all made one feel at ease.

Nodoka stood in the center of the room, clutching her Penguin Plushie and taking in the surroundings.

Kageyama Sora walked up behind her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder, asking softly, "Do you like it?"

Nodoka nodded slightly, a blush returning to her cheeks. "It's very cozy and luxurious..."

Kageyama Sora turned Nodoka to face him, gently cupping her face in his hands and gazing tenderly into her eyes. "Nodoka, you deserve the best. I believe you all will achieve great results in this tournament."

Nodoka looked up, her blue eyes filled with emotion and determination. "Thank you, Sora. I believe in everyone too. We will give it our all and push toward the championship!"

Kageyama Sora felt, for some inexplicable reason, that the atmosphere had become a bit formulaic—not at all what one would expect between an ambiguous couple.

So, Kageyama Sora pulled Nodoka to sit on the edge of the bed, holding her in his arms while stroking her soft pink hair. "I can't help with your matches, so the least I can do is make sure you eat well and sleep well."

Nodoka leaned into Kageyama Sora's embrace, listening to his warm words, her heart filled with strength. "Mm! I won't let your expectations down! Even though Ryumonbuchi and Houkoshi Girls' High School are strong, we won't lose! And there's Tsuruga Academy—I don't know much about them, but we won't underestimate any opponent."

Well, it was indeed because of the match tomorrow; every other word was about the tournament, making it feel like a solo pep rally with zero romantic tension.

However, Kageyama Sora didn't think this was a bad thing; on the contrary, he found this side of Nodoka quite charming.

He was never the type to look only at the surface; her soul moved him just as much.

Thus, he didn't dampen the mood, but nodded with a smile. "Exactly! And I believe your mahjong skills will leave everyone in awe. Whether it's you, Saki Miyanaga, or everyone at Kiyosumi High School, you will all make people sit up and take notice... Once you win the tournament, just like our original promise, I'll take everyone to my company abroad to show you where the mahjong game was born..."

Nodoka looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Really? That would be wonderful! I really want to see the place where the mahjong game was developed!"

Kageyama Sora lowered his head and kissed her forehead gently. "Of course it's true... I'm already looking forward to seeing you all after you win the championship; that will surely be the most beautiful sight."

Outside the window, the night deepened, and the city lights flickered.

Nodoka snuggled into Kageyama Sora's arms, listening to his steady heartbeat. The tension and unease in her heart gradually dissipated, replaced by anticipation for tomorrow's match and a firm belief in victory.

As for Kageyama Sora, he held his beloved tightly, silently cheering on the girls of Kiyosumi High School in his heart, looking forward to them creating a miracle on the stage.

As the two snuggled quietly, Nodoka suddenly felt a change in their surroundings; something hot was pressing against her, and she instantly turned bright red to the tips of her ears.

Her breathing became restless, and her pink cheeks looked as if they were about to bleed. She shifted her body slightly, only to make the strange sensation even more distinct.

Kageyama Sora noticed Nodoka's stiffness and realized what was happening. He hurriedly tried to loosen his arms, but Nodoka gently pressed her hand against the back of his.

She lowered her eyelashes, her voice as light as a feather. "Sora... I can help you."

After saying this, she nearly buried her entire face in Kageyama Sora's chest.

Kageyama Sora's breath hitched. He looked down at the shy yet brave girl in his arms, his heart pounding like a drum.

He cupped Nodoka's burning cheeks, his thumbs gently stroking her flushed skin.

Nodoka slowly looked up, her clear blue eyes filled with shyness and tenderness.

Their gazes met, and the temperature in the air rose sharply.

Kageyama Sora could no longer suppress the desire in his heart; he leaned down slowly, his lips gently covering Nodoka's.

Nodoka was stunned for a moment, then closed her eyes, actively responding to the kiss.

She wrapped her arms around Kageyama Sora's neck, meeting him with awkward, youthful enthusiasm.

They had kissed many times, yet it remained just as inexperienced.

But Kageyama Sora was able to turn this kiss from gentle to passionate, pulling Nodoka tighter as if he wanted to merge her into his very being.

At that moment, Kageyama Sora's palm slid slowly down her slender back. Through the thin fabric of her clothes, he could clearly feel Nodoka's body trembling and the sensations coursing through her.

His tongue gently pried open her pearly teeth, probing inside with an irresistible tenderness, tasting the lingering sweetness between her lips.

Nodoka was kissed until she could barely breathe, her nose filled entirely with Kageyama Sora's scent. Dizzy and disoriented, she could only grip the hem of his shirt even tighter.

Suddenly, Kageyama Sora lifted her up and pressed her against the window. The moonlight flowed along their intertwined figures, casting mottled silhouettes onto the floor.

The glass fogged up from their body heat. Amidst her rapid breathing, Nodoka opened her eyes. Through the haze, she saw the neon lights outside flickering across Kageyama Sora's sharp, angular profile. The shadows cast by his eyelashes fluttered gently with his breath, like a butterfly poised to take flight.

"Nodoka..." Kageyama Sora murmured her name between lingering kisses. His scorching breath sprayed against her flushed earlobe, causing Nodoka to tremble involuntarily.

His thumb caressed the soft, fine hairs on the nape of her neck, kneading all the unspoken longing and desire into this long, lingering kiss.

Nodoka's fingertips unconsciously brushed against the protruding vertebrae at the back of his neck, earning a stifled, low sigh from deep within Kageyama Sora's chest.

It wasn't until Nodoka was truly on the verge of oxygen deprivation that Kageyama Sora reluctantly pulled away.

Their foreheads rested against each other, their rapid breathing tangled and intertwined. Looking at the handsome face so close to her own, Nodoka suddenly reached out to wrap her arms around his waist, burying her burning cheeks into his warm chest.

Kageyama Sora rested his chin on the top of her head, listening to the drum-like beat of her heart, and finally revealed a look of peaceful contentment. The night outside grew deeper, the city lights brilliant, yet none were as moving as the moisture shimmering at the corners of the young girl's eyes.

Although they had kissed until they were both stirred, Kageyama Sora still let Nodoka go.

The reason was very simple: Nodoka had a match tomorrow, and he didn't want to waste her energy.

With that in mind, Kageyama Sora decided to let Nodoka get some rest while he went out for a walk. Just as he stepped out, he saw the Mahjong Club president, Hisa Takei, and Mako Someya chatting in the room next door, the door not quite shut.

The green-haired Mako Someya had taken off her glasses after washing up. Holding a teacup, her voice carried a hint of reflection: "The first day is finally over..."

President Hisa Takei smiled from the other side: "But the road ahead is still long..."

Mako Someya sighed: "Actually, it's not bad. At least no one is nervous because of a tournament like this..."

"That's true." Hisa Takei chuckled: "Though as the president, I'll probably be unable to sleep, shivering all night with my knees pulled to my chest."

Mako Someya was amused by Hisa Takei's words: "What's that about? That's completely different from how you were rallying everyone just a moment ago."

Hisa Takei was very candid: "After all, I'm the president. How could I show weakness before the match?"

Mako Someya then realized that Hisa Takei wasn't joking; she truly felt that way.

This realization brought a subtle sense of satisfaction to Mako Someya's heart: "That's a lovely thing to say. Are you being this honest only in front of me?"

Caught off guard by the direct approach, Hisa Takei instantly blushed: "W-what are you saying..."

Mako Someya, however, smiled naturally at that moment: "Just kidding..."

As Kageyama Sora passed by, watching the two of them looking so happy, he had originally intended to go in and chat, but then he heard Hisa Takei's voice turn serious: "It's the first time we've fought our way to the National Tournament... Is it so wrong to be a little shaky on the eve of the final battle?"

It didn't seem like a problem at all.

And as someone who understood her better, Mako Someya clearly had more on her mind: "Hey... tell me, why did you only start competing officially in your third year? Even if the team didn't have enough members, you could have entered the individual tournament... With your skill, you could have easily made the individual matches your goal for the National Tournament..."

"It was a dream..." Hisa Takei took a sip of tea, her gaze growing deep: "In my first year, I was actually the only one in the Mahjong Club. When I was alone in the activity room, I had this fantasy... what if this room could be filled with members, overflowing with everyone's laughter, and we could compete as a team in high school... So, a year later, a member joined. She didn't complain about this club with no activities, nor did she give up or quit. I thought... perhaps it was possible, and maybe next year more people like her would join, and I could be with them."

After her long explanation, Mako Someya, who had just been curious, was now blushing: "I-is it because of me!?"

"Yes." Hisa Takei became unexpectedly honest at that moment.

But... Mako Someya's face turned even redder because of Hisa Takei's attitude: "Aren't you just being stubborn!? After all... the odds of three new members appearing this year were practically zero, right?"

"That's true." Hisa Takei admitted, her beautiful eyes filled with an unyielding determination: "However, when I was the first to join, I placed my bet on the side with the slimmest hope. You understand that, don't you?"

"You really are an impossible person..." Mako Someya chuckled and simply sat down beside Hisa Takei: "Then let me, in my great mercy, keep you company a little longer."

But before Mako Someya had even settled into her seat.

Hisa Takei smiled lightly: "The road to national dominance is still long... It's right there, just ahead. Let's go together, with them."

Watching the atmosphere between the two, Kageyama Sora felt inexplicably old standing outside the door.

Even though he was the same age as them, he saw a different kind of radiance in them.

Striving for a dream, giving everything for one's ideals.

Just this refusal to admit defeat for the sake of a dream was so dazzling it felt as if they were glowing.

Kageyama Sora felt, for some reason, that he had no right to disturb anyone. He didn't want to go in anymore, so he went to the balcony to stare blankly into the distance.

He remembered that morning when Fukuji Mihoko was chatting with him, expressing her absolute certainty about winning the championship.

At the time, Fukuji Mihoko had said herself that their coach seemed to prefer last year's team, which was why she had some grievances. That was why she wanted to prove herself, and why she was so determined to win this tournament.

And Tohka had kept saying that mahjong was nothing more than a hobby for a young lady, acting as if she didn't care, but Kageyama Sora remembered that her eyes had clearly shone when she played.

The persistence of these young girls played on an infinite loop in his mind.

Kageyama Sora sighed helplessly: "Ah... I don't even know who to root for anymore. Being a spectator is so difficult these days."

Chapter 82: The Harem is Very Harmonious

[Victory or Defeat -- Decided Tomorrow.]

The next day, the sun was bright.

Kageyama Sora woke up early, but was quite surprised to find that everyone else was up early as well.

After a simple breakfast, Kageyama Sora took everyone from Kiyosumi High School to the venue.

As a result, he ran straight into the young lady Ryumonbuchi Toka at the entrance.

The young lady, who had been maintaining an elegant and noble demeanor, immediately flew into a rage upon seeing Kageyama Sora together with Haramura Nodoka.

She marched over aggressively: "Cousin! You disappeared for the whole night just to act as a chauffeur for someone else!"

Facing the aggressive Ryumonbuchi Toka, Kageyama Sora could only wave his hand at Hisa Takei, signaling for them to leave first.

Since Ryumonbuchi Toka had intended to cause trouble for Kageyama Sora in the first place, she naturally didn't say anything to stop them.

However...

As the people from Kiyosumi High School were leaving, she cast a meaningful glance at Haramura Nodoka.

Haramura Nodoka, not understanding the situation, even gave a polite smile in return...

Hmm...

Ryumonbuchi Toka became even angrier: "What kind of attitude is that!"

Seeing that Ryumonbuchi Toka was about to lose her temper, Kageyama Sora hurriedly pulled the young lady into his arms to stop her from going berserk: "It's a friendly smile, she has no idea that you consider her a rival..."

Because of Ryumonbuchi Toka's intense struggle and Kageyama Sora's tight grip, the two were practically pressed against each other, looking incredibly intimate.

But Ryumonbuchi Toka couldn't care less about that; her ahoge swayed as she emphasized again and again: "It's not a rival, it's a nemesis, a nemesis."

"Yes, yes, a nemesis!" Kageyama Sora sighed helplessly, having no choice but to go along with what Ryumonbuchi Toka said.

However, seeing Ryumonbuchi Toka getting angrier and angrier, Kageyama Sora had no choice but to forcibly pick her up in a princess carry: "Alright, my young lady, I'll go back with you, is that enough!?"

In an instant, the entire Ryumonbuchi High School Mahjong Club erupted into a chorus of frog-like croaks.

Wait, that wasn't quite right; there was still one person missing.

Kageyama Sora then asked: "By the way, where is Koromo!?"

Ryumonbuchi Toka, who had been making a huge scene just a moment ago, quieted down after being picked up in a princess carry, turning her head away with a slightly unnatural, tsundere expression: "She's still sleeping, but I told Ogira to keep an eye on her, so she shouldn't be late today."

Setting Ryumonbuchi Toka down on the sofa in the lounge, Kageyama Sora remarked: "That's true, Ogira is a very reliable guy."