Chapter 38

Sensing a familiar presence, she merely turned her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, her eyes filled with trust and reliance.

In her heart, the boy before her had long since become an indispensable part of her life; such intimate gestures were as natural and ordinary as breathing.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the intense and fierce clatter of mahjong tiles, and the vanguard match finally drew to a close.

At this moment, Haramura Nodoka held her signature Penguin Plushie tightly in her arms, a thin veil of fatigue clouding her azure eyes.

She let out a soft yawn, her small nose wrinkling and her pink lips pouting slightly; she looked like a sleepy little kitten, lazy and adorable.

Kageyama Sora's gaze remained fixed on Haramura Nodoka, not a single one of her subtle movements escaping his eyes.

Seeing her like this, alarm bells rang in his heart, and a wave of concern surged within him as he quickly asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

His voice was deep and gentle, as if wrapped in the breeze of a March spring.

Haramura Nodoka shook her head slightly, her voice tinged with hoarseness and exhaustion: "I woke up early today, and I didn't sleep much last night because I was too excited..."

Her words carried a hint of helplessness, her long eyelashes drooping to hide the weariness in her eyes.

Upon hearing this, Kageyama Sora was stunned. To ensure Haramura Nodoka could get proper rest, he had specifically chosen to sleep in the room next door, fearing he might disturb her, yet he hadn't expected her to stay awake all night.

He leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against Haramura Nodoka's ear, his voice low and suggestive: "If I had known... I would have helped you do something that would make you sleepy."

As soon as the words left his lips, Haramura Nodoka's cheeks instantly flushed a vibrant crimson, like cherry blossoms blooming in spring, charming and moving.

She gave Kageyama Sora's arm a light punch and shot him a reproachful glare, though her eyes were filled with shyness and sweetness.

Hisa Takei, standing to the side, took in the whole scene and couldn't help but chuckle.

Beneath her neat, medium-length wine-red hair was a bright, smiling face, her eyes curved into crescents as she teased: "However... there are still five hours until Haramura Nodoka plays, and seven and a half hours until Saki Miyanaga's turn. Staying up like this is just too exhausting... why don't you two go get some rest?"

Haramura Nodoka immediately looked up, her expression firm and earnest: "How could I? It wouldn't be proper to go off to sleep instead of cheering for our seniors."

Her voice was crisp and forceful, revealing a streak of stubbornness and persistence.

Hisa Takei waved her hand, her smile warm and magnanimous: "I'd rather not see anyone play poorly because they're sleepy than have no one cheering for us."

Mako Someya nodded in agreement, her eyes behind her glasses full of sincerity: "That's right, that's right! We aren't the kind of stuffy seniors who demand formal etiquette just because we're older."

Seeing that both Haramura Nodoka and Saki Miyanaga were still hesitant, Kageyama Sora simply suggested: "Why don't I stay behind to keep watch?"

Just as Haramura Nodoka was about to refuse, Yuki Kataoka dragged her heavy feet into the room.

The little girl who was usually full of vitality and bright smiles now looked like a deflated balloon, her eyes dim and lifeless, her brown twin-tails having lost their usual bounce.

The result of the match was like a heavy hammer, striking her heart and sending her spirits plummeting to the bottom.

Kageyama Sora felt a pang of sympathy as he watched her dejected appearance.

At that moment, Haramura Nodoka tugged gently on Saki Miyanaga's sleeve.

Saki Miyanaga blinked her large, amber eyes, looking completely bewildered, unable to grasp why Haramura Nodoka, who had just adamantly refused to rest, had suddenly changed her mind.

Only Haramura Nodoka knew that Yuki Kataoka's spirits were at an all-time low and she desperately needed comfort.

As peers, their presence would only make the atmosphere more awkward; it would be better to leave and give Yuki Kataoka some space.

Although Saki Miyanaga was a bit of an airhead, she had no objections to resting.

She tilted her head, flashed a bright smile, and followed Haramura Nodoka toward the lounge.

Before walking out the door, Haramura Nodoka stopped, turned around, and looked at Kageyama Sora with gentle eyes: "Please cheer for our seniors for me."

Her voice was filled with trust and expectation.

Kageyama Sora smiled: "Of course."

Chapter 85: The Battle of the Glasses Girls

After seeing Saki Miyanaga and Haramura Nodoka off.

Hisa Takei sighed softly, reached out to take the dejected Yuki Kataoka by the hand, and led her to the soft sofa to sit down.

The girl's current state was heartbreaking; her once-lively short twin-tails hung limply on her shoulders like wings drenched in rain, and her white over-the-knee socks covered her slender legs as she curled up in the corner of the sofa, looking for all the world like an abandoned kitten.

Hisa Takei bent down and gently cradled Yuki Kataoka's pale face, her fingertips softly wiping away the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes, her voice as gentle as a feather brushing against an ear: "To get second place against the vanguard of Ryumonbuchi and the ace of Kazekoshi Girls' High School is already quite heroic. It's much better than expected; you did a great job."

Her eyes were filled with pity, as if she were looking at a child of her own who had been wronged.

Kageyama Sora also stepped forward, his tall figure casting a warm shadow over Yuki Kataoka.

He leaned in slightly, his voice deep and magnetic: "Exactly. That Inoue Jun wiped out the points of all three other teams in the first round; she's a terrifying opponent. To be able to turn the tables while being targeted by her is already very impressive."

As he spoke, he gently ruffled Yuki Kataoka's hair, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her burning earlobes, his movements carrying a hint of subtle intimacy.

These words were not empty comfort; Kageyama Sora knew the strength of Ryumonbuchi High School well and had witnessed Inoue Jun's prowess firsthand.

Although Yuki Kataoka had only been able to break the deadlock because Mihoko Fukuda had helped—or rather, had been used—it was fundamentally true that if Yuki Kataoka hadn't been capable herself, she wouldn't have been able to turn the tide and at least outscore Inoue Jun in points.

Kageyama Sora felt that what he said was quite grounded in reality; after all, he was familiar with Ryumonbuchi High School and his assessment of their level and strength was objective enough.

Every word of his was like a sedative, an attempt to pull Yuki Kataoka out of the abyss of self-denial.

However, these gentle words became the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Yuki Kataoka's shoulders began to tremble violently, and the emotions she had suppressed for so long poured out like a bursting dam.

She lunged into Kageyama Sora's arms, her hands clutching his lapels tightly as tears soaked the fabric over his chest.

Her wailing echoed through the lounge, every sob carrying a deep sense of resentment and grievance.

Kageyama Sora was slightly taken aback by this sudden action, but he quickly recovered.

He extended his arms to wrap around Yuki Kataoka's slender back, his palms gently stroking her trembling shoulders, one stroke after another, as if soothing a frightened little animal.

His other hand slowly moved to the back of her head, gently pressing her face toward him, his chin inadvertently brushing against her soft hair.

"Cry it out, you'll feel better once it's all out." His voice was low, his warm breath brushing against the top of her head.

Nearby, Mako Someya and Hisa Takei exchanged a look of sympathy and said in unison, "Cry, just cry, we will get revenge for you."

Their eyes were filled with determination, as if the fire of vengeance for their teammate had already been ignited in their hearts.

In this small lounge, warmth and comfort intertwined, gradually dispelling the gloom of defeat.

Just then, amidst the announcer's broadcast, the secondary match officially began.

[Can she maintain the lead? Miharu Yoshitome, a third-year at Kazekoshi Girls' High School...]

She was a girl with short silver hair and glasses; her appearance wasn't particularly striking, and although Kageyama Sora had seen her once before, he had never spoken to her.

[Can she turn defeat into victory? Kaori Senoo, a second-year at Tsuruga Academy.]

She had a golden ponytail and wore glasses, looking nervous and shy.

[Last year's winning school, Tomoki Sawamura, a third-year from Ryumonbuchi.]

This was someone Kageyama Sora was relatively familiar with. He knew she was skilled at data collection, but her personality was rather dull and elegant...

And...

Kageyama Sora leaned back against the sofa, his long legs crossed, his fingertips tapping against his knee rhythmically.

He tilted his head to look at Mako Someya beside him. The girl wore black-rimmed glasses, and her smooth, long green hair was loosely tied into a low ponytail that rested on her shoulder.

Behind the gold-rimmed frames, her eyes were like deep pools, hiding cunning and intelligence. Her pale pink lips were slightly pursed, still retaining the sharp, fierce look she had worn while standing up for Yuki Kataoka just moments ago.

"Come to think of it, the players in this round are all wearing glasses. How is this not a showdown of bespectacled girls!?"

Kageyama Sora raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth curling into a playful arc, his obsidian eyes sparkling with teasing light.

Mako Someya's previously tense shoulders instantly relaxed, and the serious expression on her face was replaced by a suppressed smile. She reached up to adjust her glasses, her eyes curving into crescents behind the lenses, and she said with a mix of helplessness and amusement, "Kageyama-kun, as expected of you, always knowing how to summarize things." Her dark green hair swayed gently with her light laughter, adding a touch of vitality to the somewhat oppressive lounge.

The broadcast inside the venue suddenly blared, signaling that the next match was about to begin.

Mako Someya stood up abruptly, her gaze turning sharp, the softness from a moment ago vanishing completely.

She pushed up her glasses, a cold glint flashing across the lenses as her gentle demeanor transformed into one of sharpness and fighting spirit.

The match was about to start, and Mako Someya headed toward the arena with a fierce momentum, carrying the desire to avenge Yuki Kataoka.

Watching this scene, Kageyama Sora said with a faint smile, "Good luck, Mako."

He said this not just for himself, but also for the words of Nodoka Haramura—Please cheer for the senior for me.

When Kageyama Sora sat back down on the sofa, Yuki Kataoka had already calmed down slightly.

The girl rubbed her red, teary eyes; her pink lids were still slightly swollen, and crystalline teardrops hung from her lashes like butterfly wings covered in dew after the rain.

She retied her slightly loose twin tails, the ornaments on her hair ties swaying gently.

Looking at the people seated on the live broadcast...

"All four of them are wearing glasses..." Yuki Kataoka remarked, her voice still carrying a lingering nasal tone.

Hisa Takei leaned against the armrest of the sofa, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc: "It's almost like a literature club activity competition... but someone will surely take off their glasses soon."

"You mean Mako..." Kageyama Sora looked at Hisa Takei: "Come to think of it, I don't really know her that well. During the training camp, I didn't see her show off any abilities; she was always just... in that sparring partner role."

"That's because she is already very mature." Hisa Takei stared at the television screen, her gaze deep and gentle.

Kageyama Sora thought for a moment: "When she takes off her glasses, is it like Mihoko Fukuji from Kazekoshi Girls' High School opening her eyes, possessing... different abilities?"

"You'll have to see for yourself; it wouldn't be any fun if I told you now." Hisa Takei blinked, stood up, and stretched. The atmosphere in the lounge gradually warmed up through their relaxed conversation, and the upcoming match seemed to take on a more mysterious and anticipated quality.

Chapter 86: Kiss in the Private Box

At this moment, the match featuring the four bespectacled girls, including Mako Someya, officially began.

Just as Hisa Takei had joked, it really did look like a literature club activity competition.

Meanwhile, the sobbing of Yuki Kataoka, who had been so emotional and downcast, gradually faded. She lifted her head from Kageyama Sora's arms, her reddened eyes looking like water-soaked glass.

Kageyama Sora pulled out a tissue and gently wiped away her tear tracks, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her slightly trembling lashes: "How about I take you to eat something sweet? I heard there are some dessert shops on the second and third floors of the venue..."

Hisa Takei cast a grateful look at Kageyama Sora: "A very excellent suggestion..."

However, Yuki Kataoka clutched Kageyama Sora's sleeve, her voice still nasal: "Will it delay watching Mako-senpai's match..."

"My focus right now is only on a certain hungry little player." Kageyama Sora shook his phone, the screen displaying a map of the second and third floors. "Besides, the VIP box has a television to watch the live broadcast. Isn't eating small desserts and drinking milk tea while watching the match better than sitting here doing nothing?"

Hisa Takei smiled: "Oh my, if it weren't for the fact that staff might come by at any time, I would have wanted to go along too."

And so, Yuki Kataoka was persuaded and left the Kiyosumi High School lounge with Kageyama Sora.

As they walked through the corridor lined with tournament posters, Yuki Kataoka's hand unconsciously tightened on the corner of Kageyama Sora's shirt.

As she passed the rest area for Ryumonbuchi High School, she instinctively shrank behind Kageyama Sora, but he gently pulled her in by the shoulder.

"Don't be afraid..." He leaned down to whisper in her ear, his warm breath brushing against it: "Besides, outside of the match, they aren't that bad. At their core, they're just cute girls with different standpoints."

Yuki Kataoka didn't fully understand, but she chose to believe Kageyama Sora's words.

After bringing Yuki Kataoka into the VIP box, Kageyama Sora released his hold on her and picked up the menu: "Strawberry cream or chocolate banana? I remember you saying last time that you liked extra cream."

Yuki Kataoka's earlobes turned crimson in an instant, and thinking about how Kageyama Sora remembered her preferences, a trace of sweetness welled up in her heart.

The VIP box featured a massive television broadcasting the matches in the arena in real-time, and the leather sofa was so soft it felt like it would swallow a person whole.

Kageyama Sora pushed the strawberry-sauce-drizzled crepe in front of Yuki Kataoka, while he opened a box of macarons for himself: "Try this. They say the head chef studied in France."

The television was currently showing footage of Mako Someya's match, and sure enough, Mako Someya had taken off her glasses at this moment.

It was just... things didn't seem to be going very smoothly.

Yuki Kataoka took a bite of the crepe, and some cream smeared onto the corner of her lip. Kageyama Sora's Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily; he reached out and used his thumb to gently wipe the sweet stain from her mouth, his fingertip lingering on her lip for half a second before pulling away.

This overly intimate gesture caused both of them to freeze, and the air in the box suddenly turned scorching.

"Actually... you played very beautifully today." Kageyama Sora looked away, staring at the rapidly shifting tiles on the TV screen, "Especially the way you managed to break through Inoue Jun's control at the end..." He paused, his voice dropping lower: "Although you had help from Fukuji Mihoko, if you didn't have the ability yourself, help from others would be useless."

Yuki Kataoka's heart skipped a beat, and the crepe in her hand nearly fell onto her lap.

She snuck a glance at Kageyama Sora and discovered that the tips of his ears were also flushed with a suspicious red.

The sounds from the television gradually blurred in her ears, leaving only the sound of their overlapping breaths.

Kageyama Sora suddenly leaned in, reaching out to tuck her stray hair behind her ear. When his fingertips brushed against her burning cheek, she could almost hear her heart drumming like a war drum.

"In the next match, you will definitely be able to do it..." His voice carried a bewitching, low huskiness, and his warm palm covered the hand she had resting on the sofa armrest: "Turn all your frustration into chips for a counterattack, okay?"

Yuki Kataoka felt Kageyama Sora's thumb gently stroking the back of her hand, as if he were making a silent promise.

A harsh sound suddenly erupted from the television; it turned out that Kaori O, the timid-looking girl from Tsuruga Academy who was suspected to be a newcomer, had played a Four Concealed Triplets yakuman, causing Mako Someya to lose a massive amount of points.

Mako Someya herself hadn't expected such a scene to unfold... her expression turned somewhat unsightly.