A Match (2)

No way.

Someone else had spotted that tennis ball, just like Oreki.

Oreki had noticed it simply because he was bored.

After all, the school officials sounded like robots, just repeating the same few lines.

They couldn't go a moment without their scripts.

As soon as they put them down, they started saying all sorts of nonsense.

Things like "a turning point in life" and whatnot...

That might fool ___, but don't fool yourself.

Oreki shook his head.

He was getting sidetracked. He'd meant to size up Kiyoko.

Good observation skills... and athletic, too.

He reached a preliminary conclusion.

He'd wait until after the match to have a proper chat with Kiyoko.

But just as Oreki was about to raise his hand and concede, he stopped.

Kiyoko had already smashed the lob back over.

That kind of speed was nothing to scoff at.

If it hit him, it might not leave a mark, but it would hurt for half the day.

Was this payback for earlier?

Oreki immediately counterattacked.

Since she wanted to settle the score with him, he'd give her what she wanted.

He might be an energy-saver.

But Oreki had never said he was bad at sports.

He was simply lazy.

The match grew more and more intense.

Every time the tennis ball crossed the center line, it made a fierce whooshing sound.

"Wow..."

Karuizawa Kei watched from afar, dumbfounded.

She hadn't expected a tennis match to be so thrilling.

She didn't know what was thrilling about it...

But it was thrilling all the same.

"So this is what you meant?"

Kamuro Masumi asked Sakayanagi.

Her impression of Oreki was rather vague.

That was only natural, since they'd just met.

He was quite handsome, but his languid manner had cost him a fair number of points.

Of course, Oreki himself didn't care.

As long as he had money, that was enough.

Looks were just a bonus.

Money was what mattered.

Who would want you if you had no money?

Besides, even if something like a light novel romance between the hero and heroine really happened...

They'd still need quite a bit of money to live together.

Otherwise, their relationship would be put to the test.

The truth was... a lot of people couldn't withstand that test.

Was it a case of the soil shaping the people it nurtured?

Or did light novels feature what was missing from real life?

Sakayanagi nodded.

She enjoyed dealing with true geniuses.

That was right, true geniuses.

In her eyes, those "geniuses" who had been manufactured later were nothing but laughable clowns.

"The match is decided..."

Sakayanagi looked toward Oreki.

He'd sent his final shot into the tennis net.

It was stuck.

So...

Did that count as a tie?

Or was it a draw?

Just as the club president hesitated, a strong north wind blew through.

It happened to be blowing from Oreki's direction toward Kiyoko.

The tennis ball that had been stuck shifted.

Then it finally fell to the ground.

Oreki had won.

There had been a bit of luck involved.

But luck was part of one's strength, too.

"What a wonderful match."

The club president began applauding.

Soon, some of the club members behind her joined in.

"With the two of you joining us... it looks like next year's tournament championship is ours."

She sounded delighted.

The Tennis Club had only placed third last time.

It was a shame.

The club president's wish was to lead the members to a tournament championship at least once during her time there.

But they'd failed the last few times.

This was their last chance.

She'd almost given up, but who could have guessed they'd suddenly run into two geniuses?

With a little training, they'd surely shine at the tournament.

The championship was practically in the bag.

"Sorry, I'd like to apply to leave the club."

Oreki shattered the club president's fantasy.

As he spoke, he handed over his withdrawal application.

"Huh?"

The club president could hardly believe her ears.

A withdrawal application?

Was he kidding?

During the first three days after joining, anyone who felt the club wasn't a good fit could submit a withdrawal application to the club president.

But judging from what he'd just done...

How could Oreki possibly look like he didn't fit in?

That had been a fantastic performance.

"Wait!"

The club president hurriedly stopped Oreki.

She understood what young boys were thinking.

They were just too self-conscious.

"Join us, and whoever catches your eye, I'll help you out. Besides, the girls in the Tennis Club are all lovely... If that doesn't work..."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested right now..."

"Don't be so absolute. Look... Hey! Wait, junior!"

Oreki turned and walked away.

He didn't want to actually join the Tennis Club.

Wasting an hour every day playing tennis...

That was far too extravagant.

"Let's go."

Sakayanagi walked over to the motorcycle, leaning on her cane.

Kamuro Masumi nodded.

She'd had enough of watching.

It was just a tennis ball flying back and forth. Kamuro Masumi couldn't understand what was so interesting about it.

She folded up her parasol, then rode off with Sakayanagi.

The chairman sure has a lot of nerve...

Oreki grumbled inwardly.

He let his daughter do whatever she wanted.

"It's already three."

Karuizawa Kei came over to Oreki.

"Let's wait a little longer."

Oreki didn't plan to leave just yet.

There was still one thing he hadn't done.

He wanted to chat with Kiyoko.

Just in case, I'll go probe a little more.

Oreki thought cautiously.

To be continued...