The Nine Schools Competition Returns (5.5K) (Continued)

"... Wow, that's amazing!"

Mari was dumbfounded by Miyuki's performance.

The others were speechless.

What Miyuki said makes sense. The idea that "I am weak, therefore I am right" cannot be used as a standard of judgment, much less as the main logic to define the rules.

Otherwise, it would be a desecration and a disheartening act towards strong competitors.

But the main reason they didn't dare to speak was because they saw an angry expression on Miyuki's face!

Although they knew about Miyuki's problem from the beginning, wasn't this brother complex a bit too much?

Mari couldn't help but look at Mayumi, and Mayumi's gaze met hers.

A bitter smile appeared on Mayumi's face, and she gently shook her head.

"Miyuki, I understand how you feel, and I know that the Nine Schools Competition organizers went a bit too far this time, but calm down. The people here are not your enemies."

"Brother..."

Finally, after Tatsuya's persuasion, Miyuki loosened her clenched hands and returned to normal.

Seeing the surprised expressions on the faces of her seniors and classmates around her, Miyuki blushed and lowered her head deeply.

"I'm sorry, I got too excited."

"No! Miyuki, you're absolutely right. We cannot tolerate the existence of such rules!"

"Yes, yes, that's really going too far for Mahiro -kun."

Honoka, the newly appointed secretary, and Kitayama Shizuku, Public Morals Committee, both spoke up in support of Miyuki.

"You're all right. As students of First High School, we certainly can't tolerate the existence of such targeted rules, and protesting is necessary. But... Yotsuba Clan, you don't need to hold a grudge over this."

As the successor to the position of Jumonji, Hattori Gyobu, looked at Mahiro with the air of a commander.

"Oh? I wonder what advice Hattori-senpai has for me?" Mahiro asked with a slight smile.

However, when he said those words, the air seemed to become a little heavier.

"I wouldn't call it guidance, just some of my personal opinions."

Hattori, without changing his expression, said:

"Let's put aside the fact that the Nine Schools Competition is related to the honor of First High School for now. If you, Yotsuba Clan, refuse to participate in the Nine Schools Competition, not only will this not be a point of protest, but it will also play into the hands of the Nine Schools Competition organizers."

Yotsuba Clan, you should participate in the Nine Schools Competition and achieve astonishing results; that would be the best way to protest!

"Yes, I agree with Hattori-kun's statement. The officials in charge of the Nine Schools Competition wish you wouldn't participate, Yotsuba Clan."

This time, it was Ichihara Suzune who spoke.

Similarly, as a senior in high school, she had already graduated, and was only sitting here because Mayumi and Mari had forcibly dragged her here.

"Regarding this matter, Hattori-senpai and Ichihara-senpai, even if I don't participate as a contestant, I can still do it."

As soon as he said this, everyone turned to look at him with curiosity.

What are you planning to do?

"Public Morals Committee Chair Chiyoda Kanon asked curiously."

"It's simple. As technicians, all we need to do is ensure that all the contestants win the championship, right?"

Mahiro shrugged and said it casually.

However, such remarks were so shocking that they stunned everyone, leaving them somewhat bewildered.

Let everyone win?

Even if these words came from Mahiro, who knew Mahiro's skill in CAD adjustments, it was still enough to be considered a fantasy.

"Well, I can't say it's everyone. I'll be responsible for the CAD adjustments and tactical guidance of half of the players in this competition, so that these players can win the championship."

"So, Mahiro- kun is going to participate as a technician again this time?!"

"Yes, that's right."

"Yay!"

Honoka let out a joyful cry.

You know, she always felt it was a pity that she couldn't get support from Mahiro in the last Nine Schools Competition, but she never expected that she would be able to make up for it this year!

The others breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

If Mahiro were to take on all the skilled work by himself, not to mention whether he could do it, the sheer amount of work was terrifying.

"However, this time, I would like to recommend a player to participate in the Nine Schools Competition."

"Who?"

"Mibu Sayaka".

"So, you recommended Xiangxiang to be a contestant in the Nine Schools Competition, at the cost of taking on the CAD tuning for the other half of the contestants and ensuring they win the championship?"

In the station café, Erika rested her chin on her hand, smiling and teasing him.

Their little group gathered here after school as always, but this time there was one more person present than last year Sakurai Minami, who had just enrolled.

"If that's the case, then it's not a problem."

Mahiro stirred his coffee listlessly, feeling utterly bored.

"But those people from the Nine Schools Competition are really going too far, actually proposing such harsh conditions..." Mizuki pushed up her glasses and said unhappily.

"This isn't just harsh; it's deliberately targeted," Shizuku gently corrected.

"No, no, no, you're all wrong. This kind of targeting is more reasonable. Otherwise, how can we highlight how amazing our Yotsuba Clan is? Right?"

Erika couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing while teasing her.

This kind of malicious targeting happened once last year, which was bad enough, but to see it happen again this year is simply unheard of and unseen!

As expected of Yotsuba Mahiro, whom she knows; such an outrageous thing would never happen with anyone else.

"Erika, you really are worthy of coming from the same dojo as Watanabe -senpai; even your reactions are exactly the same."

"Gah--"

Erika's laughter abruptly stopped at Makoto's Mahiro sarcasm.

"Idiot, don't compare me to that woman!"

Erika blushed deeply, glared at him angrily, and kicked Mahiro hard in the shin.

Before Mahiro could do anything, Erika put on the mask of pain first.

The toes inside the shoes were curled up tightly together.

"Ugh... Damn it, why is it so hard? Is it a block of iron?"

"Ha, I didn't ask you to kick me. Do I need to ask you before I can use Armament Haki?"

The two used One Piece references to comfort and interact with each other.

Sitting beside him, Sayaka, who rarely escaped from club activities, couldn't help but speak up:

"Um... Mahiro- kun, am I really okay?"

"Don't worry, Sayaka, you're just lacking confidence right now. Actually, you're already very strong. Participating in Steeplechase isn't difficult for you. Just keep a calm mind."

Besides, don't you still have me?

Mahiro placed his hand on Sayaka's small hand, which was trembling slightly with nervousness, and whispered words of comfort.

"Okay, I understand. I'll do my best!"

Under Mahiro's approving gaze, Sayaka nodded vigorously, then intertwined her fingers with his.

"Ugh, the stench of love."

"Erica-chan, I think you're more jealous."

"Mahiro, I'll go prepare dinner now."

"Um."

When Mahiro returned from school, he saw Yotsuba Miya sitting on a deck chair in the backyard, basking in the sun and reading a book.

What was originally just a flat lawn in the backyard is now filled with all sorts of flowers and plants.

This was requested Yotsuba Miya, and the person who took action was naturally Mahiro.

Seeing that he was bored being home alone late at Yotsuba Miya, he turned the backyard into a garden as requested by the Yotsuba Miya.

Welcome back.

She put down the paper book she was reading Yotsuba Miya, smiled slightly at him, but when she looked up, she realized it was still early and the sun was high in the sky. She couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Why are you back so early today?"

"Well, the holiday officially started yesterday. Today is only half a day because of the Nine Schools Competition."

With that, Mahiro lay down on another recliner.

"Nine Schools Competition?"

Yotsuba Miya paused for a moment, then pushed the half-finished glass of iced tea toward Mahiro, saying softly, "Thirsty? Have some water first."

I saw him drink the ice water in one gulp and only remembered it Yotsuba Miya.

"The magic competition jointly organized by nine universities?"

"Um."

Mahiro nodded.

No wonder it felt so strange at Yotsuba Miya; after all, neither Tatsuya nor Miyuki were in high school when she passed away.

Her previously fragile physique and magical abilities made it impossible for her to participate in this high school league.

"I need to go to the school tomorrow to make preparations, and then we'll set off early the day after tomorrow. It will take about ten days in total."

"Will it take more than ten days?"

In the Yotsuba Miya, she furrowed her brow and sighed softly.

Since she had grown accustomed to this home and to Mahiro, this was the first time they had been separated for so long, and it was a sudden and unexpected separation, which brought forth her sorrow unexpectedly.

Just like a mother's worry when her son travels a thousand miles, that's probably how she feels right now.

She was a little worried about whether Mahiro would eat well, rest well, and whether she would be able to sleep well at night without her company...

Without realizing it, she had completely placed herself in the position of a mother.

"Well, it's a high school league after all, so it's normal that it's a little short. But since it's an open competition, you can check it out if you're bored at home."

"I'm going to watch the Nine Schools Competition...? Is that really okay?"

"What's the problem? Last time I reported it, that woman Maya even went to the stands and watched a few matches."

Mahiro casually brought up something that happened last year.

But it was precisely this unintentional action that immediately alerted Yotsuba Miya, who questioned:

"... What are you planning to do now?"

"Hey, don't be so nervous. I don't want to do anything, I just want you and Miyuki to meet. Don't you want to see your daughter Miyuki and also witness her triumphant victory on the field?"

Mahiro his head to look at Yotsuba Miya and said this, but seeing Yotsuba Miya's current appearance, a strange warmth welled up in his heart.

Yotsuba Clan Yotsuba Miya: "..."

To say I don't want to would be a complete lie.

She really wanted to see how Miyuki had changed over the years.

But...

"If it's a problem with the Yotsuba Family, then you don't need to worry. If I were afraid of Maya, I wouldn't have dug you up from the Yotsuba Family's ancestral grave and resurrected you in the first place."

"... Okay, I'll go to the Nine Schools Competition."

I sighed softly in the Yotsuba Miya and decided to agree.