On the tennis court, Miura Yumiko was a vision of fierce, competitive beauty. Her movements were sharp, her focus intense.
Her partner, the ever-popular Hayama Hayato, should have been the perfect complement. Yet, Hayato felt no joy in the match. He had no desire to defeat Yukino Yukinoshita, but he couldn't openly sabotage Yumiko's efforts either. He was trapped in a role he never asked for, feeling increasingly like a pawn in someone else's game.
His gaze drifted to the opposing side, where Hozuki Nozomi stood with a look of casual amusement. The realization dawned on Hayato with a sour taste.
This was all his plan.
He had initially thought Yumiko, perhaps seeing Nozomi as a mere playboy and seeking to mend fences with him, had orchestrated this tennis meet-up. But the pieces fit together too neatly. He was being used as a prop to boost the tennis club's visibility.
Yumiko's figure was indeed striking, a blend of athletic grace and undeniable charm. But her opponent, Yukino Yukinoshita, was no less captivating.
For practicality, Yukino had also tied her long, night-dark hair into a high ponytail, which swayed with each movement, framing her exquisite, porcelain-featured face with a dynamic elegance. From any angle, the court hosted a dazzling duel between two of Soubu High's most renowned beauties.
The match commenced. Miura Yumiko's first two powerful serves were met and returned with precise, cool efficiency by Yukino, who secured two quick points. Yumiko's eyes widened in surprise; her feints had been read perfectly. So that's her level… No wonder that guy is so taken with her. A spark of genuine competitive fire ignited within her. She wouldn't lose easily!
Under the watchful eyes of the growing student crowd, a thrilling rally of volleys ensued between the two girls. Hayama Hayato and Hozuki Nozomi, for their part, largely played supportive roles, allowing the spotlight to remain firmly on the central duel.
In the first half, Yukino's technical skill and strategic mind gave her a clear edge over Yumiko's raw power, much to the latter's visible frustration. However, as the game progressed, the tide began to turn. Yukino's notorious stamina deficit reared its head; her movements grew a fraction slower, her reactions less sharp.
Breathing slightly harder, she had no choice but to turn to her partner. "My confidence in my endurance has reached its limit. The remainder falls to you." Her ice-blue eyes held a silent, potent warning. "Do not lose. The consequences for failure will be… tangible."
"Uh…" Faced with the terrifying, unspoken threat from Miss Yukinoshita, Hozuki Nozomi had no option but to shift gears from observer to active attacker. He quickly rallied, his skillful play bringing their score back to even.
Miura Yumiko immediately pouted, shooting him a look of mock betrayal. Nozomi found himself in a delicate position. Yukino's desire to win was formidable, but Yumiko's pride was equally fierce. Victory for either would inevitably displease the other. It was a diplomatic minefield.
Yet, listening to the enthusiastic cheers from the encircling students, he knew the primary objective had been achieved: the tennis club's appeal had skyrocketed. With that goal met, he deftly maintained a tense tie, keeping the scoreboard locked.
Seeing Miura Yumiko gearing up for another aggressive push, he quickly feigned wiping his brow. "I think it's time for a player change! Let the next group decide the final outcome!"
Catching the deliberate wink he sent her way, Yumiko's irritation vanished. She raised her delicate chin with a haughty hmph. "Fine. If you're tired, we'll switch. Yukinoshita, we'll save our decisive match for another time. And it doesn't have to be tennis!"
Nozomi very much wanted to suggest a private, bedroom-based tiebreaker, but wisely kept the thought to himself.
"Anytime," Yukino retorted coolly, her aloof demeanor only enhancing her allure in the eyes of the many male spectators. The yearning for an unattainable ice queen was a universal constant. Her unique, frost-kissed beauty made ordinary girls seem pale in comparison.
The second group took the court: Misaki Mei and Yui Yuigahama for one side, Shiina Mahiru and Ebina Hina for Yumiko's team. What followed was a decidedly more amateur, but no less spirited, battle. The final score became irrelevant. Yumiko had enjoyed herself thoroughly and had gained a new measure of respect for Yukino's capabilities—though she still privately believed herself superior.
Hmph. With Yukinoshita's stamina, how long could she possibly keep up with someone like Hozuki Nozomi? Furthermore, Yumiko couldn't help but glance down with a touch of smug satisfaction. Her most prominent advantage was one that Yukino's recently… nurtured… but still modest curves could not hope to match.
Unnoticed by the duelists, the match concluded. The result was swiftly forgotten. Among the lingering spectators were several former tennis club members, now buzzing with renewed interest. They clustered around Saika Totsuka, expressing a sudden desire to participate in club activities.
Their motivation was transparent: it wasn't about tennis, but about proximity to the constellation of beauties that had just graced the court. After all, the sight of Hozuki Nozomi and Hayama Hayato in action had elicited waves of swoons from the female onlookers. If only we were that handsome, they thought wistfully, wouldn't girls flock to us too?
Saika Totsuka chatted animatedly with the potential recruits, a belated understanding dawning on his face as he glanced toward Hozuki Nozomi. The mastermind, however, was otherwise occupied, having guided a weary Yukino to a bench to rest.
Miura Yumiko sauntered over and plopped down beside him. "So, Hozuki Nozomi, how was I?"
"Absolutely spectacular! Yumiko's form was breathtaking!"
"And compared to Yukinoshita?" she pressed, a playful challenge in her eyes.
"Ah… this…" Nozomi stammered, caught in the crossfire.
Yukino, from his other side, fixed him with a glacial stare. "Yes, I would also like an objective evaluation. How was my performance?"
"You were also utterly brilliant! A vision of grace and power!"
"Hmph. How utterly perfunctory." Yukino turned her head away, displeasure radiating from her.
In the end, it was Miura Yumiko who looped her arm through Yukino's—an unexpected gesture—and pulled her away to chatter with Yui Yuigahama and the others, leaving Nozomi momentarily abandoned. He sighed inwardly. It seems I'll be doing some serious damage control with both of them later.
Hayama Hayato approached, his expression complex. "This was all your scheme, wasn't it? Using Yumiko to get me here as a promotional tool for your little club revival?"
"What, is that not allowed?" Nozomi replied, unruffled.
"It's not about permission," Hayama said, shaking his head. "You could have just asked for my help directly next time. Besides, this will only fuel rumors about Yumiko and me. Doesn't that bother you?"
"Aren't you tired of all those recent confessions? This misunderstanding might actually grant you some peace and quiet, you know."
"You're… remarkably generous."
Just as Hayama was about to elaborate, Hozuki Nozomi cut him off with an eye-roll. "Do you really think I'd say that? You must be dreaming. Of course it bothers me! So, starting tomorrow, I'll make sure to be noticeably closer to Yumiko. That should neatly dismantle any rumors about you two."
Hayama Hayato was rendered speechless.
"But if you do that, you'll only cement your reputation as a scoundrel. Your image among the male student body will plummet even further."
"I don't need the approval of other guys, so why would I care about that image?" Nozomi stated with dismissive pride. "Besides, if there are girls who know full well I'm a scoundrel and still choose to be by my side, doesn't that just prove my charm is undeniable?"
With that final, unassailable boast, he left a bemused Hayama behind and went to find Sanshokuin Sumireko for a cold drink.
Hayama Hayato could only watch him go, a profound sense of envy twisting in his chest. Logically, Hozuki Nozomi's words held a perverse truth. But the core question remained, baffling and frustrating in equal measure: Are girls really that easy to chase? They all know he's a playboy, yet they still… choose him? The world, Hayama concluded, was fundamentally unfair.