Chapter 146: Weakness of Miura Yumiko, Completion of Totsuka Saika's Commission
"Ki... kidding, right..."
Miura Yumiko clenched the tennis racket in her hand, fear already appearing in her eyes.
With the force of that shot just now, if it hit her body or even her face....
Wouldn't it cause a fatality!?
"Yoru-san."
Hayama Hayato also showed a displeased look.
"It's just a match between classmates. Besides, aiming at the opponent's body to hit doesn't conform to sports ethics, right?"
"Sports ethics?"
Hearing this term, Yoru seemed amused, shaking his head with a chuckle.
"Sorry, I have no ethics."
Immediately after, he stared straight at Miura Yumiko and Hayama Hayato opposite him, a smile with madness and inexplicable excitement appearing on his face, speaking softly.
"Or, if you are scared, you can also forfeit the match."
"Ki... kidding!"
Although Miura Yumiko felt some panic in her heart, hearing the words "forfeit the match," she couldn't help biting her silver teeth and gripping the tennis racket tightly.
"Continue!"
"Miura-san..."
"Stop talking, Hayama."
Miura Yumiko frowned tightly, took a deep breath, and said seriously.
"This is just the opponent's psychological tactic; don't fall for it."
Hearing this, Hayama Hayato looked skeptical.
Is it really a psychological tactic?
Judging from Yoru-san's performance...
It doesn't seem like it...
"Serving."
Miura Yumiko threw the tennis ball into mid-air and served it again with an extremely standard posture.
"Yui, go catch the ball."
"Eh?"
Hearing Yoru's words, Yui froze for a moment, then nodded hurriedly. After the tennis ball bounced on the ground, she swung the racket and hit it back.
Seeing Yoru didn't hit that straight ball with terrifying force again, Miura Yumiko and Hayama Hayato both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hayama, don't get in my way!"
Miura Yumiko completely ignored cooperation or tacit understanding between teammates, hitting back the ball that should have been caught by Hayama Hayato directly.
Yui showed no weakness either, swinging the racket again and hitting the ball back.
At this time, her expression was different from the usual憨憨 (silly/simple) smile and gentleness, appearing very serious.
Yui had only one thought in her mind.
Yoru-san said he needs me now.
Then I absolutely cannot disappoint him.
Miura Yumiko and Yui went back and forth, refusing to yield to each other. It didn't look like a mixed doubles match anymore but turned into a one-on-one duel of women's tennis.
"Damn..."
Miura Yumiko gritted her teeth tightly, looking at Yui who didn't back down at all on the opposite side, the imbalance and loss in her heart increasing.
All letters passed to Yoru went through Yui's hands; hers was naturally no exception.
Although the two weren't in the same class, Miura Yumiko really couldn't understand.
Why could a girl like Yui, who was just good-looking but had no opinion of her own, even could be called silly and simple, join Yoru's club?
And as the class center, the leader of the girls' group, herself who also had many pursuers in school, the letter she entrusted the opponent to pass seemed like a stone sinking into the sea without any response?
Could it be...
In Yoru-san's eyes, I am inferior to Yui?
Thinking of this, Miura Yumiko found it even more unacceptable.
Just as the two sides went back and forth in a stalemate...
Bang!!!
A piercing sonic boom sounded in the air.
In Miura Yumiko's vision, only a blur could be seen.
Whoosh.
The blur brushed past her face. The wind caused by its passing even rolled up her long hair.
Bang!
The first sound was the sound of the racket in Yoru's hand hitting the tennis ball.
The second sound was the sound of the tennis ball embedding into the wire fence.
Miura Yumiko wanted to turn around to see the scene behind her.
But until then, her brain finally reacted.
The feeling of surviving a disaster after brushing past death made her body uncontrollable, legs trembling slightly, her whole expression freezing.
"3... 30 to 0!"
Exactly the same as before.
The tennis ball hit by Yoru didn't touch the opposite side at all, completely brushing straight past Miura Yumiko's face.
This certainly counted as the opponent's score.
But Miura Yumiko couldn't be happy at all.
"Sorry, missed."
Yoru looked down at the tennis racket in his hand with the mesh already broken, threw it aside casually, and took a new one from the side of the court.
With a kind smile on his face, he looked at Miura Yumiko.
"Don't worry, next time I definitely won't miss again."
"I... I..."
Miura Yumiko's pupils shrank in shock.
Missed?
Meaning, it was originally aimed at my face?
Miura Yumiko turned her head with difficulty to take a look.
The tennis ball just now was exactly embedded next to the first tennis ball.
The only difference was that it was embedded deeper than the first one.
And...
Breaking the mesh of the racket!?
Is this still human!?
If that tennis ball just now deviated by a few centimeters...
Everyone dared not imagine what kind of bloody scene that would be.
"I... I..."
Miura Yumiko's body was shaking, wanting to say the words "give up."
But when she saw Yoru standing opposite and Yui beside him, she couldn't say these words no matter what.
Give up?
Miura Yumiko's proud self-esteem didn't allow her to do so.
Amano Hina watching from the sidelines witnessed the round just now, showing a puzzled expression on her face.
"Since Yoru-san said every ball will aim at the opponent's body, why didn't he hit the ball back at the beginning? Instead, letting Yuigahama-san play several rounds first?"
"Very simple."
Among everyone present, only Yukino understood the intention of Yoru's approach.
"He is putting pressure on the opponent."
"Putting pressure?"
"Correct."
Yukino nodded slightly, explaining calmly.
"Amano-san, you can imagine. If he uses such a move in the first round of every match, then the opponent will be mentally prepared."
"But if letting Yuigahama-san play a normal match first, and then suddenly launching such a dangerous shot when the opponent gradually adapts to such a rhythm."
"Obviously, the second method is the most nervous and frightening."
As Yukino said.
What people fear most is actually the unknown they cannot control.
Like a death row prisoner, if you tell him the specific execution date, he might feel relaxed and comfortable before approaching this date.
But if saying, randomly pick a date for execution in the next ninety days...
Then, this death row prisoner will spend the most fearful ninety days of his life, living in fear of death every day.
In the end, he might even beg for execution as soon as possible.
Yoru's approach was the same principle.
Yukino wouldn't believe that the ball just now really missed.
This was obviously putting pressure on Miura Yumiko.
Through the performance of the tennis ball embedded in the fence and the tennis racket with broken mesh, let Miura Yumiko imagine how amazing the force on that ball just now was.
Then Miura Yumiko would unconsciously think about what serious consequences would occur if that ball hit her body or face.
Judging from her body trembling and facial expression at this time, obviously.
The pressure had been applied.
Yukino wasn't good at this method herself, but she was very familiar with it.
Because her sister Haruno often used similar means in negotiations, breaking down the opponent's psychological defense bit by bit.
"Still want to continue?"
Facing Yoru's smiling inquiry, seeing him wave the tennis racket casually, Miura Yumiko's psychological endurance finally reached the limit.
She sat paralyzed on the ground, her exquisite face lowered. The head always held high proudly finally lowered at this moment.
"I... I forfeit the match."
"Wouldn't it be right earlier?"
Yoru had a kind smile on his face, but combined with the two tennis balls embedded in the fence and the racket with broken mesh, no one present would think he was joking just now.
"Since you lost, prepare to accept punishment."
Yoru dropped the racket in his hand, walked slowly to Miura Yumiko, looking down at her.
Miura Yumiko, who was always proud and never looked up at anyone, felt incredibly small at this moment.
"Miura-san."
Hearing Yoru's voice, Miura Yumiko nodded subconsciously.
"Yes..."
"Heard from Yuigahama-san that you wrote me a letter?"
"Yes..."
Speaking of this, Miura Yumiko's cheeks blushed, forcing calmness to explain.
"Just wanted to know you, absolutely no other meaning, not that kind of con... confession letter, please... please don't misunderstand."
"I know this."
Yoru nodded noncommittally, then smiled.
"Then do you know why I threw your letter into the trash can without even looking at it?"
Hearing this sentence, Miura Yumiko couldn't help frowning slightly.
She had a proud personality valuing face very much.
At this time, being told such shameful things in front of friends with such straightforward words, the proud Miura Yumiko found it hard to accept.
Before Miura Yumiko could speak, Yoru said softly.
"You asked Yui to pass the letter not because you really wanted to know me, nor to join our club."
"Maybe you want to say these are just your thoughts."
"But actually, you have no interest in me personally or the Super-Quant Club itself."
"You made this move just because I am the most watched person in Sobu High, and the Super-Quant Club is the most watched club."
"You just felt that if you could act with us, you would get higher attention."
"Miura-san..."
Yoru looked straight into Miura Yumiko's eyes, saying word by word with a smile.
"You person, truly weak."
Hearing this sentence, not only Miura Yumiko's expression changed.
Even Yukino on the sidelines revealed a few strange colors in her eyes.
Not that she didn't agree with Yoru's evaluation of Miura Yumiko.
Exactly the opposite.
Because Yukino's view of people like Miura Yumiko was exactly the same as Yoru's.
Seemingly popular figures in school, the core of their class.
Actually...
Just weak people needing others' attention to cover up their own mediocrity.
For people like this, the more attention they demand, the more it represents how lacking their self-recognition is.
Yukino just didn't expect that Yoru, who always disagreed with her, had exactly the same view on people like Miura Yumiko as she did.
It seemed...
The relationship between her and the opponent wasn't as incompatible as fire and water, unable to cooperate, as originally imagined.
"Alright, you should leave."
Yoru waved his hand and stood up.
Hayama Hayato frowned, hesitating.
"Um... Yoru-san, isn't what you said a bit too much? Miura-san just wanted to know you, didn't..."
"Eh?"
Yoru seemed to have just discovered Hayama Hayato, looking curious.
"Who are you?"
Hayama Hayato froze, smiling reluctantly.
"Didn't I introduce myself just now... My name is Hayama Haya..."
Before Hayama Hayato finished, Yoru executed a smooth combo.
"Don't know, not interested, don't care."
Hayama Hayato's character could be completely summarized in one word.
Nice Guy.
A truly nice guy.
For this ace of the Soccer Club, Hayama Hayato with a sunny and cheerful personality, Yoru had absolutely no interest.
The opponent's personality was so good that he found it boring.
Seeing the matter resolved, Yukino began to take over the match.
She stood in front of Miura Yumiko and others, speaking calmly.
"Since you lost, please leave as soon as possible; don't disturb our practice."
A girl wearing glasses walked over, helped Miura Yumiko sitting paralyzed on the ground up, worried.
"Are you okay? Yumiko?"
Miura Yumiko pushed the opponent's hand away, gritted her teeth, and stood up by herself.
"No need to be busybody; I'm fine!"
Obviously, the evaluation of weakness given by Yoru deeply pricked Miura Yumiko's heart.
A famous philosopher once said.
Lies don't hurt people; truth is the sharp knife.
Precisely because deep inside, Miura Yumiko also knew she was actually a very weak person needing others' attention.
Therefore, Yoru's pertinent evaluation had such an excellent defense-breaking effect.
....
After Miura Yumiko and others left, Yoru waved to Totsuka Saika still sitting in the referee's seat.
"Your turn, Totsuka-san."
At this time, Yui and others finally understood.
Before starting, the sentence Yoru said, what cruel trial for the soul...
So it wasn't Chunibyo, but a real trial!?
Amano Hina knew Yoru's strength best, couldn't help showing worry at this time.
"Totsuka-san, how about..."
Before Amano Hina could finish, she saw Totsuka Saika climbing down from the high chair, holding a tennis racket, standing at the other end of the court.
He held the handle with both hands, showing a resolute look of facing death, speaking slowly.
"I understand, Yoru-san, please instruct me!"
"Very good."
Yoru nodded with satisfaction.
"Totsuka-san, I feel your resolve! Receive the ball!"
"Okay!"
....
Two hours later.
Looking at the gradually darkening sky and Totsuka Saika lying on the court regardless of image looking like surviving a disaster, admiration rarely appeared in Yukino's eyes.
She thought although Totsuka-san looked weak and delicate, even like a petite and cute beautiful girl, unexpectedly, he had such strong determination.
At first, Yoru just used unpretentious tennis moves, just suddenly increasing force in some rounds.
It could be said that this seemingly ordinary tennis practice.
Actually, for Totsuka Saika, it was a death tennis match that could happen anytime, brushing past his ear the next second.
Under such huge pressure, his hitting movements and footsteps were completely deformed.
However, the training effect was also very significant.
From being at a loss at the beginning to two hours later, Totsuka Saika had begun to adapt to such pressure.
Even occasionally, when Yoru hit that straight ball with amazing force, he could try to catch it with the racket.
Of course, the result was definitely not caught.
But having this reaction proved Totsuka Saika had gradually adapted to such intensity.
Wrapped in the danger of life and death, he could remain calm.
When it came to the competition, he naturally wouldn't be nervous.
However...
Yukino walked to Yoru, speaking calmly.
"Yoru-san, I admit, your training method indeed has a more significant improvement effect than my training plan for high school level amateur athletes."
"But the so-called Zero-Shiki Serve, Tornado Destroys Parking Lot, etc. moves, you haven't used at all."
"These are just things you made up, right?"
Facing Yukino's inquiry, Yoru just smiled, threw the tennis ball in his hand into the air, and hit it out casually with the racket.
Yukino frowned. Just as she wanted to remind Totsuka Saika lying opposite to watch out for the tennis ball bouncing off the ground, she saw an astonishing scene.
The tennis ball hit by Yoru, after touching the ground, didn't bounce at all but stuck directly to the ground, rolling slowly back towards the side of the net.
"This is!?"
Seeing this strange scene, Yukino was completely shocked.
"Yukinoshita-san, this is Zero-Shiki Serve."
....
After returning home, Yui sat by the table, scrolling the phone screen boringly, looking absent-minded.
Seeing her daughter like this, Yui's mother couldn't help asking curiously.
"What's wrong, Yui, fell in love?"
Hearing this shy question, Yui's face turned red instantly, waving her hand hurriedly to explain.
"No... no way, Mom, don't talk nonsense."
"Eh, really?"
Seeing her mother looking meaningful and hinting, Yui sighed helplessly.
Suddenly, she seemed to think of something, freezing completely.
"Wait a minute..."
Yui recalled what happened on the tennis court, her eyes flickering, murmuring to herself.
"Yoru-san... seems to be the first time... calling my first name directly?"