Chapter 194: Hikigaya vs. Yukinoshita
It was true that Yukinoshita Yukino was a super genius—all-powerful whether it came to academics or sports! However, she had one single weakness: her physical stamina was extremely limited.
After defeating Ryuu Sei in the previous match, her stamina had already been more than half depleted; she was merely maintaining a strong front. Hikigaya, with his sharp eyes, naturally saw through this. That was why he had intentionally initiated a conversation to stall for time, giving her a chance to recover.
"Is that not the case?" Yukinoshita Yukino seemed quite confident in her own mental analysis.
"Looking at the result, that is indeed true," Hikigaya explained seriously. "But letting you recover your stamina wasn't out of kindness or some sense of martial virtue."
"Then what was it for?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked with curiosity.
"I am not confident enough in my personal strength to be able to 'stop at the point of contact.' If you aren't in top form, it will make me hold back and feel constrained. Can you understand it when put that way?"
Yukinoshita Yukino fell silent for a moment. After her brain processed it at high speed, she finally deciphered the true meaning behind Hikigaya's words.
"So, you are afraid that because of my lack of stamina, I won't be able to withstand your full power?" Her gaze was like frost, her fists clenched tight.
"Yes." Hikigaya nodded earnestly.
With things said to this point, there was nothing left for either side to say. The moment their eyes locked, Hikigaya moved first—a leaping aerial kick aimed straight at Yukinoshita's chest!
"Whoa!" The crowd below broke into an uproar. This move was too ruthless! To aim a giant foot at a beautiful girl's chest was simply brutal!
A cold light flashed in Yukinoshita Yukino's eyes. She crouched and leaned forward, skillfully dodging Hikigaya's flying kick.
Simultaneously, she countered with a reverse straight punch aimed at Hikigaya's abdomen.
Hikigaya dropped his hand and snatched, firmly catching her fist. Immediately after, he used his other hand to seize her wrist. Almost at the same time, Yukinoshita Yukino used her free hand to precisely lock his elbow joint.
The two engaged in close-quarters combat with all four hands, locked in a stalemate. Yukinoshita raised her leg to kick; Hikigaya raised his knee to parry.
Thump, thump, thump, thump~
In just a few short seconds, the two had engaged in a fierce exchange of blows! The audience below couldn't take their eyes off the scene, instinctively holding their breath as they watched.
"Ha!" Using his strength advantage, Hikigaya's left hand forcibly broke free from her restraint. He landed a heavy straight punch to Yukinoshita's lower abdomen.
"Urgh~" Yukinoshita Yukino was knocked back several steps by the punch. She felt her stomach churning, but she gritted her teeth and endured the pain. She unleashed a high roundhouse kick to the head, forcing back Hikigaya who was attempting to follow up.
"Again!" With a cold expression, Yukinoshita Yukino quickly launched a counterattack. She rushed forward, using a left palm strike as a feint toward his face, followed by a right uppercut aimed directly at Hikigaya's chin.
Hikigaya narrowed his dead-fish eyes, precisely reading her movements and blocking both the left and right attacks. Unexpectedly, Yukinoshita Yukino had a follow-up! She ducked into a low leg sweep, tripping the caught-off-guard Hikigaya to the ground.
Yukinoshita Yukino flipped over and took the opportunity to mount his back, seizing his arm and twisting it behind him in an attempt to subdue him.
Unfortunately, her own body weight was simply too light. Hikigaya, acting as a human scale, estimated that she wasn't much different from Ibuki Mio. One must realize that Yukinoshita was a full head taller than Ibuki. To be taller yet weigh the same... one could only say that certain parts of Yukinoshita were indeed a bit barren.
Hikigaya braced one hand on the ground and, combined with a powerful thrust of his waist, he lifted Yukinoshita—who was mounted on him—straight up into the air!
"Holy cow!" This maneuver of Hikigaya's stunned the entire arena! Even those who knew nothing of martial arts could appreciate the sheer brilliance of that move!
"Aaaaah! Onii-chan is seriously too cool!!" Komachi's eyes sparkled as she shouted in excitement.
"Hachiman's core strength is really good!" Totsuka Saika looked envious, clapping his hands vigorously.
"So... so amazing!" Yuigahama Yui stared unblinkingly at the stage, her eyes filled with shimmering light.
"I have to say, this guy's body is truly strong!" Miura Yumiko, perhaps imagining something, felt her cheeks flush slightly as she whispered, "Yui, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle him alone."
"If you replaced Yukinoshita with Totsuka, I can't even imagine how beautiful that picture would be! Ehehehehe!" Ebina Hina's imagination ran wild, and she suddenly began to have a nosebleed.
On stage.
"Oh no!" Losing her balance, Yukinoshita Yukino was forced to dismount from Hikigaya.
"My turn!"
Hikigaya opened his arms and lunged forward, slamming Yukinoshita Yukino to the ground. He immediately pinned both of her arms firmly to the floor with his hands.
Yukinoshita Yukino's face changed instantly. she quickly jerked her leg upward, attempting to attack Hikigaya's "base." How could Hikigaya not be prepared for such a specialized anti-male dirty trick? He clamped his legs together, firmly stopping her foot.
And so, in a dominant top position, Hikigaya held Yukinoshita Yukino pinned beneath him. The scene looked a bit subtle... the audience below was momentarily speechless.
"Let's end it here, Yukinoshita-san." After the close-quarters grapple, her clothes were a bit disarrayed, revealing a bit of her snowy white collarbone. Hikigaya kept his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"No, I haven't lost yet!" Yukinoshita Yukino's competitive spirit was abnormally strong. With both arms and one leg pinned, she only had one leg free to move.
"Let go of me!" Yukinoshita Yukino repeatedly kicked at the side of Hikigaya's waist with her free foot. But due to the restricted position, she couldn't generate any power. This kicking force was even weaker than the "flirting games" Horikita Suzune played with him in his dreams!
Yukinoshita Yukino didn't give up, kicking him a dozen times in a row. However, these painless attacks failed to shake Hikigaya's body in the slightest; instead, she only exhausted herself until she was drenched in sweat.
At this close range, Hikigaya could smell a very pleasant maidenly scent, which made him feel refreshed and invigorated!
"It's useless. My endurance is very good. Even if your foot stomps on me all night, you won't be able to shake me."
Hikigaya's words, steady as water, completely shattered Yukinoshita Yukino's fighting spirit.
"Huff... huff... huff...
It's my loss..." Panting heavily and completely exhausted, she finally gave up struggling.
"Thank you for the match." Hikigaya immediately released his pin on Yukinoshita and got up.
"I apologize if I was too rough just now. Are you alright?" Hikigaya asked with concern, extending his palm.
"Since it's a martial arts spar, physical contact is inevitable. There is no 'offense' to speak of." Yukinoshita Yukino remained composed. She unceremoniously grabbed Hikigaya's hand and used his strength to pull herself to her feet.
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