On the Tennis Court
"A-choo!"
In the middle of playing tennis, Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly let out an adorably soft sneeze.
Just at that moment, she failed to return the ball coming from the other side of the net, and it dropped beside her.
Yui ran over to pick it up and asked, "Yukino, did you catch a cold?"
"No."
Yukino shook her head.
Still, she had the odd feeling someone was talking about her behind her back.
"If you're not feeling well, Yukinoshita-senpai, maybe you should take a break," said the girl on the opposite side of the court as she jogged over.
That girl, lively and short-haired with chestnut-colored hair, was Isshiki Iroha—a second-year underclassman who had asked the Service Club for help this time, saying she wanted to improve her tennis skills.
Following the idea of "teaching someone to fish rather than giving them a fish," Yukinoshita Yukino planned to train her by rallying directly.
Yukino knew she wasn't actually sick, but they had been playing for quite a while. Her breathing was a bit uneven, her skin lightly covered in sweat, and her arms felt sore. So she nodded and said, "Mm… Let's rest for a bit."
All three of them walked to the edge of the court to wipe away sweat and drink some water.
"Eh?"
Yui looked left and right, suddenly realizing she couldn't find her phone, her face falling.
"Yukino, I think I left my phone either in our classroom or maybe the Service Club."
Yukino said, "Go look for it; our practice can wait."
"Mm-hmm, I'm not in any hurry. Take your time," Isshiki Iroha chimed in with a nod.
"Alright, you two wait here; I'll be right back!"
Yui set down her water bottle and jogged away from the tennis court.
After Yui left for a while, a bored Isshiki wandered over to Yukino, who was flipping through a book again. Sitting down beside her, she leaned over and asked curiously, "Yukinoshita-senpai, do you really like reading?"
"…"
Yukino wasn't used to people approaching her so spontaneously. The last person who chatted so casually with her was Yui.
"It's alright," she answered politely but only in two short words.
This clearly conveyed "I don't feel like talking."
But Isshiki acted as though she didn't notice and brought up a fresh topic.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, how come you started the Service Club? And why pick such a weird name?"
"…"
Yukino really didn't feel like talking. However, because it involved the Service Club—and there was a chance of misunderstanding—she had to explain.
With a "pop," she snapped her book shut.
Adopting a serious tone, she said, "Please don't make assumptions about the meaning of the Service Club…"
Isshiki looked surprised as Yukino carefully explained the Service Club's principles and her own ideals.
When she finished, Isshiki stood there speechless.
"…"
After a brief pause, Isshiki got up and bowed deeply.
"I'm sorry, Yukinoshita-senpai. I jumped to conclusions about the Service Club."
In her mind, though, she labeled Yukinoshita Yukino as both extremely capable and somewhat odd.
"Mm," Yukino replied.
She hadn't expected Isshiki to apologize, and now that it was out in the open, there wasn't much else to say. She planned to move on and return to her reading.
But right after apologizing, Isshiki put on another expression and started talking to herself.
"Hehe, Yukinoshita-senpai, do you know why I want to learn tennis?"
Her mischievous grin was completely different from the serious face she had just before.
"…"
Yukino felt a bit uncomfortable. People who wore different masks and showed different faces reminded her of her older sister. She wasn't good at dealing with her sister, and by instinct she disliked people who used multiple facades. Although Isshiki wasn't as over-the-top as her sister, Yukino still felt uneasy.
Yukino didn't respond, but Isshiki didn't seem the least bit embarrassed. Instead, she scratched her head shyly and said, "Actually, it's because there's someone I like."
"…"
This kind of personal topic didn't interest Yukino at all.
Yet, upon hearing Isshiki's next sentence, Yukino lost her composure.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, do you know Rei Ao-senpai?"
"???"
Rei Ao.
It was a name Yukino both wanted and didn't want to hear.
"You…like him?"
"Mhm!" Isshiki nodded vigorously, delighted that Yukino was finally talking to her. "I'm secretly in love with Rei Ao-senpai. I'm working on my tennis just for him."
"…"
Yukino was left speechless—that perfectly summed up her feelings. She never imagined that this request she'd put so much effort into would end up having something to do with Rei Ao.
And so, as though someone had flipped a switch, Isshiki started talking nonstop about how she fell for Rei Ao and the reason behind her tennis training. Initially uninterested, Yukino found herself listening earnestly because of Rei Ao.
Two women who didn't have much in common suddenly found themselves connected through Rei Ao. Fate can be strange sometimes.
"Not here?"
Searching the desk in her classroom, Yui couldn't find her phone. Thinking carefully, she said, "Maybe I left it in the Service Club room?"
She then left the classroom and trotted off toward the Service Club.
…
Service Club
There was quite a commotion on Yukino's desk. Suddenly, Rei Ao paused and clamped his hand over Yumiko's mouth.
"Mmph?"
Unable to speak, Yumiko furrowed her brow, confused.
"Shh!"
Rei Ao made a quieting gesture, then scooped her up and headed to the door, pointing at it.
"Listen—that's Yui outside."
"Yui?!"
Yumiko's body went rigid. She widened her eyes, listening carefully to the sounds outside.
"Huh? Why won't the Service Club door open?"
Yui, who had arrived at the Service Club, tried the door but found it locked. Looking puzzled, she said, "Is it stuck? Or locked from inside?"
She gave a light knock, calling out softly, "Is anyone in there?"
"…"
Silence.
Behind the door, Yumiko's nerves were on edge. "It really is Yui! Didn't she say she wasn't coming to the Service Club? Put me down—quick!"
She wanted Rei Ao to let her down, but he wouldn't. Instead, he offered her even deeper affection.
"!!!"
A jolt of pleasure shot through Yumiko, nearly pushing her over the edge. Fortunately, she clamped a hand over her mouth.
Her watery eyes seemed to ask, "What are you doing?"
Rei Ao's eyes narrowed in a smile. "Yumiko, what's there to be afraid of? Yui already knows about us, doesn't she?"
"Huh?"
Yumiko froze. Right… In the chat group, aside from never showing it on video, none of this was really a secret.
So…
"Why am I scared of being found out?"
In that instant, a bold idea came to her. After a brief pause, she spoke up—loudly enough to be heard:
"Rei Ao-kun, why'd you stop? Keep going!"
~~~
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