SCPK 22

Chapter 22 

 The Ace of the Girls’ Tennis Club

It was still club activity time.

I’d been told by the other track team members to go call Tsukiyo since they all wanted to talk to her, so I went to look for her.
If they wanted her that badly, they should’ve gone themselves. But well, the track club is a den of virgins. Me included…

Tsukiyo had gone to wash the cups and towels, if I remembered right. I looked around the schoolyard and… there she was.
She was talking with someone near the tennis courts.
As I got closer, I saw who it was. Both of them noticed me.

“Taiyō-san.”
“Yamada.”
“So this is where you were. You’re at club too, Hōjō-san.”
“Of course. For girls’ tennis, summer means nothing but practice. It can’t be helped—it’s the athletics department.”

That was Kasumi Hōjō—a girl with short, honey-colored hair.
Her figure was slim like a model’s, her face sharp and androgynously beautiful.
With her refined looks, tall 170 cm frame, and confident tone of voice, she was very popular among girls.
She’s in the athletics department, but we’re in the same class—and Seiya and I have been in the same class as her for two years now.
Tsukiyo also seems to admire her.

We talked across the tall fence separating the courts.

“Hōjō-senpai!”

A chorus of younger girls called out to her in bright voices, and Hōjō-senpai waved back.
Even as a guy, I had to admit—she was cool.
Watching her, I couldn’t help but think again that girls’ tennis uniforms are really cute.
I’d love to see Tsukiyo wear one someday.

“Still, I can’t believe Tsukiyo joined the track team… I’ve been trying to recruit her forever,” Hōjō said, sounding disappointed.
Given Tsukiyo’s athletic ability, she’d probably do well in almost any sport,
but since the girls’ tennis team is a powerhouse and their training is brutal, she was probably half-joking.
No one from the advanced studies program joins the tennis club, anyway.

“If it’s as your personal manager, Hōjō-senpai, I’d gladly accept,” Tsukiyo replied.
“When you get tired of Yamada, come over anytime. We’ll welcome you.”

Ouch. That was a sharp jab. Hōjō continued talking.

“By the way, I heard Yamada’s started calling you by your first name, Tsukiyo. Mizusato spread the news instantly.”

That loudspeaker of a girl… She’s fast, I’ll give her that.
One of these days I’m going to make her regret it.
Guess I’ll be teased by everyone for a while.
Not that I mind too much—but it’s embarrassing.

“You’re cheering him on, right, Tsukiyo?”
“Yes! I even wiped his sweat with a towel just a little while ago, so my support’s perfect.”
“Y-you’re pretty bold, aren’t you?”

Hōjō turned her gaze away, blushing slightly.
For someone devoted to sports like her, she wasn’t used to romance talk.
I’ve heard she’s popular with both boys and girls and gets confessed to often, but she’s never dated anyone.
She’s the ace of the girls’ tennis club, after all. They even took second place in nationals recently.

“Cheering is important. Remember how, at nationals, you made that huge comeback when Seiya was cheering for you?”
“Wha—!?”
“Wait, really?” Tsukiyo asked.

Hōjō’s face turned bright red.
I was just tagging along back then, but Seiya and I went to watch her match at the nearby venue.
In the semifinal singles match, she had lost a game and was down 0–40—on the verge of defeat—
but after hearing Seiya’s cheer, she made an unbelievable comeback!
They finished as runners-up, but I really hope she wins it all next year.

“After that match, Hōjō was amazing. She even begged Seiya, face completely red, to come watch her next game…”
“Yama–daaa!!”

Yikes!? Her eyes are literally saying ‘I’ll kill you!’

“Tsukiyo! Let’s go! She’s going to murder me!”
“R-right!”

We managed to escape from the furious Hōjō, who looked like she might climb the fence after us.
Kasumi Hōjō—
she’s yet another girl who has feelings for Seiya.