"Then, we'll be heading off for the semi-finals."
"Yes. Do your best."
"Aki, I won't forgive you if you lose!"
"I got it."
After helping out in the teahouse for an hour, it's time for the semifinals. As the finals are to be held tomorrow, this would be the last match today.
"Akihisa, we definitely must not lose this match."
There's a sense of seriousness in Yuuji's eyes that I have not seen before. This is expected, because the next opponent is—
"Kirishima-san and Kinoshita-san's sister are the opponents now. This is rather troublesome..."
Yes. The opponent this time is the number one super group in the second year—Kirishima Shouko-san, who's head of our year, and Hideyoshi's sister, Kinoshita Yuuko-san. Unlike Minami, these two don't have a weak subject, and aren't as naive as Himeji-san. The only thing that can be expected is that this would be a difficult match.
"Don't worry. Anyway, it seems like Yuuji has a plan."
"Sort of. I'm not so stupid as to fight with that monster head on. I will fight a beautiful battle."
"It's worrying if it's just Aki saying this, but if Sakamoto says so as well, then it shouldn't be a problem. Come back with a win!"
"Onii-chan, do your best!"
"Got it."
Hearing the voices from the classroom behind us, Yuuji and I head off to the arena.
"Ah, Yuuji, what battle plan do you have?"
I ask Yuuji, who's walking beside me. Actually, I don't know what kind of plan Yuuji has, and I don't know what I should do to act along.
"It's not just us this time, Hideyoshi and Muttsulini will be helping as well. You just need to act along."
"Hideyoshi and Muttsulini?"
Come to think of it, they weren't in the classroom just now. I wonder where those two went.
"The target is Hideyoshi's sister, Kinoshita Yuuko. I want to make use of her and reverse the situation."
"Hideyoshi's sister? Even if you didn't involve her, I feel that Yuuji alone should be able to handle Kirishima-san without any problems~"
"Oi, shut up!"
Yuuji unhappily cuts the conversation off. He would make fun of others, yet he won't allow others to talk about him.
However, how does Yuuji really view Kirishima-san? Maybe I might feel touched, but Yuuji isn't the direct type, so he won't tell Kirishima-san. Really, I should find a chance to push him a bit. It's really tiring to have such an inflexible bad friend.
"...Akihisa, I really don't like that expression in your eyes."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
Yuuji's glaring angrily at me. This is truly unexpected, I'm supposedly showing compassionate eyes of a someone worrying for a little kid.
"Anyway, tighten up. If we lose this, your beloved Himeji-san will be gone, and my future will be gone as well. GET READY TO BET ON YOUR LIFE!"
We're about to arrive at the deciding stage of victory. No matter whether I want to or not, I have to up my game.
"Got it! Though I'll prefer it if you can get rid of the 'beloved'. We definitely cannot lose!"
Arriving in front of the arena, both of us are full of battle intent. I have never thought of losing right from the beginning, we have to win no matter what methods we use!
