In the blink of an eye, the tennis match between Yukinoshita Yukino and Kawasaki Saki had been going on for over ten minutes.
The score had reached 4 to 2.
Although Yukinoshita Yukino was temporarily leading by two points, her performance was steadily declining due to fatigue.
Kawasaki Saki had strong physical endurance from frequently working part-time, doing housework, and taking care of her younger siblings.
She had lost points early on, but as Yukinoshita Yukino's stamina dropped, Kawasaki Saki began to catch up.
After more than ten minutes, Yukinoshita Yukino was panting heavily, and the score had tied at 5 to 5.
It was clear that Yukinoshita Yukino's stamina could no longer sustain her. If the match continued, she would almost certainly lose.
At that moment, the bell signaling the end of class rang.
The physical education class was over, and the match between Yukinoshita Yukino and Kawasaki Saki came to a temporary halt.
Kawasaki Saki wiped the sweat from her forehead, slightly out of breath, and said,
"You should be thankful that class is over."
She had to admit that Yukinoshita Yukino was extremely strong.
At first, she had been no match and barely managed to keep up. But as Yukinoshita Yukino's strength waned, Kawasaki Saki gradually regained the advantage.
Even though Kawasaki Saki had slightly more stamina, the difference was not significant.
At this point, Kawasaki Saki was also exhausted. If the match continued, it was hard to predict the winner.
Yukinoshita Yukino's face was flushed, and she was breathing heavily, but she stubbornly said,
"I don't want to be lectured by an opponent who was at a disadvantage the entire time."
After exchanging a few sharp words, the two packed up and prepared to leave.
At that moment, they acknowledged each other as worthy opponents.
As the two left, the onlookers gradually dispersed, discussing the match enthusiastically.
What had started as a minor event quickly spread across the grade, and soon the entire school knew.
After all, one was a famous high-class beauty, and the other was also striking.
A fight between two beautiful girls naturally became the talk of the students.
As for the instigator, Tanaka Masao, no one paid him any attention.
Even if someone noticed him acting as the referee, he was seen only as a tool or enforcer.
······
Tanaka Masao was in a good mood. After returning to the classroom to tidy up, he briskly walked to the Service Club.
Not only had he avoided participating in physical education class, but he had also enjoyed the match between two beautiful girls.
The best part was that the match had been orchestrated by him.
To top it off, Yukinoshita Yukino and Kawasaki Saki had fought each other earnestly.
Two beauties fighting for themselves—it was a perfect sense of accomplishment.
Arriving at the Service Club, Tanaka Masao knocked on the door.
After a moment, there was no response.
Confused, Tanaka Masao pushed the door and found it locked.
Just then, a cold voice came from behind him.
"Tanaka came very early today."
Yukinoshita Yukino's class was closer to the Service Club, and she usually arrived before Tanaka Masao.
Her late arrival today was naturally due to physical education class.
After class, she had to change clothes, and having expended so much energy, she walked slower than usual.
On the way, she had thought things through.
Although she hadn't spent much time with Kawasaki Saki, it seemed the two admired each other, and her opponent would not have initiated a challenge.
There must have been some misunderstanding.
And it was obvious how the misunderstanding occurred—it had to be Tanaka Masao playing tricks.
Yukinoshita Yukino opened the door, walked into the Service Club, and spoke softly,
"Tanaka, you planned the match between me and Kawasaki, didn't you?"
She looked back at Tanaka Masao and smiled, "What a clever trick."
There was no anger on her face, only a charming smile.
Seeing her smile, Tanaka Masao swallowed nervously, panicking inwardly.
[It's over!]
Yukinoshita placed her belongings on the table and urged Tanaka Masao, who was still standing,
"Tanaka, what are you standing there for? Come here."
Seeing her increasingly charming smile, Tanaka Masao grew flustered.
"Yukinoshita, don't laugh. I'm scared."
Tilting her head cutely, Yukinoshita asked,
"Oh? What are you afraid of? Don't worry, I'm not a devil—I won't do anything to you."
[You're no different from a devil in my eyes!]
Still, Tanaka Masao walked over with his head held high.
[As expected, if you don't commit suicide, you won't die.] Tanaka Masao deeply realized his mistake.
[Next time you do something mischievous, you must be more discreet and never get caught.]
Well, he didn't think provoking a tennis match between Yukinoshita and Kawasaki Saki was wrong.
Seeing Tanaka Masao resigned to his fate, Yukinoshita pinched her chin and asked,
"What kind of exercise should we do today? How about warming up with a half-hour horse stance?"
Hearing this, Tanaka Masao rolled his eyes.
"Yukinoshita, do you have some misunderstanding about warming up?"
While speaking, Tanaka Masao squatted into the horse stance.
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? Half an hour of horse stance is too easy. Let's make it harder. How about holding a chair in each hand to exercise your arms as well?"
"Oh no, that would really kill me."
"How can you know you'll die if you don't try it?"
Yukinoshita Yukino smiled charmingly while acting mischievously.
She grabbed two chairs and hung them on Tanaka Masao's arms—one on the left, one on the right.
A chair wasn't heavy—an elementary school student could lift it—but holding one in each hand was much harder.
Because chairs are irregular and bulky, their center of gravity is difficult to manage.
Holding them in one hand is more difficult than lifting dumbbells of the same weight.
Tanaka Masao's arms trembled as he barely lifted the chairs off the ground.
But clearly, this result didn't satisfy Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Tanaka, this won't do. Your arms must be straightened."
"Ahh~"
Tanaka Masao wailed in pain.