Sōbu High's Unpredictable P.E. Class
Sōbu High's physical education classes were completely dependent on luck.
Sometimes it rained, canceling class.
Other times, the P.E. teacher was sick, and the period would be replaced by another subject.
And today—
Su Yu stood in the schoolyard, staring at Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Our P.E. teacher is absent today," Shizuka said casually. "So I'll be taking over."
Her eyes scanned the students.
"Run two laps around the field first. Then, I'll assign your teams."
The students froze in shock.
Normally, the P.E. teacher would just have them warm up and then let them freely pair up for tennis.
But under Hiratsuka-sensei…?
Two full laps?
"…Is there a problem?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow.
"If you don't want to participate, you're welcome to stand in place until the class is over. I'll allow you to skip."
Hearing that, everyone immediately started running.
Satisfied, Shizuka nodded.
Then, she glanced at Su Yu and smiled playfully.
Su Yu instantly felt a bad premonition.
Tennis Matchups
After two laps, most students were exhausted, having barely kept up.
Shizuka split the class into pairs.
When it was Su Yu's turn—
She deliberately paired him with Hayama Hayato.
Other matchups included:
Totsuka Saika vs. Hikigaya HachimanEbina Hina vs. Yuigahama YuiMiura Yumiko vs. Kawasaki Saki
The boys played on one court, while the girls played on another.
Shizuka remained on the boys' side, watching as Su Yu and Hayama stepped onto the court.
She was clearly amused—like she was just here to enjoy the show.
"Su Yu-kun," Hayama said, gripping his racket. "Let's play seriously."
"…Alright."
Su Yu nodded, recalling what he had learned from observing others play.
The Match Begins
Hayama served first—his expression serious.
The surrounding boys—and even some girls—watched intently.
If it weren't for Shizuka standing right there, they probably would've started cheering.
SMASH!
Hayama's serve shot forward like a bullet.
Su Yu reacted instantly, sending the ball back.
While his physical ability was close to Hayama's, he still lacked experience.
Hayama, with natural ease, had already moved into position to return the ball.
From the very start, he held the advantage.
Most students thought Su Yu was doomed.
After all, Hayama was the ace of the soccer team—his athletic ability was unquestionable.
But—
Both Hachiman and Totsuka noticed something unusual.
Su Yu's expression was completely calm.
There was not even a hint of panic—nothing like what a losing player should look like.
Then—
Su Yu made his move.
Totsuka's eyes widened.
A Sudden Counterattack
Instead of just defending, Su Yu changed tactics.
The moment he returned a shot, he immediately repositioned himself—
Right where Hayama's next return would land.
Hayama reacted instinctively—hitting the ball right into Su Yu's waiting position.
SMACK!
Su Yu sent the ball flying—
Straight to the farthest possible corner of the court.
Hayama saw it—
But it was already too late.
The ball bounced several times before stopping.
Shizuka picked it up, preparing to toss it back—
Then noticed that Su Yu was already walking toward the benches.
"…Next group," Shizuka sighed.
She had wanted to watch a full match, but—it was already over.
Hayama let out a small sigh as he walked over to sit next to Su Yu.
He knew—
He hadn't lost unfairly.
Su Yu's counterattack was calculated.
Hayama took a seat beside him.
"Su Yu-kun… you're strong."
Su Yu shook his head.
"My stamina isn't as good as yours. If we played a longer match, I would've lost for sure."
He turned his attention to the next players—
Totsuka and Hachiman.
A Conversation Between Rivals
"…Ever since that day, she hasn't asked me for help again," Hayama muttered.
"There's this… uncrossable gap between us now."
Su Yu glanced at him but said nothing.
"In your eyes, Su Yu-kun… do I seem pathetic?"
Hayama turned to face him.
"No," Su Yu replied.
"My opinion of you has always been the same—
'Hayama Hayato is a good guy.'"
Then, he shifted his gaze—
Toward Miura Yumiko.
She had been watching their match earlier.
Now, she was focused on her own match with Kawasaki Saki.
"…Thank you."
Hayama's voice was genuine.
Su Yu waved it off.
"Nothing to thank me for."
Hayama hesitated for a moment, then said—
"I heard from my father that Yukinoshita Yukino has been working at an animation studio recently."
"The Yukinoshita family bought out Shining Animation—apparently to push Yukino in that direction…"
"…I know."
Su Yu wasn't surprised.
"Haruno told me.
The anime Yukino is working on—it's mine.
And she became the director… because of me."
Hayama's eyes widened in realization.
"…I see."
Everything suddenly made sense.
The Yukinoshita family hadn't bought the studio for Yukino's sake—
It was because of Su Yu.
Hayama opened his mouth—hesitated—then closed it again.
He thought of something his father had told him.
Something that made him uneasy.
"…You want to say something?" Su Yu asked.
"If you weren't bothered by it, you wouldn't be hesitating like this."
Hayama sighed.
"Su Yu-kun… My father has always wanted me to 'get close to Yukinoshita Yukino.'"
Su Yu smirked.
"…Not a bad idea."
"…I don't like Yukinoshita-san. I only feel guilt toward her."
Hayama exhaled.
"I'd rather be your friend than live a fake life."
Su Yu raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Not a fake person?
Then why does he like Yukinoshita Haruno?
Does he not realize…?
"My instincts tell me that you are going to be someone great," Hayama admitted.
"I feel like… if I became your friend, I'd be able to improve faster."
"If you ever need help—just ask."
He reached out for a handshake.
Su Yu stood up instead.
"Hayama, we won't be friends."
Hayama's expression stiffened.
"Because we're destined to be rivals."
With that, Su Yu walked away.
Hayama watched his retreating back, slowly withdrawing his hand.
He remembered—
His father had given him two tasks.
Help Yukinoshita Yukino.Become friends with Su Yu.
The first? Impossible.
Yukino would never like him. They probably wouldn't even be friends.
The second? Now impossible too.
Because Su Yu—
Had already gained the attention of Lady Yukinoshita, the admiration of Haruno, and the affections of Yukino.
He was bound to be part of the Yukinoshita family's future.
…That wasn't why Hayama wanted to be his friend, though.
He had genuinely thought Su Yu was an exceptional person.
But now…
Su Yu had already decided.
They would be rivals.