Second Stop: Archery Club
"Aoi-chan was in the top eight at last year's National High School Archery Championship, just one step away from Shiomiya-senpai! There's no way she'd lose to an outsider!"
Ten minutes later.
"T-Ten arrows, ten bullseyes! Victory for the Service Club!"
Yuu set down his longbow, glancing at the female student who had repeatedly declared, "Aoi-chan will never lose," and "You're definitely going down today."
Like the others, she stood agape, staring at him as if he were a monster.
The crowd behind him was practically a fan club now, tasked with clapping and cheering.
[Obtained loot: One new set of archery gear.]
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Third Stop: Baseball Club
"If you dare, catch this—my super—wavy—demon ball!"
The Baseball Club president shouted enthusiastically, swinging his arm. An ordinary fastball with extreme speed shot straight toward Yuu.
Yuu wondered whether to hit it to the outfield or go for a home run.
…Whatever, it's not like he was the one retrieving the ball.
*CRACK!*
The crisp sound of the hit echoed through the high, gray sky.
The atmosphere fell silent.
"H-Home run! Victory for the Service Club!"
[Obtained loot: One baseball signed by the Baseball Club president.]
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Fourth Stop: Tennis Club
"Go, Saika-chan!"
"Don't push yourself too hard, just do your best~"
"Totsuka-tan, Mama loves you!"
"Hahaha… Thanks for the support…"
Amid the cheers of girls and "male mamas," Totsuka, slightly embarrassed with flushed cheeks, gave a wry smile twice before looking at Yuu on the opposite side of the court.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a serious tone:
"Yuu, I watched your matches earlier. Hitting a home run so easily and throwing a ball that gave no chance to react—you're incredible!"
Swinging his racket, Yuu teased, "Even if you praise me, I won't go easy on you."
"Of course!" Totsuka's fair face flushed with a determined smile, his soft, moist gaze hardening into a calm lake. The delicate, beautiful youth declared war on him at that moment.
"As the Tennis Club president, I hope you'll fight with all your strength and take this match seriously!"
A regular tennis match was five sets, but due to time constraints, they settled on a best-of-three format, with Yuu serving first.
"Here we go, Totsuka. Be careful… This is called the Outer Spin Serve!"
A short, sharp gust of wind sounded.
The orange-yellow light turned into a crescent moon spinning sideways, bouncing off the ground and passing Totsuka, who tried to catch it.
"15-0!"
Pulling a second tennis ball from his pocket, Yuu smiled oddly, muttering softly:
"Serious tennis can kill someone…"
In the end, he won two straight sets without conceding a single point to Totsuka—commonly known as a "bagel."
Many onlookers accused him of being too ruthless and unsportsmanlike. Some "male mamas" glared at him sharply, as if wanting to avenge the pitiful silver-haired youth.
But after a brief rest, Totsuka approached Yuu, wiping the sweat dripping from his fair skin, looking up at him with sparkling eyes.
"Yuu, I didn't expect your tennis skills to be this strong! If you joined the Tennis Club, we could definitely win the prefectural championship this time!"
"Too bad I'm already in a weird club. I don't have much energy to spare." Yuu shrugged, smiling casually. "When I have time, I'll come play with you. I'll teach you how to create the 'Totsuka Zone.'"
"Totsuka Zone?" Totsuka tilted his head cutely, his pink lips biting in confusion.
He quickly forgot about it, smiling as he extended his hand to Yuu, his voice clear and cheerful. "Then it's a promise! I'll wait for you on the court!"
Instead of shaking his hand, Yuu offered a fist bump, raising his brows.
"As men, after a friendly match, this is what we do, right?"
Totsuka froze for a moment, then his face flushed, and he smiled even brighter.
"You're right!"
Two fists—one slender, one sturdy—collided firmly on the tennis court, sweat reflecting their smiles, radiating a warm, sun-like glow.
Asuna, watching, couldn't help but take a deep breath, unsure whether to feel jealous or bless this pure, beautiful friendship.
Her boyfriend, who seemed to attract both men and women, left her feelings a bit mixed.
[Obtained loot: One tennis ball signed by Totsuka Saika.]
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After a round of matches, it was noon. Yuu planned to head to the cafeteria to eat, but the crowd following him was sizable, reminding him of when Natsukawa Masuzu first transferred to the school.
To eat lunch in peace, he turned and announced, "The afternoon challenges will continue. You can go eat lunch first. At 1:30, I'll head to the Kendo Club. See you then! If you don't want to meet again, check out other clubs—our school has a wide variety of activities!"
Before the crowd dispersed, Yuu spoke to those beside him and headed to the Service Club first.
In the end, Yuigahama helped buy bento, and everyone ate while chatting in the clubroom, creating a rare, warm atmosphere like a normal club.
Though it was just three students, one teacher, and one student's family member.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After lunch, Yuu continued his challenge journey.
Fifth Stop: Kendo Club
"Hiramura-senpai is the heir to a family dojo and the Kendo Club president. There's no way he'll lose, right?"
"I heard he once taught local delinquents a lesson with a bamboo sword, making them too scared to bother Sobu High students again…"
"Let's start a bet! I'm betting he loses this time, three-to-one odds. Who's in?"
"Excuse me, this is the Disciplinary Committee. Please come with us."
"…I was just kidding."
Amid the commotion, after discussing with the Kendo Club president, Yuu stood in the middle of the kendo dojo without protective gear, holding a bamboo sword.
"Not afraid of the coach scolding you?"
Though it was his own idea, the opponent happily agreed to his request for "no protective gear, one strike decides the winner." Yuu couldn't help but ask, puzzled.
"I'm used to getting scolded. Don't worry." Hiramura smiled kindly, not assuming a standard kendo stance but letting his bamboo sword hang casually by his side. "Honestly, I'm more used to rule-free duels like this. Fighting freely suits my style."
It'd be better without spectators, he whispered softly, like a sigh.
Yuu looked at him oddly, his gaze lingering on the cross-shaped scar on his face. "…You don't look it, but I didn't expect you to love fighting, Hiramura-kun."
"Practice kendo to the end, and it becomes like this." Hiramura smiled, raising his bamboo sword in an odd stance that made hearts race. "I can sense your skill isn't below mine… So, I won't hold back."
"Going all out against a master suits me too." Yuu slowly drew his bamboo sword behind his body, leaning slightly forward.
The onlookers knew they had no intention of fighting under strict kendo rules.
Hiramura's sword stance was somewhat understandable, likely a family-inherited technique. But Yuu's? They couldn't comprehend it at all—like a showy move made to flaunt, lacking the heavy aura it should have.
As "insiders," the Kendo Club members secretly felt relieved.
Many had seen the morning challenges and realized a terrifying fact: whether archery, baseball, or tennis, Yuu dominated them all.
Not to mention the sun-like egg fried rice, which still made their mouths water, wanting to eat three more plates…
Though reluctant to admit it, in more and more hearts, the student facing the Kendo Club president seemed better at everything than others, truly capable of defeating any club—a consensus was forming.
Now, seeing his amateurish stance, it was like telling themselves, "That monster doesn't exist; you're overthinking." They felt a mix of disappointment and relief.
Relief, because no matter how strong he was, he was still a human who could be beaten.
"The president will definitely win…"
"Don't joke. If betting weren't banned, the president could win the National Kendo Championship… How could a Service Club member beat him!"
Amid such murmurs, the two on the dojo floor stepped forward simultaneously without a referee's signal.
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū, engage!"
"Aincrad-ryū Kai, engage!"
Instantly.
Two bamboo swords, nearly invisible, only appeared in everyone's eyes as they clashed fiercely.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"I lost."
Tossing aside his broken bamboo sword, Hiramura laughed heartily, looking thrilled. "It's been a while since I faced an opponent this strong! Tenkuji-kun, why haven't I heard your name before?"
"Because before today, I drew my sword for someone else." Yuu replied dazedly, lifting the bamboo sword he'd just received, already covered in scratches.
With a flick, the bamboo sword snapped.
The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked at his opponent with a complex, hard-to-describe expression.
(Damn it, is this Perfect Swordsmanship Skill…? If not for my physical condition and status, I might've actually lost.)
"Hm? What's wrong?" Hiramura tilted his head slightly, looking at him kindly and confused.
Yuu set down the half-broken bamboo sword, sighing in resignation. "Honestly, it's a draw. My swordsmanship is slightly below yours. If this bamboo sword hadn't broken, I don't know who'd win if we kept fighting."
He hadn't expected that, aside from his system-enhanced cheating, there'd be a monster like this among ordinary high school students…
Yuu had heard of his opponent's reputation but thought it was just at an expert level like Yukihira Soma. He never imagined tiny Sobu High hid such a master, someone his age whose swordsmanship could surpass his "Expert" level.
You really can't underestimate people in this world…
Hiramura smiled and shook his head, stepping closer. "Kendo doesn't just test technique but also mentality, will, reaction speed… even luck. The number of wins doesn't matter. If the most crucial 'result' is a loss, the outcome is clear."
Extending his hand, he lowered his voice and smiled. "…Let's fight again later, when no one's watching."
Yuu shook his hand, feeling his warm, rough palm with a firm grip, as if filled with strong determination.
"…You don't mean a 'real sword fight,' do you?"
"I prefer wooden swords. If you want real blades, come to my family's dojo. We'll fight to the limit."
"…You're crazy."
"Not really, just love 'sports.'"
Yuu let go of his hand, escaping the Kendo Club under Hiramura's friendly, enthusiastic gaze as if fleeing.
Some spectator shouted, "The winner is the Service Club!"
[Obtained loot: One bamboo sword (with carrying bag).]
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yuu glanced back.
The "fan club" following him everywhere, though slightly smaller now, suddenly stopped, took a collective step back, their bodies stiff, still not daring to meet his eyes.
His cheek twitched. "…What's this about?"
"It's because your match with the Kendo Club president scared everyone."
Recalling the beastly (meow) fight radiating a killing aura, even Yuigahama couldn't help patting her chest, still shaken.
"Thump-thump-thump, I couldn't even see their movements… It felt like joining that fight would get you killed by a bamboo sword in less than a second. No wonder they're scared."
Carrying a pile of loot forced upon her, Yukino said mockingly:
"Congrats, you've gone from school idol to school tyrant. Now you can flaunt your violence everywhere."
Yuu glanced at her, about to retort as usual, when Haruno cut in. "Wow~ Tenkuji-chan really can do anything! How did you train? Onee-san wants to know how to get that strong~"
"I can't do everything. I just happen to do what I'm good at."
Hiratsuka, with a serious face: "Then can you do Pegasus Ryūsei Ken? Or Hokuto Hyakuretsu Ken?"
"Sensei, you're an adult. It's time to face reality…" Yuu ducked to avoid a swing. "I can't do any of that."
"Tch, an unbeatable student is so annoying!" Hiratsuka gritted her teeth in frustration.
Haruno kept staring at his profile, hands behind her back, asking with a sweet smile, "Next time, want to try fighting me? I'm good at lots of things too—shooting, darts, billiards. I've never lost to anyone."
"Sister…" Yukino sighed, clearly not wanting to see her sister shamelessly cling to someone. Knowing she couldn't influence her, she turned away, pretending not to see.
Yuigahama looked at Yuu anxiously, for some reason not wanting him to agree to the beautiful, mature woman's suggestion.
"Another time." Without much hesitation, Yuu replied indifferently. "I'm not omnipotent. I just pick things I'm good at to challenge others, using this sneaky strategy to gain fame… I just happen to be good at a lot, so it looks impressive."
"Hm, I can't tell if that's humility or confidence." Haruno shrugged casually, her smile undiminished by his rejection. "Alright, next time then. What club are you challenging next? Maybe a cultural club like the literature club?"
"If it's the literature club, I remember they're holding a one-sentence ghost story contest…"
Yuu was mid-sentence when the corner of his eye caught a man in a hoodie and mask, his back slightly hunched, his entire body shrouded in shadow, his appearance unsettling deep in the heart.
The Flash of Inspiration status suddenly flashed through his mind.
His steps paused, following his gut. Without reason, he activated I'm Analyzing Your Movements, his pupils narrowing sharply.
A flood of chaotic thoughts surged into his mind—"want to go to the bathroom," "want to approach that pretty woman," "want to rush to Tenkuji-sama and get beaten to a pulp with his bamboo sword"—all overwhelming his consciousness in an instant, making his head feel like it was exploding.
Yuu quickly blocked those thoughts, his eyes locking onto the hooded man, his intent focused. A line of bold black text slowly floated above the man's head.
'Wants to kill.'
Then, in the blink of an eye, the man vanished into the crowd, disappearing into the shadows in the corner.