Chapter 30: He really, I cried to death

"Please sit."

Yukinoshita Yukino brought a chair for Totsuka Saika.

"Thank you."

The silver-haired boy softly thanked her, his cute face with a shy smile, like a magnet firmly attracting someone's gaze.

"So, what's your request?"

"Um, I want to ask for your help to improve my tennis skills,"

Totsuka Saika said, scratching his cheek.

"I'm not sure if you know about our school's tennis club, but it's really weak. After the third-year students retired, it became even weaker."

When it comes to Sobu High's sports clubs, everyone first thinks of the soccer club. Sobu High's soccer club is top-notch even in the county and has won the honor of being in the top eight in major competitions.

Therefore, the budget allocated to the soccer club takes up the majority of Sobu High's sports club funds.

As for other sports clubs, they are quite ordinary, and the tennis club is one of them.

Talking about the current situation of the tennis club, a trace of sadness appeared on Totsuka's face.

"Maybe it's because we haven't achieved any results for a long time. The other members have become listless during club activities. After the third-year seniors handed over the captain's position to me, this situation has become even worse."

"So, I was thinking, if I could become a little stronger, maybe the other members would see it and get a bit more motivated."

"Can I ask for your help?"

Totsuka Saika said, his slightly moist eyes gradually drifting towards Hikigaya Hachiman.

No, don't look at me with those eyes, I'm not the president of this club.

Hikigaya Hachiman turned his head with difficulty, afraid that he would get impulsive, slam the table, and shout,

"How can a man live under others for long? Today, I declare that I will help Totsuka!"

And then get thrown out the window by Yukinoshita again.

You know, the hole in the window is still there, just covered by the curtain.

"I understand your situation,"

Yukinoshita Yukino said,

"but I'm afraid your idea won't work."

"Huh?"

Before he could be happy, the smile on his face froze.

"What do you mean?"

"From what you said, it seems like the members of your tennis club are a bunch of slackers who don't want to improve. Does Totsuka really expect them to change and work hard just because they see your skills getting better?"

Yukinoshita Yukino stood up, speaking harsh truths as she walked to the window. The gentle evening breeze lifted her long hair, and the sunset's glow wrapped her in a golden veil.

She looked out at the scenery, her eyes reflecting the fiery sky like a mirror. Totsuka Saika's description seemed to remind her of bad childhood memories, and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes.

"A group of people who never want to work hard huddle together for warmth, and you, who practice hard, will become an outcast among them."

Yukinoshita Yukino turned to look at the stunned Totsuka,

"People instinctively follow those who are better, as long as they haven't given up on themselves."

"Is... that so."

Totsuka Saika lowered his head in disappointment.

Yuigahama Yui, watching anxiously from the side, didn't know what to say. She could only use her eyes to signal Hikigaya Hachiman, asking him to think of something.

Isn't there any way to help Totsuka?

Before Hikigaya Hachiman could speak, Yukinoshita Yukino's cold voice rang out again:

"I won't help those who give up on themselves, but if your request is just to improve your tennis skills, the service club has no reason to refuse."

"Yukinon!"

The orange-haired girl, who was about to cry, broke into a smile and pounced on Yukinoshita Yukino like a dog that hadn't seen its owner in a long time,

"Don't speak in such a roundabout way!"

"Is that so? I'm just saying what I want to say... But you're too close, Yuigahama."

The black-haired girl, whose arm was being hugged, looked a bit embarrassed.

As for speaking in a roundabout way... well, it must be the parasite's fault for spreading germs.

"Thank you, Yukinoshita."

Totsuka Saika said gratefully.

"Don't be happy too soon, my training is very strict."

Yukinoshita Yukino finally freed herself from Yuigahama's grip. Although she put on a serious face, it was hard to regain her stern image after her earlier, somewhat naive behavior.

She raised her hands in front of her, half-heartedly fending off the giggling Yuigahama who approached again, while looking at the smiling Totsuka Saika. Yukinoshita Yukino sighed helplessly.

...

...

After officially taking on Totsuka Saika's request, Yukinoshita Yukino returned to her familiar territory and began to create a training plan for him.

The first step was, of course, building the foundation for all sports—physical fitness.

To make the fitness plan more suitable for Totsuka Saika's situation, Yukinoshita Yukino researched a lot online and revised the plan several times based on Totsuka's actual performance until she was satisfied with it.

However, physical fitness isn't something that can be achieved in a few days. It requires consistent effort to see results over time.

Tennis skills training also needed to be done simultaneously.

Under Yukinoshita Yukino's guidance and his own hard work, Totsuka Saika's skills were improving rapidly.

Every lunch break was spent practicing with the three members of the service club, and the tennis club's activity time was used for fitness training. He even practiced on his own in private.

He really wanted to improve.

Anyone has their limits. After several days of intense training, Totsuka Saika's body finally gave out.

While practicing with Yuigahama Yui, Totsuka Saika saw the ball coming back from the girl with the bun hairstyle and ordered his body to return it. But his body, tired from days of training, refused to cooperate.

Just as he was about to hit the ball, Totsuka Saika's legs gave out, and he fell forward to the ground.

His knees scraped against the ground, and blood slowly oozed from the dusty wounds.

"Saika!"

Yuigahama called out worriedly from across the net.

"I'm fine, let's continue."

Even though tears formed at the corners of his eyes from the pain, Totsuka Saika had no intention of stopping the training.

"Are you really going to keep training like this?"

After checking his wounds and confirming they weren't serious, Yukinoshita Yukino asked calmly.

"Yes, everyone is seriously training with me. I can't waste their time because of me."

The silver-haired boy said gently but firmly.

Seeing Totsuka Saika's serious attitude, Hikigaya Hachiman swallowed the words he was about to say to persuade him to rest.

He's really something, I could cry.

...

...

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