Chapter 31: Increase the Intensity.

"Is that so."

Yukinoshita Yukino stood up and said,

"I'll leave this to you, Yuigahama,"

before leaving.

"Is Yukinoshita mad?"

Totsuka Saika watched her leave with a slight movement in his eyes.

"Is it because I'm not improving fast enough?"

"No, Yuki-chan won't give up on someone she wants to help. And you've already improved a lot, Saika."

Yuigahama guessed that Yukinoshita had gone to the infirmary to get a first aid kit.

"Anyway, let's take a break for now."

Hikigaya Hachiman said, helping Totsuka Saika to the shade.

"It's better to clean the wound first."

Seeing the dust-covered wound on Totsuka's knee, Hikigaya Hachiman called out,

"Zaimokuza, can you go buy a bottle of mineral water? I'll pay you back."

Zaimokuza had joined midway. Although he hadn't contributed much to Totsuka Saika's training, he had at least come up with names for their shots, which was somewhat helpful.

He helped lighten the mood.

"Leave it to me!"

Zaimokuza gave a thumbs up. Even in the hot weather, he still wore his thick brown coat, as if it were some kind of obsession. Despite sweating profusely, he refused to take it off.

He swung the coat's hem, leaving a cool impression, but after taking only two steps, he ran back with a panicked expression.

"Hachiman! We've got uninvited guests!"

Hikigaya Hachiman followed Zaimokuza's pointing finger and saw a group of people approaching the tennis court. Leading them were two blond classmates, a boy and a girl.

"Hayama Hayato and Miura Yumiko..."

His eye twitched instinctively. Meeting Hayama at this time was never a good sign.

As expected, Miura Yumiko's voice soon reached them:

"Oh, playing tennis! Hayato, I want to play tennis too~"

Hikigaya Hachiman turned to look at Yuigahama and the others, who were all looking at him in unison.

Looks like I'll have to handle this...

Reluctantly, Hikigaya Hachiman stood up and tried to reason with them:

"This court was reserved by Totsuka. Others can't use it."

"Huh? Aren't you already using it?" Miura Yumiko said, crossing her arms.

"We're helping him train, it's like outsourcing."

"What are you talking about? That's gross!"

Miura impatiently flipped her blonde hair and tugged on Hayama Hayato's arm, whining,

"Hey, Hayato, I want to play tennis~"

Tch, this blonde bimbo!

Hikigaya Hachiman watched their actions coldly, without saying a word.

Although he wasn't close to Hayama Hayato and his group, and they were practically enemies, he knew Hayama well enough.

Seeing Hayama's helpless smile as Miura clung to him, Hikigaya Hachiman knew he was about to say something stupid.

Hayama Hayato looked at Hikigaya Hachiman and said,

"Let's not make this tense, everyone let's play together, okay?"

"Everyone? Like when kids say 'everyone has it, so I want it too'? There's no such thing here."

Hikigaya Hachiman's voice had a hint of sarcasm,

"Hayama, I know you're a nice guy, and you're handsome, so I'm sure a lot of girls like you."

"What's with the sudden attack?"

Hikigaya's sudden outburst was clearly unexpected for Hayama, and his expression showed a hint of discomfort.

"Someone as privileged as you wants to take this last tennis court from someone like me who has nothing?"

Hikigaya Hachiman said, staring at Hayama Hayato with his dead fish eyes, and Hayama felt a slight pressure from it.

But he didn't care, and after glancing at Miura Yumiko, he said,

"How about this, I'll play a match against you, and the winner gets the court. Of course, we'll also help Totsuka practice. Practicing with stronger players is better for Totsuka, right?"

Hayama Hayato's words seemed like a fair compromise, but in reality, it was a win-win for him, a completely unreasonable suggestion.

But it didn't matter, Hikigaya Hachiman nodded in agreement.

"Sounds fun, how about a mixed doubles match?"

Miura Yumiko clapped her hands excitedly.

"Bring as many people as you want,"

Hikigaya Hachiman picked up a tennis racket from the ground and said nonchalantly,

"I can handle it alone."

"Huh? You're so arrogant! Are you looking down on me!?"

As expected, Miura was immediately angered by his words.

Hikigaya Hachiman shrugged, neither confirming nor denying it.

"Fine, I want to see what you're capable of. Don't cry when you lose too badly!"

Miura Yumiko said with a furious smile.

"Are you sure? Yumiko won a tennis championship in middle school,"

Yuigahama Yui said worriedly.

"Don't worry,"

Hikigaya Hachiman said confidently,

"I'll win."

In the past, he wouldn't have dared to be so arrogant, but things were different now. The cursed energy surrounding him was proof of that.

Unfortunately, no one present could see it.

After learning to control cursed energy under Hayashizaki's guidance, Hikigaya Hachiman's personality had changed a lot without him realizing it.

He looked up at the sky at a 45-degree angle, with a compassionate expression on his face.

Hayama, don't blame me for being ruthless.

Now, I'm terrifyingly strong!

...

...

On the other side, Yukinoshita Yukino was walking back with the medical kit she got from the infirmary when Lin Qi's voice sounded in her mind.

[It seems your sister isn't watching you as closely now. You can use this time after school.]

[If I come home too late, it will be suspicious,]

Yukinoshita Yukino said.

[I'm talking about club activity time. If no one comes to the service club for help, it's free time. I can take you out. We'll start around the school, clearing low-level curses and looking for special-grade curses.]

[What about the service club?]

[Leave it to the dead fish-eyed boy and the big-chested girl.]

[Please call people by their names properly.]

After a small lesson to Hayashizaki, Yukinoshita Yukino also thought this method was feasible.

[Let's do that then.]

The walk from the infirmary to the tennis court passed quickly while chatting.

As soon as they arrived at the tennis court, Hayashizaki saw was Hikigaya playing tennis with a boy and a girl, even using curse power to strengthen his body. It was really shameful!

What's the point of using such a cheating method to bully ordinary people? Is this how curse power should be used? Is this how I taught you!?

Then, Hayashizaki noticed that the boy among the two looked very familiar.

[Oh my, Hayama Hayato!?]

Good, good, Hikigaya, you're doing great!

Give it more effort!

...

...

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