FFD 31

"I didn't tell you about this match because it was added at the last minute." He couldn't deny that he was at fault. Looking at Ginko's disheveled appearance, with no umbrella to shield her from the rain, it was evident that she had received the news and hurriedly rushed over. he had no choice but to accept his mistake.

Little did he know that Ginko had been in Fukuoka earlier that morning but, upon receiving the news from Kato, she didn't even have time for breakfast and hastily caught a flight back to Tokyo.

"Make sure to inform me about these matches in advance next time!" Ginko's fan slapped Kazuto again, prompting him to nod in agreement.

"You look exhausted. Why don't you go sit with Kato for a while?"

Ginko appeared visibly unwell, with cold sweats, irregular breathing, and a pallid complexion. Considering her already delicate health, her current state raised concerns.

"Kato?" she scanned the venue but couldn't spot Kato anywhere. It had to be noted that Kato's stealth abilities remained as impressive as ever. "Where is she?"

"She's over there."

"Alright, I'll go ahead," she replied. She stared in the direction Kazuto had pointed for about ten seconds until she finally spotted Kato. Giving a gentle nod, she started walking towards her. A sudden gust of wind swept through, causing her to feel lightheaded. She stumbled and nearly lost her balance, almost falling to the ground.

He hurriedly reached out to support her. "Wait here, I'll fetch something for you."

She nodded absentmindedly. Her mind felt chaotic, and her body seemed unusually heavy. Her thoughts and movements both felt sluggish.

Kasumigaoka Utaha stood silently on the side, her wine-red eyes concealing a subtle hint of resentment. She observed as Kazuto hurried into the players' rest area.

Before long, he returned, holding something in his hands. Instead of giving it directly to Ginko, he approached Utaha.

He had a black umbrella, a towel, a few bottles of sports drink, and a piece of candy.

"Can you take Ginko to Kato's side?" he looked at Utaha calmly and made his request.

"Is that charming junior high student your new favorite, Hayama-kun?" Utaha's voice was very soft, just loud enough for him to hear.

"New favorite? Who's my old favorite then? Is it you?" he glanced at Ginko, making sure she hadn't overheard, before speaking softly.

"You certainly know how to make your way up, don't you? Am I your designated ex-girlfriend now?" she playfully teased, twirling her hair and moving closer to him.

"You can keep the first half of that sentence as it is." Kazuto raised his head slightly, adding, "If you don't want to accompany Ginko, I'll take her myself."

"Hayama-kun, just relax and get ready for the second half of the match. And if you say something nice, I'll do you this little favor!" She observed his reaction, wearing a smile as if she had discovered an amusing toy.

Kazuto smiled and leaned closer to Utaha's ear, whispering softly, "I appreciate your help, senpai."

Utaha's face instantly turned a rosy shade, resembling the blush of clouds at twilight during a summer evening.

Damn it, I lost to him again. She swiftly snatched the items from Kazuto's hand and walked over to Ginko. "The junior asked me to accompany you to Kato's place."

"Mm," Ginko murmured. She was already feeling dizzy and disoriented. She probably wouldn't be able to find Kato on her own.

Unbeknownst to Kazuto, a glimmer of light danced in Kato's eyes in the distance.

...

"Argh, darn it! Hayama, the Demon King, has recruited more minions! The forces of evil have grown stronger, death!" Sanae stomped her feet in frustration on the rooftop while observing Kazuto's interactions with the two girls.

"Hehe, what silly talk is this, Chibiko?" Eriri, who was hiding in the corner, wanted to go closer to see, but as soon as she poked her head out, a gust of cold wind shattered her courage.

"Have Snow Woman and the Abyssal Succubus also joined the ranks of the Great Demon King's followers? Hayama's influence has reached such an extent! When will justice prevail, death!"

Eriri cast a disdainful glance at Sanae, realizing that having a normal conversation with her was nearly impossible.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the staircase. Eriri swiftly pulled Sanae into a nearby corner, placing a hand over her mouth. Accessing the rooftop was against the teachers' rules, so they had sneaked up in secret.

"Hmm? Where is the person who was using the telescope to spy on me earlier?" A shadow appeared before Eriri and Sanae. Even from the shadow alone, one could imagine the person's graceful figure, a level that Eriri and Sanae could never reach no matter how hard they tried.

Eriri looked at the shadow that made her feel inferior and couldn't help but gasp.

"Found you, over here." A smiling face emerged before the two of them, exuding a gentle and warm aura. However, it caused both of them to recoil and tremble with fear.

"Eh, isn't this little Sanae? You haven't changed much since you were a kid," the person seemed to recognize Dekomori Sanae, who finally realized the person's identity.

"Ah! It's you, the Demon Queen, Yukinoshita Haruno!"

"That nickname doesn't sound particularly flattering, you know! But since it's given by Little Sanae, I'll reluctantly accept it," Haruno remarked, her tone laced with a hint of amusement.

As Haruno took a step closer, Sanae and Eriri found themselves pressed even closer together, their fear intensifying.

"Demon Queen, why are you here? Did Hayama, the Great Demon King, send you?"

Despite her trembling body, Sanae's chuunibyou spirit remained unshaken! Her voice resounded loudly, leaving Eriri, who was right next to her, feeling a bit lightheaded.

"It was Sanae who first used the telescope to spy on me, right? It has nothing to do with Hayama! I just came up here to see who was peeping on me," she explained, a smile playing on her lips.

"I was observing in secret, not snooping, death!" Relieved that Haruno wasn't looking for trouble, Sanae finally let go of her worries.

"Who is the person beside Sanae? Won't you introduce her to me?" Haruno shifted her gaze towards Eriri.

"She's the useless Eriri. It's fine if you don't bother getting to know her, death!" Sanae stood up and walked straight to the railing, not giving Eriri any face.

"Chibiko, what nonsense are you spouting!" Eriri also stood up, eager to give Sanae a piece of her mind. However, as soon as the chilly wind blew, she couldn't help but retreat, shrinking back again.

"Eriri?" Haruno's gaze dropped, a smirk forming on her face. "I heard there's a biracial student named Eriri Spencer Sawamura who attends Toyogasaki. Is that you?"

"Yes, that's correct. I am Eriri Spencer Sawamura," she replied, rising to her feet and giving her ponytail a flick, displaying the elegance of a young lady.