Chapter 118: “Two champions one winner”.

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*Nurse's Office*

Tadano: "I understand that you push yourself and go beyond your limits, but… please take better care of yourself," the young man said with a sigh while wrapping the girl's ankle.

Shouko: "I'm sorry…" she said, lowering her head.

Tadano: "Why are you apologizing?" he asked.

Shouko: "I… I made you worry…"

The young man smiled.

Tadano: "Heh, it's good that you understand, but you don't need to apologize since you didn't do anything wrong. On the contrary, you performed incredibly well, and I'm really proud of you, Shouko…"

Shouko: "!!!"

Tadano: "It's just my quirks… it's just that I don't like seeing you hurt, that's all. Think of it as my stubbornness," he said with a self-critical tone.

Shouko: "No! Hito-Kun didn't do anything wrong! On the contrary! I'm really happy! I really like that you care about me!" she said loudly.

By the time she realized what she had said, her face turned bright red, and she covered it with her hands in a vain attempt to hide her embarrassment.

Tadano smiled happily and knelt down to Shouko's level, who was sitting on the examination table. Then he took her hands and gently moved them away from her beautiful face.

Tadano: "You're really charming, you know that? No matter how many times I see you, you always captivate me, and I can't help but feel my heart race."

The girl's blush deepened with every word, but her heart filled with a warm feeling.

Tadano: "Alright, now let's find your mother so you can go home. That ankle of yours won't let you continue with the activities…" the young man said as he turned toward the door.

Shouko: "Wait…" not wanting this moment of just the two of them to end so soon, she tugged on the young man's clothes.

Tadano: "What's wrong?"

The girl blushed as she realized what she had done, her face reddening further, but she didn't let go of his hand. Instead, she decided to be even more bold.

Shouko: "C-Can you g-give me a hug…" she said in a soft voice.

Tadano didn't respond with words but with actions. He sat down next to the girl and then placed her on his lap. He then wrapped her in both arms.

The girl held onto both of his arms and leaned against the young man's chest. But she felt like something was missing.

Deciding to be a little more daring, she tried to make another request.

Shouko: "Can you… can you rub my h-head?"

Not long after, she felt that familiar touch. Her heart felt warm, and a relaxing sensation of calm washed over her body.

Not long after, Tadano could hear the girl's breathing slow and become steady as she slept in his embrace. The young man smiled tenderly as he looked at the sleeping Shouko and spoke.

Tadano: "Sweet dreams, Shouko. You did a great job today…"

After a moment of enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere, the young man spoke again.

Tadano: "You can come out of hiding now, Shuuko-San, Shouko is completely asleep…" he said in a calm tone.

A small head peeked out with curiosity and a bit of embarrassment from behind the window of the door.

Shuuko: "Hehe, was I that obvious? I guess I'm getting rusty…"

Tadano: "Not at all, Shuuko-San, your hiding skills are perfect. I just have my ways…" he said with a mysterious smile.

Shuuko: "Hehe, so enigmatic… but joking aside, how is my little girl?" she asked with some concern.

Tadano: "It wasn't too bad, just a few minor scrapes on her legs. The only slightly worrying thing is the small sprain, but luckily, your daughter is very strong, and it doesn't seem like the last race affected her. With the treatment, I think she'll be fully recovered by today or tomorrow afternoon…" he said while gently rubbing the head of the girl in his embrace.

Shuuko: "Fufufu! Of course! My daughter is very strong and has inherited all the good genes from her mother! A little scratch like this won't affect her at all!" she said proudly.

Tadano: "Even so, I suggest she rest so she can recover as soon as possible. Don't worry about the teachers or classes, I'll take care of that. The most important thing is to take Shouko home."

Shuuko: "Maa～ how chivalrous of you, I really appreciate your care for my daughter. I'll take her home now so she can rest, and don't worry, when she wakes up, I'll tell her that her beloved Hito-Kun faced those terrifying teachers and the daunting task on her behalf," she said playfully as she easily lifted Shouko in her arms.

Shouko seemed a little upset about being separated, but her mother managed to calm her down, and soon she was peacefully resting in her mother's embrace.

Shuuko: "Moo～ what a mischievous little girl you've been, my dear…" she said warmly as she headed for the door. 

Before leaving, she said goodbye.

Shuuko: "Well, that's all for now. See you next time, Tadano-Kun. Visit our house whenever you like. Who knows, you might have the chance to be with both mother and daughter～" she said playfully as she left.

Tadano: "…"

*BONK*

Shinomiya: "NO HORNY!"

Tadano: "It was just a passing thought, damn it…"

Nagisa: *Stare*

Tomoya: *Stare*

…

Tadano was walking through the school hallways, lost in thought about life, when two pairs of hands suddenly pulled him into one of the empty classrooms.

Tadano: "????"

Before he reacted a pair of soft and sweet lips invaded him.

*kiss*

Not long after a playful tongue pushed against his teeth and invaded his mouth.

"This taste..."

When he finally looked closely at who his attacker was an enchanting pair of emeralds gazed greedily at him.

Kaede: "FUAW...hehe you finally figured it out?" she said mischievously as she licked her lips.

Behind her was Nene, who had a playful smile on her face.

Tadano: "What's this? Why so suddenly?" he asked, a bit confused.

Nene: "Well, we were going to congratulate our champion, but it turns out she was carried off like a princess by a big bad wolf. By the time we caught up, you two looked so cute together that we couldn't approach..."

Kaede: "When we gave up and started heading back, we noticed that our champion was picked up by her mother, and the big bad wolf was left alone. And well..."

Nene: "Since we couldn't congratulate our champion, why don't we congratulate our second champion, the winner of the mixed relay race..." she said with a mischievous smile as she began to unbutton her shirt.

Kaede: "You looked so handsome when you won, hehe... so tempting, so, Mr. Big Bad Wolf, why not enjoy your reward for a great victory♡∼" she said flirtatiously as her skirt fell to the floor.

Nene: "You're really lucky, huh? Being the target of two beauties, so lucky ♡∼" she said sweetly as she took hold of one of his arms.

Kaede: "You don't need to worry about anyone finding us… I've got that covered∼" said the girl as she clung to his other arm.

*gulp*

…

*Lala Lai Theater Company*

At the center of a stage, a group of men and women chatted animatedly. Off to the side, in a not-too-distant chair, sat a frustrated Ai. Her cheeks were puffed out in a pout as she swung her feet in annoyance. Next to her, an embarrassed Miyako did everything she could to cheer up the little girl.

Miyako: "Come on, little Ai, be obedient... It's not that we didn't want to keep you back, but you couldn't delay your lessons any longer. Besides, this is a chance to expand your network..."

Ai: "Hmph! Tadano-nii and Yamai-nee are participating in their festival today, and I couldn't go because I had to come to this boring place. It's really annoying..." she said, her cheeks still puffed out.

Miyako: "Come on, little Ai, weren't you the one who said you wanted to impress your big brother with your acting skills? That's why Ichigo-san worked so hard to get this opportunity..."

Ai thought for a moment, then nodded.

Ai: "Alright, Ai will do her best and make Tadano-nii admire her a lot!" she said, a bit excited.

Miyako smiled, finally convincing this little star who was so hard to please.

Just as Ai stood up and was ready to join the practice, a man approached.

"It seems you're in a better mood now," said a middle-aged man. His hair was black and short, and he had a playful expression along with a friendly smile.

Miyako: "Oh! Ryouji-san, sorry for the trouble. Ai is ready for practice now..."

Ryouji: "No problem, it wasn't much time at all. Actually, I should apologize if my place made our little star here uncomfortable," said the man, now identified as Ryouji.

Miyako: "Oh, about that..."

Ai: "No problem, even if there were any, Ai would endure it! Ai is very magnanimous!" she said confidently.

The somewhat reserved and quiet personality that Hoshino Ai originally had had undergone a significant change thanks to Tadano's influence in her life. Constant lessons from her older sisters, as well as those taught personally by Tadano, had given her the confidence not to see herself as less than any other artist. One could even say she had become a bit proud.

This side of her was controlled when Yamai or Tadano were around, but it couldn't help but come out when little Ai was alone. There was a feeling inside her that wouldn't allow her to see herself as beneath the other artists—a feeling that she had to be the best.

Unbeknownst to Ai, her abilities as [Apollo's Chosen] and [Star of an Era] were slowly influencing her personality, and as the chosen of a god, her existence refused to be lesser than the rest.

This behavior didn't seem strange to the man in front of Ai; in fact, he found it rather cute. He then led her to join the rest of the members.

Ai: "Will this really help me improve my acting skills?" the little girl asked with big eyes.

Ryouji: "Of course... I guarantee it as the president of the Lala Lai Theater Company," said the man confidently.

Ai: "Well, Ai will trust you! I'll improve a lot and earn my big brother's affection and praise!" said the girl with a dazzling sparkle in her starry eyes.

The short-haired man smiled and couldn't help but give another look at this little girl with bluish-violet hair. Who in the entertainment circle didn't know who was behind Hoshino Ai? None other than the Wandering Musician, the most dazzling star in the country at the moment.

Ryouji vowed in his heart to teach this little star as well as he could, and maybe, just maybe, that great man might come to give a talk or two at his theater group. Hell, even if he just visited, it would be enough for his group to boast for a long time to the other groups.

…

Author's Note: "Well, here's a chapter. Sorry for taking so long, but the workload increased, and, well, there wasn't much time left. That said, remember to drink plenty of water, and I love you all very much. Sincerely, your favorite depressed author."

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