I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"Sorry, I don't remember being that close to you."

Chapter 134 The First Meeting of the Three (4,000 words)

"Huh? So cold-hearted?"

Raising an eyebrow slightly, resting her left elbow on her thigh and propping her cheek up, Yukinoshita looked at Natsukawa Masuzu with interest: "We've had a pleasant chat, haven't we? Isn't that enough to make us friends?"

"It's less of a chat and more of an attempt to extract information from me. I don't believe this kind of behavior can forge any so-called friendship."

She bit her lip lightly, suppressing the fear that welled up inside her when those deep eyes stared at her, and gave Natsukawa Masuzu a polite but distant smile.

"Let's not dwell on the past. My dear Ayu was taken care of by you yesterday, Ms. Haruno. I'm really sorry to have dragged you into our couple's argument."

"Oh, not at all~" Yukinoshita Haruno waved her hand with a smile, her tone cheerful and gentle, "Putting everything else aside, Shimogamo Shrine is really fun! There's the sacred tree for making connections and love fortune slips and stuff, it's more fun for men and women to visit together! On the contrary, I should thank you for giving me this opportunity."

"Oh, really?" Her eyebrows twitched, anger replacing her courage, and Natsukawa Masaki smiled with a twitch at the corner of her mouth. "That's great. My boyfriend shouldn't have been too rude, right? Like refusing to go to the shrine with you to draw lots or anything. That guy is so devoted, he always keeps his distance from other women for my sake."

"You're right! When I accidentally jumped on him before, he did seem a little reluctant. He's such a good boy!"

"Accidentally? A little?... Oh my, is this some kind of new-generation green joke? Senior, are you sure you didn't automatically correct your memories because you were too sad?"

"Sad? I won't be sad about such a small thing~ There were so many happy things that happened yesterday that I can't even count them all. Do you want me to tell you about them one by one? For example, strolling along the romantic red maple path, I remember every single scene clearly, my memory is absolutely fine."

"Hmph... to be able to have such a pleasant date with someone else's boyfriend, you really are a mature college student. I certainly couldn't do that."

"Are you angry? Relax, relax~ I'm not going to fight with a kid for a boyfriend, that's too boring. Unless you really don't want him, then I can reluctantly accept him."

"Don't worry, Ayou and I are already bound by fate, there's no room for that old woman to interfere."

"Wow, what a sharp-tongued child! Just like Yukino when she's angry!"

Still smiling with her eyes half-closed, Yukinoshita was as approachable and friendly as an older sister next door.

However, everyone could sense that it was just a completely unserious, self-indulgent, and contemptuous attitude, no different from teasing a small animal.

In contrast, Natsukawa Masaki's expression grew increasingly gloomy, and her hands on her knees unconsciously clenched into fists, like a silver Persian cat arching its back, wary and on high alert.

Yukino Yukinoshita, sandwiched between the two, felt an inexplicable and intense sense of déjà vu about the scene.

—Do you usually react this way when your older sister teases you?

The difference in their levels of composure is obvious... That's a monster that even he can't defeat, so it's only natural that Natsukawa would be led by the nose.

But then again.

"It wasn't just a casual chat on the street, but a group stroll around Shimogamo Shrine together?"

With a slight frown, the thought that he had lied to her without her noticing surged through her mind, and a wave of irritation washed over her, causing her to subconsciously bite her soft lips, her displeasure with him seemingly deepening.

Before she could fully grasp her feelings, she felt her sleeve being tugged at her elbow. Yukino Yukinoshita composed herself and turned to look. Yui Yuigahama was looking around cautiously, like a little hamster caught in a battle between two snakes.

"Xiaoxue, what should we do... I have a really dangerous feeling right now. I hope Yangna and Natsukawa won't start arguing..."

Right now, it's just an undercurrent lurking beneath the calm surface. If Xiaoyou happens to appear in front of these two, wouldn't it unleash a massive wave of war?!

Yui Yuigahama was worried about this. Although she didn't know when Yuuto Tenkuji and Haruno Yukinoshita had become so close, she needed to ease the current tension first; at least she couldn't let them keep arguing like this…

"Why not just let him come up and handle it himself after the match? Anyway, everything started because of him and has nothing to do with us. There's no need for us to be the mediators who do all the work but get no reward."

He spoke coldly and irritably.

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Haruno beside her, her eyes showing displeasure: "If you want to chat, go outside and do it. Don't disturb me while I'm watching the game."

Yui Yuigahama quickly reacted, glancing at the match below the stage and shouting cheerfully, "Look, the vice-captain battle is over! Yu is finally going to enter the arena!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Natsukawa Masuzu, no longer bothering to continue arguing with "The Cat Who Stole the Fish," immediately looked down at the audience. She also turned on her phone to record, pointing the camera at the masked man slowly walking into the arena, not intending to miss any highlight.

Although it's a bit hard to see due to the angle, the words "Sky Temple" are clearly written on the dangling part of his crotch.

Shrugging indifferently, Yukinoshita also looked towards the arena where the Grand General's Battle had begun.

Under the watchful eyes of the group, the two masked figures, whose faces were obscured, squatted and bowed while holding bamboo swords. The moment the referee announced the start, the contestant from Toyo Daihimeji High School stood up half a beat faster, lightly hopping twice in place, causing the tip of his sword to move up and down.

"Drink up—!"

Then, with a sudden shout, without much probing, just three seconds into the match, the bamboo sword in his hand swiftly slashed at the contestant from Zongwu High School.

That was a high-level slash that would end in the blink of an eye.

For the audience on stage, it was a confrontation where the outcome was already decided before they could even see what was happening.

Two bamboo swords and an armored figure briefly crossed paths. After a crisp clanging sound, one person took a few steps forward and stood firmly, while the other stood still, holding his bamboo sword high as if he hadn't reacted.

"Men! Ippon!"

One referee and two assistant referees raised their flags and added a mark to the scoreboard for the general of Zongwu High School—just one more mark and the match would be over.

Whether on or off the stage, everyone watching the fifth competition area fell silent for a moment before bursting into thunderous applause for the player who slowly walked back to his starting position.

"Just one more book and you'll get it, right? Yui is amazing, keep it up!" Yui clapped her hands vigorously, her pretty face flushed with excitement, and her three little dumplings were jumping up and down with joy.

"Of course. All that stalemate before was just a prelude; the true hero is one who steps in at the most crucial moment!"

Nodding with pride, Natsukawa Masuzu did not stop recording, still staring at him with a smile on her face—although you can't see his face at all, you can only identify him by his crotch (drooping) and his position.

"Wow, that was fast! We barely even saw it before the winner was decided." Unlike the happy girls, Yukinoshita Haruno stroked her chin and said with a hint of regret, "I don't think he'll lose, but didn't he win too easily? This is the national tournament, after all."

“The difference in quality is too great,” Yukino Yukinoshita said matter-of-factly.

"Hmm~?" Her gaze shifted to the side, and a mischievous smile, like that of the Cheshire Cat, suddenly appeared on her lips. Just as Yang was about to tease her sister, the second "Start" rang out from below the stage, forcing her to turn her attention back to the spot.

The decisive moment of the entire match was when the player from the Toyo Ōhimeji High School was instantly defeated. The player from the Toyo Ōhimeji High School had no choice but to change his strategy. He was no longer so confident and aggressive. Instead, he kept his distance from the player from the Soubu High School, constantly moving his feet and probing with the tip of his sword, aiming randomly at the player's face, torso, gauntlets, and shin.

The opponent, however, appeared calm and composed, and did not lose his rhythm due to these probing attacks. He simply placed the tip of his sword in front of him and slowly stepped forward and backward as if following some kind of rhythm, leisurely waiting for the opponent to take the initiative to attack.

With only one minute remaining, the player from the Eastern Kingdom, Himeji, suddenly abandoned his probing stance and unleashed a powerful downward slash, aiming at his opponent's gauntlet.

"Haa!"

The roar that echoed throughout the stadium resulted in a missed sword strike and being hit in the side by the reverse.

"...D, DO! Ippon Arri! Match over!"

As the contestant retreated with light steps and maintained a steady stance, their gaze fell upon them. Only then did the three referees snap out of their daze and raise their flags to declare the victory of Zongwu High School.

Clapping her hands vigorously, Yui Yuigahama blinked blankly, "That's it? It lasted longer than before, but something feels off. I don't understand it at all..."

"Both were clean and decisive kills, but this time it was the opponent's mistake." After saving the video, Natsukawa Masuzu shrugged casually. "I guess he was scared by Ayu? He has a loud voice, but he's a coward. That's why he was called a noob."

"No, it's not that simple."

Asuna Yuuki shook her head, still looking at the contestants bowing and leaving the stage, and said solemnly, "Himeji High School's advances and retreats were flawless, and their offensive intentions were well concealed. After probing for so long, even if they couldn't engage in a prolonged battle or gain the upper hand, they shouldn't have missed their target..."

She pursed her moist lips, tucked a stray chestnut hair behind her ear, and continued with a hint of disbelief and emotion:

"So the most likely explanation is that the Soubu High School student did something that made him misjudge the point of his sword swing and casually met it with his own sword, hitting his body effortlessly."

"Regardless, the key to victory or defeat is still his terrifying reaction and speed of action... It's the fastest I've ever seen."

After her explanation, the group, who were initially confused, suddenly understood. Even Yui Yuigahama understood about 70% of it and couldn't help but exclaim "Wow!" in admiration.

"Anyway, the conclusion is that Xiaoyou is very powerful... But it's really amazing that you were able to see their fight clearly."

Meeting their gazes, Asuna Yuuki smiled modestly: "As a player, you need to have this much discernment."

"..."

After the words were spoken, no one responded, and the silence lasted for several seconds.

"Who are you?!"

Natsukawa Masuzu and Yuigahama Yui both exclaimed in surprise, staring in astonishment at the chestnut-haired girl who had suddenly appeared behind them.

"Huh? Me? Me?"

Realizing her rudeness, Asuna Yuuki blushed and awkwardly scratched her cheek before nodding and smiling at everyone.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Asuna Yuuki. I heard you discussing the match on court number five and couldn't help but share my observation... I'm really sorry for interrupting!"

"I don't mind at all, and thank you for explaining it to us..." Looking at the other person's delicate and beautiful face, Yui Yuigahama tilted her head slightly, feeling as if she had seen this face somewhere before.

Natsukawa Masuzu wasn't interested in her and quickly looked down at her phone to send a message to Tenkuji Yu, who had returned to the lounge.

As for Yukino Yukinoshita, after a brief moment of surprise, she greeted Asuna Yuuki warmly:

"Oh, isn't this Koichiro's sister? What a coincidence to run into her here!"

"Miss Yang, hello. My brother has received your help at school."

After gracefully bowing with her hands folded on her knees, Asuna Yuuki gave a wry smile: "I came here to compete. If you really want to be surprised, it's more surprising to meet the two of you here."

"I didn't take care of that guy." Yukinoshita Haruno waved her hand to express her disgust, which was rare for her. "I was on my way to see a friend and stopped by to play with my sister. I just happened to come with them to watch the game."

"Is that so?" Yuuki Asuna tilted her head, looking at Yukino Yukinoshita with a hint of doubt.

She nodded: "Nice to meet you. I'm Yukino Yukinoshita. I'm in Kyoto to watch the game because of club matters. The other two people here are students from my school."

Faced with a polite but indifferent response, Asuna Yuuki returned a gentle smile, glanced at Yuihama and Natsukawa, and then looked back at Yukino Yukinoshita.

"Are you all from the kendo club?"

“No.” Yukino Yukinoshita didn’t intend to explain too much to outsiders, and simply said casually, “The members of our Service Club are here as external aid to help the Kendo Club win the championship.”

"Foreign aid? Winning the championship?" After frowning and thinking for a few seconds, Asuna Yuuki seemed to suddenly realize something, and pointed to the now empty court number five. "So that star player... should be called Yuu Tenkuji, right? Is he also from your club?"

Upon hearing this, Yui Yuigahama and Masuzu Natsukawa both looked at her in surprise, and even Yukino Yukinoshita subconsciously raised her eyebrows.

Only Yukino Yukinoshita maintained her inexplicably cheerful smile, her gaze constantly shifting back and forth between the four girls, her eyes half-closed like a fox.

"You know him?" Perhaps because she had been teased earlier and was now overly sensitive, Natsukawa Masaki asked rather bluntly.

"Uh... what do you mean by knowing or not knowing? Isn't it obvious?" Understanding what the silver-haired girl in front of her really cared about, Yuuki Asuna couldn't help but smile wryly again.

"It says 'Sky Temple' on the pendant, and you all call him Ayou and Xiaoyou, so anyone can recognize his name... Don't worry, I'm not his fan or suitor."

Yui Yuigahama and Masuzu Natsukawa exchanged glances, both blushing with embarrassment at the suspicion that had arisen in their hearts.

"That's true."

"Sorry, my tone was a bit harsh."

Chapter 135 Eyesight

Taking off the sweltering mask, Yuu Tenkuji shook her hair and exhaled.