Chapter 325: A Place to Call Home, and Atobe Keigo's Dread
A sudden, intense pressure settled on Courage's shoulders. She felt as though the 'organization's' highest echelons had somehow already taken notice of her, even though her mission was far from complete. A jolt of anxiety shot through her, making her posture stiffen.
Sonoko, however, simply flashed a carefree smile. "Relax, relax~ But hey, I haven't seen Decora and the others around."
"Ah? They're handling some matters back at the WGO headquarters. They won't be back for a few days," Courage explained.
Sonoko was about to reply when Cerberus tilted her head, a puzzled look on her face. "Huh? Sonoko... what's with the paper bag? Why'd you bring that?"
Glancing down at the bag in her hand, Sonoko answered casually, "Oh, this? It's just a hydrating spray. I figured I'd use the bag to carry my phone and wallet and stuff."
Courage's brow furrowed in confusion. "Eh? You brought a whole paper bag just for that? And couldn't you just use the spray before leaving the house?"
Sonoko shook her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Because I'm also going to watch Seigaku's match today, and I have a feeling it's going to drag on into a tie-breaker. There's no shade over at those courts, so it's better to be prepared with a spray, just in case."
Courage nodded, accepting the logic. Kasugano Sora, however, spoke up, her voice soft but inquisitive. "But... isn't a paper bag a little big for just a few small things? And... it almost sounds like you're saying the Katagiri school team is weak..."
"Of course, it's not just for that little bit," Sonoko said with a wave of her hand. "I'm planning to buy some sunscreen and other things on my way back, so I'll just use this to carry everything. And let's be real, Katagiri's tennis team is weak. Teitan's is too, for that matter. Oh, speaking of which, Sora, are you coming today?"
Kasugano Sora's voice was laced with disappointment, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I can't... Akemi is dragging me to the gym. Ren-gege and Kirari-nee are going too, so I don't really have a choice..."
For a moment, Sonoko's protective instincts flared. She was about to declare, "Leave that Akemi girl to me! You're coming to watch tennis with your big sister!" But the moment she heard the names 'Ren'and'Kirari', the words died in her throat. The confident smirk on her face vanished, replaced by a sudden, uncharacteristic silence. Dealing with those two was beyond her capabilities.
Sora puffed out her cheeks, understanding the situation perfectly. 'As expected,'she thought,'I still have to rely on Kure Yakusha.' She wasn't afraid of Ren, but Kirari was a different story. With Kure Yakusha around, however, even Momobami Kirari seemed to hold her tongue. Sora made a mental note: she was definitely going to cling to that lifeline!
"Have a safe trip, Cerberus! Don't wander off. Let us know when you're all heading back tonight!"
"Got it!" a chorus of four voices replied.
As she walked away with the group, Ichihara Yuuko found herself marveling at the words she'd just heard. She couldn't imagine, even a short while ago, that such simple, domestic phrases would ever be directed at her. Could this be it? The home she would find herself missing, no matter how far she wandered? Were these the people who would wait for her to return... her family? It wasn't a bad feeling at all.
Yuuko subtly turned her head, her gaze falling upon Ren, who stood at the shop's entrance. He was watching them leave, a gentle, unwavering smile on his face. In that instant, a deep sense of peace settled over her, a warmth she couldn't quite name blooming in her chest.
So this was what family meant. It meant that no matter when, no matter where, no matter what happened—no matter how tired, how happy, or how pained you were—there was a place called home where people were quietly waiting for your return. That feeling was a sense of belonging. That warmth was just right.
"Yuuko! Hurry up!"
Oh, and it also meant there were people who would walk ahead, then stop and call out your name when you fell behind.
Back at the shop, Ren stretched languidly. He glanced inside at Kasugano Sora, who was trying to squeeze in a few more moments of gaming on her phone, and called out with fond exasperation, "Sora, it's time to go."
"You can play when we get there. It's not like the game is going to disappear."
"I know, I know! Ren-gege, I'll go get my bag!" she called back, reluctantly heading upstairs.
Watching her go, Ren smiled and shook his head. He wasn't sure when it had happened, but the shop had gradually filled with people. Soon, Decora and the others would be staying here more often too. At this rate, the place was going to become truly lively.
'This is the first time I've ever been so excited for the Kengan Annihilation Tournament to start,' he mused.
It was true. For the first time, Ren was eagerly anticipating the tournament, because its conclusion would allow the shop to be upgraded. An upgrade meant not only the ability to travel to other worlds but also, most crucially, the chance to expand the building's physical space.
Ren had a growing feeling that if he didn't expand soon, the shop might genuinely run out of room one day. Though, for now, there were still plenty of empty rooms...
"Ren-gege! Let's go!"
The shop door slowly clicked shut, and an absolute quiet descended. It was as if the breeze itself sensed the emptiness and held its breath. The wind chimes hung motionless. The leaves of the potted plants were perfectly still. Even the air seemed to settle, like a kitten curled up in a peaceful slumber, serenely waiting for its owner to come home.
---
"Hey, hey, hey... Is that Atobe?"
"Gakuto, I know what you're thinking, but yes, that person over there is, in fact, our Atobe."
"I've never seen him this wound up before a match..."
At that moment, Atobe Keigo, dressed in his Hyotei Academy team uniform, was the very picture of anxiety. He sat rigidly on a bench, his tennis racket propped against the ground, his hands clasped so tightly around the grip that his knuckles were white. His brow was deeply furrowed, his expression tense, and his right foot tapped a frantic, incessant rhythm against the concrete.
"Coach, how much longer until we can enter the stadium?" he asked, his voice strained.
Coach Sakaki Tarou glanced at Atobe, then consulted his watch. "Fifteen more minutes, Atobe," he said in his usual deep, measured tone. "You seem unusually nervous. Your opponent is a non-threat."
Atobe Keigo gritted his teeth. "No... Coach, you don't understand what I'm nervous about. It has nothing to do with the match."
Coach Sakaki nodded slowly. "I see. Just be sure your personal matters do not affect your performance."
"Coach, I could defeat this opponent without even breaking a sweat. That's not the issue," Atobe muttered, more to himself than to his coach. "Fifteen more minutes... That old hag shouldn't have enough time to get here..."
That was the truth of it. Atobe Keigo was terrified of Suzuki Sonoko. He was a mess of frayed nerves, utterly convinced that Sonoko would appear out of nowhere to stab him in the back—metaphorically, of course—and completely shatter his mental state.
His panic was, in his mind, entirely justified. He had been in a perfect mood this morning. He'd showered, carefully styled his hair, applied his favorite cologne, and was fully prepared to crush his opponent with impeccable grace before posting a triumphant update for his fans. Everything was meant to be wonderful. But if Sonoko showed up to run her mouth, his composure for the rest of the day would be utterly annihilated.
It had all started yesterday afternoon. Atobe had posted his match schedule, accompanied by a particularly handsome photo of himself. The instant he hit 'post', a wave of regret washed over him. He had forgotten to filter the audience...
And then, Sonoko had seen it. It was as if she had a sixth sense for his activities. She must have picked up her phone, scrolled through her feed, and spotted it immediately. A moment later, a single message from her arrived on his phone. It contained only the number "1". Nothing else. No matter how many times Atobe messaged her asking what it meant, he received no reply. It was as if she had blocked him entirely.
'Fourteen and a half minutes... Fourteen minutes and fifty seconds... Coach! It's time to go in!'
"Hmm? Ah, so it is."
Hearing Coach Sakaki's confirmation, Atobe let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He'd escaped. He had made it into the stadium before she could arrive. That was enough. If she showed up later, he could at least bicker with her from the relative safety of the court.
He stood up, a surge of relief and bravado coursing through him. He pointed his racket at his waiting opponents.
"Alright, you pathetic lot! Let your humiliating defeat provide me with some motivation for my battle against that old hag!"
A clear, cheerful voice cut through the air from behind him.
"Atobe! You little brat! Your Sister Sonoko is here!"
At that moment, Atobe Keigo was stunned. His entire body froze solid, his arrogant pose turning into a petrified statue. The Hyotei team members who knew exactly who Sonoko was all turned to watch the spectacle, their faces alight with pure, unadulterated amusement. This was going to be interesting.
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