Chapter 329: Ichihara Yuuko Joins the Group, and the Sport She'll Never Play
Ichihara Yuuko watched, a placid and unreadable expression on her face, as Sonoko pulled her aside with an air of conspiratorial excitement. She had no idea what the girl wanted, but she observed with detached curiosity as a flicker of anticipation crossed her own features, only to be smoothed away again into her usual serene mask. After a few more of these subtle shifts, she found herself staring blankly at her own phone, which Sonoko had just finished fiddling with before handing it back.
The phone was, naturally, the one provided by the shop. It was a remarkably advanced device, one she hadn't yet bothered to fully explore. Now, though she understood what Sonoko had just done, a strange feeling settled over her.
A cheerful chime echoed from Lucifer's pocket. She casually retrieved her phone, her gaze sweeping over the screen before freezing. A muscle in her jaw twitched. Her head snapped up, eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at Sonoko, who was now beaming with a triumphant, 'mission accomplished' grin.
Lucifer couldn't believe it. That girl, Sonoko, had actually added Ichihara Yuuko to the group chat. The group chat. While the bond between Yuuko and Ren was undeniably deep and subtle, it wasn't that kind of relationship. And now she was in the group…
It was too late. The moment the notification went out, the chat exploded. All the usual lurkers, who remained silent for days on end, suddenly surfaced like sharks smelling blood. Once they all got acquainted, they would inevitably explain the group's… unspoken purpose. Yuuko would likely just stare blankly at the screen before retreating into an eternal silence, lurking forever. She couldn't very well leave the group now; that would be even more awkward, and not just for her.
Clutching her phone, Lucifer watched the screen scroll at a dizzying pace as the chat erupted into a frenzy of welcome messages. A low groan escaped her lips. What in the world… Why were all these silent members suddenly so active the moment someone new joined?
Ichihara Yuuko, holding her own phone, looked somewhat bewildered by the flood of messages but began to quietly reply to the various questions being thrown her way. Just then, Lucifer saw a private message pop up from Momobami Kirari.
It was a single, elegant sentence: "Ren also seems rather surprised that Yuuko would join us…"
Lucifer pressed a hand to her face, feeling a headache coming on. The situation was spiraling. Still, she forced herself to take a breath and reconsider. Perhaps it wasn't such a big deal. After all, Yuuko's relationship with Ren was, in its own way, one of the most special.
In a sense, their bond transcended conventional romance. Sharing one's life, entrusting one's very soul, and pledging eternal loyalty to a master—the intimacy of such a connection was something many lovers never achieved. Viewed from that perspective, her presence in the group was almost normal. After all, Cerberus was in there too.
Having rationalized it, Lucifer decided to let it be.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the atmosphere between Ren and Momobami Kirari had grown a little strange. It wasn't anger or jealousy; Kirari simply didn't know this woman, and Ren had been completely blindsided by her sudden appearance in the chat.
Kirari let out a soft sigh. "Life is full of the most absurd developments. Earlier today, when the Student Council reported on Jabami Yumeko's latest accomplishments, I thought nothing could possibly be more ridiculous. I was wrong. The way this person named Yuuko joined the group… isn't it a bit peculiar?"
Ren was, of course, familiar with the name Jabami Yumeko. Kirari had regaled him with tales of the girl's exploits shortly after her own arrival. His only comment at the time had been a soft, amused murmur: "She's a madwoman, just like you, Kirari."
A warmth had spread through Kirari's chest at those words. She knew her reputation among her peers—a notorious gambler, a lunatic who thrived on chaos. But she was also a girl. Ren had never once asked her to change, only cautioning her not to take things too far, to be mindful of the consequences. He saw past the madness and treated her like any other person.
She got tired, she had bad moods, she felt lonely, and she yearned to share the fascinating stories she could never tell anyone else. Meeting Ren had been a gift, a feeling she cherished with every fiber of her being. In return, she had offered him nearly all the tenderness and love she possessed.
Fortunately, her investment had yielded a proportional return, and she had found her own happiness. Though future troubles were inevitable, as a madwoman, she was more than willing to go crazy for the sake of her life and her happiness.
Back at the tennis courts, just as Lucifer predicted, Ichihara Yuuko quickly adapted to the lively chat before her enthusiasm waned. Everyone had their own lives and were busy with their own affairs. The brief flurry of excitement subsided, allowing Yuuko to return her attention to the present.
Her gaze fell upon the court, where the match between Kaidoh Kaoru and Kamio Akira was still raging. "Everyone is certainly enthusiastic," she murmured, a faint smile on her lips. "But that man, Ren… he truly is remarkable."
Sonoko waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine, it's fine! But look at those two… they can really run. As expected, Teitan's tennis team is a bit lacking in comparison."
Ichihara Yuuko watched the two boys on the court, both panting heavily but still forcing their legs to move. She turned to Lucifer. "Sister Lucifer, how long have they been playing?"
"I have no idea," Lucifer replied, shaking her head. "But it's been a very long time. Just watching them is exhausting. It really makes you wonder, Shusuke, are you all really just middle schoolers? Your stamina and endurance are incredible. I doubt even the team from Katagiri High next door is this strong…"
Sonoko smiled knowingly. "Ah, Sister Lucifer, Katagiri is a special case. There's a saying about that school that's quite accurate." She cleared her throat dramatically. "If your academic performance is poor, but you love to study; if you aren't keen on the glory of sports, and just want to enjoy a pure campus life in peace, then go to Katagiri High School."
Hearing this, Atobe Keigo let out a soft chuckle.
Ichihara Yuuko tilted her head. "But… doesn't that mean Katagiri is the ideal choice for someone who simply wants a stress-free high school life?"
"Exactly," Atobe confirmed with a confident smirk. "In a way, if you aren't seeking excellence in sports or academics, but simply a pleasant school atmosphere and a good learning environment, Katagiri is the best choice."
Everyone nodded in understanding. Suddenly, Cerberus's excited voice cut through the air. "Wow! It's finally over! Those two look like they're about to collapse!"
He wasn't exaggerating. On the court, both players were practically running on fumes, the muscles in their calves trembling visibly with every strained movement.
Ichihara Yuuko sighed softly. "It's becoming more and more outrageous. The spirit of sports is truly a magnificent thing. It almost makes me want to try playing tennis."
Courage, sitting nearby, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Yuko, with your height and long legs, wouldn't basketball be a better fit for you?"
"No," Yuuko replied instantly. "I won't play."
"Eh? Why not?"
"Basketball involves a great deal of physical contact," she explained calmly. "Interceptions, collisions. And… well, the other reason no longer matters. In my current state, it is simply impossible for me to play."
Her tone, though gentle, carried an air of finality that ended the discussion.
"Oh… Eh? Look! That Echizen kid is up for Singles Two! If he wins this, the match is over, right?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu gave a single, sharp nod.
Atobe Keigo leaned forward, a flicker of genuine interest in his eyes. "This Ibu Shinji… he seems a bit interesting. Hey, Tezuka, is that little brat of yours going to be alright?"
"No problem."
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