Chapter 331: Kirari Never Wins Against Ren; Lucifer's Misunderstanding
As he watched Lucifer and the others depart, a placid smile touched Shusuke Fuji's lips. He turned to Tezuka Kunimitsu beside him, his voice soft but carrying a distinct edge of disappointment. "A shame we couldn't finish the match today. A bit of a regret, wouldn't you say?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu considered this for a moment, his expression as stoic as ever. "There is still the Metropolitan Tournament, the Kanto Tournament, and then the Nationals. There will be other opportunities. As for being unwilling to accept it..."
His voice trailed off, but Shusuke understood. A subtle smile remained on his face, but his hand, hidden from view, tightened into a fist. Shusuke Fuji wasn't one to fixate on victory or defeat, but the sting of a loss—especially in front of his family—was something he despised.
Lucifer and her friends shared a sisterly bond with his own sister, Yumiko. By extension, they treated him like a younger brother, and he, in turn, saw them as his cherished older sisters. He had led the charge for Seigaku today, only to lose. Or rather, to forfeit...
He knew, logically, that none of them would blame him for a teammate's injury. It was out of his control. But the feeling of letting them down was a bitter pill to swallow. He made a quiet vow to himself then and there: he would never lose in front of his family again.
Just then, Kikumaru Eiji bounced over, his usual cheerful grin plastered on his face. "Fuji~! Those super pretty ladies just now, you and Tezuka both know them, huh? What's the deal? Are they..."
Shusuke's smile widened, a hint of mischief returning to his eyes. "They're my brother-in-law's girlfriends."
"Ehhh?!" came a chorus of shocked voices.
While such a statement might raise eyebrows elsewhere, in their somewhat unrestricted world, it was taken at face value. Kikumaru's eyes widened with admiration. "I've heard you talk about your brother-in-law before, Fuji, but wow, he's way too amazing! Are all his girlfriends that beautiful?!"
Shusuke Fuji tilted his head, feigning deep thought. "Hmm... I'd say so, pretty much."
Hearing this, Momoshiro Takeshi, who had been listening in, threw his hands up in exasperation. "Fuji-senpai, don't tell me you're going to say that even women like them aren't considered beautiful in your book!"
"No, no," Shusuke chuckled. "I mean your guess is quite close. Brother Ren is indeed a formidable existence. In all sorts of ways."
Inui Sadaharu, standing nearby, pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, a glint of data analysis in his eyes. "The phrase 'all sorts of ways' as just mentioned by Fuji should encompass categories such as athletics, financial earning potential, culinary skills, and domestic abilities. Extrapolating from this, it indirectly indicates that the probability of Fuji's brother-in-law being proficient at tennis—and likely exceptionally so—is 99.4%..."
That single sentence captured everyone's attention. All eyes immediately swiveled back to Shusuke.
He simply smiled. "Brother Ren's tennis is incredible, yes. But as for what my words 'indirectly indicate'... I think they just mean that Brother Ren is a very amazing person. Right, Tezuka?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu gave a curt nod. His gaze swept over to their coach, Ryuzaki Sumire, before settling back on the team. His voice was a low, authoritative rumble. "That's enough. For the rest of the day... you are dismissed! However, there will be extra practice this Saturday!"
"Ahhh?!" The collective groan was instantaneous.
Unseen by the disgruntled team, a short-haired girl who had been observing the scene from a distance quietly turned and walked away, a thoughtful murmur escaping her lips. "Amazing? Just how amazing? How very interesting..."
Meanwhile, Ren and Momobami Kirari, who had been absent all morning, were nestled together in the gymnasium's private lounge. The two of them were sharing a single-seater sofa, a proof of their proximity.
Kirari's spirits, already soaring, had been lifted into the stratosphere by Ren's earlier words. She was practically melting against him, having perched herself on the armrest just to press close. Her head rested comfortably on his shoulder, a contented, cat-like smile gracing her features as she murmured, "Ren~ I wonder what Lucifer and the others are up to right now?"
"Shopping," Ren answered without a moment's hesitation.
"Eh? You didn't even have to think about it?" Kirari's eyes glinted playfully. "What if you're wrong?"
A knowing smile touched Ren's lips. "Of course I'm sure. The reason is quite simple, though I doubt you'd know it, Kirari."
She tilted her head, her silver hair brushing against his cheek. "I have a feeling you're trying to trick me. I don't believe you. Shall we make a bet? I bet they definitely did not go shopping!"
"Done," Ren said smoothly. "I bet they're almost at their destination. Are there stakes? Rewards and punishments for the winner and loser?"
Kirari pretended to think very seriously for a moment. "If you win, I'll kiss you."
"And if you lose?"
"You... no, wait... you... you have to go on a date with me. And I get to choose the place."
Ren just smiled and shook his head. He pulled out his phone, dialed Lucifer's number, and put it on speaker. A moment later, her voice came through, tinged with confusion and the faint background noise of a bustling street.
"What's wrong? Why are you calling me? If this is about the score, Shusuke forfeited because a teammate was injured. Seigaku won, three to one."
Ren chuckled. "Of course I'm not asking about that. Seigaku's victory was inevitable. I just wanted to know where you all are right now."
"The Commercial Street," she replied. "We were planning to go shopping this afternoon anyway. What did you need?"
"Nothing at all. Have fun."
After the call ended, Lucifer stood on the crowded sidewalk, phone in hand, a puzzled expression on her face. 'He called just to ask something like that? Or was it...'
A slow, radiant smile spread across her features. Out of all the people in their group, he had called her. It could only mean one thing: the scoundrel missed her! The thought of being on her lover's mind like this sent a warm thrill through her. Her mood, already good, instantly became brilliant. It might have just been her own guess, but she decided to believe it was true. Being happy was all that mattered.
Lucifer covered her mouth, stifling a soft giggle. "Honestly, that scoundrel Ren is surprisingly clingy. Perhaps I should reward him properly when I get back. Hmm, yes, that's a fine idea."
"Lucifer! Hurry up!" a friend called out from ahead.
"Coming!"
Back in the lounge, Ren wore a playful, triumphant expression as he looked at Kirari. She let out an exaggerated sigh, leaned in, and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
"I've never won a bet against you," she pouted, though there was no real heat behind it. "I lose every single time. Tell me honestly, were you just guessing, or did you already know?"
"Of course I was guessing."
"Then tell me your reasoning. Let me at least understand why I lost."
Ren chuckled, pinching her cheek gently. "You're just convinced I cheated, aren't you? Fine, I'll explain. The deduction was simple. It's because Fuji's sister, Yumiko, is with them. She's very tall and has an excellent figure."
Kirari nodded slowly. "And? I'm not as tall as her, but my figure is excellent, too."
"True," Ren agreed, "but the shopping list Yumiko and Lucifer put together didn't include any personal clothing or accessories. So, with an entire afternoon free, what do you think they'd do?"
Kirari sighed again, this time in genuine acceptance. "You should have told me that earlier. But a loss is a loss. There's no shame in losing to my own man." Her playful mood suddenly shifted, her gaze turning serious and direct. "But Ren, there's always been a question I've wanted to ask you. About me."
"Hmm?" He met her intense gaze. "You've already declared I'm your man, so why the hesitation? Ask whatever you want."
"Hehe, you're a sharp one," she said, a faint smile returning. "Alright then. The question is this: Ren, in your opinion, what should I do to grasp control of the Momobami Clan... while still remaining free?"
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