"Hikigaya-kun... Step forward. You're my next opponent."
I stood frozen in place, unable to move after hearing Yukinoshita call my name in front of everyone.
I'm pretty sure this is the first time most of them have even heard my name. They probably didn't know anyone by that name.
I felt everyone's eyes follow Yukinoshita's paddle until they landed directly on me.
"Uh... Are you sure?" I asked, almost trembling under their stares.
It's not like Yukinoshita to say something like this.
Has she lost control because of the excitement of the competition?
"Move," Yukinoshita said as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
I don't think there's any room to argue in front of everyone.
It's just a game.
I'll do it.
"Come on, Hikigaya! You're our hope!" Sudo suddenly stepped behind me and started massaging my shoulders.
"Come on, Hikigaya-kun! You can do it!" Hirata said with his usual bright smile.
"Huh...?"
I turned toward them, unable to understand why they were cheering me on.
Ayanokoji approached with his usual expressionless face and stood beside me.
"This is your match," he said, staring at me with his cold eyes.
What's wrong with them?
Do I have to hit them over the head to make them return to normal?
I looked to the other side and found Horikita approaching Yukinoshita as well.
"Yukinoshita-san... Please crush him," Horikita said seriously.
"Yes, Yukinoshita-san! Do it for us!"
The girls gathered around Yukinoshita to cheer for her as well.
Huh...
Has this suddenly become a battle between boys and girls or something?
"Get off me. This isn't boxing."
I freed my shoulders from Sudo's grip.
Then I stepped away from them.
"Stop making such a big deal out of this. It's just a match," I said as I adjusted my shirt collar.
"Sorry, Hikigaya-kun. We just wanted to cheer you on," Hirata replied.
I understand they meant well...
But why all of a sudden?
Seriously...
Why is everyone taking this so seriously?
I've made my decision.
I'll pretend to be skilled at first...
Then lose on purpose.
Yes.
That's settled.
"Hikigaya-kun..."
Yukinoshita called out while wiping her paddle with a paper towel.
"Mm?"
I raised my head toward her while taking the paddle from Hirata.
"If I feel like you're holding back..."
"I'll break this paddle over your head," she said, staring at me with her icy eyes.
...Does she read minds or something?
That's terrifying.
"Who said I'm not taking this seriously? Whenever I play, I play to win," I replied while running my finger along the edge of the table.
"Really? I thought you enjoyed losing," Yukinoshita said as she lightly stroked her chin.
Table tennis is a game where you rally the ball with paddles...
Yet somehow we'd decided to warm up by exchanging words instead.
There's no backing out now.
"I'd rather enjoy myself than become obsessed with winning."
I balanced the paddle in my hand.
"Obsessed? Anyone who looks into those rotten eyes of yours will know which one of us is truly obsessed," Yukinoshita replied with a sweet smile.
Seriously...
Why are you doing this?
For a moment I forgot we were inside a room filled with spectators.
I thought our usual banter and sarcasm could only be heard by the two of us.
"Do you understand what they're talking about...?"
"So Yukinoshita-san knows him..."
"Hey, hey... Who is he?"
I suddenly felt the room grow warmer after remembering the audience.
Even Yukinoshita developed a faint blush on her cheeks as she adjusted her bangs.
"Hikigaya-kun... How about we play by our old rules?" Yukinoshita asked as she served.
I watched the ball fly toward the corner while old memories resurfaced.
You mean...
The loser has to grant one request from the winner?
"When you say anything... do you really mean anything?" I asked as I returned the ball.
Her arm moved gracefully, sending it back toward me.
"You never change, do you?"
"Your words are still as shallow as ever."
I smoothly switched the paddle to my left hand and returned the ball again.
"It doesn't matter if my words are shallow."
"As long as my thoughts run deep."
"Your words reflect what's inside you."
"If your words are shallow..."
"Then what's inside you can't be much different," Yukinoshita replied before smashing the ball with all her strength, shattering the calm rhythm of the rally.
"Point for Yukinoshita-san!"
The referee announced it.
I walked toward the ball lying on the floor and picked it up while everyone watched.
"Did you hear them?"
"Yeah... They sound like a couple arguing."
"Huh...?!"
I practically jumped in place, feeling the color drain from my face.
What are those idiots talking about?
We're not...
Arguing like that.
I stood in front of Yukinoshita, ready to continue the match.
There could only be one winner here.
The rounds continued one after another.
The one thing we had in common...
Neither of us could score without an exhausting struggle.
The stubbornness flowing through both of us revealed itself in our play.
We kept rallying the ball back and forth as if we could continue forever.
Neither of us could break the deadlock.
"Draw!"
The referee announced loudly.
We had been playing for so long...
Yet we were still tied.
I picked up a paper cup filled with water and drank it in one gulp.
"Hikigaya-kun... How about whoever scores next wins everything?" Yukinoshita suggested while wiping the sweat from her forehead with a tissue.
Hmm...
Now that I hear it...
That's a tempting offer.
"I accept."
I pulled the edges of my shirt out of my pants so it wouldn't restrict my movement.
This...
Would be the final round.
I served toward Yukinoshita, who stood motionless in the center.
She returned the ball toward the right corner of my side.
I hit it back with precision.
She sent it toward my left corner.
As if she controlled the entire match, she kept sending the ball from right to left, trying to wear me down.
I dashed frantically in every direction, struggling to regain control...
But it was useless.
Yukinoshita held the upper hand in this duel.
She struck the ball with perfect precision toward my left corner.
I rushed over and managed to return it.
After hitting it, I tried to anticipate her next move by returning to the right side...
But my foot slipped.
I almost fell.
Yukinoshita seized the opening and smashed the ball with all her strength toward the opposite side.
"This is the end..."
"It's over..."
I heard the voices of the students around me already declaring my defeat.
I watched the ball move in slow motion, bounce off the table, and continue flying away.
Who decided everyone gets to determine my fate?
I'm the one fighting here.
I quickly threw my paddle.
The ball struck it and bounced back toward Yukinoshita.
I immediately dropped to the floor to pick it up before she could return the shot.
I raised my head from beneath the table.
"Ugh...!"
The little ball flew straight into my forehead.
I dramatically fell onto my back.
"Yukinoshita-san wins!"
The referee declared the end of the match.
I lay on the floor, staring at the ceiling while breathing heavily from the physical exhaustion.
Just keeping up with her...
Was exhausting enough.
"Did you see that last move...?"
"Yeah... That was unbelievable."
The annoying chatter started up around me as I stood and straightened my clothes.
"Hikigaya-kun... Can't you play in a way that isn't so chaotic?" Yukinoshita asked as she finally placed the paddle on the table.
"And you're as cold as ever," I replied, pushing my paddle onto the table.
"Yukinoshita-san, that was amazing!"
A girl with a sweet voice suddenly approached to congratulate her.
"Thank you, Kushida-san."
Kushida spoke in her usual cheerful voice, wearing her usual kind smile...
As though she were a completely different person from the one I saw yesterday.
I looked toward Horikita.
She seemed genuinely irritated by Kushida's sudden appearance.
I turned toward the boys.
Ayanokoji showed no reaction at all.
Does he know her true nature?
Whether they know or not...
It doesn't matter.
Kushida is dangerous.
I need to be careful not to provoke her because of her jealousy.
Perhaps what I witnessed yesterday was simply her releasing all the stress she'd built up after spending an entire week wearing that perfect mask in front of everyone.
Just thinking about it...
Makes me sick.
I turned to leave the room.
But once again, I heard Yukinoshita's voice behind me.
"Hikigaya-kun..."
I turned around immediately.
What now?
Is she going to challenge me again?
"I'll think about my request later," she said with a gentle smile.
Ah...
That's right.
I'm the one who lost.
I raised my hand in acknowledgment before finally leaving.
Kushida completely avoided making eye contact with me, as if she were afraid I'd expose her.
Ignoring everyone's stares...
And ignoring Hirata and the others trying to talk to me...
I walked out of the arcade.
"Finally..."
I took a deep breath while looking out at the sea before me.
I was used to celebrating my birthday at home with only Komachi.
The only present I ever received from my parents was money.
Even though today had felt ordinary...
I ended up spending it playing games as if I were actually celebrating.
Damn it...
Have I become one of those kids who enjoys their youth?
The day still wasn't a good one.
Because I didn't get to celebrate it with Komachi.