Chapter 61: Tohka vs. Origami (Please Subscribe)

Toka and Origami were competing in a tennis match.

Originally, Su Mo had looked forward to it, but once the game began, he couldn’t help but wonder how they managed to turn a simple tennis match into a scene reminiscent of “Prince of Tennis,” with earth-shattering intensity.

Despite Toka only just picking up tennis, her innate athletic talent was formidable—she was the most skilled fighter among all the spirits, her swordsmanship second to none. Shortly after entering Raizen High School, she became the president of the kendo club. Although Su Mo had sealed all her powers, her abilities remained impressive; after grasping the basic rules, she adapted to tennis with astonishing speed.

As for Origami, she was even more exceptional, a paragon of all-around excellence—intellect, physicality, beauty, and diligence. As a member of the AST unit, her daily training was far beyond what ordinary people could endure. Thus, when these two faced off, the match was nothing short of ferocious.

Especially since they were competing for the right to a day-long date with Su Mo.

It was as though their lives were on the line.

Origami delivered a powerful smash, her movements elegant, sending the ball flying with such force it practically deserved a flaming special effect. This wasn’t just a game—it felt more like a life-or-death battle.

But Toka wasn’t one to be outdone; she swung her racket with even greater strength, returning the ball with equal vigor.

“Amazing!” Shiori exclaimed, her mouth agape as she watched their match, utterly stunned.

Su Mo nodded in agreement. “It’s just a tennis ball—why make such a spectacle? They haven’t even finished a single rally.”

“Seems you really don’t understand how girls think,” Yamigami Rinne, standing nearby, smiled gently, as if she saw through everything.

For a full hour, Toka and Origami volleyed back and forth, playing the same point from start to finish. The spectacle deeply shocked everyone; countless students were drawn by the rumors, crowding around the court until there was barely any space left.

On the court, Toka and Origami were drenched in sweat, their stamina nearly depleted, both teetering on the edge of collapse.

The match had evolved from a contest of skill into a dramatic battle of endurance—who would fall first?

In the end, Origami, the all-round athlete, proved superior. With astonishing willpower, she finally struck the decisive blow, causing Toka to collapse. As Toka fainted on the court, Shiori and Rinne rushed over in alarm to tend to her, while Origami, wearing a triumphant smile, walked slowly toward Su Mo.

“Su Mo, I won! The date… it’s settled!”

No sooner had she spoken than Origami fainted as well.

Holding Origami in his arms, Su Mo looked at the two girls who had played themselves into unconsciousness—this was absurd to the extreme.

With a rueful smile, Su Mo and his friends brought Toka and Origami to the infirmary to rest. By the time school let out in the afternoon, since both girls were unconscious, Shiori and Rinne decided to send them home early, leaving Su Mo to go home alone for the first time ever.

He stepped out of the school gates.

Looking up, he saw Yoshino standing there in a white dress and a beige newsboy cap. Though she dressed much as usual, Su Mo noticed that Yoshino seemed to have put extra effort into her appearance today.

“Hello, Su Mo!” Yoshino’s left hand shot up, and the rabbit puppet she carried suddenly called out in a loud voice.

“So it’s Yoshino and Yoshinon. What brings you here?” Su Mo asked curiously.

“Well… because… you haven’t spent time alone with me in so long…” Yoshino stammered, shy as ever.

Hearing this, Su Mo felt a pang of guilt.

Yoshino was shy, reluctant to talk with strangers, and couldn’t attend school. Except on weekends, Su Mo and the others were at school every day, leaving Yoshino alone at home to look after things. No wonder she felt lonely.

“I see!” Su Mo nodded, then struck his right fist into his left palm and suggested, “Since that’s the case, let’s take advantage of this afternoon and wander around the shopping street together. And tonight, everyone can join the Tenko Festival. How does that sound?”

“Great idea, Su Mo!” the rabbit puppet laughed heartily.

A smile bloomed on Yoshino’s face. “Yes… that sounds wonderful!”

With Yoshino’s agreement, Su Mo led her to the nearby dating street.

This street was famed as a dating haven, filled with shops and snack stalls—a favorite among couples in Tenko City. Even Toka often came here, though mainly for the food.

Walking along, Su Mo was already drenched in sweat.

Summer in this country was sweltering. Though it was only June, it felt like a steam bath; just a few steps left him sweating profusely.

“Yoshino, should we buy some popsicles to cool off?” Su Mo spotted a cold drink shop ahead and suggested.

“All right…” Yoshino murmured, head bowed in embarrassment.

As Su Mo prepared to buy popsicles, Yoshino suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

Puzzled, he turned to her.

“Could… could I go buy them?” Yoshino gathered her courage. “Since I promised you I’d be brave, I can’t keep running away from strangers. So… can I do it?”

“Ah? Yoshino’s decided to be brave?” the rabbit puppet gasped.

Su Mo was surprised, too. Knowing Yoshino’s character, he realized how much courage it took for her to approach strangers.

Since Yoshino had finally summoned her courage, Su Mo didn’t want to discourage her.

He handed her the money, gave her several reminders, and after several minutes of hesitation, Yoshino finally steeled herself and walked into the cold drink shop.

About fifteen minutes later, Su Mo saw Yoshino emerge, cradling a large bag of popsicles.

“Um… Yoshino, why did you buy so many?” Su Mo asked, speechless. A quick glance revealed twenty or thirty popsicles.

“Well… um…”

Yoshino hung her head, tears brimming in her eyes, looking as though she might cry.

It wasn’t hard to guess what had happened.

Most likely, the shopkeeper saw a timid girl and took advantage, forcing her to buy an enormous quantity. Yoshino, lacking assertiveness, simply accepted whatever was handed to her, leading to this result.

Indeed, it was exactly as Su Mo suspected.

Faced with so many popsicles, Su Mo couldn’t bring himself to ask for a refund.

It would only hurt Yoshino’s feelings. It was her first time buying something alone; if he tried to return them, it would only make things worse. So Su Mo abandoned any plans to confront the shopkeeper.

Instead, he needed to comfort the nearly tearful Yoshino.

“Never mind—let’s eat them all before they melt!” Su Mo took a popsicle from Yoshino’s hands, encouraging her.

Seeing this, Yoshino seemed touched.

She nodded energetically, her small head bobbing up and down.