It's early morning at the Takei Residence, and Hisa sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts running. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room, but her mind was far from peaceful. She wasn't sure how to handle the situation.

Nodoka had rushed out of the mahjong club last night, her face tight with frustration—or was it anger? Hisa couldn't tell. She had hoped that watching Miyanaga Saki play would lift Nodoka's spirits. But the outcome had been unexpected, even for Hisa. Miyanaga Saki won, yes—by an overwhelming, undeniable margin.

Hisa sighed, her eyes drifting to the tickets in her hand. Pool access at the sports centre. She had purchased them in advance, figuring it would be a nice way for the team to relax, to unwind before the individual tournaments began.

The individual tournaments were fast approaching, and she wondered if they could still enjoy some time at the pool after everything that had happened.

Hisa shrugged, "She probably need to cooldown."

Hisa then sent a message to her team mates to bring their own swimsuits. Hisa glanced at the clock. Maybe a break at the pool will help. It'll give me a chance to talk to Nodoka, see if there's something more going on.

The Kiyosumi Mahjong Club had just arrived at the pool, the bright sun casting playful reflections on the water. Yuuki, Maho, and Kyoutaro were already excitedly pointing at the pool, while Mako adjusted her glasses, observing the surroundings. Hisa, always composed, watched over her team with a sense of responsibility, but her mind kept wandering back to Nodoka. She hadn't seemed herself lately, and Hisa was hoping the pool outing would help ease the tension.

Just as they were settling in, Nodoka's phone rang. The sudden sound cut through the relaxed atmosphere, and all eyes turned to her. Nodoka fumbled her phone, her cheeks reddening slightly as she quickly answered it.

"Hello, Saki-san," she said softly, her tone tender, almost as if she were cradling the words with care.

Hisa's brows shot up, surprise flashing across her face. Saki-san? she thought, taken aback by the gentle intimacy in Nodoka's voice. The concern she'd had about her teammate's mood was quickly replaced by curiosity. What is going on here?

She shooed everyone except Nodoka to go and start changing, giving the pink-haired girl some privacy.

As they were heading to changing area, unable to resist, Hisa's lips curled into a smirk as she thought, First name basis, huh? She instinctively glanced at Mako, who was walking nearby. Their eyes met, and sure enough, Mako had that same look—sharp, knowing, like a hunter who had just caught the scent of something intriguing.

Mako's predatory grin widened, her glasses catching the sunlight as she tilted her head ever so slightly. Hisa couldn't help but smirk back. The second-year's expression was probably mirroring her own. They didn't need words; the silent understanding passed between them. This was something worth paying attention to.

In the background, the first years were blissfully unaware of the silent exchange, Yuuki was urging everyone to hurry up clearly excited.

Well, well, Hisa thought, looks like there's more to Nodoka's worries than just mahjong. She shook her head a smile on her face, already thinking about how to tease her later, but for now, she was content to let things play out naturally. This pool day was starting to get interesting.

Hisa stretched out on the lounge chair, letting the warmth of the sun seep into her skin. Looks like the day is a success, she thought, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over her as she watched her team unwind. Yuuki and the others were splashing around, using Nodoka's inflatable Etopen as a makeshift volleyball for their impromptu pool game. Mako, always focused when she had a goal in mind, was steadily doing laps in the deeper end of the pool. Hisa had to admire her determination—10 km is not an easy feat, but Mako seemed to thrive on challenges, especially those passed down from her grandfather.

Hisa smirked to herself. Perfect timing. She noticed Nodoka had retreated to the side of the pool, sitting on the edge with her feet dangling in the water. She looked relaxed, but there was still a certain distance in her expression, as if her mind was elsewhere.

Hisa's grin widened, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. This is my chance.

She pushed herself up from the lounge chair and casually sauntered over to Nodoka, her expression shifting into one of playful smugness. As she approached, she put on her best shit-eating grin and leaned slightly over her seated teammate.

"So…" Hisa began, drawing out the word just enough to make Nodoka glance up at her in mild curiosity. "Are things good between you and 'Saki-san'?"

Nodoka stiffened for a split second, her cheeks instantly flushing pink. "Wh-What do you mean?" she stammered, her fingers fidgeting in her lap.

Hisa chuckled, clearly enjoying this far more than Nodoka was. "Oh, come on. You were practically whispering sweet nothings over the phone earlier. Don't think we didn't notice the tone." She leaned in closer, her smirk deepening. "First name basis already, huh? I didn't know you two were that close."

Nodoka's blush deepened, and she looked away, embarrassed but trying to keep her composure. "It's not… it's not like that," she muttered, though her voice lacked its usual firmness.

"Uh-huh," Hisa said, clearly not buying it. She plopped down beside Nodoka, her elbows resting on her knees as she kept her eyes on her friend. "You don't have to hide it from me, you know. I mean, we're all friends here. But I gotta admit, I'm surprised. You didn't mention anything about you and Saki being this close."

Nodoka fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable but not necessarily denying anything. "We've just… been talking more lately, that's all."

"Talking, huh?" Hisa teased, raising an eyebrow. "Is that what they're calling it now?"

Nodoka gave her a look, but there was no bite in it—just flustered frustration. "Buchou… it's not like that. Saki-san and I… we're friends. That's all."

Hisa's smirk softened, and she leaned back, crossing her arms. "Hey, I'm just teasing you, but in all seriousness… if you ever need to talk about it, I'm here."

Nodoka's expression shifted, her shoulders relaxing a little as Hisa's words sunk in. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice quieter. "I just… I don't know how to explain it."

Hisa nodded thoughtfully. "That's normal. Friendships, relationships… they're all like that sometimes." She gave Nodoka a reassuring smile. "And hey, if you ever need a wing woman, Well, you can ask your Buchou."

Nodoka blinked, confused. "Wing woman?"

Hisa grinned and gave her a playful nudge. "You know, to help you two lovebirds figure things out."

"Buchou!" Nodoka's face turned even redder, and she accidentally splashed some water, her embarrassment evident.

Hisa laughed, dodging the splash with ease. "Alright, alright, I'll stop. But seriously, I'm glad to see you're fine."

Nodoka smiled softly, she glanced toward the pool where the others were still playing, her heart lighter than it had been in days. "Thank you, Buchou," she said quietly, and for the first time in a while, she felt like things would be okay.

"Hey Nodo-chaaan!" Yuuki and Maho called Nodoka back to the pool.


The day of the individuals had arrived, and Nodoka was focused, her mind already on the matches ahead. She had studied the tournament schedule closely and realized that if Kiyosumi made it through the team tournament and she qualified for the individual rounds, her time at the Nationals could extend by nearly two weeks. That meant more time to spend in Tokyo—more time with Saki-san. The thought of being able to stay longer gave her extra motivation. Nodoka wasn't going to let that opportunity slip away.

In front of the tournament building, Nodoka met up with the rest of the Kiyosumi team. Today held special significance, especially for Kyoutarou, who was about to participate in his first real competitive mahjong match. Although Nodoka knew exactly how well he would do, and it wasn't positive, despite playing frequently against strong players…Kyoutarou hadn't made much progress. It was perplexing, and while Nodoka wasn't one to dwell on such things, she couldn't help but feel disappointed for him. With the level of competition, he faced regularly, he should have improved by now.

"Okay, today's games are in the following format," Hisa began, her tone crisp and confident. "There will be 20 East rounds on the first day. You need to be in top 20 to qualify for the second day. I expect everyone to do their best."

By midday, the Kiyosumi Mahjong Club had gathered for lunch, a welcome break from the intense competition of the individual rounds.

Nodoka, positioned comfortably in 3rd place, felt a wave of reassurance wash over her. With her current standing, she was virtually guaranteed a spot in the next day's matches. It was a relief to have a solid footing, allowing her to enjoy the lunch break without the weight of immediate pressure.

Yuuki, on the other hand, was in first place, she can be heard boasting about taco power and 'bonus stage' every now and then. The format of the individual rounds played right into her strengths, and she was on track to set a new record for points gained on the opening day in Nagano Prefecture. Her confidence and excitement were palpable as she recounted her winning hands to her teammates, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Mako and Hisa were also in good positions, their standings reflecting their consistent skills. Mako, ever the steady performer, seemed unfazed by the day's challenges, while Hisa maintained her usual calm and collected demeanour, ready to strategize for the following rounds.

Maho, however, was in a precarious position. She was teetering on the edge of disqualification, and her frustration was evident. The pressure was on for her to improve quickly; otherwise, her chances of continuing in the tournament were at risk. Luckily, because of Yuuki's antics… Maho seemed to adjust pretty well.

The news that Amae Koromo had opted out of the individuals was met with mixed feelings. On one hand, it meant less competition for the top spots, a small comfort in the face of the intense rivalry. On the other hand, it was a missed opportunity to face off against one of the most formidable players, a competitor Nodoka had been looking forward to facing again. Also, the girl was actually quite friendly right after the match.

As they were settling into their lunch, Kyoutarou appeared, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a noticeable slump in his shoulders. He slinked towards the group, his head down, clearly disheartened.

Nodoka glanced up and noticed Kyoutarou's arrival. She gave him a sympathetic look, sensing his frustration.

Yuuki however was relentless, "How did it go, doggy?"

Kyoutarou groaned. "I lost."

"You lost?" Nodoka asked, "There are no eliminations today though."

"There were so many boys that there were. I am so sorry. I have disgraced the good name of the Kiyosumi high school mahjong club!" Kyoutaro sunk to his knees, and lowered his head in a shameless bow.

"Don't worry," Yuuki soothed, "You can still be my doggy. Remember to keep me stocked up with tacos!"

"We are relying on you for supply runs," Hisa said with a smirk.

"Sure sure…" he responded, resigned to his fate.

Hisa wasn't too concerned with how things had gone so far for the majority of the team, but sadly Maho had not managed to qualify for the second day. The small girl was shuffling slowly towards their group, and it was obvious at a glance that she was upset. Her eyes were watering and she was averting her eyes from her teammates who weren't doing a very good job of softening the tension. Hisa realised what was happening and walked forward.

Yuuki beat her to the punch however, "Don't worry Maho; it was those evil old men who are running this thing…" She waved her arm in an exaggerated gesture, indicating that possibly the very building they were in could be at fault, "They just fear you Ma-chan! They conspired against you when you parted the skies yesterday against Ryuumonbuchi… We will not let them get away with it djey!" Yuuki's ridiculousness made Maho laugh.

Nodoka made her way to Maho and hugged her close. "You gave it your best shot Maho-chan." she said, soothingly.

She might have gotten through if she didn't get drawn against you, Hisa quietly thought.Maho wasn't taking the loss personally, but Nodoka really was a pragmatic player. She even directly hit Maho with a mangan during their game together.

Hisa did feel sorry for Maho. She had not had an easy run at all. She had played plenty of players from Kazekoshi Girl's High, but barely any of them had abilities she could take advantage of.

Despite all of that she would have gotten through if she had taken first or possibly even second on the last table, but some girl who didn't take part in the team tournament forced it into the south round and then proceeded to win every hand, knocking Maho down to third.

The train ride back home did not turn out to be too awkward, and they made their Yuuki took her other arm, "We will definitely avenge you tomorrow! Those evil old men shall regret our wrath, you watch djey!"

"Okay…hic…" Maho wiped her face on Nodoka's sleeve, to which Nodoka smiled and stroked her head affectionately. "Thank you Nodo-chan, Yuu-chan…"

Hisa wasn't overly concerned with how the day had gone for most of the team but unfortunately, Maho had failed to qualify for the second day of the tournament. As the small girl shuffled toward the group, it was immediately obvious that she was upset. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she avoided making eye contact with any of her teammates.

Hisa, always quick to read the atmosphere, realized what was happening and started to step forward to console her. But, unsurprisingly, Yuuki beat her to it.

"Don't worry, Maho!" Yuuki exclaimed, waving her arm in a wide, exaggerated motion as if to ward off the gloom. "It's those evil old men who are running this thing! They just fear you, Ma-chan! They conspired against you after you parted the skies yesterday against Ryuumonbuchi… But don't you worry! We won't let them get away with it, djey!" Yuuki's ridiculous, over-the-top gestures and conspiracy theory were so absurd that Maho couldn't help but laugh, a small smile breaking through her sadness.

Nodoka, ever calm and supportive, walked over and wrapped Maho in a warm, comforting hug. "You gave it your best shot, Maho-chan," she said in a soothing voice, gently patting her back.

Hisa, watching from a few steps away, couldn't help but think, she might have qualified if she hadn't been drawn against Nodoka. Maho wasn't taking it personally, of course—she knew how pragmatic Nodoka was, even if it meant directly hitting her with a mangan during their game. But still, Hisa felt a pang of sympathy for Maho. She hadn't had an easy run. Most of her matches had been against players from Kazekoshi Girl's High, none of whom had abilities Maho could use to her advantage.

Even worse, Maho had been close to making it. If she had secured first place—or even second—at her final table, she would've advanced. But instead, she got stuck in an extended south round. Some unfamiliar girl, who hadn't even been part of the team tournament, dominated the round, winning every hand and knocking Maho down to third. It was a tough break.

As the group made their way back home on the train, the mood wasn't as awkward as Hisa had feared. The lighthearted camaraderie and support from her teammates kept Maho's spirits from sinking too low. She sat between Nodoka and Yuuki, leaning into Nodoka's comforting presence while Yuuki wrapped herself around Maho's other side, practically buzzing with energy.

"We'll definitely avenge you tomorrow!" Yuuki declared, pumping her fist in the air. "Those evil old men will regret messing with Kiyosumi! Just wait, Maho-chan, we'll make them pay djey!"

Maho sniffled, a weak giggle escaping her as she wiped her face on Nodoka's sleeve. "Okay… hic…" she mumbled through her tears, managing a small smile.

Nodoka smiled softly in return, her hand gently stroking Maho's hair. "We're all here for you, Maho. Don't worry."

Yuuki, ever the dramatic one, puffed out her chest. "Yeah! And I'll need extra tacos tomorrow for my battle energy. Can't take down those conspirators on an empty stomach, you know!"

Maho chuckled again, this time a bit louder, as she snuggled closer to her friends. "Thank you, Nodo-chan… Yuu-chan…" she murmured, her voice filled with gratitude.

Hisa, watching the scene unfold from across the aisle, smiled to herself. No matter what happened on the mahjong table, their bond as a team always came through stronger. Tomorrow was another day, and she was confident that they would all rise to the challenge again—together.

The second day of the tournament was unfolding spectacularly for Kiyosumi. Hisa, currently in 4th place, was performing admirably, while Yuuki and Mako were climbing steadily within reach of the top 10. Nodoka, on the other hand, is currently on second place.

Maho and Kyoutarou, who had not qualified for this day's matches, were primarily focused on cheering for their teammates. Nodoka's impressive performance required little encouragement, but the support from her friends was unwavering. As they watched, Hisa's attention was drawn to the scoreboard, which listed the matchups for the next round.

Hisa's eyes scanned the board and landed on her next opponent—the girl currently in first place. Let's see if I can do Nodoka and myself a favour here, she thought, her mind racing. This won't be like yesterday, Hisa told herself.

As she approached the table, Hisa greeted her opponent, Kazekoshi's captain, Fukujii Mihoko. "Good game," Hisa said with a slight smirk before turning to Mihoko. "I told you we'd see each other again."

Mihoko's cheeks flushed at the remark, but she tried to keep her composure. "Just my luck," Hisa added, pretending to sigh dramatically, "to be pitted against such a strong player. But don't expect it to go the same way this time."

Mihoko's blush deepened, and the other players at the table exchanged awkward glances, unsure of what to make of the exchange. Despite the playful banter, Hisa's focus sharpened. Mihoko was a formidable opponent, and Hisa knew she had to be at her best to secure a win.

The match began, and Hisa felt the pressure building. Mihoko had been exploiting her bad waits relentlessly, and Hisa had struggled to maintain control. But now, she was nearing a comeback. She was in tenpai with a good wait, holding her breath as she drew a 9-man tile. The decision weighed on her mind—If I discard the dora now, I can keep my chinitsu and switch to a single hell wait.

After a brief pause, Hisa made her move. She discarded the dora and, with a confident voice, declared, "Riichi!"

The word echoed through the room, and the tension grew thicker. Mihoko lifted her gaze, her mind briefly flashing back to when she had first met Hisa. Ueno-san… she thought.

For a few agonizing moments, the outcome remained uncertain. Then, Hisa's gamble paid off. She won the hand and sealed her victory, completing her comeback against Mihoko. Relief washed over her, and she couldn't help but smile as she glanced across the table at her opponent.

"Thank you for the good game," Hisa said, her words filled with respect.

Mihoko, still blushing from earlier, responded with a nod. The formal post-game greetings echoed from the other players, but Mihoko lingered a moment longer. She couldn't help herself and asked, "Why haven't you joined any tournaments after that?"

Hisa paused, then looked up. "Ah… I just wanted to experience the team tournament, honestly."

Mihoko's expression softened. "I looked for you," she admitted quietly, her voice almost shy. "At Kazekoshi, and whenever there was a competition. I thought you'd show up again."

Hisa laughed gently, rubbing the back of her head. "I had a bit of a situation."

There was a brief silence, the tension now of a different kind, before Hisa, with her signature casual charm, remarked, "Your eyes are really pretty, you know."

Mihoko's face turned crimson again, the blush spreading all the way up to her neck. Before she could respond, a loud sound was heard indicating that the final match of the day has ended. Nodoka won against Nanpo Kazue, the girl who had defeated Maho, and the polar opposite of Yuuki. It seems like Nodoka delivered the poetic justice.

"Congratulations for the first place, I think it is only right to walk with you."

Mihoko quickly stood, clearly flustered, and could only nod, her heart still racing. Hisa and Mihoko walked together towards the awarding ceremony.