Saki let out a soft breath as she descended from the stage, the sound of polite applause fading behind her. The oath had gone smoothly—just as it should. Walking beside her sister, Teru, she felt an odd sense of relief. Despite the enormity of the event, standing on stage in front of the entire nation's top high school mahjong players, Saki had managed to keep her composure. I didn't embarrass the school and onee-chan.
As they returned to the Shiraitodai team, Teru glanced at her, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Saki knew Teru was proud of her; it was enough to see the subtle softening of her sister's expression. A slight nod from Teru, barely noticeable to anyone else, spoke volumes. It was the kind of unspoken support Saki had come to rely on. Saki offered a small smile in return, grateful for the moment of connection, but her mind was already elsewhere—on someone she hadn't yet seen.
Nodoka.
A gentle warmth spread through Saki at the thought of her. She had hoped to catch sight of the pink-haired girl in the crowd, but the venue was massive, and there were too many people. As much as she tried to focus during the ceremony, her eyes had instinctively searched the stands for that familiar face. Now that the oath was done, she had hoped to linger a little longer—to stay and watch the drawing for the tournament ladder. She wanted to see where Kiyosumi would be placed, to know when Nodoka would play, and maybe, just maybe, catch a glimpse of her in the process.
But that wasn't going to happen, at least not yet.
"Come on, let's go." Coach Reika's voice cut through her thoughts. The coach's tone was firm but not unkind, reminding her of their next obligation. "We have an interview scheduled, remember? The journalist is waiting."
Saki blinked, the reality of the situation settling in. The interview. Of course, they were expected to represent Shiraitodai. As the reigning champions and top-seeded team, they were constantly in the spotlight. Saki's presence alongside Teru only added to the media's interest, and while Saki wasn't particularly fond of the attention, she understood the responsibility.
"Right," Saki murmured, falling into step with the rest of her team. Awai and the others were already gathering, their expressions ranging from excitement to mild irritation and in her older sister's case…boredom.
"Saki-chaaan, hurryyy~" Awai, ever the energetic one, was practically bouncing with anticipation, "I want this over with so I can eat some snacks." Saki smiled faintly but couldn't quite bring herself to match Awai's enthusiasm. Her mind was too preoccupied.
While Sumire maintained her usual demeanour, "Awai, don't make a scene." And Takami somehow have a cup of tea, how she got it or how she's planning to walk with it…Saki didn't know and Saki wouldn't ask either.
Still, a part of Saki lingered in the moment—her thoughts drifting back to the sea of uniforms and faces, wondering if Nodoka was somewhere among them. She wanted to stay, to find her, even if just for a brief moment. But she knew that wasn't possible right now.
As they walked toward the exit, a subtle disappointment settled in Saki's chest. She glanced around one last time, her eyes scanning the crowd, searching for that flash of pink hair. Her pulse quickened slightly, a small flicker of hope rising within her. Even just a glimpse would be enough—just to know Nodoka was close by but there were too many people. Her heart sank as she realized it was impossible to spot her in the throng of students and spectators.
The disappointment gnawed at her, deeper than she expected. It wasn't like she and Nodoka hadn't made plans to meet later. They had agreed to see each other after the ceremony, but still, Saki had wanted just a small moment—I want to see her even from afar.
"I'll see her later," Saki tried to convince herself, trying to shake off the feeling. But it lingered, an ache in her chest that wouldn't quite go away.
Teru, walking just ahead of her, seemed to notice. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes flicking to Saki's face, then to the direction Saki had been looking. A small frown tugged at Teru's lips, though it was fleeting. She said nothing, only watching for a moment longer. Then, with a barely audible sigh, she walked back to where Saki is and slightly tapped Saki's back before she turned forward again.
Saki looked at her sister and smiled.
As they continued walking, Saki cast one last glance over her shoulder, her heart racing just a little faster, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of Nodoka before they left the main hall.
Nothing.
The sinking feeling returned, sharper now. She sighed inwardly, forcing her attention back to her teammates. Awai was talking animatedly about everything and anything, her excitement spilling into the air. Sumire, ever the voice of reason, was offering quiet advice about how they should handle the media later. Takami is still silently sipping a cup of tea. Saki tried to focus, nodding absently as Sumire spoke, but her thoughts remained elsewhere. The noise of the team felt distant, muted by the tug of her own emotions.
She would make time, later, after the interview. Even if they couldn't talk for long, even if it was just a brief exchange, I want to see Nodoka-chan.
As Shiraitodai finally arrived at the private room where the interview would take place, Saki felt the familiar weight of expectation settle over her. The room was small and tastefully decorated, with a sleek table and plush chairs arranged for their team. The journalist was already seated, adjusting their recording device and flipping through their notebook as they prepared to begin.
Coach Reika took her seat at the head of the table, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Saki sat beside Teru, the rest of their teammates filing in quietly behind them. Awai bounced into her seat with barely restrained energy, while Sumire sat with her usual air of calm authority, her posture straight and dignified. Takami, of course, managed to find a seat without spilling a single drop of her tea.
The journalist offered a polite smile before beginning. "Thank you for your time, Coach Reika, and the rest of the Shiraitodai team. I appreciate you sitting down with me. First, I'd like to ask about the team formation this year. Both Miyanaga Teru and Miyanaga Saki have held the Captain position for Shiraitodai in the past two years. How did you decide the current formation, especially with Miyanaga Teru now playing as the Vanguard?"
There was a brief pause as Coach Reika gathered her thoughts, her expression thoughtful but measured. "Both Teru and Saki have been integral to our team's success over the years," she began, her voice steady. "In the past, they both played as Captains, which was a decision to ensure Shiraitodai will secure victory. However, after careful consideration and observation of this year's competition, the competition will be tough."
Coach Reika continued, her tone confident. "But now... both sisters are currently in the High School stage."
The said journalist leaned forward slightly, clearly intrigued.
Coach Reika said, "With Teru in the front and Saki's presence as the Captain, and with the rest of our players in our roster, I am sure that this is the strongest Shiraitodai has been…No, this is the best team Inter high has seen."
The journalist was stunned for a moment. She scribbled a few notes before glancing at Saki. "If I may ask Miyanaga Saki-san, how do you feel about the change? After playing as the Captain before, what's it like to take on this role again, but in a different context?"
Saki blinked, surprised by the direct question, but she quickly tried to composed herself. "I-I'm happy to do whatever is best for the team," she said softly. "I trust Coach Reika's decisions. It's an honour to play alongside with Onee—err… with my sister and my teammates, no matter the position."
Beside her, Teru gave a small, approving nod, though she said nothing.
The journalist turned to Teru next. "And for you, Miyanaga Teru-san? How does it feel to step into the Vanguard role after so much success as the Captain?"
Teru's expression unlike her usual stoicism and composed demeanour is smiling, her voice jolly as she responded. This is the fake personality that Teru presents to the media, "It's a different challenge, but one I'm prepared for. We all know our roles, and we trust each other."
The journalists seemed satisfied with the answers, scribbling more notes as they prepared for the next set of questions. Asking the other players in the team, most of the general questions were answered either by Teru, Sumire, or the coach.
As the interview continued, Saki's mind drifted for a moment—just long enough to recall Nodoka's face.
"Miyanaga Saki-san," the journalist's voice broke through Saki's thoughts, snapping her back to the present. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, the quiet hum of the room sharpening in her ears as she refocused on the interview.
"This is your first Inter-High, your debut and I just have to sate my curiosity, among all the captains from the other teams," the journalist continued, pen poised above the notepad, "which mahjong player are you looking forward to the most?"
Saki froze for a second. It was a simple question; one she could easily brush off with a general answer. But her mind immediately conjured the image of her—the soft, familiar pink hair, the determined eyes that glimmered with both kindness and strength.
"Haramura Nodoka," Saki blurted, the name tumbling out of her mouth almost before the question had fully registered.
The air in the room seemed to still for a fraction of a second. What did I just say? She hadn't meant to be so direct. The silence felt heavy, and Saki's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing.
Even the journalist paused mid-stroke, surprised by how quick she answered. Saki blinked, the realization of her slip washing over her.
In the periphery of her vision, she caught Takami's hand move swiftly, and a moment later, Awai yelped in protest. "Ow! What was that for?" Awai rubbed her arm with a pout, glaring at Takami, whose expression remained serenely indifferent as if nothing had happened.
Saki tried to refocus, but Teru's subtle reactions didn't escape her notice either. Teru's shoulders, which had been relaxed a moment before, visibly tensed, as if she had been bracing herself for something. Saki felt a pang of guilt—she knew her sister had been silently supporting her, and this slip-up might have stirred concerns. But Teru didn't say a word, only glancing at Saki with a look that was both soft and understanding.
Sumire faked a small cough, breaking the awkward silence that followed Saki's outburst. Her gesture was discreet but effective, helping to shift the attention back to the interview without drawing further scrutiny.
Coach Reika, on the other hand, wasn't as subtle. She glanced at Saki, her brows knitting together in concern. Saki felt her pulse quicken.
Saki forced herself to breathe slowly, to calm the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirling in her chest. She was more flustered than she liked to admit, and the sudden attention on her answer had made her hyper-aware of her surroundings.
The journalist, sensing the shift in atmosphere, jumped into action. "Haramura Nodoka," she repeated, as if committing the name to memory. "The inter-middle runner-up and currently the captain for the Nagano prefecture's Kiyosumi, can you elaborate on that, Miyanaga Saki-san?"
Saki felt her throat tighten, and for a brief moment, time seemed to slow. She was acutely aware of all the eyes on her—waiting, watching. Her heart beat faster, not just because of the question but because of what lay behind it. There are things she wanted to say, things she couldn't say.
"I… I respect her as a player," Saki began, her voice steady on the surface, but the words felt too simple for what she truly felt. "Haramura-san has always been a strong and determined opponent," she continued, her hands curling slightly in her lap as she fought to maintain her composure. "She plays with a lot of passion, and I a-admire that. I think it will be exciting to see how she competes in this tournament." As she finished, her gaze momentarily flickered down to her hands, fingers tightening for a brief second before she forced herself to look up again.
It was a safe answer. They were true, of course—she was not a good actress and a very bad liar. But she found there was no need to lie; Nodoka was all those things and more.
The journalist's eyes gleamed, clearly wanting to press further, but before she could speak again, Coach Reika smoothly intervened, her voice calm and authoritative. "I believe that's all the time we have for today," she said, interlacing both her hands. "We appreciate your questions, but we have other obligations to attend to."
There was no mistaking the finality in her tone—polite yet firm. It was a clear message: the interview is over. The journalist, sensing the shift in the room, hesitated for a moment before offering a professional smile, closing her notes. "Thank you for your time and for answering so thoughtfully."
Saki felt a rush of relief as the room began to stir. The tension eased somewhat, but her heart was still racing. Her mind replayed the moment when Nodoka's name had slipped from her lips so effortlessly. What have I done? She couldn't shake the feeling of exposure, like she had revealed more than she intended.
As soon as the door clicked shut, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The formality that had hung in the air during the interview dissolved instantly, leaving the Shiraitodai team in a much more relaxed—if somewhat tense—state. Coach Reika made sure that the door was closed and then locked it.
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut. Coach's sharp gaze swept across the team, lingering on each member.
Her brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms. "I can't help but notice a change, it feels like you're all hiding something from me."
Saki shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her heart racing as the coach's piercing stare landed on her. She could feel the weight of the room's silence pressing down, urging someone—anyone—to break it. But the rest of the team remained tight-lipped, their eyes darting away as if they could somehow become invisible.
"There's something going on, and I know it," Coach continued, her voice rising slightly. The intensity in her gaze pierced through Saki, who felt the pressure mounting. Just as she thought the moment couldn't get any worse, Coach paused, her eyes widening with realization. "Haramura Nodoka."
At the mention of Nodoka's name, Saki visibly flinched, a deep flush spreading across her cheeks.
The coach leaned forward, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Saki," she said, her voice steady but firm, "can you tell me what happened? I expect my players to be honest with me."
Without warning, Teru stepped forward, placing herself directly in front of Coach Reika, shielding Saki from view. The sudden movement caught everyone off guard, a ripple of surprise coursing through the room.
"It is not school-related," Teru said flatly, her voice steady and unyielding. The intensity of her gaze locked onto Coach, a silent challenge hanging in the air.
Coach Reika raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback by Teru's intervention. "Are you implying that this is none of my business?" she asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and authority.
"No, I am inferring," Teru replied without hesitation, crossing her arms defiantly. "If it is outside Mahjong, you don't need to know it."
Coach Reika leaned back in her chair, a pensive look on her face. "Haramura Nodoka is a mahjong player, Teru. You should be aware of that."
Teru crossed her arms, defiantly shaking her head. "Outside of matches, our business is our business. What Saki does doesn't concern you."
Saki stretched her arms towards Teru's arms and squeezed, silently thanking her sister.
Coach Reika squinted her eyes, a mixture of concern and frustration brewing within her. "You have to understand, Teru. This attitude could risk the team—"
Teru interrupted when she felt her sister stiffen up, her voice rising slightly. "It doesn't affect the team! Saki and I are both here to compete."
The coach leaned forward, her expression firm. "You might think that, but remember—you and Saki are both mahjong scholarship students. That comes with expectations."
Teru's brow furrowed as she leaned in, her voice low but intense. "You know who we are, Coach. Not to boast, but you know how many schools would kill for us to play for them."
The rest of the Shiraitodai team, who had been silently watching the tense exchange between Teru and Coach Reika, shared uncertain glances. For a moment, the room felt suffocating, the weight of the confrontation pressing down on everyone. Takami's hand paused mid-sip, her usually calm expression now marred with a hint of concern. Sumire folded her arms but kept her eyes locked on the back of Teru's head, as if analysing the situation, waiting for the right moment to step in.
Awai, who had been fidgeting in her seat, suddenly stilled. Her usual energy seemed to drain from her as she caught onto the gravity of the moment. Her eyes darted between Teru, Saki, and the coach, trying to understand the situation. Then, without a word, she pushed her chair back, rising to her feet. It was an uncharacteristically quiet movement from Awai, but it spoke volumes.
Takami followed suit, her movements graceful yet deliberate as she stood up, carefully setting her tea down. Sumire, after a measured breath, stood as well, her authoritative air only growing more pronounced as she took her place beside the others.
One by one, the rest of the team rose to their feet, each of them stepping forward in silent unison.
Sumire glanced at Saki and Teru before finally looking their coach in the eyes, no words needed.
The room seemed to grow smaller, the weight of the team's collective stance pressing down on Coach Reika. Then she let out a sigh before proceeding towards the door, "very well," she said, her voice softer now but still carrying its edge. "If you all stand behind this, then I will trust in your judgment—for now," then the Shiraitodai's coach left the room.
After a beat of silence, Awai let out a deep sigh and said, "Woo, now that's done and over with, can we get snacks?"
Continuing from the tense moment after Coach Reika left the room, Saki remained frozen for a moment. She glanced around the room, her teammates' faces filled with concern and unspoken support. The guilt that had been building inside her felt unbearable.
"I'm... I'm sor—," Saki began, her voice quiet, but before she could finish, Takami swiftly moved towards her. In a single, fluid motion, Takami wrapped her arms around Saki in a warm embrace, pulling her close. Saki's breath hitched in surprise as Takami's hand came to rest gently on her head, patting it with soft, reassuring strokes.
"There's no need for you to apologize," Takami said gently, her voice calm and soothing. "You've done nothing wrong, Saki."
Saki blinked, her eyes widening as the unexpected comfort washed over her. She had expected reprimands, more questions—anything but this. The warmth of Takami's embrace, the simple act of being held, made her feel as if a heavy burden had been lifted, if only for a moment.
Sumire, standing nearby, watched the scene unfold with a knowing smile. She uncrossed her arms and leaned in slightly, her tone light yet firm. "But if you absolutely feel like you must say something, even though it's not necessary," she paused, her eyes meeting Saki's with a gentle understanding, "then perhaps a simple 'Thank you' would suffice."
Saki's eyes softened, her guilt ebbing away just a little as she considered Sumire's words. There was so much she wanted to say—so many feelings tangled up inside her. But maybe Sumire was right. Maybe "thank you" was all that needed to be said.
Before Saki could respond, there was a sudden movement to her left. Awai, her usual boundless energy returning full force, practically bounced out and made a beeline for Teru and Sumire. With surprising strength, she grabbed both of their arms and declared loudly, "Group hug time!"
Teru, who had been watching everything unfold, raised an eyebrow, but she didn't resist as Awai dragged her forward. Sumire, who had been poised and composed just a moment ago, now found herself being pulled into the fray, a look of mild exasperation crossing her face.
"We're doing this now, are we?" Sumire sighed, but there was a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Awai grinned, her energy infectious. "Of course! We need a proper team moment after all that. No one's getting left out!"
In the blink of an eye, Saki found herself at the centre of the group, surrounded by the warmth and camaraderie of her teammates.
Saki couldn't help but smile, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. She glanced up at Teru, who gave her a subtle, reassuring nod, and then at the rest of her teammates. Maybe Sumire-senpai had been right. Maybe all that needed to be said right now is, "Thank you."