"Why has your Service Club started practicing tennis? Changed professions?" Miura Yumiko subtly probed for information. She had specifically come over alone this time for this very reason.
Yuigahama, however, was completely unaware of Miura Yumiko's intentions and unguardedly revealed everything.
"It's not that, we're handling a request."
"Handling a request?"
"Sa-chan asked us to give him special tennis training."
"Hmm... but why does it feel like they're way more into it over there?"
Miura Yumiko glanced at Mori Shinra running nonstop in the distance, then at the listless Hikigaya feeding balls to Totsuka nearby, and asked with a strange expression.
Actually, Hikigaya and Totsuka were also serious, but everything pales in comparison. Compared to Mori Shinra and Yukinoshita over there, this side looked more like they were just playing house...
"Well... I'm not too sure about that. Mori-kun and Yukinon have probably made another bet," Yuigahama said, scratching her head.
"A bet? Again?" Miura Yumiko keenly caught the keyword.
Yuigahama said with some uncertainty, "Yeah, before it was about grades, now... it's probably about tennis?"
Miura Yumiko said thoughtfully, "So you mean they tied before, and now they're having a tiebreaker?"
"I guess so?"
"I see."
"Huh? Yumiko, what did you just say?"
"Nothing, you guys carry on." Miura Yumiko said her goodbyes.
Not knowing what was going on, Yuigahama could only wave her hand and say to Miura Yumiko, "Oh, okay, see you later then."
"See you later."
Miura Yumiko took a deep look at Mori Shinra and Yukinoshita on the court, then turned and left.
In truth, she also knew how to play tennis; she had been a member of the tennis club in middle school.
As a sport for the elite, tennis not only has high learning costs but also helps in developing good posture and is a popular topic of conversation. Motivated by the desire to shape her public persona and enrich herself, Miura Yumiko had put a lot of hard work into it.
Her skill was quite decent, considered top-tier among amateurs, even a little better than the members of the school's tennis club. She was just about at a 5.0 level.
Most importantly, unlike Yukinoshita, Yumiko's long-term dedication to exercise meant her stamina far surpassed that of other girls her age; even some boys might not be as fit as her. It was precisely because of this that she could perfectly bring out her tennis skills.
With such a skill level, teaching a beginner like Mori Shinra would be more than enough.
In fact, that was her plan. However, she didn't intend to interfere with Yukinoshita's coaching at school, but rather wanted to ask Mori Shinra out alone over the weekend.
After all, at school, Miura Yumiko was a core member of the popular clique. Her every move was under scrutiny, and rashly going to teach Mori Shinra tennis could cause some unnecessary trouble.
For example, strange rumors, or her suitors going to bother Mori Shinra.
Miura Yumiko didn't much care about the former, and would even be happy to see it happen, but the latter was her main concern.
According to her mother's teachings, men generally don't like women who are troublesome and create a lot of drama. If you want to pursue a guy, it's best not to cause too much trouble in his life in the early stages, even if you aren't the direct cause of that trouble.
Miura Yumiko was one to take advice, especially from someone with experience like her mother. That was advice she definitely had to listen to.
Her mom wouldn't harm her, would she?
It was decided. After getting home, she would discuss her weekend strategy with her mom.
Of course, Mori Shinra was oblivious to Miura Yumiko's thoughts. He was currently like a sponge, tirelessly absorbing tennis-related nutrients from Yukinoshita.
Through testing, Mori Shinra found that his physique not only improved his stamina but also brought significant enhancements to his body coordination and reaction speed. In some ways, coordination and reactivity were representative of athletic talent.
If his athletic talent was mediocre before the stat points, then after the additions, he could be called a minor genius.
Furthermore, Mori Shinra discovered that using 'Photographic Memory' during exercise also improved his learning efficiency. After all, muscle memory is still a form of memory.
Incredible, it's a conceptual skill.
"Um, it's about time," Yuigahama said, looking at her watch and hugging the tennis racket she had barely swung since the first day, reminding everyone.
Compared to a special training instructor, Yuigahama was more like a logistics staff... or maybe a tennis cheer manager? If such a position existed.
Yukinoshita stopped serving, looking as if she hadn't had enough. Mori Shinra was speechless when he saw this. How did she get addicted?
"I hate to admit it, but the difference in physical strength between men and women really does exist."
Yukinoshita Yukino said with a hint of sourness in her tone, watching Mori Shinra who had been running nonstop yet still looked completely unfazed.
"You're just not exercising enough," Mori Shinra retorted.
"Your technique certainly needs improvement," Yukinoshita said, changing the subject.
"At this rate, even if my technique can't match yours, I could probably win just by wearing you out, right?"
"That possibility does exist, but with you as you are now... heh—"
Yukinoshita was as proud as ever, but Mori Shinra's words also reminded her. Although Mori Shinra posed no threat to her now, once his technique improved after some time—it wouldn't even need to be much, just reaching a 3.5 level where he could return her serves and rally for a few rounds—it was truly possible that she could be exhausted and lose the match.
No, I have to find a way to improve my stamina!
Thinking of this, Yukinoshita's gaze hardened. She could accept losing a match, but she would absolutely not allow herself to lose due to laziness.
So, how could she improve her stamina?
Yukinoshita's gaze fell on Mori Shinra. With stamina this good, he must have his own unique training methods. Should she ask him for some tips?
Just as Yukinoshita was hesitating about how to ask, Totsuka voiced the question for her.
"Mori-kun, your stamina is so good. How do you usually train?"
"Well... running a lot?"
Mori Shinra knew his own situation best. His training method was simple—system, add points!
"Running... Mori-kun, do you run every day?" Totsuka's eyes lit up, as if he had just heard some ultimate secret technique.
"Well, more or less. I take a day or two off sometimes. After all, exercise is all about balancing work and rest. It's not about not running, but about jogging, running slowly, running with a plan, running flexibly..."
Upon hearing this, Yukinoshsita instantly dismissed the idea of getting tips from him. It was a bunch of empty talk, not a single substantial piece of advice. The key thing was, one dared to say it, and the other actually dared to believe it.
He was even taking notes...