First, a quick PSA for everyone.
— Exercise makes you happy —
— Exercise makes you forget your worries —
— Exercise makes you forget your hatred —
— Exercise… —
Ahem, that went off track a bit. Anyway, my main point is: sometimes team sports are a pretty good way to build friendship.
The reason I say that is because the few people I can actually call “friends” now were all people I met when they invited me to play ping pong with them in PE class.
Maybe because of that, when I think about how to make friends with someone, this sport is the first thing that pops into my head.
But I’m not just gonna walk up and invite her, okay? Someone that classic tsundere would never accept my invitation. I’d get roasted alive.
So we have to slowly spark her interest, then use that chance to get closer.
All right, ready, let’s go—
——————————————
Eileen-senpai was glaring at us, her face full-on “if you don’t leave right now, you’re dead.”
I gave a small nod to the two beside me.
Aiyia: “Sigh, we wanted to go play downstairs, but they said we can’t.”
Wakaka: “Yeah, they even said only the rooftop is free for you to play on.”
Aiyia: “But if we play here, we’ll bother Eileen-senpai!”
Wakaka: “Exactly, but there’s nothing we can do.”
I patted their shoulders lightly and shook my head. “What are you taking senpai for? Eileen-senpai is super generous. I’m sure she won’t mind, right?”
In the distance, I saw the corner of senpai’s mouth twitch twice. Then she picked up a book and used it to cover her face, refusing to look our way.
Okay then, next…
Low rank, level two: Solidify.
I gathered the moisture in the air and shaped it into a ping pong paddle, then used some kind of tennis-like thing that existed in this world as the ball.
“Hey, you two, still remember the rules?”
“Of course!”
They answered me, full of excitement.
“Good. Then let’s start. You have to grab senpai’s attention, got it?”
“Leave it to us!”
Wakaka grabbed the crudely-made ping pong ball with her left hand. Her right hand gripped the paddle and moved up to cover her right eye—
“Flames rising from the depths of hell, turn into the roaring evil in our palms. Let this roar awaken our slumbering power and make me— cough, make us the invincible champions of this court.”
Cold black flames flickered to life on the ice paddle, giving off no heat at all.
“Take this! Hellfire Supreme Flame Wave Ball!”
Facing the incoming ball, Aiyia gripped her paddle with both hands, and like she was swinging a sword, she shouted at the oncoming ball—
“Ha!”
“Hey, wai—”
“Smack—”
The ball that Aiyia smashed back slammed straight into Wakaka’s face.
Aiyia held up two fingers in a V and struck a triumphant winner’s pose.
…
…
I felt something in my head suddenly catch fire.
“Hey. What the hell was that…”
“W-what’s wrong…?”
My icy tone made both Aiyia and Wakaka jump.
I slowly placed my palm on Wakaka’s shoulder.
“Hey. What was that flame thing about? You thought it was cool? You thought it looked badass?”
“Ee— eeya!?”
She let out a little scream, tinged with panic.
Huh? Do I look that scary right now?
Fine, no more sarcasm. I’ll just say it straight.
“Serve properly. Or you’re gonna die a horrible death.”
Wakaka nodded desperately, like I really was going to kill her…
I think someone secretly added a very suspicious line to what I just said… whatever.
“And you, Aiyia.”
“Mm!?”
Aiyia squeezed her eyes shut and hugged her chest with both arms.
What’s with that… you look like you’re about to get assaulted or something…
“You only hit the ball after it bounces on the table. Didn’t I say that before?”
“Y-you did…”
I sighed and shook my head, then motioned for Wakaka to go to the other side.
“Whatever. I’ll stay on this side. You two can come at me together.”
I formed another paddle, pointed it diagonally at the two of them, and said—
“Listen up. I absolutely won’t let you defile the most sacred sport in my heart.”
Aiyia (sniffling under her breath): “Why… why are you doing this…”
Wakaka: “We… we didn’t even come here to play this in the first place…”
