Waking Up Engaged to a Cool Yandere Beauty: My Wild Journey with a Love-Obsessed Senior - Episode 12: Fierce Battle! Softball Koshien, Love Homing Shot

Episode 12: Fierce Battle! Softball Koshien, Love Homing Shot

The incoming tennis ball curved sharply as it streaked through the air, cutting at an acute angle. It was way beyond what I could catch.

“Senpai!”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Senpai, clad in her tennis outfit, had already read the ball’s trajectory. By the time I turned around, she was already positioned perfectly behind the drop point.

“Here we go, Rei-kun!”

“I’m ready! Send it my way anytime!”

Pakaan! The sound of the racket striking the ball echoed clearly.

I tracked the ball’s path with my eyes and immediately started running.

The ball was just behind me. As I dashed across the court, it felt like the ball was following me.

Apparently, Senpai’s “Love Homing Shot” transcended the laws of physics.

“Here it comes!”

It was close—almost too close. I could hear the ball’s spin as I dove onto the court, sliding headfirst like in baseball.

“What the!? Why’s it changing course!?”

Senpai’s magic shot curved like a serpent, drawing a huge arc before landing on the opponent’s court. Then—

“Eek!”

The moment it bounced, it made a U-turn. Without losing momentum, it streaked right back to me, crashing into the net. If the net hadn’t been there… just imagining the alternative was terrifying.

“Game and match! Won by the Tennis Club Circle!”

The final match ended just past noon, and as it did, my legs gave out beneath me.

“W-we won!”

“Good work, Rei-kun.”

“You too, Senpai. Great job.”

In the end, Senpai and I won the mixed doubles championship. It had been a grueling and treacherous path, but her incredible shots and my strategic movement paved the way for our victory.

“That makes one event down. Depending on how the other events go… Soccer and basketball are off the table for us, so let’s hope no one else sweeps both.”

If no one claimed both of those events, our victory in the soon-to-start softball match would secure the overall championship.

“Let’s head back to the tent for now.”

“Right.”

At the tournament, each circle had set up tents around the school grounds for their teams to rest between matches. Ours wasn’t far from the tennis courts—just a five-minute walk.

“Uka, Shion, well done. You have my commendations.”

Seated cross-legged on a blue tarp, the club president applauded us the moment our eyes met.

“Sir! Your words honor me!”

“This was inevitable with me and Rei-kun paired up. I mean, when it’s me and Rei-kun, how could we not win?”

Senpai repeated herself, emphasizing the point as if it were crucial.

“The girls’ basketball team won their event, and the research club clinched soccer. Thanks to you two, we took tennis. Now it all hinges on the final event: softball.”

“Exactly. If someone else claims that, we won’t get the prize money… right?”

If it was the same as last year, that was indeed the case.

“Uka, a word. About what we discussed yesterday—I’d like to talk.”

The president glanced around briefly before leaning in to whisper.

“That matter, right? Let’s find somewhere else to discuss it.”

“Shion, could you come along? Right now, you and Uka are the only ones I can fully trust. Maybe Rinrin, too.”

“I’ve heard everything from Rei-kun. Let’s go.”

We had time before the final softball match, as it was scheduled after lunch.

“Alright, let’s move.”

Following the president’s lead, we left the tent and headed toward the old school building, where there were fewer people.

In the shadow of the dilapidated structure, the president’s gaze sharpened.

“To cut to the chase, I think we have a spy.”

“I thought so.”

“Why do you think that, Mari?” Senpai asked, tilting her head.

“Multiple circle memberships are allowed, so motivations can differ. Basically, someone could belong to our circle but have their heart set on another.”

“I see. I wouldn’t know much about that, since I’m not in a circle myself.”

That sounded about right. Senpai’s aura of isolation and her “untouchable beauty” image were well-known.

“Yeah, Shion doesn’t have any friends besides me.”

“Regrettably, you’re right.”

Her expression betrayed genuine frustration.

“So, who do you suspect?” I asked directly.

If we could pinpoint the culprit, we could prepare accordingly for the softball match.

“Uka.”

“Yes?”

“Let me ask you this: Do you think someone with hair as wild as yours could come up with a complex plan?”

“Not at all.”

“Good. You’re the mole.”

“That’s harsh… Joking aside, we currently have nine members. Ideally, we’d want two or three more, right?”

If anyone got injured, we’d have no choice but to forfeit.

“No need to worry. I got a call last night—two people survived hell and are back in action.”

“What?! You mean they already recovered from raw oyster poisoning?!”

Such resilience. It was almost admirable.

“Yeah. They should be here soon.”

The president smirked, pulling out his phone.

“Alright! Then we just need to bench the suspicious ones and put those two in the starting lineup.”

“That would give us the bare minimum of security, yes.”

“Mari, one question. Do we even stand a chance? Most of us, including myself, have little to no experience with softball.”

“Hah, as if I’d go into this without a plan.”

The president grinned smugly, exuding confidence.

“What sort of plan…?”

“Gwaaah!!”

The softball struck me squarely in the head.

“Reiiii!”

My teammates’ voices echoed across the diamond. Was this the plan?

“Strike!”

Even the umpire seemed to have been heavily influenced by professional baseball. My ears hurt.

“Time out!”

The president’s voice rang out as hurried footsteps approached.

“Uka, I’m sorry, but this is the only way to win.”

“I understand. This is the turning point, right?”

“Exactly. Once this war is over, I’ll treat you to yakiniku.”

“You’d better keep your word! I’m expecting Dio-en!”

Dio-en—where even a simple bento box cost over 3,000 yen.

“Fine. Shion can join us, too.”

“Then get back to the bench already. Dragging out the timeout isn’t good, either.”

The plan was painfully simple.

Senpai’s “Love Homing Shot” would inevitably fly straight toward me. The idea was to use her ball to reinforce our defense—a strategy as basic as it was absurd.

“I’m sorry, Rei-kun. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Senpai ran over from the mound, looking genuinely distressed.

“Senpai!”

“Y-yes?”

“I’ll take it! I’ll catch it all! So please, throw it with everything you’ve got—for our future!”

Specifically, the victory party that awaited us.

“…Rei-kun. Alright. I’ll steel myself too. I’ll throw it right to you, so… if we win—”

“Hey, Tennis Club! Your timeout’s too long. Get back in position.”

The umpire interrupted. Couldn’t he have let her finish?

“Bring it on!!”

I shouted to psyche myself up.

I had no idea what I was supposed to do as a catcher. But one thing was clear:

“Who wants drinks at the victory party, huh? Let’s do this!!”

Our team had the strongest bond, stronger than any other circle.

That was certain.

—And that was why we would win.