Chapter 52: End of the First Half
Pi-pi-pi-pi-pi! Pi-pi-pi-pi-pi!
"That’s the end of the first half. Elf-san, members of the 《Activity Four Kings》, good work."
"Riku-kun, what about me!?"
When I glanced toward the source of the beeping, one of Misora’s staff was holding the timer aloft.
Top Chat: lol
Top Chat: The sister bullying slipped in so casually
Top Chat: Why does Reverse God’s screaming suit her so perfectly?
"We’ll now take a five-minute break, switch courts, and then move into the second half. There will be no additional time. If the match ends in a draw, it will stand as the result. Is that acceptable?"
"Got it."
"Wa-ha-ha-ha! No objections!"
Top Chat: Good work for the first half
Top Chat: Tough result so far
Top Chat: One to one, huh
Top Chat: Being outnumbered hurts more than expected
Once lining up in front of the goal had been banned, the match resumed with the Four Kings’ ball, devolving into a wild scramble.
First, Misora and I planted ourselves right in front of Red to block any long pass at the restart, while Red tried to open space to get one off.
But this see-through meat singlet ball-rolling game made it even harder than soccer to change direction while keeping possession. Red was pushed steadily back by Misora and me, forced into short passes with the other Four Kings rushing up in a panic. But even their side couldn’t manage much beyond just holding possession.
As a result, both sides lacked any decisive breakthrough, and halftime arrived.
"We can’t win unless we block that opening long pass."
Top Chat: Yeah, that’s really what it comes down to
Top Chat: I mean, it’s already weird you’re evenly matched while one player short lol
Top Chat: Elf-san says she’s ‘gotten used to it’ and then immediately goes zooming all over the place
Top Chat: [Bad News] Using Reverse God as a springboard turned out meaningless [Nyaaande!?]
"Whew. Elf-san, don’t you need a towel?"
"Mm."
Misora was wiping sweat with a towel.
The temperature had already passed thirty degrees today. Just moving a little would normally make sweat pour out. Under normal circumstances, anyway.
Top Chat: Why isn’t Elf-san sweating?
Top Chat: Elf-san, you okay? You alive?
Top Chat: Zombie Elf theory
"I’m alive."
It seemed this body was good at exercise too. I didn’t even feel my breathing falter at this level. Convenient.
"But Elf-san, isn’t there anything we can do about those long passes?"
"Hmm."
I reached out and touched the chain-link fence.
It was the fencing that originally enclosed the two tennis courts, not rigid concrete-based, but designed to flex and absorb the impact when struck by a ball or a person.
"There is."
Top Chat: Oh
Top Chat: Seriously!?
Top Chat: What do we do?
"First, we need to gather hangers to hang the jackets."
"I’ll go get them!"
Top Chat: Hmm?
Top Chat: What’s happening?
"Then, hang the gathered hangers all over the chain-link fence of the court."
"I’ll hang them up!"
Top Chat: Hmmm?
Top Chat: And then, what happens?
"If they aim at the fence, the ball will hit the hangers and the reflection angle changes, so they won’t be able to make passes."
Top Chat: Elf-san lol
Top Chat: Hey, Elf lol
Top Chat: Elfff!
Top Chat: Don’t change the court lol
"Not allowed?"
Top Chat: Nah, the court’s state is part of the rules anyway
Top Chat: Looks like Elf tried to pull something again, but tough luck!
Top Chat: [Bad News] Elf failed [Nyaaande!?]
Top Chat: Heard Elf and Reverse God are interacting
Top Chat: Wait, no
"Wa-ha-ha-ha! But the fence is part of the court, so we should limit contact to just the competitors and the ball!"
Top Chat: Okay, clear it out
Top Chat: Reverse God, collect the hangers!
"Really? That’s fine?"
Top Chat: Oh?
Top Chat: What is?
Top Chat: Could it be…
"Then it’s simple. —Let’s do it, second half!"
Top Chat: Ah, here comes the game-breaking move
Top Chat: Farewell, see-through meat singlet ball-rolling game. We’ll never forget you
Top Chat: You’ve already forgotten the official name lol
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