Chapter 668: He Ye: Don’t underestimate our bond!
It was indeed his sudden idea to ask Reiko Akiba to perform before the game. As the classic theme song of "Crimson Love Letter", "Togetsukyo Bridge" fits the atmosphere of the karuta competition perfectly.
And Reiko Akiba lived up to her reputation as the "Queen of High Notes" and performed this piece to perfection.
Compared with the original version, it is obviously improved by more than one level.
Toyama Kazuha and Ooka Momiji, who were kneeling in front of the card array, were still immersed in the song just now, their pretty faces full of intoxication.
Especially Hongye, her delicate face was slightly flushed, and her eyes were shining with a strange light - the lyrics of this song seemed to be telling of her feelings for her husband.
"Both contestants, please get ready."
Hanyu Kusunoki said warmly.
Upon hearing this, He Ye and Hong Ye's eyes instantly became sharp.
The intoxicated look just now disappeared, replaced by a state of full concentration in competition, with their slender fingers suspended above the card array, ready to attack at any time.
Hongye suddenly said, "Little Leaf, are you ready to lose?"
He Ye was not to be outdone: "Nan said that those who talk trash during the game...are guilty."
Hanyu Kusunoki: “…”
Have you ever said this yourself?
Okay, just pretend you said it yourself.
His eyes swept over the girls kneeling on both sides of the card array, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he picked up a card from the reading table:
"So, the first song of the finals—"
"'I meet an old friend after a long absence, but it's hard to recognize his face'——"
Before he finished speaking, Hongye's fingertips had already swept across the card array like lightning.
"Snapped!"
The crisp sound of cards hitting each other resounded throughout the venue.
He Ye's pupils shrank slightly and he wrinkled his nose in annoyance.
She took a song card from the red leaf deck, placed it in the deck in front of her, quickly adjusted her breathing, and stared at the deck with sharp eyes.
Hongye took back her hand, slowly adjusted her cuffs, and said with her red lips: "Little Leaf, don't let me win too easily~"
He Ye snorted: "Don't be so proud, this is just the beginning!"
Hanyu Kusunoki smiled slightly and continued to recite the next waka poem.
As a reader and referee, he couldn't favor anyone. With He Ye's personality, she also wanted to win this love bet fairly.
..........
Inside the viewing venue.
The audience stared at the big screen with bated breath.
"Hongye is so fast!" Xiaolan clenched her fists nervously.
"Come on, Kazuha!" Sonoko shouted, waving her arms.
Hibiki Eri was thinking at the side. As a lawyer, she quickly analyzed the situation: "Hongye's speed of listening to cards is faster than Heye's. If Heye wants to win, she must find a breakthrough."
Yukiko held her chin up and said with a smile, "Isn't it more interesting to hear a story about turning defeat into victory?"
"No need to worry." Ikebo Jinghua tapped her folding fan, staring at the determined girl on the big screen, and said faintly: "He Ye is the best at striking back..."
As the game entered the middle stage, Ooka Momiji temporarily took the lead.
The card array in front of him has been half cleared.
Sweat broke out on Ye Guangjie's forehead and there was a trace of solemnity on her pretty face. The opponent's strength was beyond her expectations. If this continued, she would definitely lose.
No, no, no! ! !
We must not lose!
She would never allow anyone to take Nan away!
"Pause."
He Ye suddenly raised his hand and called for a pause.
"Yeah." Hanyu Kusunoki nodded and gave her a gentle smile.
Looking at this smile, the girl's heart calmed down for some reason, and the anxiety in her aqua eyes was gradually replaced by softness.
She closed her eyes, and memories came flooding back.
When she first became a disciple, Master Jinghua taught her how to place cards; when she practiced until late at night, Nan silently handed her hot milk and a loving hug; on the eve of the competition, Xiaolan and Yuanzi stayed up all night to make a cheering banner for her...
"Listening to a card is like listening to the wind, and striking a hand is like throwing a punch."
The Master’s teachings echoed in my ears.
"Nan, Master, Xiaolan, Sonoko, Sister Mingmei, Xiaoai... I think everyone is looking at me, please cheer for me!"
"I won't lose, definitely not!"
When the girl opened her eyes again, her aura suddenly changed.
Exciting music also sounded in the venue at the right time.
He Ye: “…”
Ooka Momiji: “…”
The two girls looked at Hanyu Kusunoki with bewildered expressions.
Is this right?
"Ahem, sorry, sorry, I really couldn't help it."
Hanyu Kusunoki coughed twice, snapped his fingers, and the music disappeared.
I really can't blame him. It's just that He Ye's performance is too consistent with the protagonist in a hot-blooded anime. A wave of chicken soup when the wind is against him immediately brings him back to full health.
It would be a shame to not have some BGM.
Don't underestimate our bond, asshole!
"excuse me."
He Ye knelt down again, staring at the card array with great momentum.
Ooka Hongye looked at her opponent who seemed to have changed compared to before, and was slightly stunned, then narrowed her eyes: "Oh? Are you finally serious?"
He Ye took a deep breath and raised a confident arc at the corner of his mouth: "Next, it's my turn!"
.........
"The game continues."
Hanyu Kusunoki's voice echoed in Gaoyue Hall, and the cuffs of his white kendo uniform swayed gently as he raised his hand.
His slender fingers picked up a new karuta from the stage.
"'The dew on the evening primrose disappears in an instant' -"
As the reading sound fell, Ooka Hongye's fingertips had already swept out.
But this time, He Ye's movements were faster - her palm chopped down like a knife, and at the moment when Hong Ye was about to touch the card, she hit the target card first.
"Snapped!"
The crisp sound of cards hitting each other echoed in the room.
Hongye's pupils shrank slightly, and then she chuckled: "Interesting, it seems that Xiaoye has finally woken up?"
"Thanks to you." He Ye smiled playfully, took out a card from his own deck and handed it over, "Now is the beginning."
Looking at the two women who were confronting each other, Hanyu Kusunoki picked up the karuta again and recited: "'On a spring night, I dream of a floating bridge, and stop to look at the night sky'——"
"Snapped!"
This time, it was He Ye who took the first step, and his movements were so fast that they left afterimages.
Hongye's fingertips slowed down a beat and hung in mid-air.
"'Fireflies fly in the summer night, the faint light reflects the dream'——"
"Bang!" He Ye took the lead again.
"'Late in the night, a person sleeping alone is heartbroken'——"
"Snapped!"
Four consecutive poems, He Ye is like entering an empty space,
All that was left in her eyes were the card array and the poem; all the sounds from the outside world disappeared. At this moment, the spirited girl's aura completely rose.
The proud noble lady had to take it seriously.
"Very nice counterattack." Ooka Hongye praised sincerely, "You are worthy of being a girl that your husband likes, Xiaoye."
But that’s as far as it goes.
She has already discovered the card that He Ye has been paying attention to.