Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

"Hyotei! Hyotei! The victor belongs to Hyotei!"

"Hyotei! Hyotei! The victor belongs to Hyotei!"

Zhiji Forest Sports Park

The grand competition is about to begin here, and the atmosphere in the arena is filled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

Hyotei vs. Fudomine

The two teams stood ready. The support group on Hyotei's side seemed to be ignited by an infinite flame of energy. They were dressed in the same Hyotei school uniform, waving colorful cheering sticks and flags. With the brisk drumbeats, their slogans rose and fell like a surging tide.

The boys and girls' confidence in their favorites filled their faces with enthusiastic smiles, and their eyes sparkled with endless pride and support for the Hyotei regulars.

In contrast, Fudomine, a tennis team that had been suspended for a year and had just returned this year without any outstanding performances, had a very small support group, only a handful of people. Faced with Hyotei's thunderous roar, they seemed considerably less impressive. Their voices appeared to be swallowed up by this immense energy, and their momentum involuntarily weakened.

"How annoying, those Hyotei guys must be so smug. Ah, I want a support group like that too. Today, it's actually a team led by a regular player..." Shinji Ibu stared at Hyotei's support group as he began to mutter to himself.

"Shinji!" Tachibana Kippei quickly interrupted Ibu Shinji's rambling, knowing that if he didn't stop him now, Ibu Shinji could keep rambling until the match started.

However, he hadn't expected Hyotei to send their regular players this time. This was completely different from what he had been told, but...

"call--"

Although the plans have changed somewhat, the issues still need to be faced. Although Kippei Tachibana is somewhat worried about whether his team can defeat Hyotei's regular players, the facts are what they are, and they can only give it their all.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Minister."

"Both sides salute! The second doubles match is about to begin. Teammates, please enter the court." The referee, seated on a high chair next to the tennis net, announced the official start of the match.

"Master, which team do you think will win?"

From the early morning, when Hasebe learned from among the many sword spirits that he had been personally chosen by Yu Bai to be his attendant and to accompany the Saniwa to the human world.

The joy he felt was like cherry blossoms suddenly blooming in spring, so dazzling that a pink cherry blossom blizzard began to fall around him, with petals flying everywhere, so many of them that they could completely obscure his figure.

He slowly took out the exquisite tea and snacks he had carefully prepared, as well as the bottled green tea that the Master had gently instructed him to buy on the way here, from the wide sleeves of his loose yet solemn priest's robe.

He respectfully presented these tokens of his affection with both hands, then Hasebe stepped back slightly, standing firmly behind Yu Bai. Maintaining a stance that was both respectful and vigilant, as if ready to shield the Saniwa from any potential crisis at any moment, his loyalty and protectiveness were self-evident.

"The victor belongs to Hyotei."

He naturally accepted the green tea offered by the spirit, and upon receiving it, he noticed that the bottle cap had been carefully opened by Hasebe, and a smile involuntarily appeared in his eyes.

Yu Bai sometimes finds these sword spirits so adorable. Although he initially chose to become a Saniwa (master) simply because he wanted to retire, who can say that encountering such a group of spirits isn't a kind of luck?

She took a small sip of the lightly fragrant green tea. The tea moistened her lips, making her already rosy lips even brighter and giving them a subtle sheen, making them look especially alluring in the sunlight.

"6—0".

"The winner, Hyotei, enters the arena and shakes hands."

The match was a foregone conclusion. Although Tachibana Kippei was one of the Kyushu Lions, Atobe Keigo's physical abilities had been greatly improved by Yu Bai over the past three years. Coupled with his already abnormal observational skills, he had not only mastered the Tango of Destruction and the Tannhäuser serve, but also explored many aspects of the Real Ice World. This made it clear that he would only win against Tachibana Kippei.

The same applies to other matches. Although Shinji Ibu and Akira Kamio are quite talented in tennis, they are still slightly inferior to Yuushi Oshitari and his team.

……

"Atobe, Atobe, let's go celebrate!" After shaking hands, several lively members of the team surrounded Atobe Keigo, asking him to take them out for a celebratory meal.

The atmosphere among the Fudomine members was somber, with Kamio Akira even secretly shedding tears. With the announcement of the match results, they knew they were no longer eligible for the next rounds, despite the immense sacrifices they had made to reach this point, including a year-long suspension.

But now, no matter how ambitious they are, they have come to an end here.

They were unwilling to accept it, extremely unwilling!

Notice the dejected Fudomine members; the Hyotei members didn't offer them any comfort. At this moment, for a winner to go and comfort a loser is hardly comforting; it's more like stabbing them in the back.

"Ugh, not very fancy at all! Alright, let's take the car back to the Atobe residence. I've already prepared dishes prepared by different chefs for you." Atobe Keigo, unable to resist being pestered, sighed and rubbed his forehead, his expression conveying a sense of exasperation and disinterest. Yet, his tone held a hint of indulgence.

What can you do with your own team members? Spoil them, of course.

"Yay! Yay!" Food is better than anything else, especially the dishes made by the head chef of the Atobe family. They are so delicious. Just thinking about Mukahi Gakuto and Akutagawa Jiro makes tears well up in his eyes.

"Yu Bai, together? Speaking of which, why are there always new faces around you lately?"

Turning away from the embarrassing group, Atobe Keigo noticed Yu Bai standing to the side and invited him to join them for a meal. Hyotei's current success wouldn't have been possible without Yu Bai's contributions.

However… seeing another unfamiliar man appear beside his friend, Atobe Keigo frowned slightly. He knew that anyone Yu Bai brought along was someone close to him.

But suddenly several unfamiliar people appeared. It was one thing for Yagen Toushirou to be a distant relative of Yu Bai, but who was this man in the priest's robes? When did Yu Bai start knowing people from the shrine?

Atobe Keigo couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if his best friend was about to be taken away.

"He is Hasebe. I will tell you when the time comes. Don't worry, Kei, Hasebe and the others will never do anything to harm me."

"I would never hurt my master!" Hearing Yu Bai's words, Hasebe swore with a serious expression.

Master? Arugin? Atobe Keigo frowned even more deeply upon noticing Hasebe's address. He knew that in Sakura, Arugin meant "master" or "lord."

In modern society, maid cafes or servants/butlers are usually referred to as "Dog Shukin" or "Master." It's rare to use a more formal title like "Arukin," especially considering Hasebe's unwavering loyalty.

Keigo Atobe was starting to feel like his friend was a lord in a period drama, while Hasebe was a retainer.

"Hmph, just be careful yourself."

Atobe Keigo, unaware that he had inadvertently stumbled upon the truth, spoke these words. Yu Bai, not wanting to speak, wouldn't force him. He simply gave Hasebe a cold snort, and the matter was over.