Chapter 30
Yoo Seol-ah ended the game with a dunk shot, teleporting right in front of the basket using her predator teleportation and flight magic. Do I really have to grant her wish just because of that blatant cheating? I need to find some loophole.
"Hey, what if someone sees you doing that?"
"I've got it all covered. I always cast detection magic before using stuff like this. Don't worry."
"...Why go that far over something like this?"
"You broke our no-blocking promise and toyed with me? You loved it, didn't you?"
"......"
She won't back down, not a single word. Knowing Yoo Seol-ah's personality, she'll never yield. I need to pivot the bet somewhere else.
There are a couple of badminton courts next to the basketball one.
"...Let's do badminton."
"Nah, I'm done with bets."
Haha. Now she's getting pissed. She's starting to lay out her logic.
"You're gonna go super hard now anyway, so why should I bet?"
"......What'll make you do it?"
"Beats me. I'm not that great at badminton, and you're a guy."
"Honestly, badminton's just okay for me too. Way worse than basketball."
That's the truth. It's not like basketball, which I played every lunch break—just occasional PE classes, so my skill should match my athleticism. Middle school level, like 2nd or 3rd in class. I'd get crushed by anyone who'd trained seriously or was in a club.
"Then how about I team up with you for a 2-on-1?"
Lee Seo-yeon jumped in after overhearing us. She's offering doubles on their side? If she's not a pro, it might even work in my favor.
Yoo Seol-ah seemed suspicious too, giving her a wary look.
"Lee Seo-yeon, you good at badminton?"
"Eh, decent enough?"
Then she whispered something in Yoo Seol-ah's ear. Knowing my senses, Lee Seo-yeon pitched it so even if I focused, I couldn't hear. A moment later, Yoo Seol-ah nodded slightly.
"Honestly, I don't care either way. You decide, Baek Sion."
"If I lose, I give you another wish coupon?"
"I'll throw one in too since I'm playing. But if you win, you get one from each of us."
Fine with Lee Seo-yeon's, but since I already owe Yoo Seol-ah one, might as well brace for two and fight for my own.
...Just win.
"Deal. No magic or mana, obviously."
"Cool. Rules super simple—we're two, but singles rules."
"Hold up, I think I forgot the rules."
"Me too, kinda fuzzy..."
Service to the opposite side? That's all I remember. Yoo Seol-ah's tilting her head too.
Lee Seo-yeon kindly explained.
"Singles uses the full court minus the sidelines. Even score: serve from the right. Odd: left."
Other rules started coming back—like switching sides after scoring on service. But with them, a bad feeling crept in.
"...Why do you know this so well?"
"Ahaha... Middle school PE? Didn't everyone have it in finals?"
"Yeah, but..."
"It counted for rankings, so I studied for a perfect score. Kinda pointless now, thinking back on middle school grades."
I studied PE too back then. But that's six years ago Earth time—nine with Astasia.
"Alright~ Let's start. Baek Sion, your side."
Before I could say more, Lee Seo-yeon shoved me to the opposite court.
"Wanna rally a few for practice?"
"...Sure."
Lee Seo-yeon served lightly with the shuttlecock. I returned it to Yoo Seol-ah, digging up old memories. She sent it back over the net easily. Rally going smooth.
"You two haven't played in ages but you're good? Guess great reflexes mean you're decent at most sports..."
Lee Seo-yeon sounded like a detached commentator while rallying herself.
...Call it off now? Feels like I'm getting played.
Warning bells blaring in my head.
"Serve rights~."
She tossed the shuttlecock my way—it pointed to my side.
"Baek Sion first. Light bet to 7?"
"Wait..."
Feels like walking into a trap, so I called timeout—but Yoo Seol-ah shut it down.
"No start in 10 seconds? Forfeit."
"Where's that a rule..."
"10, 9, 8, 7..."
No choice—I focused, serving just over the net. To avoid anxiety since Lee Seo-yeon receives, but badminton scoring on serve is near impossible.
It flew straight to their far corner. I stepped quick, returned—but low and fast, weak power. Planned to aim only at Yoo Seol-ah, but it lacked oomph, landing short at Lee Seo-yeon.
She barely swung, targeting left corner. I let it go thinking long—it dropped inches inside the line.
"1-0. Fun after so long..."
"......"
Yoo Seol-ah smirking mysteriously, Lee Seo-yeon beaming.
"Our serve. Here."
I tossed her the shuttlecock—she trapped it effortlessly on her racket like soccer.
...The best in my middle school class did that. Even scooped ground ones without hands.
"Ready? No prep, no serve."
Feels like heading to slaughter. I nodded bitterly.
She served high and deep from center. I powered it to Yoo Seol-ah—but wrong angle for smash, so she lobbed soft. Weak, dropped near net. I lunged, lifted—but overpowered, too high.
Lee Seo-yeon grinned, jumping smash-ready. I backed up fast—but no smash crack. Mid-swing, she feathered it—just over net, drop shot.
Impossible without mana/killing intent body enhancement for that pivot. I stared at the sad shuttlecock and her.
"......Hey, Lee Seo-yeon."
"Yeah?"
"'Decent,' you said."
"Yup. Tried nationals in middle school division? Our club's pretty strong..."
Flat tone, she flicked the net-dropped shuttlecock up with racket, serve pose.
"Ready up."
"......"
Game over in under five minutes. Pinpoint corners—no running needed, low stamina drain.
"You're pretty good, Baek Sion. Clears go deep, backhand solid for a newbie."
"...Thanks, really."
Down 5-0. Gritted teeth, rallied with back Yoo Seol-ah, snagged one point on timed smash. My last.
Men's power/speed only matters at similar levels—this gap? She'd win left-handed. Net sports minimize size anyway.
Yoo Seol-ah giggled.
"Two wishes now... What to ask?"
"Cheeky riding the bus like that..."
"Hey, connections are skill. No refusing wishes?"
"...Fine."
Lee Seo-yeon, oddly refreshed, packed rackets.
"Wishes absolute? Using mine now."
Now? Nothing hard here, probably.
"What?"
"Both come here."
Gathered us, dropped bombshell.
"My wish: Hug Seol-ah and pet her head."
What?
"What? You do it?"
"No, I watch you do it to her."
"...Hold on, what kinda wish? Why me suddenly?"
Yoo Seol-ah flushed, butting in.
So, me hug and pet her?
"Seol-ah, I got you the win—listen?"
"Ugh!..."
She froze like a statue, lips twitching.
"10 seconds. Go!"
Shoved, face-to-face. No choice—arm light around her waist.
"Oh my..."
Ignored drama-watch gasp, pulled trembling her closer. Soft upper-abdomen press forced slight back-lean.
"Pet for the 10~"
Stopwatch on, thrilled Lee Seo-yeon. Right hand stroked silky silver hair.
"Hoo... Nn..."
Shoulder-height perfect. Silky feel, her warmth—nice. Slow strokes, but past 10 seconds, no call. She knew too, no reaction—so I spoke.
"Seo-yeon, 10 seconds up."
"Ah, like karaoke bonus. You looked so happy."
Finally, she shoved hard, chirping.
"Who said happy?! You forced it!"
"Face that red though."
"From running!..."
"I did most, you barely moved... Weird."
Isn't Seo-yeon her natural predator? Lunch skipped, she patted her belly.
"Ah, feels full."
Yoo Seol-ah huffed speechless. Grinned fondly, checked phone, answered.
"Oppa? Almost here? Stay put. Coming."
Short call, stood.
"Picking up oppa. You two cozy up."
“W-wait, me too!…”
Avoiding my eyes, Yoo Seol-ah dashed after. No reason to stay, I followed slow.