The school was buzzing with excitement.
Ryu arrived at the courtyard, his heart pounding in his chest.
He expected the duel to be a low-key event, but instead, the entire school had shown up.
The crowd swarmed the area, and the air was filled with excitement.
Banners with his name and Subaru's flapped in the wind, and students cheered from all corners.
Ryu's eyes widened as he scanned the crowd. "What the... is this for real?" he muttered to himself.
Students were packed shoulder to shoulder, whispering and pointing excitedly at the competitors.
What had Kanade done?
Kanade, standing on a platform in the center, grinned from ear to ear, clearly reveling in the energy.
She raised a microphone to her lips, her voice echoing across the courtyard.
"Welcome, everyone! Today, you're in for a real treat. It's a battle between two of Kuro's 7 Handsome Men!"
The crowd started shouting.
Ryu nearly tripped over his feet at the announcement. Wait… what?
As the crowd roared, cheering wildly, Ryu turned to Subaru, who was standing confidently beside him, arms crossed.
"Did you know about this? Why is everyone here?!"
Subaru smirked, the corners of her lips twitching in amusement.
"Of course. Did you think our duel wouldn't attract attention? You're one of the top seven, after all."
Ryu blinked, dumbfounded. "Top seven what?"
Kanade, overhearing his confusion, leaned over with a teasing smile.
"You, my dear Ryu, are ranked among the school's most eligible bachelors.
That's why this duel is such a big deal.
You're battling not just for Subaru's heart, but also for the sake of title, rank, and pride.
Ryu's jaw dropped as the reality of the situation sank in.
The crowd, the energy, the competition—it wasn't just about winning over Subaru anymore.
It was about facing off against one of the most popular guys in school, and everyone was here to witness the spectacle.
"Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?!" Ryu groaned, feeling the pressure mounting. But before he could process it further, Kanade was already hyping up the audience.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The battle begins now with our sports round! Get ready to see these dashing competitors face off in a series of intense challenges!"
The crowd erupted in cheers, banners waving in the air. Ryu glanced around at his opponents—the other six men, all equally good-looking and ready to compete. One was adjusting his headband, another cracking his knuckles, and another flexing for the audience.
Subaru glanced at him, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Don't let the crowd get to you, Ryu. You wanted to win, right?"
Ryu gulped but straightened his posture, determined. "Right. I'm not backing down."
Kanade's voice rang out again, her energy infectious. "First up—an intense 3-on-3 basketball match! Let's see who's got the moves on the court!"
As Ryu jogged onto the basketball court, the crowd's cheers became deafening. He couldn't believe it—he was part of a full-on spectacle now, with the whole school watching his every move. But despite his initial shock, adrenaline began to kick in.
Maybe this wasn't just about the duel anymore. Maybe it was about proving something—to Subaru, to the school, and to himself.
"Alright, let's do this," Ryu muttered under his breath, getting ready to face the challenge head-on.
Ryu felt the weight of everyone's gaze on him as he stepped onto the court, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The crowd erupted in cheers, banners waving, but all he could focus on was Subaru standing across from him, a fierce determination etched on her face.
Subaru smirked, her competitive spirit shining through. "Ready to lose, Ryu?"
Ryu swallowed hard but quickly straightened his posture, matching her gaze. "Not a chance. I'm going to give it everything I've got."
Kanade clapped her hands together, capturing everyone's attention. "Alright, folks! This isn't just a battle of skill—it's about heart! Let's see who can take home the crown of the Most Handsome Man on campus! Ready, set… go!"
With the whistle blown, Ryu and Subaru lunged for the ball, both reaching it at the same time. They grappled for possession, their competitive spirit igniting the crowd even more. Ryu managed to wrestle the ball away, dribbling quickly to the basket.
"Nice try, Ryu!" Subaru called out, already on his heels. She leapt to block his shot, but Ryu was quick. With a swift fake to the left, he spun right, jumping for the hoop. He released the ball, and it swished through the net.
The crowd erupted into cheers. "YES!" Ryu shouted, his heart racing with excitement. But he couldn't let his guard down. Subaru was ready for revenge.
"Not bad, but let's see how you handle this!" Subaru grinned, swiftly reclaiming the ball. She moved with agility, weaving through Ryu's defenses with impressive footwork. Ryu tried to keep up, but Subaru's skills were undeniable.
With a quick pivot, Subaru took a jump shot from the free-throw line. The ball sailed through the air, landing perfectly in the hoop.
"1-1!" Kanade announced, her voice cutting through the cheers of the crowd.
Ryu felt a surge of determination. "Alright, time to step it up!" he said, grinning back at Subaru. He was determined to win this match—not just for the title, but to prove to Subaru and himself that he could hold his own.
The two faced off again, Ryu dribbling the ball confidently. He feinted left, then darted right, trying to outmaneuver her. Subaru anticipated his move, quickly shifting her position to block him.
"Nice try! You'll have to do better than that!" Subaru laughed, but Ryu could see the fire in her eyes.
"Okay, then. Let's go!" Ryu said, pushing himself harder. He drove toward the basket, his heart pounding in his chest. With one swift motion, he executed a layup, sending the ball soaring through the air.
The crowd gasped as it swished through the net. "2-1!" Kanade exclaimed, her energy infectious.
Ryu felt the exhilaration of scoring, but he knew Subaru wouldn't give up easily. "I'm just getting started!" she challenged, taking the ball and advancing toward him with fierce determination.
With quick dribbling and a burst of speed, Subaru launched herself toward the basket, attempting a layup of her own. Ryu jumped to block it, and they collided mid-air. The ball ricocheted off the rim, and the crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps.
"Whoa, that was close!" Ryu exclaimed, adrenaline pumping through his veins.
Subaru landed gracefully, her competitive spirit undeterred. "Nice defense, but you won't stop me next time!" she said, a spark of mischief in her eyes.
They both took a moment to catch their breath, the crowd buzzing with anticipation. Ryu felt the pressure mounting, but he was ready.
"Let's finish this!" he declared, his heart racing as the game continued.
Ryu and Subaru faced each other again, the energy of the crowd electrifying the air. Sweat dripped from their brows, but neither was willing to back down.
Kanade stood at the sidelines, her enthusiasm palpable as she rallied the crowd. "Who will claim victory in this intense battle? Ryu or Subaru? Let's hear it!"
The audience roared, a chorus of cheers for both competitors, their voices blending into an intoxicating mix of support and rivalry.
"Okay, Ryu," Subaru said, her expression focused. "Let's see what you've got."
Ryu tightened his grip on the ball, adrenaline surging through him. He could feel the weight of his own expectations as he prepared to take the next shot. This was more than just a game; it was a chance to prove himself.
With a burst of energy, Ryu dashed forward, dribbling the ball with skill and speed. Subaru was quick to react, positioning herself to intercept him. Ryu feinted left, then dashed right, his eyes locked on the basket.
But Subaru was right there with him, matching his every move. "You can't shake me that easily!" she called, a determined grin on her face.
As Ryu approached the hoop, he spotted an opening. He launched himself into the air for another layup. This time, Subaru leapt up to block him, both of them soaring toward the basket.