The third round became a complete reversal of the previous match.
With more than half her health remaining, Fujiwara Chika nearly crushed Sanzenin Nagi outright.
"Yeah! I won!"
Having defeated Nagi for the first time, Chika was visibly ecstatic.
On the other hand, Nagi took the blow hard.
"How could this happen… how could this happen…"
Being crushed in her area of expertise by someone with such poor technical skill was the ultimate disgrace for a gamer.
Her skills couldn't even last a single round against Chika's overwhelming observation. Didn't this imply that technique alone was inferior to observation?
Clack!
A hand suddenly rested on Nagi's shoulder, snapping her out of her dazed state.
Turning around, she saw Aizawa Sakuya looking at her with sympathy.
"Nagi, give it up. Your observation and focus can't compare to Fujiwara's."
"Her observation of the game characters is razor-sharp. Didn't you notice? She could read your next move every time. That's not cheating. That's just pure observation and focus."
This technique was often referred to as Mezo.
But Mezo required extremely high talent, observation, concentration, and even superhuman reaction time.
Coincidentally, while the Spectator pathway didn't involve physical enhancement, its supercharged observation and focus allowed Fujiwara Chika to prepare in advance without needing rapid reflexes, thus bypassing the body's reaction time.
That was how she nearly wiped the floor with Sanzenin Nagi.
"The Spectator isn't suited for direct combat, but in games that rely on observation and awareness, they can really shine."
Ren wasn't surprised by the outcome. Given Fujiwara's Spectator abilities, this result was to be expected.
"Ugh…"
At this point, Nagi was on the verge of tears. She couldn't handle suffering a complete reversal in her specialty.
Her beautiful eyes started to brim with tears.
"Nagi, remember this feeling of defeat. For those who walk the extraordinary path, it's not something to be ashamed of. It's a step that must be taken. You've felt this before with Kaguya, but this time it's in a field you're more confident in, so the frustration hits harder."
Ren didn't rub it in. Instead, he gave her a reminder, although he was inwardly exasperated at how rigid she was about martial virtue.
He placed a hand on her head.
"So tell me, when you realized Fujiwara was using an extraordinary ability, why didn't you think of using yours to find a counter?"
"Use that clever mind of yours. Are there any rules in the game saying only Fujiwara can use powers? Why are you being so stubborn?"
The teary-eyed Sanzenin paused. Her expression shifted from hurt to surprise as she looked up.
"Isn't that cheating?"
"Seriously… sometimes you need to learn to adapt. It's fine to insist on fair play when it's just between you and Sakuya, but you can't apply that same thinking to everyone."
After messing up Sanzenin's soft, golden hair, Ren sighed inwardly.
"You know what? I'll set a new rule for you and Fujiwara's match using extraordinary abilities."
"Fujiwara, if you can detect when Sanzenin cheats, you get a point."
"Conversely, if Sanzenin manages to cheat and you don't catch her, she gets a point."
"Then you'll have one normal Street Fighter match per round. The winner gets one point."
"Five points in total. Whoever loses has to go to the other team and admit she's not as good."
"…!?"
That last condition made both Fujiwara Chika and Sanzenin Nagi's eyes sharpen instantly.
Competitiveness wasn't exclusive to boys. Girls could be just as fired up.
The punishment wasn't anything severe, but being forced to admit defeat was still emotionally tough.
Of course, even knowing it wouldn't affect their relationship, neither of them wanted to lose in something they prided themselves on.
So, as soon as Ren suggested the rule, both girls' competitive spirits flared up.
No matter what, they couldn't lose.
"Alright! Chika, think you can handle it?"
"Bring it on! I already beat you once. I'm not afraid of your tricks!"
The tension exploded instantly.
Even Nagi, who had just experienced the sting of defeat, was reignited with the desire to completely overwhelm her rival.
Soon, the two started a new round.
Meanwhile, Ren nodded to Saginomiya and Aizawa, then made his way to the massage area.
Aside from a few playful kids, everyone else was relaxing there.
Ran Mouri, Sonoko, Hayasaka, and Maria.
These four girls had fairly balanced body types and were also prone to shoulder and back soreness.
Sonoko and Hayasaka had only mild symptoms, while Ran and Maria had more serious ones.
At the hot spring hotel, there was no need to wear thick coats. In fact, the building was so well heated that wearing even a thick yukata could feel stuffy. So everyone only wore a single yukata.
Under the yukata was just underwear.
With so few layers, the yukata naturally accentuated their figures.
When Ren walked in, he saw the girls reclining on massage chairs, their faces relaxed. That kind of deep relaxation clearly relieved a lot of built-up stress.
He also noticed that Shinomiya Kaguya was the only one standing off to the side with a gloomy look.
He walked straight toward her.
"Kaguya, have you rested?"
"Yeah."
Kaguya's response lacked energy. She seemed down.
"Still jealous?"
"Hmm… huh?"
Kaguya replied reflexively, then paused. A moment later, she remembered what had happened at the open-air hot spring, and her cheeks puffed up in frustration.
"Still jealous! Super jealous! And I'm not letting you off the hook!"
That reaction was so cute that Ren couldn't help but smile.
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)