The will to compete is very important during contests, but surely
there's no need to carry that beyond the event itself, right? Practical
exercises are ultimately only practice and are fundamentally different
than practical skills examinations that determine personal skill."
"......True. Maybe Tatsuya is right. I might have been a little too
excited."
"Excitement isn't a bad thing. Miyuki has also become more motivated
with a new opponent taking the field, so on that point, I should thank
you, Lina."
Lina was frankly nodding her head in assent to Tatsuya's words in the
beginning, but now she turned an incredulous expression towards him.
"It appeared! Tatsuya-kun's sis-con commentary!"
To one side, Erika gave off an "Ah ha" comment while pretending to
sigh.
"Ah...... Oh, so that's how it is...... Tatsuya and Miyuki are on very
good terms."
Swallowing a more impolite outburst, Tatsuya seemed to feel that the
gaze Lina sent his way was rapidly dropping in temperature.
"Speaking of which, Lina, although this isn't really major......"
Detecting the atmosphere heading in a wonky direction, Tatsuya
changed the subject.
"What is it?"
She sent a chilling gaze his way, but it was bereft of any
condescension, so this was probably an act to parallel Erika's practical
joke.
While this was the result he was hoping for based on his observations,
there was no guarantee he was correct. Still, this was Tatsuya, and
Tatsuya was not so tender that he would shut his mouth and retreat
from just this.
"If I recall correctly, isn't "Angie" the usual nickname for
"Angelina"?"
This was not supposed to be a groundbreaking question.
At least, that was the case for Erika, Mizuki, and Honoka, who were
sitting at the table with them.
Yet, for one brief moment, Lina's expression definitely faltered.
"No, you remembered correctly, but the nickname "Angie" isn't as rare
as you think. For comparison, I had a classmate in elementary school
called "Angela" who was referred to as "Angie"."
"So that's why Lina prefers to known as "Lina" and not "Angie", eh."
Tatsuya nodded his head in comprehension.
He never gave a hint that he discovered how badly Lina faltered just
then.