The ball soared into the sky, and her body rose forcefully. It was one of Olivia’s favorite moments.

As she followed the lime-colored ball rising, a window on the third floor of the main building behind the equipment shed caught her eye. Leaning on the window sill and looking down, a man’s eyes met hers.

“!”

Although not clearly visible from a distance, it was him. The feeling was more accurate than vision itself.

Edgar.

In the daze, the ball fell in front of her. Startled, Olivia swung the racket, and a loud clanging sound resonated through the quiet club grounds a moment later.

Oh my goodness!

Above Olivia, the laughter of the man seemed to be carried by the wind. A very cheerful sound.

Under the noon sun, Olivia’s face turned crimson with surprise.
Since then, the members’ opposition at the club remained unchanged. Olivia stood faithfully in front of Court 12, as always, at eight fifty-five. It was already the fourth day.

Today, too, she stood with a composed posture, waiting for the game to end.

“Let’s just give up here, Mr. Chairman.”

Charles, the club manager, spoke as if pleading, glancing at Russell.

“Even among the members, there are talks going around.”

The Dublin Club members were divided into those sympathizing with Olivia, questioning whether it was necessary to behave so recklessly over just one court, and those willing to bet on whether the glass would break.

She was a woman who had the upper hand in the Langsloth affair. The club owner was also on her side. If she wanted, using their power to secure one court was as easy as taking candy from a baby.

However, the woman was doing her best with what she could.

Her appearance was enough to stir the hearts of naive men.

“At this rate, the Dublin Club will be known as a banjo club.”

Whether they said it or not, Russell continued to ignore Charles’s worries and simply did what he had to do.

“If it becomes a newspaper article, what will happen to our image?”

Even with Charles’s concerns, Russell didn’t bat an eye.

Since he dared to defeat my son and bring shame, he had to pay the price. Russell incited the members to occupy the tennis court.

Due to the huddled men in crisis, Olivia Blanchett still couldn’t set foot on the court. Russell’s mustache twitched.

“Well, you’re quite stubborn. There you go.”

“What?”

His face, buried in documents, suddenly lifted.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Charles!”

“Yes, Chairman!”

Charles shouted loudly, and Russell’s ears rang with a roar.

Charles’s anger reached the top of his head. If it was going to be like this, they shouldn’t have allowed entry from the beginning. It’s not a joke to play around with people. Sitting in front of the warehouse building, where there was no place to rest, seemed inappropriate.

“Just tell me to stop.”

“I can’t.”

“Chairman!”

The two men’s gaze clashed intensely, and at that moment, an employee burst into the chairman’s office, slamming the door wide open and rushing in.

“What’s the matter? Coming in without knocking!”

Russell shouted in irritation.

The vent was directed to the wrong place. The belatedly realizing employee pursed his lips.

“T-that… Miss Blanchet has started her practice.”

“What did you say?”

Russell and Charles, glaring at each other, turned their piercing gazes towards the employee.

“W-where?”

Both of them asked simultaneously.

“At Court 12.”

It was nine o’clock. Olivia turned around with a calm expression. As she was about to take her first step to go to the equipment shed, a voice came from behind.

“Practice ended on time today.”

Startled, Olivia turned around.
The blue eyes staring at the man walking off the court widened. It was an expression of disbelief, as if encountering unexpected midsummer snow.

The man who passed by such Olivia wiped off his sweat with a towel handed by an employee and said, “Do well.” He lightly bowed and requested the employee to bring drinks to the lounge before turning away. Olivia, who had been staring blankly at his departing figure, urgently asked, “Why. Why did you change your mind?”

Her voice trembled. The man turned slowly.

“The tradition of Dublin is a source of pride for the people here.”

“….”

“The tradition has been broken.”

The man met her gaze.

“If the woman who broke that tradition breaks the second taboo and wins, the wounded pride might recover a bit. That’s all.”

The man, who had a faint smile, turned away without answering Olivia’s questioning look.

“All nonsense.”

“What?”

“Trying to do this for three hours is exhausting.”

“….”

“It’s damn hard.”

With a slight chuckle, the man moved away. Olivia couldn’t take her eyes off him until he disappeared among the lush greenery. Then, suddenly, she burst into laughter.

“It’s damn hard.”

With that playful remark, the feelings of disappointment dissipated like foam into the air.

She won.

Taking a deep breath, Olivia walked slowly back into the court.

It had only been a week. The grass under her feet felt unusually warm.

Closing her eyes, Olivia enjoyed the feel of the grass’s boardwalk. Stray hairs tickled her neck in the breeze. Her chest felt emotional, and her eyes were about to well up, but she blinked back the tears.

She closed her eyes and relished the grassy boardwalk. Stray hairs tickled her neck in the breeze. Her chest swelled with emotion, and her eyes grew warm, but she blinked them back.

She mumbled while looking at the empty court across.

But…

Who should I play with?

It was truly a series of mountains beyond mountains.