Chapter 21: The Intra-School Selection Tournament Begins

  Night fell.

  The office of the Hyotei Tennis Club was brightly lit. Sakaki Taro, the club’s coach and advisor, sat at his desk carefully reviewing the tournament roster submitted by the captain, Atobe Keigo.

  Generally speaking, the club captain nominates official representatives, and the coach gives the final approval.

  Most of the time, out of trust, coaches rarely make changes to the list. Sakaki was no exception.

  In fact, besides being the tennis coach, his main role at Hyotei was as a music teacher. He normally left all tennis club matters to Atobe and rarely interfered.

  Only during important events like the intra-school selection tournament did Sakaki get involved directly.

  "Looks like it’s the same people as st year."

  As his eyes scanned over the list, Sakaki tapped his fingers on the desk, a hint of disappointment fshing across his face.

  "Seems like no outstanding newcomers this year."

  As Hyotei's coach, Sakaki had always hoped for fresh talent to join the ranks.

  Ideally, someone like the ones that had appeared five and two years ago—pyers who left a strong impression.

  Two years ago, Atobe returned from Engnd and swept through the tennis club, stunning Sakaki with his overwhelming strength.

  And five years ago...

  Another boy had emerged out of nowhere, leading Hyotei to its first appearance in the national tournament—and even achieving impressive results.

  "So…"

  A slight mencholy crept onto Sakaki’s face. "Does greatness really come in a three-year cycle?"

  "Hm?"

  Just as he was about to set the list aside, something caught his attention.

  "Ishikawa Shin?"

  "First year?"

  "Tsk tsk…"

  Seeing the st name listed under Group D, Sakaki’s eyes lit up with intrigue.

  Hyotei had no vice-captain. Every name on the list was handpicked by Atobe.

  Without a doubt, this first-year must have been personally observed by him before being added.

  And Sakaki knew well—Atobe had a sharp eye.

  "For him to catch Atobe’s interest and be pced in that group... interesting. This year’s tournament might be more exciting than expected."

  Putting the list away, Sakaki stood and walked toward the window.

  Meanwhile—

  On the distant courts, near the glow of the streetmp—

  A lone figure was practicing serves again and again.

  "That stance…"

  Sakaki narrowed his eyes. "Chotarou’s… Scud Serve?"

  The shadowy figure gradually aligned with the image in his mind.

  At that moment—

  The usually hands-off coach found himself genuinely looking forward to tomorrow’s selection tournament.

  -

  The next day.

  The second week of the new school term.

  As students grew more familiar with one another, the school and cssrooms became livelier.

  In Css 1-C of Hyotei’s first-year Middle School Division—

  Ishikawa, however, remained as composed and solitary as always, quietly reading.

  Not because he was aloof—but because no one in the css really caught his attention. Not just in his css, but across the entire first-year floor—none stood out.

  In fact—

  That was how Hyotei was portrayed in the original story too.

  First-years rarely had anyone notable. Having already completed most of his academic coursework for the term, Ishikawa had now shifted his focus to advanced tennis strategies.

  At the moment—

  He held the third autobiography he’d borrowed from the library—each one written by retired pro-level tennis pyers.

  While much of the content was motivational fluff, they also included unique personal insights into tennis theory and py.

  After reading all three—

  Ishikawa had gathered several takeaways, helping him form a training direction and potential in-match tactics.

  What remained now—was to test them out in real matches.

  Of course, that depended on whether Atobe had really included him in the selection tournament. If not, he’d have to bide his time for another month.

  However—

  Ishikawa’s instincts told him that the Hyotei captain wouldn’t let him live that leisurely.

  3:00 PM

  Club activity time.

  As the rgest club at Hyotei, the tennis club’s selection tournament had drawn a rge crowd—before it even began.

  Most of the onlookers were girls, naturally.

  Atobe’s wealth and looks were certainly a draw—but Hyotei’s top-tier tennis reputation in Tokyo was also a major reason.

  At the tennis club’s training ground—

  Over 200 members stood in an organized formation.

  At the front were Coach Sakaki in a wine-red suit, and Atobe.

  "Starting today, this month’s intra-school selection tournament begins."

  "The rules remain unchanged. Thirty-two pyers were selected and divided into four groups, eight per group."

  “Each group will py round-robin matches. Only wins count. The top two pyers from each group will become regurs. The third and fourth pce pyers will be pced in the second string.”

  As he spoke, Sakaki pulled out the list and began announcing:

  "A Group: Atobe Keigo, Jirou Akutagawa…"

  "B Group: Mukahi Gakuto, Otori Chotarou…"

  "C Group: Haginosuke Taki, Munehiro Kabaji…"

  "D Group: Yuushi Oshitari, Shishido Ryou, Wakashi Hiyoshi… Ishikawa Shin!"

  "Those are the thirty-two pyers. Remember your groups. Match schedules and court assignments are posted on the bulletin board. Anyone who fails to show up without reason will be disqualified."

  Once Sakaki finished, aside from a few like Atobe, the pyers selected wore serious expressions.

  That was the authority of Hyotei’s coach. Even Atobe was treated no differently than the others under Sakaki’s eyes.

  At the same time—

  Many people turned to look at a certain handsome bck-haired first-year in the crowd.

  When Sakaki dismissed them for free activity, the murmurs began almost instantly.

  "No way... that freshman actually got selected?"

  "Seriously? This is the selection tournament! Only thirty-two got picked from over 200 people!"

  "Isn’t Yukikawa or Maruno way better than him?"

  "Idiots."

  Suddenly, a cold voice came from behind them.

  "Who said that?"

  They turned reflexively—and saw a brooding boy with mushroom-brown hair and a shadowed gaze sneering at them.

  "Hiyoshi?!"

  Seeing it was the captain of the second team, the would-be critics immediately swallowed their retorts.

  "Watch your words."

  Hiyoshi scoffed, looking at them with disdain. "Don’t forget—only the captain has the authority to assign tournament spots."

  With that—

  He turned and walked away.

  Leaving the others drenched in cold sweat. Speaking ill of the captain behind his back? If Atobe found out, they were doomed.

  "Weaklings will always be weak."

  Hiyoshi sneered inwardly at their reactions.

  Then—

  His gaze shifted toward the training area where Ishikawa had already begun repetitive swings with a group of first-years.

  "Interesting. At this point, and he’s still doing that kind of basic training?"

  "Is it confidence... or has he already accepted that he won’t win and given up?"

  As he thought this—

  A smirk pyed at Hiyoshi’s lips. He didn’t believe it was confidence—and he appreciated Ishikawa’s sense of reality.

  Soon after—

  He turned his gaze toward a nearby court, where a boy with flowing brown hair was doing warm-ups.

  "Looks like my luck really is good... Shishido-senpai."

  (End of Chapter 21)