Chapter 139 Prince of Tennis 27
On a bright and sunny afternoon after school, the sun shone on the sparkling river surface, and the river flowed quietly, emitting tiny golden spots of light.
The reeds on the shore swayed in the wind, gently caressing the figures of the old man and the young man who were sitting on the shore fishing.
……Um?
Kurikawa Sana, who was walking home from school, paused and looked around uncertainly.
Is that Kunimitsu Tezuka?
A young man with short, dark brown hair parted in a 3:7 ratio and wearing glasses sat quietly on the shore, fishing rod in hand. His sharp, almond-shaped eyes were fixed on the river, his stern, handsome face etched with concentration.
The old man sitting next to him had white hair, a silver-white slicked-back hair and a beard, which made him look intimidating without even being angry. His pair of equally sharp and upward eyes seemed to glance in this direction, but he quickly returned his gaze to the fishing rod.
The old man has deep bone structure, a high nose bridge, and is in good spirits. If you look closely, he seems to have many similarities with Tezuka Kunimitsu, especially his stern, cold, and icy majestic temperament, which are simply inherited from the same lineage.
The two of them were surrounded by fish hooks, lines, floats, bait, rod bags, scoop nets and fish buckets, and they looked obviously professional with the naked eye... By the way, fishing seemed to be listed as one of the hobbies in Tezuka Kunimitsu's attribute introduction.
That must be Kunimitsu Tezuka! The guy next to him looks like... maybe his grandfather? True to form, Tezuka, he'd always go fishing with his family elders after school.
Kurikawa Sana thought for a second and came up with an idea.
Got it, isn't this a good opportunity to attack?
Join them!
…
*
Ten minutes later, Kurikawa Sana returned to the river with complete equipment.
She ran to the commercial street at breakneck speed, rushed into the fishing tackle shop with a clear goal in mind, bought the necessary tools, and rushed directly back to the river. She even had time to change her clothes and put on proper sun protection for fishing.
"What a coincidence, Tezuka-kun, you're fishing too." Kurikawa Sana greeted with a smile, "I'm also interested in fishing. Does Tezuka-kun often fish here?"
“…It’s you.”
The girl was wearing a light-colored sun-protective long shirt and trousers, with her long black hair tied into a ponytail at the back of her head. Her face was fair and beautiful under the sun-protective fishing hat, and her eyebrows were curved when she smiled.
Seeing that it was her, Tezuka Kunimitsu's glasses flashed slightly, and there seemed to be a hint of surprise in his eyes. Then he answered her two questions, "Well, my grandfather and I often fish here."
Sure enough, it was his grandfather!
Tezuka Kuniichi turned his head and raised his gray eyebrows, "Oh? Kunimitsu, is he your friend?"
The old man's voice was also full of pressure, and he was intimidating without being angry, and even had the aura of a superior who had been in a high position for a long time.
Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded, "Yes, he's a classmate from another school."
Wow, he admitted that she was a friend.
Kurikawa Sana put on her signature smile and bowed politely, "Hello, Grandpa Tezuka! I'm Kurikawa Sana, a third-year student at Hyotei Academy."
"Hyotei, very good." Tezuka Kuni stroked his beard and pointed to the empty seat next to him, "Sit down. Since you are Kunimitsu's friend, there is no need to be so reserved."
"Okay, okay, thank you, Grandpa Tezuka!"
Sana Kurikawa quickly prepared her fishing gear. She bought pink fishing rods, fish buckets and fishing chairs. After they were arranged, the air around them seemed to be filled with sweet bubbles.
Tezuka Kuniichi took one look and knew that the boy was a novice with no experience in fishing. He couldn't help but give him some advice: "Your float adjustment is wrong. The lead weight should be heavier than the float. The spacer on the lead should be raised about ten centimeters to ensure the lead weight slides smoothly."
"Ah, so that's how it is. No wonder I couldn't even show my float just now." Kurikawa Sana suddenly understood and looked at the old man with admiration and sincerity. "Grandpa Tezuka is amazing. Could you please teach me more?"
"Okay, okay. It's no problem for me to give you some pointers." Tezuka Kuniichi laughed the deep laugh that only an elder can give. He became interested in teaching and began to guide her patiently.
"Sit upright, don't lean sideways. Don't raise your right hand too high, and keep your arm naturally vertical. Also, don't bend the tip of the fishing rod, as this will easily cause the hook and bait to fall off."
"When casting, don't lower the rod tip too quickly. Adjust the float before the rod tip enters the water. When casting, the bait ball should be close to the water surface."
"When you find a fish on the hook and you start to pull it up, don't immediately pull the lead weight out of the water with force, otherwise the fish will easily escape. Remember that?"
"Yeah! I remember everything."
Kurikawa Sana nodded frequently.
At first, Grandpa Tezuka seemed distant and difficult to get along with, but he was actually a very kind person. He had a strong desire to talk and teach, and he patiently taught her the basics of fishing, and she listened attentively and respected him 100%.
Respect is mutual. Tezuka Kuniichi could tell from her extremely serious expression and her increasingly professional and standard casting and pulling movements that this child was very smart and had listened to everything.
That's great, kid.
A hint of appreciation flashed in Tezuka Kuniichi's sharp eyes.
Suddenly, Kurikawa Sana's float began to sway violently up and down. Tezuka Kuniichi immediately said, "Pull back first, then lift the rod with your arm upwards. Pause for a moment, then use the strength of your wrist to quickly lift the rod."
Kurikawa Sana followed his instructions, "Is that so?"
The girl's slender, snow-white wrists twirled nimbly, and the fishing rod "whooshed" across the air, creating a beautiful parabola.
The first fish was hooked.
“……!”
Tezuka Kuniichi's eyes lit up. "Oh? As expected of a disciple taught by me, Tezuka Kuniichi. You've already started and caught your first fish so quickly."
Tezuka Kunimitsu: “…”
Now the disciple comes up.
However, this is really a very high evaluation. His grandfather, who has always been serious and strict, rarely gives affirmation to someone he has just met.
But, how come the fish caught is an ornamental fish?
Tezuka Kunimitsu was silent for a moment.
The first fish in the bucket was a small, beautiful red fish. If he remembered correctly, it should be an ornamental fish called "Rainbow Angel." How did it end up here?
Although it is midsummer in Tokyo now and the water temperature in the river is 25 or 26 degrees, which is suitable for the growth of this kind of fish, it is still very rare to see ornamental fish in such a place.
"The second one has also taken the bait!!"
Kurikawa Sana excitedly pulled the rod and put the second fish into the fish bucket - the second fish was still the ornamental fish called Rainbow Angel, and this time it was even emerald green all over.
Tezuka Kunimitsu: “…”
Awesome, I caught a green one this time.
Tezuka Kuniichi stroked his beard with a smile, and looked at the girl with increasing admiration, "Not bad, not bad. You are indeed very smart and you understand things immediately."
Kurikawa Sana continued to pull the lever excitedly, "Huh? Looks like the third one is coming!"
The third one was a dark blue one, and now there was a red, green and blue one in the bucket, swimming happily in the fish pond that belonged to Kurikawa Sana.
Tezuka Kunimitsu: “…”
What's going on? Anyone who has fished knows how difficult it is.
He didn't catch any fish the whole afternoon. His only catch this afternoon was a golden legendary Ultraman that he caught half an hour ago.
But she caught two right away, both colorful ornamental fish. What was wrong with this river?
Soon, Kurikawa Sana caught three more fish - the fourth was light blue, the fifth was purple, and the last one was yellow.
Now six colorful fish are swimming happily in Kurikawa Sana's fish pond, just like the Rainbow Troopers.
At this moment, even Tezuka Kuniichi fell silent.
He observed that the colorful fish, like a rainbow, had rushed up on their own, taking the bait without even eating it. They gathered joyfully at the edge of the water where she was, as if they had been coming for her from the beginning, trying their best to get to her.
Something is wrong. Isn't this kid's luck a little too good?
And why were all the fish she caught such beautiful, colorful ones? What about those hideous tilapia and giant catfish he usually caught after sitting for an entire afternoon?
But this talented girl who could catch six fish in five minutes was a disciple personally taught by Tezuka Kuniichi.
Tezuka Kuniichi was so excited that his fingertips were trembling slightly. He felt a sense of excitement and relief that he had not felt in many years since his retirement.
Words cannot describe it any more, this kid is a natural born fisherman!
"Your name is Sana, right? Come over more often when you have time." Tezuka Kuniichi patted her shoulder majestically yet kindly. "Kunimitsu and I go fishing in this river every Thursday afternoon after school. I'll teach you more of my techniques."
Kurikawa Sana: "!!!"
"Okay, okay! Thank you, Grandpa Tezuka~"
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +2.]
Kurikawa Sana glanced at Tezuka Kunimitsu secretly. The boy still had that serious and stern face, but at this moment she seemed to see a hint of smile in his eyes.
He is happy.
Was he amused by the miraculous fish she had caught, or was he also pleased because she had pleased his grandfather?
Never mind, hehe.
Kurikawa Sana only knows that she is very happy now, hehe.
"Oh? Finally, it's my turn to see my rod move." Tezuka Kuniichi's rod suddenly began to shake violently. Sensing the unusual force underwater, he shouted, "That's a big fish! Help me get the net!"
Hmm? Are you calling her or Tezuka-kun for help?
Kurikawa Sana was closest to Tezuka Kuniichi, so she grabbed her pink scoop net and helped catch the fish underwater. "Grandpa Tezuka, let me help you!"
A few minutes later.
The three of them fell silent in front of the bighead carp that was 60 centimeters long.
Such a strong and healthy bighead carp could easily escape even for experienced anglers, even with the help of equally experienced anglers using a scoop net, but they actually managed to catch it.
This bighead carp weighs an estimated 40 to 50 kilograms. What does that even mean? Only anglers understand its value; it's something you could brag about to your fellow anglers for half a year.
What helped Tezuka Kuniichi achieve this was the fragile and beautiful girl in front of him.
It is estimated that he will find it difficult to forget for a long time the scene of the fragile-looking girl picking up the super-large bighead carp with one hand and throwing the fish and the net directly onto the shore.
"Little girl, you really have potential." Tezuka Kuniichi took a deep breath. "That's all for today. Thank you very much. Without your help, I wouldn't have caught this fish. Technically, it belongs to you. Take it back."
Kurikawa Sana quickly waved her hands and declined: "No, no, no, it's yours because you caught it. And I'm the only one at home, I don't know what to do with it..."
When she said this, the girl's originally cheerful voice suddenly dropped and became smaller and smaller.
Tezuka Kunimitsu paused slightly.
She is alone at home? Why?
Are her parents too busy at work and not with her?
"I see... I see." Tezuka Kuni said, "Then in return, would you please do me the honor of coming to our house for a simple meal?"
"Eh? Can I?" Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment.
If Tezuka lives with his grandfather, then going to their house for a simple meal means that she has entered the Tezuka family?
"Of course, you are Kunimitsu's friend." Thinking that she had no elders to take care of her, Tezuka Kuniichi looked at her with a gentler and kinder gaze.
Kurikawa Sana looked at Tezuka Kunimitsu with a slightly questioning look.
Tezuka Kunimitsu looked at her and said softly, "You are very welcome, Kurikawa."
Yay! He even used the word "very"!
Kurikawa Sana smiled and picked up her pink fish bucket, holding it in front of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
"Thank you, Grandpa Tezuka and Mr. Tezuka, for inviting me. As a reward, I'll give these things I harvested today to Mr. Tezuka."
Tezuka Kunimitsu was slightly stunned, "Give it to me?"
"Hmm, these look like ornamental fish. I don't have a fish tank at home, so I don't know how to raise them... But does Tezuka-kun have a fish tank at home?"
"Yes." Tezuka Kunimitsu took the fish pond from her hand, lowered his eyes and said, "Thank you, Kurikawa."
"I'll take good care of it."
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +3. ]
…
*
On the way home, Tezuka Kuniichi attracted countless glances from neighbors on the road.
The reason was simple: the 60-centimeter-long catfish he carried on his back was a truly stunning sight. For a fishing enthusiast, catching such a large fish could take them two hours to walk just 500 meters home.
"Wow! Inspector Tezuka has had a great time today!"
"Oh my god, this fish is too big!!"
"To be able to catch such a big fish, you are worthy of being called Inspector Tezuka!"
Passing neighbors and friends praised him one after another. Tezuka Kuni stroked his beard, waved his hand and said seriously: "No problem, no problem, just play normally, just play normally-"
Tezuka Kunimitsu on the side: “…”
He knew his grandfather too well. Although his grandfather said that and his expression still looked as dignified as usual, he was actually very happy in his heart.
Normally, he might not be able to catch two or three small fish in an entire afternoon of fishing with his grandfather. Today's catch was definitely the biggest catch his grandfather had ever had, otherwise he wouldn't have sent a text message to Sanada Gen'emon, Sanada Gen'ichirō's grandfather, to show off.
He just saw the text message his grandfather sent to his old friend Gen'emon Sanada.
[Tezuka Kuniichi: June 5, 20xx, 5:13:49 PM, 45 kg.]
【Sanada Gen'emon: ???】
[Sanada Gen'emon: Your second child is born? But isn't the weight a little too high?]
[Tezuka Kuniichi: No, this is the fish I just caught.]
[Sanada Gen'emon: ………]
Kunimitsu Tezuka, who had just inadvertently seen the text message conversation interface between his grandfather and Grandpa Sanada, couldn't help but fall into silence.
Kunimitsu Tezuka could almost imagine the red face of Grandpa Sanada on the other side of the text message.
But all these things fully demonstrate how happy grandpa is now.
What made him so happy today was Kurikawa Sana.
Tezuka Kunimitsu lowered his eyes to look at the girl standing beside him. She also seemed to be in a good mood, holding the fishing gear in her hands and humming a song.
His daily fishing trips with his grandfather were always calm and serious; the only sound they could hear was the gurgling river.
But today there was a new change. A bright and beautiful girl came straight in like a forest fairy.
The young man slowly lowered his eyes, his gold-rimmed glasses hiding the emotions in his eyes.
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +2.]
Kurikawa Sana: "!!"
*
The family atmosphere in Tezuka Kunimitsu's family was unexpectedly warm. After dinner, Kurikawa Sana went from being nervous at the beginning to being completely relaxed at the end, feeling only warmth.
Kunimitsu Tezuka seems to have inherited the personality of his grandfather Tezuka Kuniichi from the previous generation. Except for him and his grandfather being particularly serious, his father Tezuka Kuniharu is quite gentle and approachable, and his mother Tezuka Ayana is also gentle, beautiful and very friendly.
"Bye Sana-chan~ Come back next time when you have time~" Tezuka Ayana waved goodbye at the door, the smile on her face full of relief and love.
"Thank you Aunt Ayana, and Uncle Tezuka and Grandpa Tezuka~" Kurikawa Sana bowed politely again, turned around and got into the taxi that had just arrived, "Thank you Tezuka-kun too~"
Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded slightly, "You're welcome."
Tezuka Ayana gently poked her son's arm and said in a low voice, "Stupid Kunimitsu, add something like 'see you next time'!"
But it was too late. The taxi that Kurikawa Sana was in had already started and disappeared at the intersection.
"The next time I meet her will be the day after tomorrow." Tezuka Kunimitsu thought for a moment and stated a fact: "The day after tomorrow is the match between Seigaku and her school, Hyotei. This will determine who will continue to advance in the Kanto Tournament."
Tezuka Ayana: “…”
Help, why is her son such a rigid person?
Watching the intersection where Kurikawa Sana's taxi disappeared, Tezuka Kuniichi suddenly asked, "Kunimitsu, that girl likes you, right?"
Tezuka Ayana: “!!!”
What? Sana-chan likes Kunimitsu? Is that true?!
What shocked Ayana Tezuka even more was that one day she would hear her stern and serious father-in-law discussing the emotional problems of her grandson Kunimitsu.
Facing Tezuka Kuniichi's sudden question, Tezuka Kunimitsu paused and asked, "Why do you say that?"
"That's easy. When I saw that child this afternoon, she was still standing across the river, wearing her Hyotei uniform and looking over here. Ten minutes later, she changed her clothes and bought some fishing gear and came over to fish with us—she came over because she saw you."
Tezuka Kuni stroked his beard and continued, "Have you forgotten what I used to do? I'm a police officer. How can I still be considered a police officer if I don't have this much judgment and reasoning ability?"
Tezuka Ayana: “!!!”
So there is such a thing!
Ayana Tezuka was still a little shocked. Although she always knew that her son was excellent in both study and appearance, his icy personality still made him a little difficult to approach.
It's hard to imagine that Sana-chan, a super-beautiful girl with a lively personality and celebrity-like beauty, would actually like Guoguang? ...Could it be that my father-in-law's analysis was wrong?
But if it was true, Ayana Tezuka couldn't imagine how happy she would be. She liked Sana-chan so much. It would be hard for anyone not to like such a cute girl, right?
Surprisingly, Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded slightly, "Yes, she confessed to me."
Tezuka Ayana opened her eyes wide in surprise and almost cried out in surprise—
Next second.
Tezuka Kunimitsu: "But I rejected her."
Tezuka Kuniichi: “…”
Tezuka Kuniichi closed his eyes, refusing to watch, put his hands behind his back, and went back to his room to sleep.
Tezuka Ayana: “???”
She caught her breath in her throat, but finally held it back.
How could Guoguang have the heart to reject such a lovely girl!
And... I always feel that my son will regret it one day - regret his decision to refuse.
…
That night.
Kunimitsu Tezuka put the six fish caught by Sana Kurikawa today into the fish tank at home. The six fish were as colorful as a rainbow, red, green, dark blue, light blue, purple and yellow - colorful and brilliant.
As I watched, the scene in front of me changed from fish to a black-haired girl with a bright smile.
The images of her running towards the river with a smile and casting and pulling up the fishing rod in the sunlight kept alternating.
Kunimitsu Tezuka reached out and gently touched the fish tank.
None of the six fish of different colors swam towards him.
Kurikawa Sana.
He silently recited the girl's name in his heart.
Why did you come into his life?
“………”
*
On the other side, Kurikawa Sana was lying in the bathtub taking a bath. When she was about to fall asleep, there was a "ding" sound.
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +7. ]
Kurikawa Sana: "?!!"
Huh? Why did my favorability suddenly increase?
Let her think about it... Could it be that he was missing her because of the fish she gave him?
Kurikawa Sana smiled and dived the lower half of her face and body back into the water, blowing bubbles happily.
Sure enough, it was right to give the fish to him. It was worth her reluctantly giving them up. She also liked those fish very much and always felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with them. She prepared herself mentally for a long time before giving them to him.
But why did she like those six fish so much today? Hmm... Thinking carefully, Kurikawa Sana suddenly realized that it was because they looked a little familiar.
Red, green, dark blue, light blue, purple, yellow.
Aren't these exactly the same colors as the six captureable characters in the first world, Basketball World? These fish have the exact same hair and eye colors as them.
Kurikawa Sana: "..."
Ah this.
So she gave the Rainbow Sentai (fish version) to Tezuka?
Kurikawa Sana silently sank to the bottom of the water, gurgling.
It seems that she is really sleepy and it is time to go to bed.
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