Chapter 17
As we get closer to the end of the year, the temperature drops.
We chose a weekend that wasn't too cold as the day for the Rikkai University and Hyotei Tennis Club to have a joint training camp.
"It's our first training camp!" Kirihara Akaya changed into the regular team uniform, full of energy and unaffected by the weather.
Niou Masaharu huddled at the back of the group, using his teammates ahead to shield him from the wind. He dug a glove from his partner, Yagyu Hiroshi's bag, to cover his hands. "Pfft! Military Advisor, with Hyotei and the other guys taking advantage of us, why don't we just go to their stadium? They have better facilities and a nice environment."
"We are too lax! Only harsh environment can temper one's will." Sanada walked at the front of the team carrying training tools.
Yanagi Renji stayed out of the situation. If he expressed his opinion strongly, there was an 87% chance that Sanada would change his mind. However, he had recently gathered a lot of interesting information, and Yanagi Renji wanted to see where his true feelings would lead. "I proposed this to Sanada, but he disagreed."
"Can the young master of Hyotei bear it? Training at the seaside in winter." Marui Bunta was carrying a large bag of snacks. The weekend training would last for two days.
Yanagi Renji raised his hand and pointed, only to see the Hyotei school bus standing out. "There's a 95% chance that Atobe will agree. Originally, it was Rikkai University's turn to arrange the venue this time."
The members of Hyotei Tennis Club arrived at the agreed location very early, and since they saw that the members of Rikkai University were not coming yet, they waited on the school bus.
"It's so unglamorous." Atobe Keigo looked at the dusty members of Rikkai University who had just arrived.
Taketo Mukai stuck his head out of the car. "You're too late, Rikkai University people."
"Our meeting time is 1:30 p.m., and we are not late." Yagyu Hiroshi calmly reported the time.
Oshizuka Ikushi was the first to exit the car. He calmed down Mukai Taketo, who was still trying to argue, and then asked the Rikkai University staff about the upcoming training camp arrangements. "Ryu-kun, now that you're all here, it's time to discuss the training location. We'd also like to learn about the Champion School's training regimen."
"I'm in charge of liaison. The training arrangements this time were prepared by Sanada." Yanagi Renji explained and led his men towards the traditional Japanese building across the sea.
The regular players of Hyotei who came to participate in the training camp got out of the car. Because the venue was provided by Rikkai University, Atobe Keigo only brought the regular players this time.
Accommodation is hidden behind a traditional street food shop on the beach.
"Welcome, it's Sanada-kun and Yanagi-kun. The room you booked is in the Hai corridor." The owner recognized the customer who had been to his shop before. At that time, a group of students wearing Rikkai University uniforms were celebrating the first club championship in the store.
Oshizuka followed the Rikkai University staff to find the way and get the room card. Atobe stood behind them and gave orders. "Karachi, bring Jiro here."
"Yes." Takahiro Karaji carried Jiro Akutagawa on one hand and pulled three suitcases with the other.
Hou Chotaro chased after Shishido Ryo-senpai. "Shishido-senpai, wait for me."
"You're so slow, Chotaro. Don't fall behind." Shishido Ryo walked into the corridor with his suitcase.
If Hiyoshi is dressed simply, he'll just carry a backpack. "The weak will defeat the strong."
"Don't block the road, Hiyoshi. Get out of the way~" Taketo Mukai looked around curiously with his and Ikushi Oshizuka's luggage.
Oshizuka Ikushi, keeping some distance from his Hyotei teammates, confirmed Hyotei's territory. "The rooms on the left are Hyotei's, and the Rikkai University players will occupy the rooms on the right."
"This is the room corresponding to the Hai corridor. The gym, lounge, tea room and other places inside can be used freely. There are fixed meal times every day, and you can eat at the store in front. You can use the landline to make a phone call if necessary." The owner introduced.
The shop chosen by Sanada is a traditional Japanese-style beach shop. The floor plan is divided into four corridors, two large and two small. The area connected to the sea and the view is larger, and the sea and the view are for small boutique groups.
Due to the weather change, this small shop has basically no customers except for people from Rikkai University and Hyotei. Individual customers and group tourists are not in the same area, so there is no need to worry about the training being affected.
The people from Rikkai University confirmed the area and chose their rooms with their backpacks.
There are 15 rooms behind the sea-shaped corridor, with doors facing each other. The innermost room is a double room, which is normally used by the captains of the two teams to stay and discuss joint training plans.
The team is led by Hyotei Atobe Keigo, and the selected players include Oshitari Yuushi, Akutagawa Jiro, Kabachi Takahiro, Shishido Ryo, Hou Chotaro, Hiyoshi Waka, and Mukohi Taketo.
Tatekai Ohsanada and Yanagi Renji lead the team, with Marui Bunta, Jackal Kuwahara, Nio Masaharu, Yagyu Hiroshi, and Kirihara Akaya as the main candidates.
The team competition is a best-of-five format. Many times, you don't have to play all the games. It just depends on whether the competition system starts with doubles and singles, or alternates between them.
In order to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to practice, the practice match will be played for five games.
Regarding this training session, Sanada and Yanagi Renji discussed it with Atobe Keigo, who said that since Rikkai University was in charge of the training session, it would be conducted according to Rikkai University's requirements and standards.
A team can have a maximum of 8 people including the starting substitutes. There are 7 people from Rikkai University and 8 people from Hyotei University. Normally, Sanada, as the deputy director of Rikkai University, should replace Yukimura and Atobe Keigo to live together.
There were enough rooms, and since Sanada didn't like Keigo Atobe's flamboyant style, he didn't force himself to share a room with him.
"Yeah~ Get ready and gather in front of the store." Atobe Keigo was still waiting in the lobby.
Oshizuka explained the division of the rooms and the venues for activities within the shop, naturally reserving the largest room for Keigo Atobe. "The shop is quite spacious, with outdoor tennis and basketball courts, so the environment is quite good."
As long as they can pass the eyes of Ikushi Oshige, most of the people in the Hyotei Tennis Club can accept this environment.
Atobe Keigo was in charge of putting away his things and went straight to the innermost room.
After being put on the ground by Kachi Takahiro, Akutagawa Jiro, who had regained his consciousness, remembered his training partner. He rushed to the door opposite and knocked on each door one by one to confirm where Marui Bunta lived, and chose to stay in the room opposite.
After a while of commotion, the people from Hyotei chose their own rooms one after another.
We set out early on Friday and walked to the beach, where we enjoyed Rikkai University’s Chinese food in the restaurant.
Bingdi had already had lunch before coming on the bus, and the two teams reasonably allocated the time for using the gym and indoor venues.
The annual friendly exchange training competition between Rikkai University and Hyotei Tennis Club has officially begun.
After tidying up the room, Bingdi's people left.
Atobe Keigo looked at Hyotei's team and held his forehead. "Karachi, go and bring Jiro out."
"Yes." Takahiro Karaji used the spare room card to open the door, and walked out carrying the sleeping Jiro Akutagawa in one hand.
Atobe Keigo ignored the mess on Karaji Takahiro's body and said, "This time, Hyotei's training menu will follow Rikkai University's. After regular training, they can join Rikkai University's training program. I don't want to see any Hyotei people fall behind in the joint training."
"yes."
On the other side, finishing lunch.
Yanagi Renji slowly outlined the training schedule for this joint training session. "Aside from basic exercises, all other activities will be conducted together with Hyotei. Besides the practice sessions, the final friendly exchange match will be conducted in a singles format instead of doubles."
"So we have to fight eight games? Who will fight one more game?" Kirihara Akaya asked while counting the number of people.
Sanada replied, "It's seven games. The substitutes don't get a spot on the court, and the odd number is there to determine the winner. Of course, Rikkai University won't lose, and the penalty for whoever loses will remain the same."
Marui Bunta turned his head away when he heard that. It was the same old iron fist punishment. "Ah~ I don't want to be punched in the face by Sanada."
"I can't lose~" Losing to Sanada in the team competition was enough. The off-campus competition would give Sanada an opportunity to punish me with an iron fist. Such a life would be better than winter swimming. Nioh silently made up his mind.
"What about the shortage on Hyotei's side?" asked Yagyu Hiroshi.
Yanagi Renji took out his notebook. "They've already recorded who won't be playing. We'll just have to wait until the matchday to see who's in the group."
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