Chapter 3
"What are you looking at, Niou?" After completing his training task, Hiroshi Yagyu saw his partner Masaharu Niou standing in the shade of the tennis court, looking into the distance.
Niou Masaharu looked away. "I saw Mori-senpai, whom I haven't seen much, doing some make-up training. He's impressive! He doesn't look tired at all."
If I had to say I regretted it a little, Maori Jusaburo counted the number with great difficulty. If he hadn't made up for it, he really wouldn't have known that he had missed so many trainings.
I hesitated a little for the sake of the junior deputy minister, but the price I paid was quite high.
The thoughts in his mind did not affect Maori Jusaburo's practice at all. According to the number of times he missed training, Maori planned to make up for it this time.
Marui Bunta put his left hand practice on hold and, like Sanada, prepared to make up for it when he was in better shape.
The starting training player Akagihara is not visible for the time being, so he didn't realize that he had injured his senior during the practice match.
Sanada corrected his movements while practicing. The height, strength, reaction speed, etc. of the second-year junior high school student were different from those of Sanada who had experienced higher-level competitions. Sanada slowly became familiar with the present through the most basic methods.
Sanada, who used to be at the top of the team in practice, finished much slower this time. However, the regular players of Rikkai University who met Sanada in the morning knew what was going on and attributed Sanada's slight change to injury.
Yukimura was the first to finish the training menu and began to deal with team affairs.
The tennis ball machine needs to be replaced with a new one, new consumable tennis balls need to be replenished, new members who have adapted for a period of time and feel that they are not suitable for the tennis club and have submitted their withdrawal applications, classmates who have retired early for academic reasons, and the club evaluation files of seniors who are about to graduate... Yukimura rubbed his head, which was slightly painful, and continued.
After finishing the training, Yanagi Renji observed the status of the starting players and adjusted the number of basic training bases. The players also needed different focuses. For example, Marui Bunta needed to increase physical strength, and Yagyu Hiroshi suggested increasing technical training... In addition, there are potential players among the non-starters who need attention, as well as Kirihara Akaya who can take over the starting position vacant after senior Mori graduates.
Sanada walked much slower than usual into the tennis club's office, a room that was supposed to be managed by the teachers.
This is where the Rikkai University Tennis Club's trophies, medals, and certificates are stored. Aside from organizing materials and changing files, Sanada, Yukimura, and Yanagi Renji rarely come here.
Except for matters that require all the official attendance and decision-making, this room is usually used as a storage room.
After looking at Yukimura's classification table, Sanada picked up the unprocessed ones placed on the side.
Sanada couldn't remember many of the names here. Apart from the regular players of the Rikkai University Tennis Club who saw and played together every day, the non-regular players and the regular players were not on the same court. In addition, it had been a long time, so Sanada couldn't remember the names of other non-regular players except Kirihara Aka.
Fortunately, there was a list left by Yanagi Renji, and Sanada just had to refer to it to deal with it.
Face to face with numerous mistakes and omissions, Sanada, who has been in charge of the team for more than a year, needs to check the sorted documents one by one. It is so obvious, but Yukimura has no time to care. He shook his head, feeling a little dizzy, and Yukimura endured the discomfort to classify the documents of the tennis club. He had no extra energy to look up.
Sanada and Yukimura were busy in the office, while Yanagi Renji was walking around the various training grounds of the tennis club recording different data.
The regular players who have completed training will usually do some additional training or take time to play a coaching match at a non-regular venue.
Today, with Mori Jusaburo, who was caught by Sanada, training, Niou Masaharu took the lead as supervisor. Marui Bunta ate a small cake to replenish his energy and wondered, "Can this amount really be made up in one day? Even after the national competition, many training sessions were cut in half, but before that, the intensity was still the same. It would take at least three days to make up for it."
Marui Bunta calculated the time he could complete the task at his limit, without considering the results.
"It shouldn't be the case. Kirihara was just penalized to double his base by Sanada, and when running the same lap, Senior Mori's speed was twice that of Kirihara. Judging from the speed, it should be possible." Yagyu Hiroshi was interested in joining the tennis club after watching Niou Masaharu's games. After joining the tennis club, he heard more about the legends of the Big Three of Rikkai University. He didn't expect that Senior Mori, who he was not familiar with, was so amazing.
Yagyu felt that it would take him about five days to complete the same amount of training. The only people who could accomplish this level of training in a single day were the three great masters of Rikkai University.
Although the upper limit of a person's strength cannot be seen from the basics, judging from the amount of supplementary training, Senior Maori's strength may be terrifyingly strong.
"Yukimura, are you okay?" Sanada finished the work in his hands and found that Yukimura was not in good condition when he was cleaning up.
Yukimura tilted his head, smiling with a lily-colored background. "It's okay, Sanada. But the pace of the regular selections today is so slow. We've been training at half capacity, and no one's showing up yet."
"You're too relaxed. I'll go take a look. Yukimura, if you're not feeling well, don't force yourself." Sanada has long been accustomed to Yukimura's way of changing the subject. Every time there is a problem, Yukimura will find other topics to avoid it, or use a smile to achieve the desired effect.
Yukimura took a sip of water, looked at Sanada, and gave the usual instructions. "Then I'll leave it to you, Sanada."
Sanada had been fooled several times before because Yukimura's strength was the foundation of everything, and he also forgot that not all illnesses could be overcome with perseverance like a cold or a minor wound.
Sanada really put his appearance before Yukimura's strength, and always trusted that Yukimura could be invincible, so when Yukimura hesitated in the face of illness, he spoke in a tough tone and even had some physical conflicts. After all, when the two names of Sanada and Yukimura are compared together, in tennis, Yukimura has always been the winner.
So when it comes to a match, Sanada would be defeated again and again against Yukimura, but he would keep fighting, and he would not be discouraged even if the hope was slim. However, Sanada had no idea about the chances of defeating Yukimura.
It's a win-lose situation, but when facing Tezuka, Sanada is thinking about revenge, and he will definitely be the winner again.
The impression Yukimura left on Sanada during the game was mostly one he had no way of catching up to, so he could only force himself to move forward.
Although Sanada lost the battle with Tezuka, he now has a direction to move forward, and the gap is actually not that far.
The reason for his grudge was that he wanted to fight again, but he couldn't find anyone. As he got deeper and deeper into trouble, when his desire to defeat Tezuka and the Rikkai University Kanto Tournament collided, Sanada hesitated and chose the latter.
This was a regret for Sanada, but he had made a choice and there was no room for regret. At the national competition, Sanada did defeat Tezuka with a hidden move, putting an end to the previous victory and defeat.
"Have you forgotten that there is a meeting today, Senior Maori? There is a regular election meeting today. The use of funds requires a vote from the regular elections. The make-up training can wait until later." Yanagi Renji thought that the regular elections were all in place and he was the last one to arrive. Unexpectedly, when he passed by, several regular elections surrounded Senior Maori and counted.
Maori Jusaburo nodded, wiped the sweat off his face and walked towards the meeting room. Maori Jusaburo transferred from Shitenhoji to Rikkai University. Maori Jusaburo relied on his strength to gain a foothold in the team. Such votes were usually just for personal count, and most people would not tacitly abstain from voting. Anyway, the management of the tennis club was good whether Maori Jusaburo was there or not. Of course, sometimes the deputy director was too dedicated to his duties, and it was much more difficult to skip training than before.
Niou Masaharu tugged at her pigtail and stuck out his tongue. "I forgot. So, Bunta~ the bet is suspended. We'll continue next time."
While surrounding Mori Jusaburo, Marui Bunta and Niou Masaharu started arguing about the training time. The two made a bet with Bunta's favorite little cake. Whoever guessed the time closest would win, and the loser would treat the other. Now the situation was tied at one to one.
"Hurry up, Kuwabara." Marui Fumita scratched his hair. The cupcake was important, but it was also important not to be scolded by Sanada. Not everyone liked to compete with Sanada like Niou Masaharu.
Sanada walked out the door and took a few steps to see a group of regular players rushing towards them. "Too lax!"
Sanada swallowed the words that all training would be doubled, because Yanagi Renji and Mori-senpai were also there. Normally, they had to complete their training tasks before they could attend the meeting. Of course, Rikkai University regulars rarely delayed their training menu until now, and Yanagi Renji's situation was special.
"There's no fixed meeting time, so this doesn't count as being late, right? Haha." Niou Masaharu spoke from the crowd of regulars. In his anger, Sanada had already mentioned the number of extra training sessions.
Yukimura had leaned against the door at some point. "Hmm~ Can we start the meeting now? We still have to arrange the qualifying matches for next year."
"Okay." As soon as this was said, the regular students of Rikkai University quickly and accurately found their seats and waited for the meeting.
Yanagi Renji summarized the tennis club's annual statistics. "In addition to these necessary expenses, I propose adding an annual medical checkup for the regular players. This will be held after the national tournament, and we'll vote on it."
Looking at the side of the meeting room, Kuwabara freed up one hand to express his agreement, and used the other hand to help Marui Bunta hold snacks.
Marui Bunta never let go of his hand, and with the help of Kuwabara, he used his other hand to organize the food in the backpack.
When Niou Masaharu was free, he'd raise his hand in agreement. When he was busy making prank gear, he'd skip that step. After all, the Rikkai University Tennis Club was a majority-ruled club, with no veto. Besides, few people could do what a military advisor does, so Niou Masaharu could always vote in favor unless it was Sanada's proposal. "Sanada's proposals require physical opposition; a meeting with everyone agreeing would be boring."
This was the second time that Mori Jusaburo participated in the regular selection meeting. The first time was after he transferred to another school and became a regular. He didn't know what the regular selection meeting was about. After figuring out the rules, it was basically like skipping training and he never showed up.
Listening to his junior classmates' well-organized arrangements, Mao Shousanlang felt that it was very good and had no objections.
The younger generation didn't need anyone to worry about them, so Mao Li felt the timing was perfect, so he might as well just say it. "Well, I have no objection to seeking medical treatment, but, Junior, I may have to retire early. I won't be able to stay until graduation as per tradition, and I won't be able to participate in the main qualifying tournament."
"Can I ask what's going on? Mori-senpai," asked Yanagi Renji.
Although Maori-senpai rarely shows up on weekdays, he is never late for competitions and his performance is quite reliable. There must be a reason for suddenly making this request. As for his grades, there is no need to worry, as Maori-senpai's grades are excellent.
Maori Jusaburo scratched his head, searching for a similar adjective. "My senior invited me to a training event, something closed off, and I'm not sure if I can get back in time, so..."
"I understand. Renji, let's make a new plan." Yukimura nodded in understanding. The most important national competition has ended, and there is nothing he can do due to personal reasons. It's just that Kirihara Akaya's opponent in the main draw group needs to be changed.
Mori Jusaburo leaned back in his seat and spoke more relaxedly. A senior from Hyotei could still be considered a senior. Mori Jusaburo accepted the invitation of senior Ochi to participate in a confidential training camp. The current tennis world is different from the monster gathering in the past. Mori Jusaburo had already made a decision in his heart between the two.
Having rarely been seen in the tennis club, Mori Jusaburo planned to participate in training camp and see how things progressed, hoping to find time to return for the final draw, fulfilling Rikkai University's tradition. If he couldn't make it, he had three reliable juniors with him, so he wasn't worried. Even if he couldn't return, they would find a way to make up for the missed matches.
Sanada knew what the closed tennis camp was all about, and he knew the Rikkai University tennis club would receive an invitation a year later. However, the coaches at the U-17 training camp had previously stated that the invitation limit was only for freshmen, so they hadn't expected Mori-senpai to be an exception.
No wonder Mori Jusaburo did not show up in the main qualifying round that year, and Kirihara Akashi won without a fight.
What makes the Rikkai University Tennis Club different is its self-management and the inheritance of the old and the new. The challenge of being a regular starter given to freshmen at the beginning of the semester is one, and the regular starter retiring at the end of the semester is the final test and blessing for the new starter.
At that time, Yukimura suddenly fell ill and was sent to the hospital. The others went to the hospital to visit him immediately after returning from their school trip. The original plan of the tennis club was in chaos, and many subsequent matters were transferred from three people to two people, and there was not enough time.
Except for Senior Mori's sudden proposal to retire, everything was according to Yanagi Renji's plan.
All the voting has been completed, and the plan for Rikkai University's tennis club for next year has been preliminarily finalized, and a collective medical examination for the weekend is on the agenda.
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