Chapter 17
With Zero's whistle, Echizen Ryoma's training match officially began.
Because it was just a regular training match with limited time, a one-set-decided format was adopted. Echizen Ryoma served first, and each side served three times in a row.
"...This should be the first time Fuji and Echizen have faced off since that match... It's been a long time since they last met, and even though it's just a training match, this is still very important data!"
Inui Sadaharu had already skillfully taken out his notebook and pen and started to record the necessary data.
"But, I always feel that..."
He hesitated and swallowed the second half of the sentence.
Fuji seems very serious...
Echizen Ryoma obviously didn't watch it as carefully as outsiders, and just treated it as an ordinary training match. But even so, he still felt a little excited to fight with Fuji Shusuke again after such a long time.
After all, both of them have grown and made many breakthroughs through the trials and tribulations of the past, and are now opponents who are no longer the same as before.
The outcome of this round is unpredictable.
Thinking of this, a determined light flashed in Echizen Ryoma's eyes. Under the gaze of his opponent, he gently tossed the little yellow ball in his hand, then bent his knees and jumped up.
“Snap—”
The moment the racket touched the net, it sped towards the other end of the court.
Perhaps his age had made him more cautious, so he did not use his signature outspin serve at the beginning. He was less arrogant and aggressive and more cautious, and just fed an ordinary serve as a test.
But that's what he thought, but Fuji Shusuke didn't think so.
Before anyone could react, he ran to the net, leaped up, and at the moment when the little yellow ball was about to pass the net, he made a fierce interception and sent the ball to a very tricky angle.
No reaction at all.
“Beep—”
"15:0"
The referee's impartial voice brought back the attention of everyone who was a little distracted, especially Ryoma Echizen.
Senior Fuji, super serious...
Moreover, there is murderous intent.
Echizen Ryoma gripped the racket tightly. He didn't think much about it. He just felt that Fuji Shusuke was serious and it was a respect for his opponent, so he secretly exerted his strength.
“Beep—”
It's Shusuke Fuji's turn to serve.
I didn't notice the undercurrents and tension in the arena at all, but Longma's opponent seemed to be quite strong. He actually gave that guy a setback at the very beginning, so I couldn't help but take a few more glances at him.
Hmm, looks a little familiar.
But it only looks a little familiar.
My attention was quickly drawn to the referee, Rei Furuya, who was diligently blowing the whistle on the field.
No way, no way, no way?
Could he really play tennis and be a referee?
Is this his way of following me around and protecting my safety?
Brother, there is a net between us. If something really happens, is he going to use his light-footed skills to get out of the net and protect me?
I was staring at Zero, but my mind was wandering in the sky, so I didn't notice the movements of the people on the court.
Echizen Ryoma and Fuji Shusuke were still fighting fiercely, and most of the other people were also concentrating on watching the tense battle. The two seemed to be competing with each other in the air, not giving up a single ball, and each ball was accompanied by a fierce attack.
Only one person——
Kikumaru Eiji nudged Inui Sadaharu with his elbow, but glanced at the dazed girl outside and whispered, "Shit, if I ask for the pretty schoolgirl's contact information while she's not paying attention, she'll definitely be furious, right?!"
"There's a 60% chance that Echizen will get mad, but there's a 90% chance that you'll be rejected."
Inui Sadaharu continued recording without pausing, answering in a formulaic tone.
90% rejected!
He was puzzled, "Why?!"
Could it be that he doesn't look as handsome as a little kid?
"That's not what I meant. Besides, since the start of the competition, that junior girl's eyes have been fixed on..."
He finally raised his head and looked at someone on the field.
"It's the referee."
"What? Could it be Fuji? Damn it... Wait?! What did you say?!"
Kikumaru Eiji paused for a moment before coming to his senses. He looked at the blond and dark-skinned referee on the field, then looked at the girl outside. Sure enough, her eyes were on the other person.
"ah???"
No, how the hell do you manage to watch the game, record the stats, and pay attention to this kind of gossip?!
At the moment when Kikumaru Eiji exclaimed, the little yellow ball that was moving back and forth on the court suddenly went off track and flew straight towards the armrest of the chair under the referee's butt.
If it were any other referee, even though he knew the ball would not hit him, he would still subconsciously make a defensive gesture. But the man was not panicked at all. He even caught the high-speed spinning ball with his bare hands at the moment it was about to hit him.
Everyone:!!!
Fūya Rei threw the yellow ball to Fuji Shusuke with his backhand and said with a smile, "Be careful, 45:15."
Because of Fuji's mistake, the two players had been in a tense battle, and finally the gap between the two games widened.
Seeing this scene, my jaw almost dropped and I stood up in awe from my seat.
No way?
Could it be that he really knows Kung Fu?!
*
The match between the two ended in a draw. It was clearly a one-set match, but the two of them made it as long and tense as a national competition. When they came off the court, both of them were sweating profusely.
Even Fuji Shusuke, who was always clean and cheerful, had his back soaked with sweat.
This shows how fierce the battle was.
"Fuji-senpai, madamadadane...I will definitely beat you next time."
Facing Echizen Ryoma's confidence and arrogance, Fuji Shusuke just smiled calmly and replied simply:
"Then I'll wait and see."
Inui Sadaharu very tactlessly interjected, "So, Fuji, are you still going to fight Kikumaru next?"
Before he could answer, Kikumaru Eiji on the side started shouting first. He hung on Oishi's body and looked at Fuji Shusuke with a fearful look on his face, "I don't want it, I don't want it! Fuji looks so fierce, he will definitely be beaten to death!"
Finally, it was Tezuka who spoke up, "Fuji, don't push yourself."
Fuji Shusuke nodded.
Ryoma Echizen raised his head to drink water, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Naoko Koizumi in the corner outside the tennis court. She seemed to be discussing something secretly with the referee. The two of them were very close to each other, looking very intimate.
Do they know each other?
"Ah~ little one, it looks like your childhood sweetheart is about to be snatched away by someone...Just now, that pretty schoolgirl was staring at the referee the whole time..."
Kikumaru Eiji touched his chin and started to stir up trouble maliciously. Just at this moment, the blond referee handed Koizumi Na a piece of paper to wipe her sweat. Seeing the girl's smile, he simply made a sound and said meaningfully,
"It seems that the current school girls like older, mature, and gentle men. Little one, your type is already outdated, Madamadadane~"
The kitten was stepped on and its fur stood on end.
"Senior, some people may appear gentle and kind on the surface, but they are actually scumbags who cheat on your feelings..."
Fuji Shusuke spoke softly, smiling kindly:
"is that so?"
Echizen Ryoma & Kikumaru Eiji:! ! !
No, why are you automatically substituting?
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