Chapter 40 Welcome
Everyone gathered in the hall.
"President Tezuka must be here to participate in the youth selection as well," Momoshiro lowered his voice and moved closer to Kikumaru. "With President Tezuka's ability, there's no doubt he'll be selected."
"I wonder if Tezuka's hand injury has recovered..." Oishi looked at the figure on the stage worriedly.
Fengjian didn't say anything, but just clenched the pen in his hand.
Coach Shen walked onto the stage, his sharp eyes sweeping over the crowd as his voice faded. "In view of Coach Ryuzaki's illness and hospitalization, as well as his strong recommendation, Coach Hanamura and I have discussed and decided that Tezuka will serve as the acting coach of the Ryuzaki team, and I will serve as the head coach. Does anyone else in the Ryuzaki team have any objections?"
The whole room was in uproar. Momoshiro, Kikumaru and the others stared with wide eyes. "To be a coach instead of a contestant..."
After a brief silence, Omoto raised his hand and stood up. "I know Tezuka is very strong, but I doubt he can be our coach."
"Tezuka-kun, how are you going to respond to this?" The Godly Coach looked at Tezuka, his gaze meeting Omoto's questioning calmly, "Then let's have a game."
A moment later, the court was surrounded by young people.
"Tezuka, your hand injury hasn't healed yet, forcing yourself to play..." Oishi was about to say something, but Tezuka had already stepped over him to grab the racket, his fingers gently pulling the net cord, "A light swing is still fine."
Omoto paused, then took a step forward. "For you, Tezuka, playing against us is just a simple swing of the racket."
"It doesn't matter, go ahead." Tezuka looked calm as he stood on the court.
"I really want to watch Tezuka's match, but it's a pity that there's a duel later," Kikumaru pressed his face against the fence, staring at the field with envy. He was interrupted by Oishi as soon as he said "How about giving up later?"
"Okay, okay, I was just kidding, Oishi."
"Wow, I didn't expect even the Hanamura Group and the God Group are here." Glancing at a few familiar figures on the sidelines, Gen nudged Kazama's shoulder. "It seems President Tezuka's appearance has put a lot of people in danger."
The people around him didn't react at all. Gen turned around and found that Kazama was staring at the field intently, his fingertips slightly white from gripping the hard board.
Tezuka's hand swung the racket like a fully drawn longbow, and the ball was as fast as a meteor, cutting through the air and slamming heavily into the opponent's court with a "bang". The leaves above the court were shaken down next to the ball.
One goal shocked the whole audience.
"Who's next?" Tezuka stood up and swept his calm eyes across the sidelines.
Momoshiro murmured to himself, "So strong, President Tezuka is so strong..." But there was a fire burning in his eyes.
Qi Yuan spread his hands and said, "I don't need to compete anymore. Let's wait until your hand injury is healed."
"The speed of the ball just now even surpassed my heavy serve," Feng bowed slightly, "I have no objection to Tezuka-senpai being my coach. I hope you will give me more guidance in the future."
Tezuka nodded, his gaze falling on a figure at the sidelines. He paused for a few seconds, then glanced at the others, "In that case, everyone enter the court and start sparring in pairs."
"That's a nice shock, Tezuka."
Atobe stood on the sidelines with his arms folded across his chest, glancing at Sanada who was leaving the field with his hat lowered. When he looked away, his gaze passed by Kazama on the sidelines. The girl was staring intently at the field, her chin slightly raised, and her dark eyes were shining.
He frowned slightly, "Let's go, Kabaji."
“Usu.”
The dusk dyed the court a bright orange, and the sound of the balls hitting the court gradually faded and finally returned to the dust.
"This is a training plan compiled based on all of your performances," Tezuka handed over the white paper. When Omoto said, "As expected of Tezuka, you put together such a detailed training plan in just one day," he glanced at him calmly. "This was compiled by Kazama based on your performances over the past few days. I just reviewed it."
Omoto's expression paused, and his eyes moved away from the white paper and fell on Kazama. The girl stood quietly beside Tezuka with her hands behind her back. She was so petite that she was inconspicuous, but he felt that the white paper in her hand was heavy.
He pursed his lips and bowed slightly to her. "I'm sorry, Kazama-san. I apologize for my rudeness this morning." He said with relief, "You're right. I really shouldn't have made such rash judgments."
Kazama was stunned for a moment, and met Tezuka's gaze for a few seconds, then turned to smile at him, "It's okay, Omoto-kun is right, I also have a lot to learn from you."
"So do we."
Oishi breathed a sigh of relief. Momoshiro pressed Echizen's head and laughed heartily at his speechless gaze. "This is still the best way."
After everyone left, Kazama and Gen stayed behind to clean the court.
As Fengjian bent down to pick up the ball, the broom suddenly bumped her back. Yuan shook the ball basket in his hand, and a shadow was cast on the back of her hand. "Someone's hand has turned white from holding the form just now."
When Feng Jian looked up, he saw her mischievous smile: "Are you relieved now?"
"No way."
Kazama stuffed the ball into the basket, his fingertips rubbing against the rust on the edge. He heard Gen knock on the ground with the broom handle and said in a teasing tone, "President Tezuka is looking for you. By the way, your overtime benefits have arrived."
Fengjian followed his gaze and saw a figure standing on the sidelines. The setting sun cast his shadow quietly on the golden ground.
"Are you done?" Tezuka pushed up his glasses and looked at her. "Tomorrow's match schedule needs some revisions."
"I......"
"I'm done," Yuan said quickly, winking at her. "Leave the rest to me."
Before Fengjian could react, she was pushed to the door. When she turned around, she met Yuan's meaningful gaze. He made a cheering gesture to her and nodded to signal her to follow him.
She sighed, her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the corner of her clothes, said "please" in a small voice, turned around and followed Tezuka's pace.
The two walked side by side, and the empty intersection left only two silhouettes that were stretched by the setting sun and sometimes overlapped.
——
As soon as Kazama entered the hall, Momoshiro came up to him, "Well, Kazama, didn't President Tezuka come with you?"
Kikumaru looked behind her and said, "Gen said you two went to discuss tomorrow's battle schedule alone. I thought you would come together, meow."
Feng Jian mentally gave Yuan an X, then calmly changed the subject, looking towards the hall decorated with lights. The air was filled with the sweet smell of soda and cake cream, and the lights cast mottled spots on the ground through the colored paper. "This is..."
"We prepared a welcome party for Tezuka. Everyone was energized when Tezuka returned." Kikumaru put his hands behind his head. "With him as a coach, the others will definitely feel like they've lost a strong opponent."
"Kazama, tonight we won't be seated according to group members. Let's all sit together." Taocheng suggested, pushing the other person towards the middle table.
"good......"
Before he could sit down, Kazama was grabbed by the arm by Yuan who had hurried over and left Taocheng's sight at the speed of wind.
"I fought so hard to get this position," Yuan said, pushing him to the first position behind the three coaches. His mischievous laughter was so low that it could penetrate his ears. "This is the place closest to President Tezuka."
After saying that, he winked at her and slipped away.
"wait......"
Kazama could only watch Gen running away, then she turned her gaze back to meet Sanada beside her, then turned around and suddenly met Atobe opposite her and Inuyasha sitting next to him. Her expression froze, she swallowed silently, smiled awkwardly at a few people, then looked away, pretending to ignore the inquiring gazes coming from both sides.
The 'position I fought so hard to secure' that Gen mentioned couldn't possibly be from Sanada...
She felt like crying but had no tears in her heart.
The night outside the window gradually deepened. With the arrival of the three coaches and other team members, Tezuka's welcome party finally began.
"This guy Atobe is really a gorgeous guy from beginning to end. Even when he was singing, he monopolized the microphone." Shishido Ryo's humming laughter came from behind.
Whether it was the chorus, Oishi's antics, or Fuji's magic tricks, everyone's dedication was palpable. The young people were like being wrapped in a spider web, connected by threads that tied them all together, creating a beautiful bond.
That day, Kazama sat at his computer desk and sent Yukimura a picture of Sanada singing that he had secretly taken tonight, along with a comment: "I thought Sanada only knew how to sing those rigid military songs, but I didn't expect he'd be so good at lyrical songs, too. It's a pity you weren't there, Yukimura, but I listened to it for you, and it's pretty good."
Yukimura: That's really enviable. But I've already sent your last sentence, Kazama, to Genichirō. I'm really looking forward to seeing his expression when he sees you tomorrow.
Kazama was petrified on the spot. After realizing that he couldn't withdraw the message, he received a message from Yukimura again - the message probably couldn't be withdrawn.
Kazama: Yukimura, you traitor!
In the silence of the night, only the girl's silent accusation can be heard.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
