The Prince of Tennis - I'm Echizen Ryoma

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The narrator of this chapter is Tezuka.

"Cheer up!" On the tennis court, Dashi, contrary to his usual gentle image, yelled at the members.

"Aron ~ Another goal ~" Fuji smiled and greeted Kawamura on the opposite side.

"OK! Burn it!" Kawamura clasped the racket tightly with both hands, his eyes sparkling.

"When serving the ball, if you loosen the grip on the racket, the force from the top will be greater, that is to say, it can increase the speed of the serve." Qianzheng taught the blinking Haitang sternly.

Taocheng sat on the bench beside the court and was busy arranging the line.At the end of the bench near the door, the boy in the hat was squatting down to tie his shoelaces.

Standing outside the tennis court, I watched them quietly.They just as well know what to do without me.Why did I, who had made up my mind, feel lost instead?

Not far away, Ryuzaki-sensei, with his arms folded over his chest, was also watching me quietly.I know what she's worried about.

Turning around, I walked slowly but firmly to the department room.

Wearing the blue and white shirt again, it feels like a few days are as far away as years.What is this inexplicable feeling in my chest?Stop thinking about it and do what you have to do.Perhaps, standing outside the tennis court, I will never find the answer I am looking for.

Gently pushing open the door of the tennis court, I stood at the inconspicuous spot where he had stayed just now, folded my arms around my chest, and raised my eyes to search the court.

"Hey, Echizen, give me your racket, I'll take a look at it for you." On the bench, Taocheng held up his racket with one hand and inspected it with satisfaction, and spread the other hand towards me.

"Hey, Echizen!" Taocheng who didn't get a response raised his head and stared, then opened his mouth wide, "Ah? Minister!"

Everyone in the arena stopped their movements and turned to look at me in surprise.Is it so unbelievable that I've been on the tennis court in just a few days?

"Tezuka, you haven't been here for a long time. How is your injury?" Oishi stepped forward in surprise, "I thought you forgot about the tennis club!"

Turning my head and glanced at him, I turned my gaze back to the field, "Is it hindering everyone's practice?"

"Ah, no." Dashi stammered a little.

"Okay, you guys continue." I didn't move.

"Good shot, Boomerang!" Haitang hissed amidst the cheers of the spectators on the tennis court.

"Drink!" A blockbuster scared the opponent into a gourd, Taocheng picked up the racket, "It's useless, it's really useless~"

"That's amazing, A Tao-senpai!" Mizuno, holding the basketball basket, sighed.

"Well, the seniors seem to work very hard today." Kato, who was holding a few rackets, agreed.

"It's always been that way." I corrected.

"Ah, Minister!" The two little guys stared at me with wide eyes.

"Only by maintaining a normal mind can you play a wonderful game. No matter what situation you encounter, as long as you maintain your mentality, you can play your own tennis." These words are also for myself.

"Yes! Thank you for your advice!" They both bowed to me respectfully.

I looked at them, and as I walked away, I heard them whispering excitedly behind me, "This is the first time the minister has spoken to me!" "Me too!"

As a minister, I am a bit unqualified.However, I have no more time to make up for my mistakes.

My mind went back to yesterday evening, the staff room still illuminated by the setting sun.

"Tezuka, take a look at this." After handing over a piece of information, Mr. Ryuzaki turned and looked out the window, "Now, we must heal your hand first."

Slowly flipping through the pages, Mr. Ryuzaki whispered from the window, "This comprehensive medical center in Germany has already successfully treated several famous athletes' injuries. I think it is worth going."

"understood."

I didn't expect me to answer so simply. The teacher turned around in surprise and reminded, "If you want to go, it will be for a long time."

"Ah." I answered clearly.

The astonishment on Ryuzaki-sensei's face deepened, but she didn't say anything.The teacher thinks that I will think about it more. I always give people the impression that I have a sense of responsibility. Besides, the Kanto competition has only just begun.But I know, I don't have time.If he didn't heal his hand injury as soon as possible, he might fall far behind him soon.

"Don't be mother-in-law, I'm here!" With his back to me, the small figure spoke arrogantly, but it gave me the urge to embrace him.Is it cruel to put such a heavy burden on such a small shoulder?However, I don't have and cannot have any other choice.

After I leave, I am not worried about whether the team can enter the country.But whether he can defeat Lihai University High School, which stands at the pinnacle of middle school tennis in the country, and win the Kanto Tournament, in addition to everyone's determination and perseverance, there is another crucial point-how much potential he can bring out.

I beat him with all my might.But I still can't discover his full potential.It looks like a bottomless black hole, making anyone who accidentally glimpses it creepy and deeply vigilant.

People who don't know him will have the same feeling when watching his game-his performance in the game is uneven.Maybe it's to keep himself from being too bored, whenever he encounters a capable opponent, he will habitually observe first and then formulate countermeasures.It gives me the feeling that he always unconsciously and passively uses the corresponding strength according to the opponent.

Of course, the exception to the Ice Empress.

Still the same back, with a cold tone, "Let me declare first, don't lose. Only I can defeat you!"

"I won't lose." I promised him and lied to him again.

Step by step, he walked down the steps of the grandstand.Lifting my chin slightly, those eyes looking down at me from the shadow of the brim of the hat gave me the illusion of being burned for a moment.In order to maintain my sense of normalcy, I try not to cast a glance at the coach's dugout while playing.But I know that these eyes have been watching me during the game, blindfolded.

"Echizen..." This feeling of timidity only appeared in front of him every time.

Without responding, he slammed down the zipper of his jersey jacket.

Even though I vaguely reminded him to remember his responsibilities, he still went crazy in that scene.He didn't follow the opponent's pace at all. Under his onslaught, Rijiruo, who will be the leader of the ice emperor in the coming year, suffered a crushing defeat.

Almost everyone agrees that at his best he has shown real strength.But that's not the case, because in that game, he didn't maintain his sense of normality at all.His tennis was full of anger, remorse, and even desperation...but he was smiling all the time from the beginning to the end.Hiji, who is his opponent at this time, should be sympathetic.

"Echizen, are you happy playing tennis?" "Yes."

Where did that bright and cheerful boy go?

Taking off the jersey jacket on my body, I picked up the racket.

"Isn't the minister injured?" "What's going on?" The members whispered.

"Tezuka, it's better not to force yourself." Kikumaru hurriedly dissuaded.

"Don't worry, keep practicing." Stepping into the court and walking behind him who was practicing with his racket unaffected, I looked at Fuji, "Fuer, I want to spar continuously, come and practice with me. "

The brown hair fluttered in the wind, and Fuji smiled slightly, "Okay."

"Hey, it's okay, Minister." Taocheng's low voice came.

"It doesn't matter, it's the right hand that takes the shot." His observation skills are still so keen.

During the period when I didn’t come to the tennis club, I didn’t stay away from tennis, but did adaptation exercises with my right hand in private.

"Minister, your right hand must be stronger than your left hand." Inexplicably, he remembered the way he covered his head and pouted.With an imperceptible smile passing by, I shook my head lightly.

"gather!"

Under the sunset, in front of the neatly lined up crowd, Oishi announced the decision we had negotiated, "Minister Tezuka has to withdraw from the club for a while because of his hand injury. Starting tomorrow, I will be the acting director."

In the silence, Oishi reminded, "Tezuka."

I woke up from my contemplation and raised my head, "The Kanto competition and the national competition, I hope everyone will continue to work hard under the leadership of Oishi."

"Yes!"

"I wish you success. That's all for today's practice, over!"

"Yes!"

I glanced at the solemn-looking people one by one, and I stayed at the end of the line, "Echizen."

"What?" He looked straight at me, his tone was as lazy as ever despite his serious expression.

Staring at him, my expression and tone were as flat as ever, "Go to the stadium."

"Huh?" Everyone was puzzled.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, under the shadow of the brim of the hat, the gradually bright eyes leaped out with the same golden color as the setting sun.

"I'll play a game with you next." I announced calmly.

"Huh?" The rest of the people all showed surprised expressions.Only Buer smiled again.

The corners of the tightly pursed mouth slowly turned up, and the boy's usual slightly raised chin clicked lightly, "Okay, I have no objection."