The Prince of Tennis - I'm Echizen Ryoma

The author has something to say:

The narrator of this long story is the minister = the protagonist, and the point of view change is marked with *.

Some time ago, life was in a mess.After opening the document several times, I just stared at the screen in a daze.

Because personal problems affected the update, although the apology is useless, I still closed my eyes to everyone who has been waiting, and put my hands together: I'm sorry...

Coming out of the office of the training base and walking through the streets back to school, my mood was a little shaken.This feeling seems familiar, just like the eve of deciding to go to Germany.

What does he mean to me?I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

It has always been clear that I am different from him.I have always believed that this is beyond reproach.

He is a special case, and it is inevitable that I pay special attention to him.He is my junior, a member of the Qing Xue Tennis Club.As a minister, I have high hopes for his tennis talents.He is important and unique.

I shattered his initial sense of alienation with a desperate duel, I put the burden of Qingxue pillars on his shoulders, I made plans and arrangements rationally and soberly, and guided him, who was as loose as the wind, along the path I wanted go on.

All of this is for the Qing Xue Tennis Club.He should stay with us, heading in the same direction; with us, forever... forever?

Is that true?Is it "we" or "I"?A voice mockingly sounded from the bottom of my heart.

Does the ostrich, who has been burying its head in the sand, want to continue lying hopelessly with its eyes closed when the wind blows away all the sand?The problem is, this lie has begun to deceive even myself!

In the name of impartiality and selflessness, when did the seemingly majestic and firm dam begin to crack the first crack?

Is it the rapid heartbeat when he was pushed unexpectedly on the beach volleyball court, and his naked body threw himself on his back and hugged his neck?

Is it the sleepless embracing and throbbing touch of German bed-sharing?

Is it the moment of reunion after a long absence, the fiery agitation when seeing his figure appear under the bright sun?

Is it the top of the parting mountain, the amulet held in the palm of the hand is the same warmth as when he hooked my neck and kissed my cheek?

Is it the second floor of the cake shop, the shocking feeling in my heart when I saw two figures overlapping in front of the street tennis court by the window?

Is it the illusion of being burned by the pair of amber eyes looking down on me under the brim of the hat when I looked up to the stands in the noisy arena after the match with Atobe?

Is it in the library, who hugged him all night and refused to let go, but the protective role of the senior was full of unspeakable joy?

After a duel with him under the viaduct, seeing a very different him sleeping soundly on the bench in the greenhouse, the heart-pounding accident that happened when he couldn't help approaching and touching him?

Still amidst the cheers from the arena, the gauze of his left eye was soaked in blood, and the man still smiled arrogantly at me, "It's a pity, but you won't have the chance to perform this time." 』

There are too many cracks... No matter how hard the defense is, it will collapse.

Or earlier, when I met that young man who was out of place on the subway and stepped forward unconsciously, the gears of fate had already started to turn—it was inevitable and unchangeable.

So, what are you still hesitating about?

In the department room with the door wide open, I looked indifferently at the two overlapping people on the ground, and I was surprised by my calmness and lack of surprise—maybe I’m used to it.Living by his side, one cannot live long without a rubber heart.

*Scrambling to get up from the ground, I hurriedly straightened my disheveled clothes. I peeked at the person standing straight at the door, and greeted in a low voice, "Minister."

"Ah." Replied lightly, glanced at me and Lanlan sat up and smiled, the minister's tone and attitude were the same as usual, "It's getting late, let's go home after cleaning up."

Why?Don't need to run fifty laps?Because it's summer vacation?Secretly relieved, I hurriedly took my bag from the closet and prepared to leave.

"It's like this every time, so I won't bother you~" The slightly curved lips whispered to himself, just as he stood up straight, he staggered suddenly and frowned slightly, " Oops, my feet are numb..."

Is it because I was crushed earlier?Subconsciously, he was about to step forward, but suddenly found that there was an extra arm beside Fuji, supporting him steadily.

"Thank you, Tezuka~" Smiling sideways at the minister, Fuji sat down on the bench in the department, "But the feet are really rough~ By the way, I remember that Ryoma is the best at massage and massage... ..."

Before Buer could finish his sentence, the minister put his hand on his knee, "Which side is numb?"

"I'm really flattered~" Fuji smiled with eyebrows crooked.

Turning around, the minister calmly confessed to me who was standing aside with the bag on my back, "You go first, Echiqian."

Walking out of the department door, I heard a comfortable voice from inside, "Ah... this is here... push harder... Ouch! Are you pushing too hard, Tezuka~"

The Minister and Fuji have a very good relationship.That's right, after all, they've been classmates for almost three years, so they know each other well.

——————————The dividing line after three hours————————————

The sky is full of stars.The cool night wind swept over the treetops and blew across my face.Standing casually on the rock with my hands in my trouser pockets, I glanced at the minister beside me.Standing straight and upright, he gazed intently into the distance, with brown hair on the sideburns and a pointed collar of a sweatshirt fluttering beside his marble-like immobile cheeks, making his face look more serious and solemn.

An hour ago, when he was strangling the old man with tennis balls in front of the courtyard as usual, he received a call from the minister.

"Are you free now? Ah. Then, go out and turn left." His words were always concise.

After I quickly changed my clothes and ran out in a hurry, I saw the minister standing quietly on the left hand side of the gate.Then I followed him on the bus, transferred to the train, and came all the way here.

I am no stranger to this mountain top.Before the minister went to Germany, we watched the sunrise here together.

You called me here on the eve of the game against the US team, Minister, you must have something important to tell me.Turning my gaze back, I looked down at the scenery down the mountain absent-mindedly, and I waited for his speech.

"I like mountain climbing." I heard his steady voice amidst the silent mountain wind swirling and whistling.

Turning to look at the minister unexpectedly, this is the first time he has talked about his own affairs other than tennis in front of me.What surprised me even more was the gentleness in his eyes looking into the distance.

"When I was in the fourth grade of elementary school, I climbed the Matterhorn in Switzerland with my father."

Amazing!Unbelievably staring at the minister, having followed the old man all over the world, of course I know the most famous mountain in the Alps.

Matterhorn, which means "gentle grassland", is in stark contrast to its name. This triangular cone-shaped snow-capped mountain is as high as 4478 meters above sea level. It is famous for its steepness and steepness like a pillar supporting the sky.Years of avalanches have pushed too much snow to the glaciers below the peak. The Matterhorn is also a difficult challenge for mountaineers!

And the minister, actually told me lightly and delicately that he had climbed this mountain when he was in the fourth grade of elementary school? !

Mountaineers, living in the limit state where failure equals death, "always presuppose all states to prevent problems before they happen."I finally understood why the minister's personality was so calm and calm, and why he matured earlier than his peers.If you climb an iceberg, will you also become an iceberg?

"I will never forget the shock I saw when I climbed the mountain." The minister's gaze was still looking into the distance, and he did not mention a word about the hardships, difficulties and thrills during the climb.

"I think, I will definitely come again. On that day, my father told me with a smile that one of the joys of mountaineering is to share the joy of overcoming difficulties with my partners. If I come again next time, I will come with important people in my life." .”

Turning to look at me, the minister's expression didn't change, but his voice was unusually unstable. Is it my illusion?

"Echizen, next time, come with me to the Matterhorn."

I was stunned for a moment, and a great joy overwhelmed me in an instant. I raised my eyes to look at him, and I smiled wildly, "En! It's decided!" It's enough to have a confidant in life, so that's what I'm talking about!Brothers are of the same heart, and their profit breaks gold. What is the little Matterhorn~ (Author: ... 3 minutes of silence)

The top of the towering, majestic, steep and straight snow peak with gleaming icy edges cracked a crack, and then, like dominoes, the entire glittering and majestic snow world collapsed with flying debris and splashed jade. The tide is coming, the mighty spring water with thousands of horses galloping, overflowing the vast green land, and thousands of gorgeous flowers blooming in the wind and blooming in an instant...

Shaking his head and throwing the illusion to the back of his head, it was impossible to see the expression on the Minister's face clearly.Because his chin rested on my head and his arms wrapped around me.

After returning from Germany, the minister seemed to be getting used to embracing this Western protocol.But I haven't seen him use it on others?Probably, I was treated like a child again, just like Taocheng Kikumaru, who would only pinch me every time I got too excited...

Thinking of the future scene, I quickly came out of depression.

One day, I will stand shoulder to shoulder with the minister in my mountaineering suit, no, put my arms around the minister's shoulders, stand on the top of the Alps together, and laugh at the glaciers and snow-capped mountains under my feet!

——But for now, I can only hug my waist...