The Prince of Tennis - I'm Echizen Ryoma

The author has something to say:

The narrator of this chapter is the protagonist-Taocheng, marked with * at the point of view change

The roof of the school building.

With his hands in his trouser pockets, he quietly overlooked the campus through the barbed wire grid.

Seen from a height, the youth school where I spent a few months was another scene.

A few pigeons ignored my existence, just not far from my feet, while pecking at the bread crumbs, while farting and chatting.

A large group of white clouds floated lazily across the sky, carelessly covering the blazing sun, and covering the entire rooftop with shade.

"Kudang" sounded the corridor door leading to the rooftop, and the pigeons jumped a few times as usual, moved a few steps and continued to concentrate on having dinner.

"It's really a willful and bad game." The familiar voice was always cold.

Turning around, I looked at the person coming, unable to defend myself with any words.

"I'm sorry. I, I'm very sorry, Senior Taocheng. I'm also sorry for the minister..."

I understand Taocheng's anger.A game that he was looking forward to so seriously, I messed it up just like that.Minister, I'm pretty disappointed too.

What am I still hesitating about?Obviously, I have made up my mind to go to the whole country with everyone.

"If this continues, I will not be able to repay the minister's expectations..."

"Expectation? What expectation?" The minister remained expressionless.

Startled for a moment, I looked up at him, "The minister told me before, I want to be the pillar of Qingxue."

Under the viaduct that day, in the first duel, he stood on the opposite side of the net with a high spirit, and said so many things to me, don't tell me you forgot!

"I did say that I hope you will become the pillar of Qingxue." The minister admitted bluntly.

Relieved, I responded lowly, "Yes."

"However, don't get me wrong." The minister's words were always calm and sharp, "I definitely don't want to restrict your future."

Hey?

"Being a pillar doesn't have to be in a shared time and place."

The minister who said these cool words without hesitation undoubtedly became a shining existence in my eyes, even if he tied a knot in the following words, "Even if you fight in the United States, your image will become me... The source of courage for our members and become the pillar of their hearts."

"But……"

I remembered what Yukimura said last night, but obviously the minister didn't give me a chance to speak.

"Indeed, we are about to usher in the national competition." He cut off, "It's normal for you to hesitate."

"But, Echizen." He took a step forward, "You should have already made a choice."

In shock, he stared at the sharp gaze behind the lens, that gaze was clear and handsome, neither dodging nor avoiding.Yes, it is such a minister that makes me feel that I will not feel uneasy even if I leave.

Quietly looking at this pair of eyes that can see through the depths of my heart better than myself, I didn't say anything.Words are no longer needed.

The clouds slowly swam across the sky, and the sun, which had been briefly covered, finally showed its face, and the sun filled the entire rooftop in an instant.

Those pigeons didn't know if they were startled by the sunshine, they flapped their wings and flew to the high blue sky.The heaviness that had been weighing on my heart for the past few days also disappeared.

*Echizen, what happened to you?

A tennis court cleared of crowds.Crouching down and staring at the tennis ball lying alone, I didn't move, as if I wanted to see the tennis ball.

"Taocheng, it seems that your mood is still not calm." Teacher Ryuzaki sighed from behind.

"I was too impulsive just now. I'm sorry." I didn't turn my head, "However, I can't accept it anyway."

I think back to the previous game.That's more advanced, not more advanced.

"I can't feel his fighting spirit." Regardless of whether Ryuzaki-sensei was listening or not, I muttered to myself, clenching my hands on my knees involuntarily, "Even if I win Echizen like that and become the main candidate, I, at all unhappy."

"That's right. That's right." Ryuzaki-sensei's voice came through, "You who usually get very close to Echizen, if you feel that way after fighting him, you must be right."

"But." Mr. Ryuzaki's voice paused, "Because you are so close to him, there must be some places you can't see."

"It's because you're so close that you can't see it?" I whispered.

I can't see it, but I really don't want to see it, because I get closer.I felt that something was wrong with Echizen, so I was upset, but I didn't want to think about it.

I just hoped that things would go my way, and when I found out that the game wasn't going my way, I would just lose my temper with him.In this process, what I have been ignoring is Echizen's true heart.

Huo Ran stood up, I didn't have time to say hello to Mr. Ryuzaki, I ran out directly.I should have known.

The door of the department was pushed open with a bang, and I looked left and right.

There was a tennis basket inside, and the Horio trio was taken aback by me. "Peach, Taocheng senior!"

"You guys! Did you see Echizen?" Before I could explain, I asked loudly.

"Yue, Yueqian?" "Well, he hasn't been here before." The three stammered.

Since I was not there, I ran away before I finished listening.

"Ah, Taocheng?" "Really, it's A Tao."

On another tennis court, Oishi and Kawamura are playing, and there are many people around.As I ran over, I caught the attention of a group of people.

"Ah, seniors, I'm sorry, did you see Echizen?" I shouted while running.

"Echizen?" "Speaking of which, I haven't seen him here." Several people looked at each other.

I didn't have time to wipe off the sweat on my head, so I continued to flash.

stadium.school classroom.Rooftop.All my cries and searches were in vain.

Echizen, where did he go?Damn it, how can I be so stupid, even Haitang Snake understands something, but I, who claim to be your best friend...

Turning around the corner of the teaching building with a low expression, my eyes suddenly widened.

Beside the drinking pool not far away, a small figure was washing his face there.

I am so stupid.Cats are the most clean creatures.After the game, I should have found this place long ago!

quietly walked behind him.

Even though I was walking softly, he still noticed.When he turned around and saw me, he seemed taken aback, "Senior Taocheng."

"Echizen..." I bowed my head in annoyance, feeling ashamed to face him.

When I didn't know how to speak, I heard his low voice, "Well, I was really sorry before."

Taking a step closer, he said cautiously in his tone, "Taocheng...Senior."

"You idiot!" Still hanging my head, I couldn't help shouting, with some broken sounds in my roar, "I, I, really want to go to the national competition with you!"

I looked up and stared at him, "Echizen! You really want to go to America! Then go! You have to go!"

It felt like something hot was coming out of my eye sockets.

There were still drops of water on his little face, and he looked at me with his big amber eyes, he didn't know whether he was embarrassed or wanted to comfort him, "Taocheng, senior..."

"Ah—" Wiping my eyes with my sleeve, I raised my head, "I've been sweating so much since I found you!"

"Hey, get out of the way!"

Passing by him who was stupefied aggressively, and walked to the drinking pool, I leaned over and put my whole head under the faucet to take a shower, "Wow—comfortable, really comfortable~"

Looking up, I saw that there was a slight smile on his delicate face, which was also covered with drops of water.

In the reflection of the sunset, this childish and beautiful smile contains uncompromising pampering and tenderness. It is a treasure that I can cherish for a lifetime.