My Prince of Tennis has a high proficiency level

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

on Monday.

7:30 a.m.

Yamabuki Junior High School, Class 6, Grade 2.

As a private junior high school, Yamabuki's academic level may not be comparable to the nearby renowned Hyotei Academy. However, the quality of its students is not low, especially Class 6, which is considered one of the top-performing classes in its grade.

Half an hour before class officially started, the classroom was already full.

"Seishundai Club, Sarujima Tennis Junior High School... um."

In the back row of the classroom, a boy with tousled hair muttered to himself, lost in thought.

As the vice-captain of the tennis club, Kentaro Minami may not be particularly talented, but he is meticulous and methodical in his work.

This year's league results for Yamabuki weren't great, but they certainly weren't bad either. The only problem was probably bad luck; they ran into the defending champions, Rikkai University Affiliated Junior High School, in the first round.

Ultimately, Rikkai won the national tournament, proving that Yamabuki's inability to advance from the Kanto tournament was simply due to bad luck.

However, luck is often a crucial factor in determining results. Even the most unwilling Yamabuki team members would never attribute their failure to bad luck.

This is thanks to Bantian's teaching, which encourages team members to engage in deeper thinking.

Kentaro Minami, who was greatly influenced by Banta, naturally noticed that his coach had been frequently organizing practice matches in the past two weeks.

Obviously.

The other side is preparing for next year's season.

At times like these, Nan, as the team's vice-captain, has many things to consider: the training of the starting players, teamwork, talent selection...

Especially with the club president, Uesugi, facing entrance exams and having little time to focus on the tennis club, his responsibilities as vice president have become even heavier.

"It's a pity that Sengoku doesn't have any ideas, otherwise I wouldn't mind working for him."

The South has self-awareness.

He was well aware of his own limitations; as the team's captain, he would certainly not be able to achieve the same level of cohesion and leadership as Sengoku.

"If it's Shibukawa..."

immediately.

In Nan's mind, a silent face, almost always expressionless, appeared.

The classmate who defeated him in the previous school selection competition was Shibukawa Shin.

Nan had mixed feelings about this person.

Firstly, as the vice-captain, he witnessed his peers rise step by step and felt a sense of inadequacy, seeing himself as a stepping stone. At the same time, he was also moved by their hard work and dedication; such individuals, as role models for the team, truly inspired the first and second-year players.

For example, first-year student Juji Muromachi and second-year student Kazuma Kita have been very enthusiastic about training recently and have made great progress.

Deep down, Nan really wanted Shibukawa to become the vice minister. For him, the idea of ​​assisting Shibukawa was still a difficult hurdle to overcome internally.

But the problem is, time waits for no one.

As the vice-captain, he has the responsibility and obligation to cooperate with Banta's training plan. Moreover, Kentaro Minami himself is ambitious, aiming to lead the team into the national tournament.

"Ugh."

Torn by inner turmoil, he felt a growing headache and subconsciously rubbed his temples.

And just then...

The classroom, which had been somewhat noisy, suddenly fell silent for some reason. Nan frowned subconsciously and looked up.

But then a figure passed by the podium and walked straight to the back of the classroom.

"Who is this person?!"

Nan frowned deeply.

He had no recollection of ever seeing this person before.

His short, choppy hair was refreshing and dashing. At about 1.7 meters tall, he looked as upright as a cypress tree. His face was handsome and dashing, with cheek lines that looked as if they had been sculpted with an eyebrow razor, giving him an imposing and dignified aura.

Are there any handsome boys in Class 6?

Not only Nan, but the other students also looked puzzled. Yet, they also saw a sense of familiarity in this unfamiliar boy's face.

"That spot... wait?"

It wasn't until the other person walked to a certain spot and sat down that everyone's eyes widened suddenly, as if they had remembered something.

"Involving...involving Sichuan?"

"He's Shibukawa-kun?!"

One of the girls instinctively covered her mouth and exclaimed in utter surprise.

"Shechuan?"

"How is that possible?!"

The others looked like they'd seen a ghost.

The tall, handsome young man before them was completely different from the timid and unassuming Shibukawa they remembered.

Nan was equally shocked, her eyes fixed on the seemingly transformed boy, her curiosity and surprise barely contained.

"What did he do after the Sarujima Tennis Academy session ended on the weekend?"

He was very curious about what had happened to the other person that had caused such a dramatic change in their image.

More importantly...

At this moment, whenever his subconscious gaze fell upon the expressionless boy, he would involuntarily look away. It was as if he were not spying on a classmate, but on a ferocious tiger exuding a fierce aura.

As for Shechuan, he took in everyone's reactions but showed no expression on his face.

The reactions from the crowd were within his expectations, but he wasn't one to seek the limelight. Compared to what others might perceive as attention-grabbing behavior, he preferred to focus his energy on studying and tennis training.

then.

The atmosphere in Class 6 of Grade 2 was eerily quiet all morning. Every now and then, everyone's gaze would drift towards the handsome boy in the back row.

The girls, in particular, looked at the boy with undisguised curiosity and admiration.

In this regard.

Shechuan remained calm throughout.

After school in the afternoon, he picked up his tennis bag without saying a word and went to the tennis club as usual.

"call."

Nan let out a breath, glanced at the other person's back with a complicated expression, and then followed.

His intuition told him that something extraordinary was probably going to happen at the Yamabuki Tennis Club today.

...

"You old geezer, are you really looking to die?"

the other side.

In a corner of the Yamabuki campus, a pale-faced, slightly sickly-looking boy grabbed an elderly man with a kind smile in front of him and said coldly, word by word, "I'll say it again, I've never been interested in this tennis thing you're talking about. If you bother me again, I won't be polite!!!"

"Oh."

Instead of panicking, the elderly man, who was also the tennis coach Banta, smiled and said, "Akuzu-kun, believe me, if you play tennis, you will definitely love this sport."

"I'm not interested!"

The pale-faced boy, Akutsu, said in an icy voice, "This is the last time. If it weren't for your advanced age, you would be in the hospital right now."

Done.

He suddenly swung his hand, and the old man in his hand swayed from side to side like a weightless kite, but he eventually managed to place him steadily on the ground.

Akutsu turned and left.

Bantian watched his retreating figure, a hint of distress appearing in his eyes.

He knew very well that the other person was trying their best to control their emotions. Otherwise, given what Banta knew about the events that had happened to the other person, he would never have been able to leave here unscathed.

Now, this prodigy, whom he had high hopes for and who possessed athletic talent that appeared only once in a decade, was clearly pushed to the brink of his breaking point.

If it happened again, Banta might really be thrown out like a rag doll. His old bones can't take that kind of torture.

The issue is.

Akutsu is indeed his preferred choice and a key player for the Yamabuki squad next season.

With their athletic talent, it's not impossible for them to become a national ace if they're willing to train hard.

But the other person is too arrogant; there's nothing he even notices. If that person were to join the tennis club, Banta would have a real headache: how to ensure that the other person's unruly personality wouldn't disrupt the team's original atmosphere.

"Ugh."

In the end, all of Bantian's thoughts turned into a long sigh.

"Let's go back first."

Banta shook his head, hiding his disappointment at yet another failed attempt to persuade her. He turned and walked towards the tennis club.

"When I came back from Sarushima last time, Uesugi mentioned to me that he would make arrangements for the successor of the department head."

Banta couldn't help but recall the scene from two days ago, when Captain Uesugi had spoken to him privately after he returned from the Sarujima Tennis Academy.

On that occasion, Uesugi proposed his ideas for a successor to the minister. However, no final decision was made; he simply consulted with Banta first.

Not surprisingly.

The other party will likely announce the final selection during today's club training session.

"Who is the one?"

Curiosity gleamed in Banda's eyes.

He knew Uesugi's personality well; he was a person with a strong sense of self-respect. At the same time, Uesugi had very high standards; in his mind, only Sengoku was qualified to take over the position of department head.

But Sengoku was too disappointing.

He neglected his outstanding talent to train, focusing all his energy on picking up girls. Even Banta, who was over seventy, knew his nickname "Yamabuki Casanova".

Therefore.

Before the last practice match at the Seishundai Club, Uesugi and Sengoku had a heated argument. Banta originally planned to introduce Akutsu as a variable to put pressure on Sengoku and force him to make changes.

After all, in his mind, even if Akutsu was more talented than Sengoku, the former's personality made him unsuitable for the position of department head.

just.

Even now, Banta hasn't been able to get Akutsu to join the tennis club. His promise to Sengoku has become empty words, probably only emboldening the latter.

Thinking of this, Bantian sighed again.

He only wanted to improve Yamabuki's overall strength and lead the team to the national tournament. However, he has repeatedly encountered setbacks, and now it is even causing a crisis for the team.

Thinking back, ever since the tennis club was ruthlessly defeated by Rikkai in the first round of the Kanto tournament this summer, everything has been going wrong.

The only thing that could bring him comfort was probably that figure training so hard.

"pity."

Thinking that even after becoming a regular player, the other party had been trying to minimize their presence, Banta couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"If that kid is decisive enough, it's not impossible for him to become the minister."

With that thought in mind, Banta had already arrived at the tennis club.

By this time, most of the team members had arrived. Before the formal training began, they chatted in twos and threes, and some of the first-year students were taking advantage of the fact that the court wasn't occupied by the older students to secretly experience what it was like to play against each other.

According to Yamabuki's rules, it's difficult for first-year students to become regulars before summer. The only one to break this rule in recent years is Sengoku.

Now it's mid to late October, and third-year team members are gradually leaving the club or starting to reduce their time spent in tennis club activities.

Therefore, they didn't really care about the fact that the first-graders were secretly practicing.

"Everyone, assemble."

But just then, Uesugi's stern voice rang out. The first-year students who were playing ball immediately snapped to attention, put away their rackets, picked up their balls and put them back in the basket, and ran quickly to the center of the court to gather.

Not long after.

The group then stood in front of Uesugi.

Meanwhile, regulars like Minami and Sengoku stood at the very front of the line.

"Wait! Who is that person?"

"Yeah, has anyone seen that guy before? He doesn't look like one of our tennis club members."

"Wait, how did he get to the starting position... Wait, is this person... Shibukawa?!"

Swish!

Someone said something, and instantly everyone's eyes turned to the front row of the main contestants. Finally, their gazes settled on the handsome young man with a cool and aloof expression.

"Shechuan?"

Uesugi, at the front of the group, also noticed Shibukawa. When he saw what the other looked like, a strange light flashed in his eyes.

Is this person really from Shechuan?

The changes in the appearance and temperament of the same person over time are so drastic!

but.

Uesugi had more important things to do today and didn't pay much attention to Shibukawa. Turning his head, he looked at everyone and said seriously, "I've discussed it with Mr. Banta, and we've decided that I will no longer serve as the team's captain at the end of this semester."

Wow!

Upon hearing this...

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Although everyone knew that the change of minister was coming soon, no one expected that Uesugi had already made a decision.

So.

Everyone speculated about who the other party would choose to succeed the minister. For a moment, all eyes were on Vice Minister Nan.

As is customary, when the minister and deputy minister are not serving the same term, the minister is usually succeeded by the next deputy minister after leaving office.

However, Yamabuki's situation is special.

Although Nan was doing a good job as vice minister, he lacked sufficient leadership to win everyone's respect. In contrast, the more capable Sengoku was the one who truly deserved the people's support.

The problem is, Sengoku doesn't really want the ministerial position. Otherwise, Kentaro Minami wouldn't be in the running.

"Originally, I planned to choose one of you to take my place."

At this point, Uesugi continued, "But after careful consideration, I think it would be better to conduct an evaluation rather than appoint one. Over the next 30 days, all the regulars will be evaluated, and the person who performs best will be the next department head."

This statement came out.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Uesugi in disbelief. No one had expected that he would ultimately choose this method to decide on the ministerial candidate.

Even Sengoku and Minami were quite surprised.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Uesugi nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly the effect he wanted—to ignite everyone's fighting spirit, and ideally, to force Sengoku to unleash his full potential.

However, just as he was about to explain the assessment plan, a voice abruptly interrupted him.

"I don't think it needs to be that complicated."

Swish!

moment.

All eyes turned to the person in the main selection who was standing on the edge.

It is indeed a trek across the river!