The Grand Tournament! The Opening Ceremony!

“This way, they probably won’t dare to waste food anymore. But whether they’ll come back to your shop, that’s another story...” Watching Sazabe and Tatsukawa hastily flee, Mei Matsubara first let out a self-satisfied smile, but then rubbed her head awkwardly.

“Don’t worry about it, Matsubara. No matter how much someone spends here, wasting food can’t be justified. My father and I haven’t been running this shop for long, but we still have our principles, right, Father?” Masayo Asakura smiled and waved her hand, then looked at Niroku Asakura.

“Of course. But perhaps we went a little too far just now. After all, they’re just kids...” Niroku Asakura folded his arms and stroked his chin, sounding a touch guilty.

“If you knew what else this Sazabe has done, you wouldn’t feel sorry for him.” Mei Matsubara recalled how he once tried to hit Echizen Ryoma in the face with a racket after being beaten, and felt that her own actions were perfectly justified. Compared to that kind of dirty conduct, she had been merciful.

...

After nearly two weeks of grueling training, the Metropolitan Tournament finally arrived as scheduled. The matches were held at the designated boys’ tennis team competition grounds, a venue also known as the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament arena, where all qualifying teams would make their debut.

Although it was only seven or eight in the morning, the steps at the entrance were already bustling with people coming and going, lively and animated.

Having defeated the top-seeded Seigaku and outperformed the second-seeded Kurofumi, Evergreen Academy received a bye for several rounds. Thus, the teams currently competing on the courts were mostly of the underdog variety, matched against one another in early-round skirmishes.

Yet, even if none of these schools were powerhouses, the fierce and thrilling matches still drew in a sizable crowd. Supporters cheered passionately for their favorite schools, each wave of shouts louder than the last.

As reporters for Tennis Monthly magazine, Mamoru Inoue and Saori Shiba arrived at the venue as soon as it opened to cover the event. Walking beneath the lush green shade, Inoue said slowly, “The tournament lineup has mostly been announced, and the order of play hasn’t changed much from what we already knew.”

“Yes, Senka Middle School’s singles one is Fuji Yoshida, singles two is Ryosuke Yamada, and singles three is Rinba Haruha,” Saori Shiba recited, flipping through her small notebook.

“The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament is truly exciting today...” Inoue nodded enthusiastically.

“Inoue-senpai, you’re so full of energy! I won’t fall behind, either!” said Saori, pulling out her newly-bought camera and starting to focus on him.

“This tournament is critical. It determines which teams will qualify for the Kanto Tournament. But Shiba, don’t just take random close-ups of people’s faces. We’re here for the tennis. Last time I checked your photos, many were just headshots—no action, no context...” Inoue first stressed the importance of the tournament, then, seeing the camera in Saori’s hands, remembered how distracted she’d been before—supposed to be reporting on tennis, yet obsessed with capturing the handsome faces of the boys. She was almost thirty now, hardly a child who could act willfully.

“Alright, alright, I get it,” Saori replied, putting away the camera. Then, unable to help herself, she covered her face dreamily. “But don’t you think Matsubara and the others are so handsome, Inoue-senpai? Even someone my age can’t help but be moved!”

“Uh... That’s troubling,” Inoue replied, a little exasperated.

“Hey, isn’t that Mr. Inoue?” A sweet and gentle voice came from nearby. Inoue turned to see Fuyuka Oda and Yuna Iwamura from the Evergreen Academy girls’ tennis club, and immediately broke into a smile. “Oh? Hello there!”

“Good morning!” Yuna Iwamura greeted politely.

“By the way, have the Evergreen team arrived yet?” Saori Shiba asked, glancing from Inoue to her watch.

“After Evergreen’s surprise upsets over Seigaku and Kurofumi, their standing at school soared like a rocket. They’re now considered a seeded team and have gotten several byes. I’d say they’ll be here right on time at ten o’clock,” Inoue replied, looking at his watch, which pointed to nine.

At nine-thirty, Evergreen Academy, led by Tezuka, completed registration at the desk. Yamabuki Middle School, who had arrived even earlier, waited quietly nearby. Kintaro Minami and Masami Higashi both noticed Evergreen’s group. The latter spoke up, “Besides Tezuka and Fuji, that short one, Mei Matsubara, is also someone to watch, Kintaro.”

“Oh? That short guy is the one you said defeated Akutsu?” Minami glanced curiously at Matsubara.

“Yes, he’s strong. And this year’s Evergreen isn’t like your typical third-rate schools—they have quite a few skilled players,” Higashi cautioned.

“Yeah, I’ve heard. Tezuka Kunimitsu, who last year decisively defeated the junior tournament runner-up Sanada Genichiroh. Fuji Shusuke, a first-year already inventing his own complex and dazzling counter techniques—a true prodigy. Then there’s Yanagi Renji, formerly of the Hyotei and one of the Big Three at Rikkaidai...” Minami’s tone grew heavier.

“These guys...”

“Are they really worth paying attention to?”

“I bet they’re just...”

“A bunch of nobodies, really.”

Two voices, in a rather practiced harmony, chimed in behind Minami and Higashi. Seeing the Mikami brothers, both greeted respectfully, “Mikami-senpai!”

Saton Mikami wore his hair long, while Uton Mikami kept his short; both of their masks revealed their mouths. Higashi added, “That Matsubara guy once tried to recruit Akutsu to Yamabuki. I’ve seen his skills. Underestimating them would be a mistake.”

“Hmph, but I don’t see Sengoku anywhere. Don’t tell me he’s off slacking again. Even if Yamabuki doesn’t need singles to win, as our singles three, he should still be on guard!” Saton Mikami snorted, noticing a missing teammate.

“He may only be a first-year, but Sengoku’s quite mature. Most likely, he’s sneaked off to ogle some pretty girls,” Uton Mikami said with a grin.

“That flirtatious brat... If he dares miss a match for that, I’ll make sure he pays for it,” Saton Mikami said, frowning.

“Akutsu!” At the sound of a familiar voice, Akutsu, leaning against a tree with arms crossed, looked up in surprise. “Taichi...”

“Never expected we’d play you in the first match,” said Taichi Dan, running over, a green sweatband on his head.

“Dressed like that—aren’t you playing today?” Akutsu noticed Dan wasn’t in Yamabuki’s signature green warm-up.

“Haha, my skills aren’t good enough, so I lost to Takahashi in the regulars’ selection. But I’ve decided not to try out for the team for now. I actually enjoy managing the team’s affairs. After discussing with Vice-Captain Higashi and Captain Minami, they decided to let me start as team manager. That way, I can learn about team management and also watch matches to gain experience,” Taichi Dan said, a little embarrassed, scratching his head.

“Not bad,” Akutsu nodded approvingly.

Meanwhile, Sengoku Kiyosumi was wandering from court to court, but soon he looked rather dejected—there were so few pretty women among the spectators at the Metropolitan Tournament that he’d lost his fighting spirit.

“Guess today’s just not my lucky day. I’d better hurry back—if I’m late, Mikami-senpai will kill me...” With that, the orange-haired Sengoku turned and dashed back the way he’d come.