EFB Chapter 136 Akaya's Challenge
Chapter 136 Akaya's Challenge
Niou leaned his head on Yagyu's shoulder, his little braid swaying as he laughed. "Second best in the world? That's quite an honor, Puppina~"
Yagyu adjusted his glasses, a slight smile playing on his lips. "A Grand Slam in women's tennis, huh... That's quite ambitious."
Liu glanced at Wangyue Ling, who was high-fiving Meiya, and then deliberately flipped to the page labeled "Wangyue Ling Observation Record" and wrote a few lines.
[A unique naming system: First (Mochizuki Ryo), Second (Yukimura Mia). This is speculated to be a product of late-stage chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).]
He thought for a moment and then added something below.
[Data prediction: With the first player's full guidance, the second player has an 87.3% probability of winning the Women's Tennis Grand Slam. The remaining 12.7% failure rate stems from the possibility that the second player might become distracted by other factors and abandon training.]
[Additional Note: Data needs to be tracked long-term...]
Kirihara scratched his fluffy curly hair with a puzzled look, then reached out and gently tugged at Yukimura Mia's pigtails.
"Then who's third? It can't be the minister, can it?"
Meiya held the gift box firmly in her arms, and with a "snap," she slapped away his hand that was pulling her hair, her cheeks puffing out roundly.
"Of course not! Our ranking is excluding my brother. As for who's third, I haven't found out yet. I'll tell you when I do."
As she spoke, she gave Kirihara a rather childish and scrutinizing look, her eyes full of judgment.
"Akaya-nii, if you want to be third, you have to challenge first place and gain their approval. It's that simple."
"..."
When the others heard the words "it's very simple," they all fell silent.
Niou lifted his head from Yagyu's shoulder, a twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Simple?! I don't quite understand those two words."
"Challenge that demon king? It's not that easy."
Marui, with gum in his mouth, mumbled, "Last time during the training camp, all ten of us tried, but we couldn't get a single point from Ling even with ten balls."
Yagyu raised his hand to straighten the wrinkles on his collar caused by Niou, and said calmly, "We have already experienced Ling's strength during the training camp. No matter how you look at it, he is not simple."
Liu closed his notebook and silently read out a series of analyses.
"Based on the data from the training camp, Mochizuki Ryo had a 100% win rate and a 100% scoring rate in matches, while his opponents had a 0% scoring probability. Statistically, it's much harder for Akaya to gain his recognition by defeating him than to win the national championship."
Sanada listened to Yanagi's analysis, his lips twitched under the brim of his hat, but he didn't say anything.
He recalled the scene during the training camp when he used all his strength to unleash "Thunder," only to have it easily countered by Mochizuki Ryo with a simple backhand slash. His fingers unconsciously clenched.
Everyone in Rikkai University's tennis club knew perfectly well that Mochizuki Ryo's "Number One in the World" title, although it sounded childish and annoying, was something no one could refute.
It's not because I don't want to, it's because I really can't beat them.
Although Kirihara acknowledged that Mochizuki-senpai was much stronger than him, as Rikkai's ace, he never backed down.
"I don't want to be third!" he declared loudly, puffing out his chest and raising his chin high. "I want to be number one in the world!"
Mia tilted her head, put her hands on her hips, and looked up at Kirihara. "But I'm already the number one in the world!"
"Then I'll just defeat him!"
"Can you beat him?"
"I can do it!"
"But you just said you wanted to be third, and now you say you want to be first. What place do you actually want to be?"
"First!"
"Then why did you say third just now?"
"That's what you asked me!"
"You're just going to answer my question?"
"I..." Kirihara opened his mouth, then realized he was in a bind, and his face turned bright red.
Meiya held the gift box, tilted her head to look at him, her expression innocent yet smug.
Marui, watching from the side, burst out laughing, nearly swallowing his chewing gum. "Akaya, you couldn't even win an argument with a seven-year-old elementary school student?"
"I didn't lose to an elementary school kid!" Kirihara stamped his foot in frustration. "She's just being unreasonable!"
"How am I being unreasonable?" Mei Ya blinked. "I'm just telling the truth. If you want to be number one, you have to beat the current number one. Can you do that?"
"I……"
"You can't beat them, can you?"
"...I can beat him! After I practice some more, I'm sure I can defeat you, senior!" Kirihara turned his head to look at Mochizuki Ryo, who was leaning against the car door watching the show, swallowed hard, and lowered his voice.
Mei Ya sighed, her face showing a helpless "I knew it" expression.
Niou, who had watched the whole thing from the side, was laughing so hard he could barely lean on Yagyu, and was practically sliding down. Yagyu reached out and helped him up, a smile playing on his own lips.
Marui clutched his stomach, squatting on the ground laughing. Kuwabara stood beside him, his shoulders shaking with laughter. Sanada adjusted his hat brim, sighed, and muttered, "Too lax," but didn't step forward to stop him.
Liu jotted down a line in his notebook.
[Observation Log: Kirihara Akaya vs. Yukimura Mia, verbal debate. Kirihara Akaya is completely defeated!!!]
Yukimura, holding the flowers, a faint smile playing on his lips, made no move to intervene. Curious, he walked over to Mochizuki Ryo and lowered his voice, "When did you get involved with Mia in the organization?"
Mochizuki Ryou blinked, her tone full of arrogance, "This is our top secret, we can't even tell Seiichi."
Yukimura glanced at him, then turned his head away, indicating with his actions, "If you don't tell me, I don't want to know."
Miya and Kirihara were still arguing, and the argument was getting more and more heated.
"I'll definitely defeat my senior someday!"
"Impossible! Number one will always be number one in the world!"
The two of them started arguing like two ruffled roosters, each shouting louder than the last.
"Alright, alright. Stop arguing!"
Seeing the two arguing so heatedly, Yukimura Yuko couldn't bear it any longer. She smiled and pulled her strong-willed daughter away, saying, "Don't stand at the door, come inside."
Having watched the spectacle to his heart's content, Wang Yueling shook her head with a smile and waved to the driver.
"Could you please open the trunk?"
The driver nodded and pressed the remote key. The trunk slowly rose, and the moment the contents were revealed, everyone fell silent.
The entire trunk was packed full.
Gift boxes of various colors, fruit baskets, insulated boxes, and even a folding grill and several bags of charcoal in the corner.
The sheer variety is dazzling.
Miya and Kirihara's eyes widened instantly, forgetting their argument, and they both leaned over the trunk to look inside, their eyes bulging.
The two exclaimed in perfect unison, "Wow...so much food!"
Marui rushed over, his mouth practically watering at the sight of the large boxes of desserts on top: "There's strawberry cake! And matcha mousse... and this... this is that limited edition pudding! The kind you can't even get in line for!"
Niou raised an eyebrow, looking at the entire trunk of food, and exclaimed, "Puri~ Did Ling bring the whole dessert shop here? She really went all out!"
Liu Sheng followed behind him, reached out and picked up an insulated box, weighed it in his hand, and raised an eyebrow slightly.
"It's not just a dessert shop, it looks like there's also a sushi shop and a barbecue restaurant. This box of meat I'm carrying is quite heavy!"
Marui glanced curiously into the box, his purple eyes widening instantly.
"This is...high-grade Wagyu beef?!"
He picked up a box of meat from the box, turned it over to look at the label, and gasped.
"A5 grade! And from the most expensive region!"
Kuwabara stood next to him, glanced inside, and slightly opened his mouth. "There's sashimi here... so many boxes. Is this that century-old restaurant in Ginza? I saw it on TV last time."
Wang Yueling walked over with a smile, shoved aside the few little gluttons, and then started taking things out. "Everyone, don't just stand there, come and help carry these things."
As he distributed the food, he called out each person's name, remembering their preferences clearly.
Everyone took the food, their hearts filled with surprise. They had never told Wang Yueling what they liked to eat, yet he knew it all.
Niou glanced at Yukimura, who was holding flowers, and whispered to Yagyu beside him, "Puri~ It seems that our Coach Ling has really gone to great lengths to please the captain. He even found out our preferences so clearly."
"The flowers in the minister's hand are a token of his appreciation, and this whole carload is a practical gift. Coach Ling is giving us both spiritual and material support."
Holding the premium beef in his hands, Liu Sheng quietly echoed, "They really put a lot of effort into it."
Yukimura stood to the side holding the flowers, noticing Niou and Yagyu's gazes. He had a faint smile on his face, but his cheeks quietly flushed a little.
Liu glanced at the trunk several times, then picked up the barbecue grill and carried it out, muttering to himself, "Premium Wagyu beef, sashimi, sushi, fruit, desserts, drinks..."
He paused, then looked up at Mochizuki Ryo, "Even Sanada's favorite genmaicha (brown rice tea) has been prepared. The food selection covers the dietary preferences of everyone present, including the tastes of the Yukimura family."
"Data completeness is 100%".
Sanada held the pot of brewed genmaicha in his hands, watching Mochizuki Ryo's busy figure. He remained silent for a few seconds, then his Adam's apple bobbed, and he spoke in a low voice.
"There are just too many."
Niou walked past the car carrying two cardboard boxes, and as he passed Sanada, he teased him, "Sanada, are you too moved to speak?"
Sanada snapped out of his daze and glared at him.
Renwang smiled and quickened his pace to slip into the house.
Yukimura's parents stood at the door, looking at the trunk full of things, and exchanged a glance.
Yukimura Yuko placed the gift box she was carrying at the door and hurried over, her face full of embarrassment. "Xiaoling, why did you bring so many things? We should have prepared these; how could I let you spend so much money?"
Wang Yueling smiled and shook her head, then took a small bamboo basket from the trunk and handed it to Yukimura Yuko.
"Aunt Yuko, this is something my grandma asked me to bring to you. It's homemade fruit syrup, with both green plums and green apricots. She says it's refreshing in the summer, and even better when mixed with ice water."
He paused, then pointed to the contents of the trunk, saying casually, "There are a lot of people today, and this is just enough for us. Otherwise, it would be too tiring for you to be busy in the kitchen all by yourself."
"Moreover, these were ordered in advance from the store, and they're all ready-made. You can just heat them up and eat them. The barbecue set only requires a grill, which is very convenient and hassle-free."
"Today is a happy day, so please don't bother with anything and have a simple meal with us."
Yukimura Yuko's eyes were a little red as she steadily took the bamboo basket. Her fingertips touched the slightly cool basket, but her heart felt warm. "You're such a thoughtful child."
Yukimura Masaya walked over and patted Mochizuki Ryo on the shoulder. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Well then, we'll enjoy these delicious foods today, thanks to you."
"Yes, we must try these fruit syrups later."
Yukimura Yuko looked down at the amber liquid in the transparent glass jar. "Xiaoling, you must thank your grandmother for me."
"Grandma said that liking her cooking is the best way to thank you," Mochizuki Ryou said gently. "She also said that you should bring Seiichi and Mia to our house to play when you have time."
"Okay." Yukimura Yuko hugged the basket to her arms and nodded repeatedly. "I've wanted to learn how to make sweets from your grandmother for a long time."
Meiya ran over from the car, holding the gift box, and took Wangyue Ling's hand. She kept glancing at the trunk with bright eyes.
"First, do you have any strawberries that Meiya likes to eat?"
"Of course. And they're all as big as your fist, sweet and crunchy."
Meiya was overjoyed to receive the answer she wanted. She began excitedly chattering to him about the fun things that had happened to her at school these past few days.
"First," she said, looking up at Wang Yueling with a smug expression, "I brought that Q-version Meiya doll you gave me to school yesterday. My classmates were so envious! They all asked me where I bought it, but I'm not telling them!"
"Really?" Wang Yueling listened with great interest and made a promise, "When I have time, I'll make you some matching little clothes."
"Okay!" Mei Ya nodded vigorously and jumped up happily.
There was a lot of stuff, so everyone got to work.
Kirihara picked up an insulated box and almost dropped it, but luckily Kuwabara reached out and helped him catch it.
"Aka, this is heavy, so leave it to me. I'm an expert at grilling meat, and I know exactly how to cook it properly."
"Okay! I'll help you!" Kirihara handed him the box, his face beaming with excitement. "I want to grill the biggest piece of meat!"
Marui clung to the dessert box, refusing to let go, protecting it as if it were a precious treasure. "I'll take this, don't touch it. If you drop it, I'll fight you to the death."
Niou and Yagyu each carried a box of sushi and walked side by side into the house.
"Puri~ This portion is enough for two meals." Niou secretly pinched a grouper sushi and put it in his mouth as he walked, his little braid swaying behind him.
"Given Kirihara and Marui's appetites, they could finish it all in one meal." Yagyu watched his little trick, reached out and slapped his hand as he secretly took the food, and sternly criticized him, "Did you wash your hands before you ate?"
"Hey, don't be so rigid, Hiro~" Niou mumbled through his chewing sushi, "The taste is not bad, Lingxuan's shop is indeed reliable."
Sanada bent down and took the sashimi out of the trunk, glanced at the place of origin on the packaging, and silently carried it into the house.
Liu followed behind, carrying a box of fruit, muttering to herself as she walked.
"The melons from Shizuoka, the grapes from Yamanashi, and the strawberries from Tochigi... they're all top-grade seasonal fruits. The sourcing channels are worth investigating."
A large group of people walked into the house. The once quiet living room instantly became lively.
Yukimura Yuko went to the kitchen to prepare some salads, while Yukimura Masaya helped set up a barbecue grill in the backyard. Mia ran back to her room with a gift box, saying she needed to put the windmill away first.
Yukimura, carrying flowers, walked last.
He watched Mochizuki Ryo bustling around, sometimes helping Marui put the dessert box in the shade, sometimes telling Kuwabara that the barbecue grill would be less windy on the east side of the yard, and sometimes telling Yukimura Yuko that the fruit syrup didn't need to be refrigerated, just placed in the shade.
Everything was arranged perfectly.
He even knew what kind of tea Yukimura Masaya liked to drink.
This person is always like this.
He considered everything carefully, even remembering exactly what everyone liked to eat and drink.
Yukimura's lips curved slightly, but he didn't say anything. He placed the flowers on the coffee table in the living room, went to the kitchen to find the white porcelain vase that Mochizuki Ryo had given him before, filled it with some water, and arranged the flowers.
The light green bellflowers paired with white daisies and blue-purple irises look beautiful on the windowsill, bathed in sunlight.
-
We ate lunch in the backyard.
The barbecue grill was set up in the open space to the east, the charcoal burning red-hot and crackling softly. Kuwahara placed the beef on the grill, and as the hot oil dripped into the charcoal, it sizzled, and the rich aroma of meat instantly filled the air.
Kirihara squatted next to the grill, chopsticks in hand, his eyes fixed on the meat on the grill, his saliva almost dripping onto the ground.
"Kuwabara-senpai, is it ready yet?"
"Not yet, wait another thirty seconds. If you flip it now, the moisture will evaporate."
"But it looks ripe."
"That's just the surface. The meat tastes best when it's fully cooked."
Marui sat on a chair in the yard, a dessert box in front of him, a spoon in his hand, scooping out pudding bite by bite. He ate intently, his purple eyes half-closed, a look of satisfaction on his face.
"Bunta, eat less dessert, or you won't be able to eat the barbecue later," Kuwabara reminded his partner helplessly.
"No, no, no." Marui continued eating, explaining vaguely, "I have two stomachs, one for desserts and one for grilled meat."
Niou stuffed the half-eaten sushi into his mouth, and taking advantage of Kirihara's inattention, he reached out with his chopsticks and snatched a piece of grilled meat from the grill, stuffing it into his mouth.
"Hmm, it tastes good."
"Niou-senpai! That's mine!" Kirihara bristled when he saw his flesh being eaten and reached out to snatch it.
"Whoever grabs it gets to keep it." Niou laughed and dodged, even making a face at Kirihara on purpose.
"Senpai, you've gone too far!" Kirihara chased after Niou.
Finally, it was only after Kuwahara reminded him that the remaining meat was almost cooked that he gave up chasing it, squatted back down, and stared at the remaining meat, drooling.
Niou swallowed the meat in his mouth with satisfaction, then sauntered back, walked to Marui's table and sat down. He reached out to try and steal a piece of Marui's pudding, but Marui's spoon precisely stopped him.
"Yaji, your hand."
Niou withdrew his hand, shrugged, and said, "Puri~ You're so stingy."
"Hmph, you're a repeat offender, you're not trustworthy." Marui moved the pudding closer to himself, not even letting him see it.
Liu Sheng sat under the shade of a tree, holding a cup of black tea and sipping it slowly. He looked at his teammates, who were making a ruckus in the courtyard, and a slight smile played on his lips.
Liu sat on a stone bench, a notebook spread out on his lap, writing something down in it.
[Observation Record: Kirihara Akaya's behavior while waiting for grilled meat—squatting posture, increased Adam's apple movement frequency, and dilated pupils. Suspected conditioned reflex.]
Kuwahara placed the grilled beef, short ribs, and beef tongue on a large plate and invited everyone to take some.
Kirihara was the first to rush forward, picking up two large pieces of beef tongue with his chopsticks and stuffing them into his mouth. It was so hot that he had to blow on it, and tears were almost coming out, but he still refused to spit it out.
"Hot, hot, hot..."
"I told you to slow down." Marui reached over with his chopsticks, picked up a piece of short rib, elegantly put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and his eyes lit up. "This meat is so tender."
Niou walked to the grill, took a skewer of grilled meat from Kuwabara, and took a bite with a "whoosh," the juices bursting in his mouth.
"Mmm! Delicious! Kuwahara, your cooking is getting better and better."
Hearing even the pickiest eater, Niou, praise his grilled meat, Kuwabara contentedly continued grilling the second batch.
Sanada stood beside the grill, silently flipping the meat with tongs. He picked up the cooked meat slices one by one and placed them on a plate for everyone.
"Genichiro, you should eat too." Yukimura Yuko came over with various condiments and reminded Sanada, who looked serious, "Don't just keep putting food on other people's plates, eat some yourself too."
"I understand, Auntie." Sanada nodded, his voice muffled.
Yukimura Yuko couldn't stop smiling as she looked at the group of energetic boys. She pulled Mochizuki Ryo to sit next to her and kept putting food on his plate.
"Xiao Ling, eat more. You're so thin."
Wang Yueling looked down at her strong arms, then at the small mountain of food piled up in her bowl, and smiled helplessly, "Aunt Yuko, I'm not thin."
"Even if you don't lose weight, you have to eat more." Yukimura Yuko put another big piece of fish on his plate, and of course, she didn't spare her own son either, until both of their bowls were full.
Yukimura Masaya sat opposite Sanada, chatting about recent tennis matches. He held a glass of plum syrup, took a sip, and his eyes lit up.
"This plum syrup tastes really good, with a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and not astringent at all."
"Right?" Wang Yueling smiled, her tone full of pride. "Grandma has been pickling for decades, and her skills are exceptional. If you like, I'll make more for you next year."
"I couldn't possibly accept that."
"It's alright, you can try my cooking next year. I inherited my grandmother's skills."
"Then I'll have to look forward to it."
While eating, Mochizuki Ryo didn't forget to take care of Yukimura beside him, putting a slice of freshly grilled beef brisket on his plate. "Try it, it was just grilled by Kuwabara, the heat is just right."
Yukimura picked it up, took a bite, chewed it a couple of times, and nodded. "Delicious. Kuwabara's yakiniku skills are still as good as ever."
Wang Yueling poured him another glass of plum syrup, a light amber liquid with a few ice cubes added, and fine water droplets condensed on the glass.
"Have some of this too, it'll help cool you down."
Yukimura picked it up and took a sip. The sweet and sour juice, cool and refreshing, slid down his throat, which felt very pleasant.
"You eat too." He picked up a piece of meat and put it in Wang Yueling's bowl.
Wang Yueling looked down at the meat in the bowl and a smile appeared on her lips.
Meiya sat on the other side of Wangyue Ling, eating strawberry cake with gusto, cream getting on the tip of her nose. She didn't even notice, and continued to enjoy her meal.
Wang Yueling glanced at her but didn't offer any advice.
When Mia took her third bite, she noticed the cream on the tip of her nose. She secretly glanced at Mochizuki Ryo and saw that he was talking to Yukimura. Her mischievous thoughts came to mind, and she quietly rubbed the cream from the tip of her nose onto his back.
After doing the bad thing, she immediately lowered her head and pretended to be focused on eating the cake, but her ears were perked up.
He would sneak peeks every now and then to see if he had been discovered.
Wang Yueling had actually sensed it long ago, but he didn't say anything. When Meiya glanced at him again, he suddenly coughed.
"cough!!!"
Feeling guilty, Meiya trembled and almost dropped the fork in her hand. She stared wide-eyed at Wang Yueling, her little face scrunched up.
"What happened? You got first place?"
She asked casually, but dared not look him in the eye.
Wang Yueling turned her head, looking at her with a half-smile, "Secondly, are you hiding something from me?"
Meiya pursed her lips, stubbornly saying, "No!"
"Meiya, there's something on your back."
Meiya subconsciously touched her back, but felt nothing. She looked up and saw the smile in Wang Yueling's eyes, realizing she had been tricked.
She stuck out her tongue and smiled sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, first."
Wang Yueling took out a tissue and gently wiped the cream off the tip of her nose.
"Little kitten."
Meiya obediently let him wipe it, then picked up her own little handkerchief and helped him wipe the cream stains off his back.
"I'll clean it for you."
Wang Yueling turned his head to look at her and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"It's okay. Go eat your cake."
Meiya looked up, her eyes sparkling, nodded vigorously, and continued eating her cake. This time she was much more careful, and not a single speck of cream got on her face.
Yukimura sat nearby, watching the scene unfold. He picked up his cup, took a sip of plum syrup, and a smile curved his lips.
Mochizuki Ryou glanced at Yukimura and put another piece of grilled meat into his bowl.
"Eat more. You've lost a lot of weight lately."
Yukimura glanced down at the piece of meat in his bowl, then at Mochizuki Ryou, and said nothing. He picked it up and chewed slowly. The meat juices melted in his mouth, carrying the smoky aroma of charcoal.
He looked up at the courtyard.
Kirihara went to grab the meat again, but Kuwabara stopped him with tongs, saying it wasn't cooked yet. Marui watched the commotion from the side, eating pudding spoonful by spoonful. Niou, after only a few bites, started being picky again and was already lying on the swing under the shade of a tree. Yagyu stood next to Ryu, and the two of them were discussing something, while Ryu's pen kept scribbling in his notebook.
Eight months of hospitalization felt like a long dream.
He once thought that he would never be able to stand on the tennis court again, and never be able to fight alongside his teammates for the dream of becoming a national champion.
But now, he's back.
I'm back in my familiar home, back with my familiar friends.
very nice.
Noticing Yukimura's gaze, Mochizuki Ryo turned to him and smiled, "Why aren't you eating? Is it not to your liking?"
"No, it's delicious." Yukimura shook his head, picked up another piece of meat with his chopsticks, and said, "I'm just a little full."
When Wang Yueling heard that he was almost full, she put down her chopsticks and her gaze fell on the tennis court in the corner of the yard.
Sunlight streamed onto the flat ground, reflecting a dazzling light. The fencing was newly installed, and the ground was spotless, showing that the owner took good care of it.
He was looking at it very intently, as if he were measuring something.
Yukimura followed his gaze and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Wang Yueling withdrew her gaze and said softly, "I was thinking about your current physical condition. I'd like to give you a simple test this afternoon."
Yukimura swallowed the grilled meat in his mouth, somewhat surprised.
"So fast?"
"Rehabilitation training should start early." Wang Yueling's tone was very firm. "You were just discharged from the hospital today, so let's start with the basics. Let's see your arm strength, core stability, and lower limb balance."
Yukimura looked at him and smiled.
"You really came prepared."
"Of course." Wang Yueling raised her chin, looking smug. "I'm a professional. A certified rehabilitation therapist, no deception."
Yukimura was amused by him, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
Lunch was a lively and enjoyable meal that lasted until after 2 p.m.
The plates on the long table were mostly empty. The grilled meat was completely devoured, the sashimi and sushi platter was reduced to just a few slices of cucumber, and the cakes and puddings in the dessert box were almost gone.
After dinner, Yukimura's father went to work, and Yukimura's mother tidied up and took Mia to her scheduled Taekwondo class.
Before leaving, Meiya tugged at Wangyue Ling's sleeve, saying reluctantly, "First, you have to wait for me to come back. I want to play with the windmill with you."
"Okay, I'll wait for you to come back." Wang Yueling ruffled her hair. "Secondly, you must study hard and not be lazy."
"Okay!" Meiya waved and followed her mother.
After they left, the courtyard suddenly became quiet.
Everyone moved chairs and sat under the shade of the tree, drinking barley tea to aid digestion.
Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves.
Kirihara sat in the chair, swinging his legs, his eyes glancing at Mochizuki Ryo from time to time.
He thought about what he had said to Miya during their argument, and then he remembered that on the last day of the training camp, Mochizuki Ryo had promised him that she would be waiting for him to challenge Hyotei.
This week, he trained like crazy every day. Senior Liu said his powerful serve is becoming more and more proficient, his backhand is much more stable, and his emotional control has also improved a lot.
I should be able to play a few games with my seniors now.
Kirihara took a deep breath, stood up, walked to Mochizuki Ryo, and spoke in a loud voice.
"Senior! I challenge you!"
All eyes were on him.
Wang Yueling took a sip of barley tea and looked up at him.
"Oh? You want to challenge me?"
"Yes!" Kirihara looked up, his eyes resolute. "You promised me during the training camp that you'd fight me. I feel I've improved a lot, so I want to challenge you!"
Mochizuki Ryou raised an eyebrow and glanced at Yukimura beside her.
Yukimura watched them with great interest, his violet-blue eyes gleaming with anticipation for a good show.
Mochizuki Ryo shifted her gaze back to Kirihara, raised her hand to ruffle his curly hair, and deliberately dragged out her words, "Are you sure you want to challenge him now? In front of your captain? It would be very embarrassing if you played too badly."
He paused, then added, "And if you lose, you'll be punished. For example... you can't eat barbecue or play video games for a month."
In the past, Kirihara would have been furious upon hearing this. But after a week of grueling training at the intensive camp, his resilience had improved significantly.
He took a deep breath, bowed deeply to Wang Yueling, and said in a loud and respectful voice, "I'm sure! Even if I lose, I will accept the punishment!"
Please give me your guidance, senior!