Slightly sarcastic discussions spread all around.
Most of the societies looked displeased, but they couldn't find any point of rebuttal for the moment.
Because, in truth, the words they had just heard weren't wrong.
For freshmen full of energy and ambition, their eyes would naturally be drawn to only one place.
Hyotei's tennis club.
If they truly lacked talent for tennis, then perhaps they would look toward other clubs. That much was obvious.
Even so, the other clubs didn't give up. They shouted loudly, trying to attract attention in whatever way they could.
They knew all too well.
Not everyone could join Hyotei's tennis team.
Their main targets were those eliminated in the selection process.
At the same time, Ryohei Rin rushed to the scene, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
This was his first time experiencing such a lively recruitment event.
If he had to compare it to something, it felt a little like a job fair. Everywhere he turned, clubs were throwing out slogans to win over newcomers.
"The Sleeping Club?"
"This one sounds good!"
"Huh?"
"Pen-Spinning Club? Not bad, I've got some skills with that!"
Ryohei Rin was just like a country bumpkin entering a grand garden, looking around with wide eyes and constant exclamations.
"The Returning Home Club? Sounds nice too."
"Paranormal Research Society?"
"…Cockroach Genetics Research?"
"Twintail Association?"
By the end, his face grew paler with each new discovery.
"What's the point of half of these clubs even existing…?"
He let out a dry laugh, scratching his head.
"Honestly, I kind of want to check out that Twintail Association, but… no. I can't get distracted."
Suppressing his restless heart, Ryohei Rin forced himself to focus. His expression turned firm as he resolutely walked toward Hyotei's tennis club booth.
Women, fun, or strange hobbies wouldn't stop him from becoming stronger. Especially not girls with cute twin ponytails.
Thanks to his odd, subtle presence, Ryohei Rin slipped through the crowd with ease and stood in front of the tennis club's reception desk.
Only… something strange happened.
Even though he was right there, the receptionist didn't acknowledge him at all, continuing to speak with another boy beside him.
It was as if Rin didn't exist.
Ryohei Rin sighed. He wasn't angry—he was used to this.
Ever since awakening his Kuroko template, his presence had been fading more and more. People often overlooked him without realizing it, even his own relatives. Strangers were no different.
Still, he recognized the one at the desk.
Taki Haginosuke.
One of Hyotei's provisional members, acting as the team's secretary and accountant. Known for his precise speed measurements and sharp observational skills.
Ryohei Rin finally spoke.
"Excuse me. How do I apply to the tennis club?"
"Whoa!" Taki almost jumped out of his chair. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"When did you get here? I didn't notice you at all…"
For a moment, he wondered if he was too tired. But duty came first. Regaining his composure, he handed over a form.
"Fill this out, then submit it to the manager's office. Whether you're accepted depends on the advisor."
Ryohei Rin looked over the form carefully.
Name:
Age:
Grade:
Height:
Tennis Experience:
Strength (Self-Assessment)
Goal:
Motivation for Joining:
"This feels almost like a system panel," Rin muttered. "Detailed, as expected of a world built around tennis."
Without hesitation, he began filling it out, finishing in less than a minute.
But when he tried to pick it up again, he realized a hand was pressing firmly down on the paper.
It was Taki Haginosuke.
His voice dropped cold.
"Boy, do you even understand what you just wrote?"
No wonder he was upset. Rin's self-assessment was absurd.
Kanto-level strength. After only a month of playing tennis.
Taki let out a sharp laugh.
"Unbelievable. Do you think this is funny? This isn't confidence—it's arrogance. It's mocking Hyotei itself."
He leaned forward, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"So, you're a genius among geniuses, huh? Planning to break Rikkai's championship streak? Beat Ryoma? I don't know who this Ryoma is, No, maybe that's too easy for you—you'll just challenge the legendary Echizen Nanjiro instead, right?"
"And as for your motivation…" Taki's lips twitched. "Taking Atobe position as a captain? You've got guts, I'll give you that."
Taki shook his head in disbelief. This was the most ridiculous application form he'd ever seen.
But Rin only narrowed his eyes, his tone calm yet sharp.
"Is there a problem?"
Because for him, there wasn't.
The system evaluation had labeled him as
Kanto-level. That wasn't arrogance. It was fact.
After a pause, Taki finally let out a dry chuckle and released the form.
"…No problem at all. Take it to the manager's office."