Junior high school tennis competitions have always been team events. No matter how strong one player is, the outcome depends on the collective strength of the lineup.
Ryohei Rin understood this very well. If Hyotei's tennis club wanted to go further and achieve more victories, then only the strongest should represent them. That was why, in his eyes, cutting out the weakest starter was the right choice.
However—
Just as Rin was lost in thought, a sudden voice broke his concentration.
"Yo…"
"Isn't this Hyotei's great genius? So, how did you do in the physical test?"
Taki Haginosuke, smiling faintly, appeared in the equipment room without warning. His words sounded casual, but Rin knew they carried another meaning.
Taki had been watching the tests earlier. Of course he already knew Rin's results. This wasn't a real question—it was bait to start a conversation.
"..."
Ryohei Rin didn't reply, but the annoyed look in his eyes was enough.
This guy Taki Haginosuke…
Why does he hover around me like a fly?
Or maybe… the weaker the clown, the louder he jumps around?
"What's wrong? You don't welcome me?" Taki's grin widened. "I'm your senior, after all, and I hold an important position in the tennis club. Naturally, I should look after my juniors. If everything went as expected, you've officially joined the club, right?"
On the surface, he sounded dutiful. But then his grin sharpened.
"Well then, come with me to the practice court. My group's in need of a skilled ball boy. With your size and speed, you'd be perfect for the job, don't you think?"
His tone turned condescending. As a senior, he wanted to teach Rin "humility."
In Hyotei's tennis club, strength determines everything. The weak should act weak. Only the strong have the right to be arrogant.
"..."
Ball boy?
Ryohei Rin froze for a moment, then glanced at Taki with a strange expression.
What he said… wasn't wrong, in a way. A capable ball boy could indeed make practice more efficient for the regulars.
After a moment's thought, Rin tilted his head slightly and replied calmly, "Alright… since my senior insists on looking after his juniors, I'll accept. But in that case, seniors should also look after juniors when they need help. I just happen to need a ball boy myself. Could you help me pick up balls, Senpai? Please take care of me."
Taki's eyebrows shot up, his body freezing in place.
What did he just hear?
This brat actually turned it around on him—asking him, a senior, to be a freshman's ball boy? Impossible!
What a sharp-tongued little devil…
But this was tennis. Words meant nothing.
"Heh…"
Taki sneered and slowly pulled out his racket from the bag on his back.
"Fine. One set. The loser picks up balls for the winner."
Ryohei Rin nodded without hesitation, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Heh… arrogant little brat. Don't start crying when you lose."
Taki kept running his mouth, fully confident. To him, Rin was just a first-year novice. Meanwhile, he was Hyotei's quasi-starter, a veteran who still had hopes of reclaiming his spot among the regulars.
How could he possibly lose?
If he lost, he might as well eat his racket!
...
Both of them were fired up, pride pushing them forward.
Before long, they walked onto an empty court, led by Taki.
"You serve first. No need for the coin toss," Taki said lazily. "Let's make this quick. I don't want anyone seeing me bullying a little kid. If word got out, I'd be laughed at."
He scratched his ear, looking casual and dismissive, clearly not taking Rin seriously.
"Mm…"
Ryohei Rin's expression remained calm. He didn't bother arguing. He had no interest in trading words with Taki—he was worried that talking too much would only lower his own IQ.
"Pah… Pah…"
He bounced a tennis ball on the ground, finding the right rhythm, while already planning his tactical approach for the set.
But before he could serve—
"Oi, Taki Haginosuke!"
A sharp voice cut in from off-court.
Two figures had arrived without either of them noticing.
One was a boy with his brown hair tied back, his rebellious expression unmistakable. The other had short dark-blue hair and glasses, exuding sharp intelligence.
Ryohei Rin recognized them instantly.
Shishido Ryo, one of Hyotei's regulars.
And beside him—Oshitari Yuushi, the Hyotei genius, known for his Kansai wit and dangerous charm on the court.
The two regulars looked at Taki with thinly veiled scrutiny.
"You're supposed to be recruiting new members," Shishido said bluntly. "So what are you doing here, wasting time in the clubroom? And who's this guy you're dragging into it?"
"..."
Taki froze.
Of all times for the regulars to show up, it had to be now—just when he was about to put a cocky freshman in his place.
"W-Well…" He scratched his nose awkwardly, mind racing. Then, in a flash, he came up with an excuse. "This is a misunderstanding! This arrogant freshman—Ryohei Rin—he actually said he wanted me to be his ball boy. Can you believe that?"
"What?!"
Both Shishido and Oshitari blinked in disbelief, then exchanged surprised glances.
A freshman, on his first day, daring to tell a senior to pick up his balls?
This kind of arrogance…
It completely overturned their expectations.