The academy court gleamed under white lights, polished and unforgiving. Ren adjusted the grip tape on his racket, still stiff from last night's tie-break victory. He should have felt proud. Instead, nerves gnawed at him—the notice board said Pairing Drills: Mandatory.
And there she was.
Shizuka Amane.
Ponytail sharp as a whip, eyes colder than glass. She stood with arms crossed, racket tucked against her shoulder, as if daring anyone to question her right to the court.
Ren froze mid-step. No way. Not her.
Daigo's voice cut the air. "You two. Formation drills. Now."
Shizuka's frown deepened. "You're pairing me with... him?"
Ren wanted to vanish into the floor.
The drill started ugly. Shizuka barked sharp calls.
"Mine. Yours. Don't touch that."
Ren scrambled to obey. His legs moved late, arms stiff, but somehow the ball stayed alive. Twelve-ball patterns, over and over. Shizuka's movements were clean, precise—Ren's were clumsy echoes.
At the seventh rally, Ren lunged too far, nearly colliding with her. Their rackets clashed with a harsh clang.
"Idiot!" Shizuka snapped, yanking her racket back. "You'll ruin the rhythm!"
Ren staggered, cheeks hot. I knew this was a mistake. She's too good. I'm just in the way...
Daigo's growl cut in. "Again."
They reset. This time, Ren forced himself to listen—to her footsteps, her rhythm, the angle of her racket when she called "Mine." He didn't chase, didn't overreach.
The ball pattern clicked once—just once—twelve shots in sequence.
Silence.
Shizuka glanced at him from the corner of her eye, breathing hard. She tossed him a strip of grip tape without looking. "Your hand's bleeding. You'll drop the racket if it slips."
Ren blinked, stunned. She... noticed?
Before he could thank her, she turned away, ponytail swaying.
Daigo's grunt ended the session. "Team Sync: six. Pathetic. But it's a start."
Ren collapsed to the bench, lungs on fire, blood seeping under the tape. The HUD flickered:
[Team Sync (Shizuka) +3 → 9]
Ren's chest ached, but a crooked smile tugged his lips. We actually kept it alive. Even if she hates me... we can rally.
The academy court gleamed under white lights, polished and unforgiving. Ren adjusted the grip tape on his racket, still stiff from last night's tie-break victory. He should have felt proud. Instead, nerves gnawed at him—the notice board said Pairing Drills: Mandatory.
And there she was.
Shizuka Amane.
Ponytail sharp as a whip, eyes colder than glass. She stood with arms crossed, racket tucked against her shoulder, as if daring anyone to question her right to the court.
Ren froze mid-step. No way. Not her.
Daigo's voice cut the air. "You two. Formation drills. Now."
Shizuka's frown deepened. "You're pairing me with... him?"
Ren wanted to vanish into the floor.
The drill started ugly. Shizuka barked sharp calls.
"Mine. Yours. Don't touch that."
Ren scrambled to obey. His legs moved late, arms stiff, but somehow the ball stayed alive. Twelve-ball patterns, over and over. Shizuka's movements were clean, precise—Ren's were clumsy echoes.
At the seventh rally, Ren lunged too far, nearly colliding with her. Their rackets clashed with a harsh clang.
"Idiot!" Shizuka snapped, yanking her racket back. "You'll ruin the rhythm!"
Ren staggered, cheeks hot. I knew this was a mistake. She's too good. I'm just in the way...
Daigo's growl cut in. "Again."
They reset. This time, Ren forced himself to listen—to her footsteps, her rhythm, the angle of her racket when she called "Mine." He didn't chase, didn't overreach.
The ball pattern clicked once—just once—twelve shots in sequence.
Silence.
Shizuka glanced at him from the corner of her eye, breathing hard. She tossed him a strip of grip tape without looking. "Your hand's bleeding. You'll drop the racket if it slips."
Ren blinked, stunned. She... noticed?
Before he could thank her, she turned away, ponytail swaying.
Daigo's grunt ended the session. "Team Sync: six. Pathetic. But it's a start."
Ren collapsed to the bench, lungs on fire, blood seeping under the tape. The HUD flickered:
[Team Sync (Shizuka) +3 → 9]
Ren's chest ached, but a crooked smile tugged his lips. We actually kept it alive. Even if she hates me... we can rally.
Meet The Characters :
Shizuka Amane
Role: Tsundere Prodigy / National-Level Player
Age: 18
Height: 163 cm
Nationality: Japanese
Personality: Cold, precise, sharp-tongued — with glimpses of hidden warmth.
Signature Look: Jet-black ponytail, piercing eyes, steady posture.
Court Outfit: Navy athletic top, white skirt + black compression shorts, pro-grade racket.
Notable Traits:
"Icy Blade" playstyle Treats Ren like a nuisance... but keeps watching him Eyes that dissect every detail of your technique
Hobby: Analyzing opponent footage (secretly bakes cookies).
Birthday: December 18
Goal: Win Nationals. No distractions.
Fun Fact: Her ears turn pink when she's flustered.
Racket Name: 「Kurogane」 (Iron Black)
A pitch-black pro-grade racket with silver trim. Trait: Sharpens her "Icy Blade" style — precision, control, defense, pressing opponents without error.