#3Chapter 3 The lineup has taken shape
Shiratsu Tomohoshi didn't go home; he was probably hungry, eating five hamburgers, three large fries, and a serving of fried chicken, washing it down with two cups of cola.
"Ugh~"
He was too full and let out a burp. The talent scouting mission this afternoon was going to be a long and arduous one.
Walking aimlessly down the street, Shiratsu Tomohoshi spotted a dessert shop. Without a doubt, this was the place. A slight smile played on his lips as he strode in.
"Hello, I'm looking for Agutsu," Shiratsu Tomohoshi said to the woman in front of him.
"Oh, what a shame, he just went out," the woman replied with a smile.
"Then, if he comes back, please tell him to come to this address to find me."
"Alright. Little boy, what's your name?"
"Shiratsu Tomohoshi!"
Giving the name of a park, Shiratsu Tomohoshi planned to meet Agutsu there. Dealing with people like him was simple: provoke him, then beat him into submission.
Without stopping, next stop: Inui Sadaharu!
Last night at dinner, he had instructed the butler to find out where a person named Inui Sadaharu lived. At breakfast, the butler came with the information.
In fact, he had already found out that night, but the butler didn't want to disturb his young master's Sleep, so he decided to tell him in the morning.
"We're here," Shiratsu Tomohoshi murmured.
"Ding-dong~~~"
He rang the doorbell.
"Hello, little boy, who are you looking for?" A beautiful woman opened the door.
"Hello, Auntie, I'm looking for Inui Sadaharu. Is he home?" This wasn't the time when calling someone 'Auntie' was considered disrespectful, hehe.
"Ah, you're looking for Sadaharu. Wait a moment, I'll call him for you.
Sadaharu, Sadaharu, a friend is here to see you."
Soon after, a young man wearing thick glasses slowly appeared in Shiratsu Tomohoshi's line of sight.
"Hello, I'm Inui Sadaharu. Are you looking for me? We don't seem to know each other."
He spoke with a question.
"Inui, are you interested in stepping out to chat?"
He hadn't intended to go out, but perhaps seeing the tennis racket on Shiratsu Tomohoshi's back, he nodded inexplicably.
"Inui, are you going to Seigaku?"
"How do you know?"
"Haha, you don't need to know how I know. I just have one question for you: are you interested in coming to Hyotei?"
He got straight to the point, never procrastinating!
"Sorry, I'm already in contact with them. Making a change now might not be ideal." Inui felt that changing schools now would not only be troublesome but also unwise. He wouldn't change his stance based on a few words from this child who was about the same age as him.
"If you think it'll be troublesome, then I can help you resolve it. As for why, Seigaku isn't good enough for you.
The reason I want to poach you for Hyotei is that we lack a proper data analyst, and also a strategist—someone who can help us understand our opponents, and someone who can help us appropriately plan our training.
I'll say it again, Seigaku isn't good enough for you.
Your partner, Yanagi Renji, is about to go to Rikkaidai, and when he gets in, he'll be a regular player. If you go to Seigaku, you'll only be picking up balls for a year. You'll be wasting a whole year, are you sure? Have you thought it through?
When you realize that your former partner is far stronger than you, will your pride accept that?"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi spoke at length, still not finished, and continued, "Inui, Seigaku isn't your destination, nor is it worthy of your ambitions. Under my leadership, Hyotei will achieve a three-peat national championship. I know, it might sound like a fantasy to you.
But, do you dare to bet with me? This is my last invitation: Hyotei, are you coming or not?!"
He was domineering and merciless! These words didn't sound like poaching or an invitation, but rather a declaration of war, with a tone that suggested, 'If you don't come, I'll deal with you right here.'
"This…"
Inui hesitated, and Shiratsu Tomohoshi knew he had swayed him.
If everything else could be ignored, then Inui Sadaharu, this "Doctor," couldn't ignore Yanagi Renji, this "Professor." So the line, "When you realize that your former partner is far stronger than you, will your pride accept that?", struck a chord with him.
He could disregard other things, but how could he accept it if his former comrades-in-arms left him far behind?
But this guy in front of him kept talking about winning three consecutive national championships? His goals were grand, but it was still unknown if they could be achieved.
Shiratsu Tomohoshi was also thinking to himself: 'Anyway, whether you come or not, if I can poach you, I'll have less work later. I'll just throw all the tasks your way. If you don't come, there's no loss. The current lineup is already decent: myself, Tezuka, Fuji, and the soon-to-be-acquired Agutsu. Yes, I'm sure I'll poach Agutsu. Oh right, and Master Atobe, whom I'll only see at the start of school. This lineup is solid, right?'
And the plotline modification he used, he didn't know when it would take effect.
Furthermore, next year will be the start of a new round of talent scouting. He had to leave a few good prospects for the future Hyotei. He couldn't care about other teams; he only needed to think for Hyotei.
Both sides were calculating their own affairs in their minds. After about five minutes, Inui spoke: "How can you make me believe that your talk of a three-peat national championship isn't an empty boast?"
'Does Inui want to see my strength?' Shiratsu Tomohoshi thought.
Ten minutes later, on a certain court, a shaved-head Inui didn't want to say much, only quietly asking, "How do I go through the procedures for Hyotei? You said you'd help."
Inui's innocent look amused Shiratsu Tomohoshi: "Tomorrow, if you're free tomorrow, bring your parents to Hyotei in the morning. Conveniently, there will be others who can come along, which will save trouble."
Shiratsu Tomohoshi left, very happy. He had completed another goal for the day. So, what about Agutsu?
Half an hour later, at the agreed-upon park, before he even entered, he saw Agutsu waiting at the entrance. Shiratsu Tomohoshi was surprised; he hadn't expected Agutsu to arrive so quickly, thinking it would take a while.
"You're the one who wanted to see me?" At this time, Agutsu's hair wasn't completely white yet, still a bit brown.
Agutsu had initially thought it was another troublemaker, daring to come all the way to his house. But since no damage had been done, he figured a mild lesson would suffice.
However, seeing the person, he thought, 'I haven't seen this guy before, he doesn't look like he's here for a fight.'
"Agutsu, I'm here to ask you to be my teammate!"
'Teammate?! What is this guy up to?' Oh~ He saw the tennis racket on Shiratsu Tomohoshi's back. 'Tennis?'
"Why? What for?"
Two questions.
"To play tennis. Because you're strong. Your athletic talent is unparalleled; any sport is effortless for you. However, unfortunately, no one dares to use you because of your personality. But I'm different. I dare to use you, and I appreciate you even more. Do you dare to come?!"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi was very direct. For someone like Agutsu, sincerity was always the best approach.
After a long silence, Agutsu spoke: "Do you really think I can do it?"
"I told you, your talent is excellent, and your physical fitness is an even greater advantage. You may not have had systematic training yet, but once you come to Hyotei, I will make you show your strengths in the shortest possible time."
"And," Shiratsu Tomohoshi hadn't finished, "with your talent, you will definitely be a professional player in the future. So, think carefully, do you want to come?"
Like a big bad wolf luring a little white rabbit, Shiratsu Tomohoshi's sincerity gradually broke down Agutsu's psychological defenses.
"Can I earn money?" Agutsu's first reaction was whether he could earn money, so that guy wouldn't have to work so hard running the shop.
Shiratsu Tomohoshi was taken aback. He hadn't realized that. He had thought Agutsu was a rebellious teenager who loved to fight, but he hadn't expected him to be so in need of money.
"Yes, provided you are outstanding enough and achieve results, you won't lack money."
In this tennis-centric world, as long as you play well, many things can go through a green channel. As long as your results are excellent enough, money will come looking for you then.
"Hyotei?" Agutsu asked.
"Yes, come to Hyotei, I'll lead you. In a short time, you'll see your own growth. Do you dare to bet?" Shiratsu Tomohoshi provoked him.
"Alright, but I want to see your tennis."
Agutsu wanted to see what this guy in front of him was capable of.
"See? I had foresight. I arranged to meet at this park with a tennis court," Shiratsu Tomohoshi smiled. He knew the deal was done.
Just five minutes later, on the tennis court:
"You win."
Agutsu lost, a crushing defeat. No matter how hard he tried, his opponent always scored with just one ball. He understood that the person in front of him was very strong, and he was convinced!
"If I play well, I can really earn money, right?"
Shiratsu Tomohoshi smiled, a little helpless: "Yes, I promise, alright? Your talent is a rare sight in a decade, very strong. Put your energy into it and embrace the future, Agutsu."
With that, Shiratsu Tomohoshi extended his right hand.
Agutsu looked at it, gave a faint, fleeting smile, and then extended his own right hand, grasping it.
At this moment, under the setting sun, the two looked at each other, the scene exceptionally radiant!