Not many people came to participate in the Tennis Club's prize match; including Shikime Natsu's group, there were only about thirty people.
This school has quite a few clubs, and most of the new students have been divided among them. The school only has three grades, and the third and second years don't have one hundred and sixty students.
Not everyone is good at tennis, which meant the number of participants was even smaller.
"Those ten thousand points are mine! No one's taking them from me!"
Yamauchi Haruki shouted, looking full of fighting spirit.
Shikime Natsu's gaze fell on Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. The guy's arms looked quite powerful, like he had trained, but he just didn't seem motivated.
"Shiki-san, this event uses a lottery system."
Totsuka Yahiko quickly brought over a box for the drawing.
Shikime Natsu casually picked a stick and had Totsuka Yahiko record it.
Totsuka Yahiko joined the Tennis Club not to play tennis, but to act as something of a team manager.
Of course, Shikime Natsu didn't say much about it, only thinking that a manager position would be better suited for a cute girl.
"I'm number four, my lucky number! Kanji, watch me win those ten thousand points!"
Yamauchi Haruki patted his chest, extremely confident.
"Whoa!"
Just then, the crowd of students watching erupted in a roar of cheers.
"He's too strong! A shutout! Who is that guy?"
"That's Shikime Natsu from Class 1-A! He's so cool!"
"Shiki-san, you're amazing!"
Shikime Natsu himself didn't feel much of anything.
With the racket in hand, he subconsciously returned the ball. His opponent didn't even manage to return a single shot.
Since this was just a prize match, it didn't have the rules of a formal game. Winning one point meant winning a game, and winning six games secured the victory.
"Hmph, what's so great about that?"
Yamauchi Haruki crossed his arms, looking at Ike Kanji with a confident expression.
"Isn't it just hitting the ball back? I think that opponent was really weak. If it were me, I probably could have beaten him 6-0 too."
"Really, Haruki?"
Ike Kanji looked at him with some doubt.
"That guy's athletic reflexes looked pretty good."
Hmm... at least, he felt it wasn't something a half-baked player like himself or Yamauchi Haruki could compare to.
"Of course it's true! I was an excellent table tennis player in elementary school, and I was the ace pitcher in middle school."
Ugh... that has nothing to do with tennis, does it?
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka silently retorted in his mind. He had watched Shikime Natsu's match just now.
Shikime Natsu hadn't used his full strength at all against his opponent. If it were him... even with his training from the White Room, he probably wouldn't be a match for Shikime Natsu.
Of course, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka hadn't been taught tennis in the White Room. Such competitive sports didn't possess the practicality and survival skills the White Room emphasized.
That practicality and survival ability were all based on Ayanokouji Atsuomi's judgment. At least, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka didn't think there was much of a difference between piano, tea ceremony, and calligraphy versus tennis.
"You're Shiki-san, right?"
Just then, a boy wearing the Tennis Club's official team uniform walked up to Shikime Natsu and enthusiastically extended his hand.
"I'm the captain of the Tennis Club, Takahashi Shuichi. Your playing is incredible! We need talent like you. Are you interested in joining our Tennis Club? I guarantee you'll be on the main team from the start!"
For the countless first-year members who had just joined the Tennis Club, this was a dream come true. To think such an offer was being made to someone who wasn't even in the club?
Of course, they knew their own limits. If they were to face Shikime Natsu, they likely wouldn't stand much of a chance.
Even though they weren't complete novices, they had seen the match. Shikime Natsu had played with ease, and every point was a single-shot winner.
"Sorry, I'm not looking to join any clubs at the moment."
Shikime Natsu waved his hand.
"Is that so? That's a real shame. If you change your mind, you can find me anytime. I'm usually at the Tennis Club after school."
Takahashi Shuichi showed a slightly regretful expression.
"Yeah, I will."
Shikime Natsu nodded.
Using his perfect tennis skills to play against these guys wasn't very interesting. Fortunately, his goal was clear: to win the ten thousand personal points.
"It's my turn next! Watch this!"
Yamauchi Haruki strode forward, looking very imposing.
"Oh? Could this guy be surprisingly good at tennis too?"
Takahashi Shuichi's gaze fell on Yamauchi Haruki.
If this guy also had a talent for tennis, he could also offer to recruit him.
Applying to join and being recruited by the captain were two completely different concepts.
Unfortunately, Yamauchi Haruki's confidence was premature. He had never learned to play tennis and was simply swinging the racket with brute force.
The result was a 6-0 loss for him.
"Damn it, I wasn't in form! If I were in good form..."
Hearing Yamauchi Haruki's words, many people shot him looks of contempt.
The guy couldn't even hit the ball, and he was talking about being in form?
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, not wanting to stand out, silently distanced himself a little from Yamauchi Haruki.
He was up for the third match.
Hmm... he also lost without any surprises.
Among the participating students, there were quite a few members of the Tennis Club, even if they were only reserve members. At least they had some skill.
Soon, Shikime Natsu won match after match, unsurprisingly taking the championship and receiving ten thousand personal points from Takahashi Shuichi.
"I still think you're a natural-born tennis player. If you're willing to join the Tennis Club, I'd have no problem giving you the captain's position. Plus, our club has benefits. Official members receive quite a few points after joining."
Takahashi Shuichi's face was filled with emotion.
If Shikime Natsu joined, maybe they could win the national tournament. The Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School's Tennis Club made it to the semifinals every year but had never found a way to break through.
"Yes, thank you for the invitation, Captain Takahashi, but my interests lie elsewhere. I have a companion here, a classmate of mine. I hope you'll look after him."
Shikime Natsu shook his head in refusal and took the opportunity to introduce Totsuka Yahiko.
Even though he had refused, Takahashi Shuichi still wanted to invite him, so... he would surely take extra care of Totsuka Yahiko.
"Yes, I understand. Please take this set of gear, and you're welcome to come practice anytime."
Takahashi Shuichi nodded and didn't press him any further.
"Masumi, see? Aren't I strong?"
Shikime Natsu looked over at Kamuro Masumi, bouncing a ball on the racket he had just received.
Before Kamuro Masumi could reply, Yamauchi Haruki and the others came over.
"Hey, Shiki, you're amazing! You won ten thousand points, and so many girls were cheering for you! I'm so jealous. By the way, your girlfriend didn't even cheer for you and kept a straight face the whole time. Man, having a girlfriend like that must be tough..."
"Smack!"
"My apologies, Yamauchi-san. I was just trying out my new racket. It seems it's still a bit awkward to handle."
Shikime Natsu lowered the racket in his hand, then walked over to Yamauchi Haruki to pick up the tennis ball.
A clear red mark was now visible on Yamauchi Haruki's face, and it looked painful.
"By the way, Yamauchi-san, you should remember to think before you speak in the future, so you don't provoke the wrong people. I hear some people will dump others into Tokyo Bay at the drop of a hat~ It would be best if you didn't become one of them."
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