The Lion Joins the Team

The next day.

Around 10 a. m., Muneyoshi set off from home and leisurely arrived at the Fudomine Tennis Club.

Compared to the large number of members in other clubs, the Tennis Club was extremely deserted.

The neglected courts are starting to sprout green grass, and tennis balls are rolling everywhere.

Yesterday, Muneyoshi only completed all the procedures for reopening the Tennis Club and received the keys to the Tennis Club.

He didn't have the time or inclination to clean the entire court and team activity area by himself.

However, when he saw the two figures standing at the entrance of the Tennis Club, he instantly perked up.

"Here comes this free labor!"

"Tachibana Kippei, you're here!"

Muneyoshi greeted the serious-looking and tall Tachibana as if they were old acquaintances.

Then she looked at Tachibana An, whose lips were pouting so high they could hold an oil bottle.

Because Muneyoshi was late in arriving at the Tennis Club, making them wait all morning, Tachibana An was very dissatisfied that she hadn't been able to sleep in.

She planned to ignore Muneyoshi for now and teach him a lesson.

However, Muneyoshi pretended not to see it. "Hi, An, good morning! You're even cuter today!"

Muneyoshi's unconventional approach and flippant, direct words made Xing's face instantly turn red, and she stammered, wanting to say something.

At this moment, Tachibana Kippei, being the older brother, was overcome with protectiveness and stepped directly in front of Tachibana An.

"You... Saeki Muneyoshi, how do you know about me and Chitose? And is Chitose really playing tennis at Shitenhoji in Osaka now?"

My first impression of Saeki Muneyoshi was that he was a bad boy, and I was afraid that my younger sister would get involved with him.

However, his composure prevented him from saying anything about keeping his sister away.

Moreover, at this moment, most of his attention had already been drawn to the news about Chitose.

"Oh, how did you know? An told me? Didn't he tell you? It seems An is really good to you as your brother. She's been working so hard to help you regain your confidence in playing tennis."

Upon hearing this, Muneyoshi's face showed a very surprised expression, and he immediately blamed everything on Tachibana An.

This reason seems very lame, but to Tachibana Kippei, it's the most reasonable one.

Because he knew that his sister had made a lot of effort so that he could play tennis again.

Hearing Muneyoshi say this, Tachibana Kippei was already 80-90% convinced, and his gaze towards Tachibana An was filled with affection.

But when Tachibana An heard this, she objected. She did want to do it, but she hadn't done anything.

"No, brother, listen to me, it's..."

"An, stop making excuses. You've been working so hard for your brother, doesn't he know that? Besides, you don't want your brother to stay depressed, do you?"

Muneyoshi, with a mocking smile and a smile that seemed very kind to Tachibana Kippei, choked back the truth that Tachibana An wanted to tell him.

"Yes, it's good that my brother wants to play tennis again!"

Hearing Muneyoshi's righteous words, Tachibana An's expression was very complicated. Although she wanted to bite Muneyoshi a couple of times, she did so for her brother's sake.

I'll take the blame for this!

Seeing that although Tachibana An's eyes kept changing, her expression had returned to normal, Muneyoshi then continued to look at Tachibana Kippei.

"Don't worry, Tachibana, the information is definitely accurate. I personally called and confirmed it with Coach Watanabe Osamu from Shitenhoji, and he's the one who sent me the photos!"

"I even made plans with him for a training camp this June!"

Muneyoshi seems to have inadvertently revealed another secret: Fudomine will also be having a joint training camp with Shitenhoji.

This was even more appealing to Tachibana Kippei, as it meant he could see Chitose again.

"What, do you need to confirm with Coach Watanabe yourself?"

As he spoke, Muneyoshi took out his phone, found the number, and handed it to Tachibana Kippei.

Tachibana Kippei paused for a moment, then shook his head. "Never mind, if I really am going to have a training camp with Shitenhoji in June, then we can meet up then."

Then, Tachibana Kippei looked at Muneyoshi and said, "I heard you've rebuilt the Fudomine Tennis Club, so I'd like to apply to join!"

After working so hard for so long, Muneyoshi had been waiting for this moment.

Upon hearing Tachibana Kippei mention applying to join, Muneyoshi couldn't hide the smile on his face.

Welcome to the team, Tachibana Kippei!

They reached out their hands and shook hands.

Seeing her brother actually start playing tennis again, Tachibana An was very excited. Muneyoshi, seeing this, continued:

"I played doubles with An yesterday, and she's pretty good. Now that the Tennis Club is newly established, An, why don't you become our Tennis Club manager!"

Muneyoshi's invitation was very formal, and Tachibana An was taken aback for a moment.

"Eh? Can I?"

"Of course, I believe that with your help, my brother will become better!"

"Okay, I'll join too."

After speaking, she extended her small hand and shook hands with Muneyoshi. She seemed very happy to have gained his approval.

Seeing this, Tachibana Kippei did not stop him. From their conversation and interaction just now, he discovered that Saeki Muneyoshi was different from the rumors.

He was not at all unpleasant; on the contrary, he was very polite and made people feel comfortable around him.

He was a straightforward person and directly asked the question that had been bothering him.

Muneyoshi didn't hide anything, recounting the situation at Fudomine, his own experiences, and even his final counterattack that destroyed everything.

Muneyoshi spoke calmly, as if he were telling a very distant story that had nothing to do with him.

However, this simple narration made Tachibana Kippei and Tachibana An feel the hardships he had endured.

After telling the story, Muneyoshi realized they were still standing at the entrance of the Tennis Club, so he took out his key and opened the door.

"Come in, this will be our Tennis Club from now on."

Seeing that Tachibana An couldn't help but look around the Tennis Club, Muneyoshi and Tachibana Kippei both smiled.

Then their eyes met.

"Let's have a match, Tachibana. I think you want to know how strong I am!"

Upon hearing this, a fighting spirit also rose within Tachibana Kippei.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, Muneyoshi. Although I've heard from An that you're very good at doubles, I won't hold back!"

"Hey, didn't I tell An that singles is my strongest skill?"

Upon hearing this, Tachibana An, who was exploring the Tennis Club, felt deceived once again.

Her eyes widened in shock, then turned to anger, and she looked at Muneyoshi with the same furious gaze of a lioness.

"Ugh, you big liar! I'll never believe you again!"

"I'm not lying. I said I was good at doubles, not that I only knew how to play doubles. I'm very good at singles, and I'm also good at doubles casually. Is that right, An? You misunderstood."

Seeing the bristling hair on his Tachibana An Muneyoshi laughed heartily.

Upon hearing this, Tachibana An turned her head away and said, "Hmph, don't pretend you know me so well, you liar! Brother, you have to teach him a lesson!"

"Hahaha, letting your brother teach me a lesson is worse than letting me go easy on him!"

"An, you can be the referee!"

"Okay, brother!" After saying that, Tachibana An angrily squeezed past Muneyoshi.

"Hmph! Get out of my way!"

P. S.: "Second update. It's the last day of August, so please give me your monthly tickets if you have any. There's an extra chapter today."