A Chance Encounter on a Date

"What's wrong, Ishida? You should be happy to see your strength increase, so why are you making such a long face?"

After the match ended, Munehiko saw Ishida standing alone in a corner, silently lost in thought. Muneyoshi walked up behind him, patted him on the shoulder, and said...

"Minister! Will my slight improvement really make a difference in the competition?"

At first, Ishida Tetsu was excited about his improved strength, but after fighting Tachibana Kippei, he felt the huge gap in skill.

He discovered that compared to previous training sessions, the gap between him and his opponent had not narrowed, but rather widened.

Suddenly, I thought of the Metropolitan Tournament again, and I felt a bit anxious.

Muneyoshi's eyes showed some surprise. This was the first time he had discovered this. He hadn't expected that Ishida Tetsu, with his tall stature, would be so sensitive and attentive to such things.

However, if such delicate feelings are not addressed in time, they can easily lead to a dead end, so he said calmly.

"Don't worry about that, Ishida. Your strength has indeed improved, there's no doubt about that!"

"Any improvement in strength will definitely help our team. As for Tachibana, you don't actually think that Tachibana showed this much strength when we played against each other before, do you?"

"Hahaha!"

Muneyoshi patted Ishida on the shoulder, offered him some words of advice, and then left, saying that many things require the individual to figure out for themselves.

"Keith, the gap between us is widening, and I'm no longer a match for you."

Lin Xiu stretched out his hand and said to Keith across from him with a helpless expression.

Keith also extended his hand, and the two hands clasped tightly together.

"Xiu, you've grown very quickly too."

Upon hearing this, Keith, who was usually very aloof, smiled and said something.

Their match was over, and even the match between Ibu Shinji Kamio Akira nearing its end.

After everything was settled, the group from Fudomine boarded the bus that had come to pick them up and returned to the school.

Having not been back to the Tennis Club for over a week, seeing everything Tennis Club felt incredibly familiar.

After putting their training equipment back in the Tennis Club's storage room, the group went home.

They set off on Wednesday, and it's been almost two weeks since then. Tomorrow is Sunday, so Muneyoshi gave everyone a day off.

Humans are not machines. After such hard training, it's important to balance work and rest.

After dinner, Muneyoshi was about to do some nighttime exercise when he suddenly received a call from Tachibana An.

"You big liar, I heard from my brother that you're back. I have two concert tickets here. I was planning to go with my brother, but he has other things to do. Do you want to come with me?"

I heard Tachibana An's very careful invitation over the phone, as if she was afraid of being overheard.

Of course, Muneyoshi hadn't adjusted to the training rhythm for a while and was still a bit oblivious, so he didn't notice these details.

However, although he wasn't one to indulge in refined pursuits, and since he had nothing planned for tomorrow, listening to a concert to relax was a good idea.

However, it's not right to just take advantage of a girl who invited you.

So he casually said, "Sure, since it's your invitation, I can't refuse. How about this, I'll treat you to dinner tomorrow, and then we'll go to the concert, okay?"

"Really? That's a deal! See you tomorrow, you big liar!"

After saying that, Tachibana An hung up the phone immediately, as if afraid that Muneyoshi would change his mind.

The following day, Muneyoshi unusually changed his usual all-black attire, putting on a white shirt and taking good care of his appearance.

They didn't have to wait long at the agreed location before Tachibana An appeared.

Today, she was completely different from her usual straightforward, impulsive, cheerful, and lively self; she had become very... reserved?

Even though her personality seems to have changed, she's still a definite beautiful girl in her purple dress and orange hair.

Moreover, Tachibana An's current hairstyle is not the short hairstyle she will have in the future, but today she let down her bun and tied it into two braids.

"You big liar, how about it?"

Arriving in front of Muneyoshi, Tachibana An first twirled around, then asked in a sweet voice.

Muneyoshi also looked her over seriously, until Tachibana An's face began to turn red, then he shook his head solemnly.

"Not good!"

Upon hearing this, Tachibana An, who had been expecting praise, immediately panicked.

"Where... is there a problem?"

"Hairstyle!"

"Hairstyle?"

Tachibana An touched her braids, puzzled. She had taken off her usual bun hairstyle today and looked more mature, so why was there a problem?

"That's right!"

Muneyoshi walked around Tachibana An, leaned forward, and stared into Tachibana An eyes. At that moment, he spoke very seriously and slowly:

"Isn't it said that double ponytails and braids are the easiest way to become a 'loser'? And once you have this hairstyle, even if you try to look 'pear-like', it won't help."

Tachibana An heard Muneyoshi's words, the light in her eyes seemed to dim.

She had expected to be praised for her outfit, but this was the unexpected turn of events. Still somewhat resentful, she bit her lip and asked in a trembling voice:

"Really... really?"

"Of course it's fake! I'm a big liar, aren't I? Who told you to call me that? If I didn't lie to you, how could I live up to your title?"

"Aaaaaah!!!"

"Muneyoshi, you big liar!! Don't run away..."

Their weekend leisure time began amidst these arguments and playful fights.

After having dinner and shopping, the two leisurely arrived at the concert venue.

To be honest, even in his two lifetimes, Muneyoshi had never attended such a high-end concert.

Standing at the entrance of the concert hall, Muneyoshi put his hands in his pockets.

When he saw that most of the people who came were couples, all dressed in formal attire and serious, he couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing that Tachibana An looked a little nervous beside him, he regretted his actions.

Sure enough, someone like him isn't suited to come to a place like this.

"Hey, isn't this Saeki? You're here for the concert too?"

Just as Muneyoshi was still hesitating about whether or not to go in, a familiar voice rang in his ears.

Muneyoshi turned his head and saw Atobe, who was also wearing a white shirt with the Hyotei Academy logo embroidered on his left pocket, and Oshitari Yushi behind him, looking at him.

"Oh, it's Atobe- kun and Oshitari- kun. I didn't expect to run into you here."

Upon seeing acquaintances, Muneyoshi put aside his hesitation and greeted them with a smile.

Seeing this, Shinobu nodded to Munehiko.

Atobe's emotions, however, were somewhat different from those of Muneyoshi and Oshitari.

He fiddled with the hair on his forehead a couple of times, then raised his head and said:

"Saeki, you must be quite disappointed that you couldn't play in the finals of the Metropolitan Tournament, right? Coincidentally, I'm also looking to avenge my previous defeat. How about we find a court and have another match?"

Muneyoshi smiled and shook his head, "Forget it, Atobe. You're no match for me right now, and you don't interest me at all. I'll teach you a lesson when you're stronger."

"Besides, we're here to listen to a concert!"

After his outburst, Muneyoshi didn't forget to give Atobe a way out by pointing to the door.

Upon hearing this, Atobe's expression changed from gloomy to cheerful, and he said with a smile:

"Right now, I'm no match for you. I was too impatient. But I'll catch up as soon as possible. Just you wait."

"Let's compete again at the Kanto Tournament. I'll definitely show you my strength then."

The group walked together toward the concert hall. Muneyoshi rolled his eyes at Atobe's harsh words and could only nod.

However, just as they entered the concert hall, another familiar voice rang out.

"Saeki... Muneyoshi!"

The voice was strong and resonant, yet it also carried a suppressed anger and rage.

Muneyoshi turned his head and was somewhat surprised. At this moment, Atobe, who was facing Muneyoshi from behind, spoke first.

"Rikkai Dai Sanada, I didn't expect you to come to a concert?"

The visitor was none other than Sanada Genichirou from Rikkai Dai Affiliated Middle School. Today, Sanada was not wearing a baseball cap.

He was also wearing a white shirt, with the Rikkai Dai University emblem embroidered on the cuff.

At this moment, Muneyoshi also turned around and looked at Sanada, showing Atobe surprise compared to Sanada's.

Muneyoshi wasn't surprised, although his performance in the original work and the way Sanada usually acted didn't seem like someone who liked music.

I thought that in his mind, there should only be the ever-increasing competition of tennis and kendo.

However, he was actually a music enthusiast on par with Atobe Keigo, Oshitari Yushi, Irie Kanata.

Compared to Kanata Irie, who particularly loved Shakespeare and opera, these two had a deeper understanding of tango.

Even in a future tennis exchange match between America and Japan, the two formed a doubles team with excellent rhythm and synergy.

It all started because of a concert; they were listening to the same piece of music.

Is this the only concert?

Muneyoshi had already connected all these events in his mind.

"Long time no see, Sanada! Congratulations on winning the national championship last year!"

"It's nothing, I've been waiting for you all this time! Saeki, let's have another Kanto Tournament, this time, I definitely won't lose!"

Sanada's tone was extremely solemn.

"I've watched Fudomine's matches. You played in singles third place. I'll be waiting for you in singles third place during the Kanto Tournament."

Seeing the almost spitting fire in Sanada's eyes, Muneyoshi suddenly realized that he might have stolen Tezuka's thunder?

In such a situation, not refuting or arguing is simply not Muneyoshi's style.

Therefore, Muneyoshi raised the corner of his mouth and said calmly.

"I heard you said the same thing to Tezuka, but he ignored you. Why do you think I'll respond?"

"Snort!"

That teasing expression and slightly sarcastic tone seemed to remind Sanada of this time last year.

It appears that Saeki Muneyoshi personally went to their door and defeated them one after another.

"Alright! Saeki Muneyoshi, I hope your strength remains as formidable as ever!"

Sanada angrily uttered a remark and prepared to leave.

P. S.: "To be honest, writing slice-of-life scenes is quite difficult for me, and I'll be using these kinds of scenes less often in the future, maybe just interspersed occasionally. Please vote with your monthly tickets!"

This chapter is an extra chapter added yesterday to celebrate reaching 900 monthly votes.

To be honest, writing about everyday life, especially in a modern context, seems a bit difficult for me. I've also discovered my weaknesses and feel it's not easy to write. If it's not well-written, I hope you won't mind. Such scenes will be rare in the future; they'll just be used as a seasoning.

Of course, once I discover a weakness, I will learn from it. When I have free time, I will also study how to write the daily life of an urban tycoon.

Also, there will still be extra chapters if the monthly pass reaches 1,000.