Fuji Shusuke

Tokyo Metropolis.

ARENA Forest Park Dome Stadium.

The annual National Tournament was in full swing.

Saeki Muneyoshi walked through the corridor, slowly making his way toward the stands ahead. The finals were currently underway.

[Makino Fuji Middle School VS Maiko Ban School]

Makino Fuji had been last year's champions, and now they had entered the finals once again, with a strong chance of achieving a two-peat.

As a result, a large crowd had gathered to watch, including some high-ranking officials.

As Muneyoshi stepped into the venue, Kojiro, who had been waiting for some time, spotted him immediately.

"Muneyoshi, over here."

Muneyoshi followed the voice and sat down.

Kojiro, sitting beside him, teased, "Muneyoshi, you took way too long in the bathroom. I thought you got lost."

Muneyoshi rolled his eyes and ignored him, but a slender figure beside Kojiro caught his attention.

Seeing his questioning gaze, Kojiro remembered and quickly introduced him:

"Muneyoshi, this is the good friend I told you about before—Fuji, Fuji Shusuke. He goes to school in Tokyo too!"

Saeki Muneyoshi raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that he had guessed correctly.

That familiar hairstyle, the eyelids that narrowed into a smile—very approachable. Who else could it be but Fuji?

"Hello, Fuji-kun. Pleased to meet you. I'm Saeki Muneyoshi, Kojiro's cousin."

Fuji smiled slightly and nodded. "Nice to meet you. It should be me asking for your guidance, Muneyoshi-kun. I heard from Kojiro that you're also coming to Tokyo for school?"

"That's right. Do you play tennis too, Fuji? If so, I'll be sure to seek your advice when I get the chance~"

"I hope Muneyoshi-kun will go easy on me then!"

"Haha, it should be you going easy on me, Fuji."

"Alright, you two, enough with the mushy stuff. Watch the match, watch the match."

Seeing the two of them exchanging polite pleasantries, Kojiro felt goosebumps all over.

The two shook their heads, exchanged a knowing smile, and then turned their attention to the court.

In recent years, the tennis atmosphere in Japan had grown increasingly vibrant. Park venues were being built everywhere, and a large number of prodigies had emerged, especially among junior high students.

This had put tennis on the front pages of newspapers frequently.

The match before them, between Makino Fuji and Maiko Ban, was a prime example. Muneyoshi watched the familiar figures on the court, lost in thought.

This kind of atmosphere... it must be the work of the one at the back of the U17 Training Camp.

"Game, set, match. Winner, Makino Fuji. Score: 3-2."

As the referee's final call rang out, the dome erupted. Cheers and shouts were deafening.

The regulars of the Makino Fuji Tennis Club all rushed toward their captain on the court—the golden-haired boy shining brilliantly under the sunlight.

In the stands, all the spectators rose from their seats as one, applause thundering. It was an unprecedented moment in Japanese tennis history.

Kansai Makino Fuji had completed the first-ever national two-peat. They had forged a legend!

Under the flashing lights, a group of boys laughed as they hoisted the trophy, their confident figures on full display. The most eye-catching of them all was the captain of the Kansai Legend, Makino Fuji—Byōdōin Hōō!

This was the man who had served as the Tennis Club captain since his first year of junior high, leading Makino Fuji to sweep through the prefectural tournament, the Kansai tournament, and the National Tournament.

He had never met a single opponent in the entire Japanese junior high circuit!

At this moment on the award podium, he was the epitome of youthful arrogance and flamboyance.

Among the spectators, no one but Muneyoshi knew that the boys under the spotlight would one day stir the tennis world, raising storms and waves!

Their steps had never stopped.

"Let's go, Kojiro. It's time for us to leave too..."

With that, he stood up, paying no heed to the roaring cheers behind him. Kojiro and Fuji followed closely, walking against the crowd as they exited the dome.

Along the way, Kojiro was still excited, pulling Muneyoshi aside and asking questions.

"Muneyoshi, do you think we'll ever have a chance to play here?"

Thinking back to the thrilling scene just now, Kojiro was filled with longing.

Muneyoshi paused mid-step, turned back to look at his cousin, who resembled him so much, and said with absolute certainty, "Of course!"

As they left ARENA Forest Park, it was the middle of the holiday, so the courts within the park were filled with people training and sparring. The three of them strolled and chatted casually.

"Fuji, did you graduate from Seishindai Third Elementary School?"

"Yes, Muneyoshi-kun." Fuji replied with a gentle smile, letting the breeze brush against his face.

Muneyoshi nodded and said, "Does Fuji usually play tennis?"

Beside him, Kojiro cut in, "Muneyoshi, don't underestimate Fuji. He's a genius who won the Junior Tournament."

"Oh, is that so?"

Muneyoshi raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, then stopped walking and stated his purpose: "How about a match, Fuji?"

Hearing this, Fuji seemed even more delighted. Leaning forward slightly with his head tilted, he smiled and said, "Sure, I'd like to play against Muneyoshi-kun too."

Hearing such good news, Kojiro naturally couldn't miss out: "Great, I'll be the umpire."

The three exchanged glances, then headed toward an indoor court.

"Saeki Muneyoshi vs. Fuji Shusuke, one set decides the match!"

Saeki Kojiro sat in the umpire's chair and announced the start of the match.

They were still children at this point, unremarkable in appearance, so no one around paid them much attention—which suited them just fine, keeping things quiet.

Muneyoshi and Fuji walked to the net.

"Spin or flat?"

"Flat."

"Looks like luck isn't on my side today, Muneyoshi-kun."

Fuji Shusuke said with a smile to Saeki Muneyoshi.

But once Muneyoshi stepped onto the court, it was as if he had become a different person. His expression turned cold, his demeanor serious, and he didn't reply.

He intended to give it his all.

First, to show his true strength. Second, to gauge Fuji Shusuke's current level.

And third, of course, he hoped the opponent would put pressure on him—that way, he might have a chance to improve further.

Fuji Shusuke glanced at Saeki Muneyoshi across the net and his smile faded.

He seemed to sense Muneyoshi's seriousness and resolve. Against such an opponent, to keep grinning would be disrespectful.

"Muneyoshi-kun seems intent on getting serious."

"Fuji, I hope you'll bring out your full strength. I won't hold back!"

"I hope so too." Though he had already raised his guard internally, Fuji still spoke with a smile—it was simply in his nature.

With Saeki Kojiro's whistle, the match officially began.

Thump... thump... thump...

After lightly bouncing the tennis ball twice, Saeki Muneyoshi glanced at the figure across from him and said flatly, "Here it comes, Fuji!"

Before the words had even faded, Saeki Muneyoshi tossed the ball gently upward, bent slightly at the waist, then leaped sharply, shifting his center of gravity steadily from low to high.

"Bang!"

A crisp sound rang out. The tennis ball shot through the air like a yellow flash, then—as if rehearsed tens of thousands of times—landed firmly on the inverted triangle of the service line.

"Ace, 15-0."

Fuji, who had been keeping his eyes half-lidded, instantly straightened up. His eyes snapped wide open as he stared at Saeki Muneyoshi across the net.

"Muneyoshi-kun, nice shot!"

With that, he walked to the receiving position, bent his knees, and focused. By now, he was fully on alert.