Tachibana Kippei vs. Chitose Senri

Most people who are called geniuses have some flaws, more or less.

For example, Atobe Keigo's pride and Fuji Shusuke, Akutsu Jin's arrogance...

Normal geniuses like Chitose Senri, Tachibana Kippei, and Shiraishi are actually in the minority.

Zaizen Hikaru is undoubtedly a genius; he has been shrouded in the aura of genius since childhood.

Upon entering Shitenhoji, he was immediately discovered by Watanabe Osamu and regarded by Watanabe Osamu and others as the future hope of Shitenhoji.

Back then, Zaizen Hikaru was incredibly arrogant and even considered escaping from Shitenhoji, having no intention of joining the Tennis Club.

It took a lot of effort from Shiraishi, Oshitari Kenya, Konjiki Koharu, Koishikawa, and their group to finally recruit him into the Tennis Club.

He was immediately selected Regular member of the Shitenhoji upon joining.

So at Shitenhoji, Zaizen Hikaru was like a spoiled child, self-centered and believing that no one could compare to him, until Chitose taught him a lesson...

Therefore, Chitose has become the strongest man in Zaizen Hikaru's heart at this stage, and he can't resist those who are his equals or even stronger.

The sudden Zaizen Hikaru interrupted the reunion between Tachibana Kippei and Chitose Senri, as well as Muneyoshi's communication with the two coaches regarding the exchange procedure.

However, when he heard the other person introduce themselves, he understood what was going on.

That's interesting!

He and Coach Hanamura, along with Watanabe Osamu, hadn't fully decided on the match yet, but the players on both teams were already eager to try.

Meanwhile, Zaizen Hikaru's challenge was exactly what Watanabe Osamu wanted.

"Coach Hanamura, Saeki, there's no point in trying to communicate here. Let's leave tennis to tennis!"

Watanabe Osamu, biting a toothpick, said in a sleazy tone, then glanced at Hanamura Aoi and asked, "What does Coach Hanamura think?"

"The two coaches can decide for now. I'll head over there!"

Muneyoshi waved his hand, not directly responding to Zaizen Hikaru's challenge, and walked towards his teammates.

Soon.

After Hanamura Aoi and Watanabe Osamu discussed it for a while, the two came before the crowd.

Hanamura Aoi's gaze swept across the entire room before she spoke directly:

"This tennis exchange between Fudomine and Shitenhoji is divided into two parts. The first part is a training match exchange, which will include doubles and singles matches."

The second part is a five-day joint training camp between the two schools.

Did you hear me clearly?

With each victory in the competition and a thorough understanding of the specific circumstances of each member of Fudomine, Hanamura Aoi developed her own unique aura.

Her voice wasn't loud, only at a mid-range level, but it was concise and powerful.

"Yes, Coach!"

Even Shitenhoji, who was standing nearby, subconsciously responded to her words.

Seeing everyone's attitude, Hanamura Aoi nodded in satisfaction.

Then, she looked at Watanabe Osamu and asked softly, "Coach Watanabe, is there anything else you'd like to add?"

Watanabe Osamu shook his head. To be honest, Hanamura Aoi's appearance and her sharp aura put a lot of pressure on him.

"Coach Hanamura has made it very clear, and I have nothing to add. Let's proceed with the order of appearance we just discussed."

To save face, Watanabe Osamu also toned down his relaxed demeanor and spoke with a stern expression.

Hanamura Aoi nodded solemnly as well; both of them knew their own team members very well.

Since it's an exchange competition, it's prepared for the purpose of learning from each other's strengths and making up for each other's weaknesses.

"The first singles match will now begin, between Tachibana Kippei from Fudomine Junior High School and Shitenhoji Chitose Senri Fudomine Junior High!"

It's here!

Upon hearing this matchup, everyone's eyes lit up.

Unexpectedly, the first match was a duel Kyushu Twin Heroes.

In the eyes of the Fudomine members, Tachibana Kippei's strength is second only to the club president Saeki Muneyoshi, and Keith; especially after his breakthrough, even Keith might not be able to say he could definitely win.

Chitose Senri, among the Regular by Shitenhoji, was arguably one of the strongest.

Moreover, they were once good friends, doubles partners, and became the Kyushu Twin Heroes.

This match is definitely going to be interesting.

The only one dissatisfied was Zaizen Hikaru, who muttered, "What the hell? I challenged first, but Chitose- senpai beat me to it!"

"Quiet down, Zaizen!"

Upon hearing that the coach had arranged for him to compete against Tachibana Kippei, a fire ignited in Chitose Senri's heart. At this moment, he abandoned his usual gentle demeanor and completely Zaizen Hikaru any sense of face.

That's true; if it weren't for Zaizen Hikaru constantly pestering him during their daily training, Chitose would never have agreed to compete with Zaizen Hikaru.

For National Level tennis player like Chitose, Zaizen Hikaru, who is known as a prodigy, is still too inexperienced.

Playing against him had no effect on training whatsoever; instead, Chitose gradually became Zaizen's sparring partner.

"You're still a long way from being able to compete with Kikkari right now!"

Chitose vigorously rubbed Zaizen Hikaru's head.

"Go line up and train properly. Maybe Kippei will accept your challenge when you can beat Kuranosuke!"

After saying that, Chitose picked up her racket and went onto the court.

On the other side, Tachibana Kippei also looked at Saeki Muneyoshi.

"Muneyoshi..."

In Tachibana Kippei's heart, because his younger sister Tachibana An had told Saeki Muneyoshi everything about herself early on, he was not surprised that Saeki Muneyoshi was able to discover his true thoughts.

However, unexpectedly, in this exchange competition that Saeki Muneyoshi started to evolve from last semester and has now been brought together by him, the first match was still given to him.

And the fact that it was with Chitose made Tachibana Kippei, who already suspected Muneyoshi's intentions, instantly understand the hidden meaning behind this exchange match.

"What? Tachibana, did you come all this way to Kansai not to fight Chitose, but just to take a stroll and then head back?"

Seeing the look in Tachibana Kippei's eyes, Muneyoshi smiled and asked in return:

"Tennis shouldn't be all about guilt and redemption; these should only serve as the foundation for tennis's progress, not the entirety of it. I think Chitose thinks so too."

Go, Tachibana, let Chitose see the Lion King has been reborn at Fudomine.

Hearing Muneyoshi's answer, Hanamura Aoi, who fully understood his true intentions, was extremely satisfied.

Just like the reason why Saeki Muneyoshi convinced her to agree to this exchange match, this trip to Osaka, in addition to the team members' exchange and training, was also about...

The most important thing is to help Tachibana Kippei resolve her inner conflicts.

His strength can evolve through training, and his aura path can also break through under Sanada's pressure.

However, the transformation of guilt and redemption on a spiritual level can only occur over Chitose.

Once he gets past this hurdle, Saeki Muneyoshi believes that with Tachibana Kippei's current level of experience, advancing further in the National Tournament and truly mastering the Stage Three of the Aura Path will not be a problem.

By then, Tachibana Kippei's strength will be roughly equivalent to that of Muneyoshi, a first-year student, when he was challenging others everywhere.

On the field.

"Chitose, are you sure your eyes are alright?"

Facing Chitose again on the opposite side of the court, Tachibana Kippei's emotions were still churning.

"Of course, Kippei, such hesitation isn't like you!"

Chitose smiled and said to Tachibana Kippei, glancing at Hanamura Aoi and Saeki Muneyoshi as he spoke. As intelligent as he was, he understood the importance of this match for Tachibana Kippei.

"You went to Tokyo, looks like you met some great teammates and coaches. And, Kippei, don't you want to see for yourself how well I've recovered?"

Hearing Chitose mention the coach and teammates, Tachibana Kippei smiled. When Chitose asked him to confirm it himself, Tachibana Kippei hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and said, "Okay!"

"I'll be the referee for this match between the Kyushu Twin Heroes."

With a toothpick dangling from his mouth, Watanabe Osamu sat down on the referee's bench.

"Coach Hanamura, you don't mind this, do you?"

"Certainly."