The Story Begins: Ryoma and Kintaro

Japan, Tokyo Metropolis!

On a tram passing by Kakunozaka Tennis Park.

A small boy wearing a tennis cap, a dark red and pink jacket, and carrying a tennis bag sat quietly on the tram.

He pulled his hat brim down, his peripheral vision fixed on the scenery rushing past the window.

His name is Echizen Ryoma, and today is the third day since his father, Echizen Nanjirō, called him back to Japan.

Actually, Ryoma was initially unwilling when he was asked to return to Japan.

After all, in various propaganda campaigns, Japan has been portrayed as a tennis wasteland, completely incomparable to its beautiful country.

However, after hearing that tennis in Japan was developing rapidly and that America in Four-Nation Exchange Tournament, he became slightly interested.

With Nanjirou urging him on, he went along with it.

Upon returning to Japan, he didn't spend time resting but was eager to see the true level of tennis in his theoretical homeland.

So he asked Echizen Nanako to sign him up for the annual Tokyo Metropolis Junior Tennis Championships, specifically the mixed division for under-16 years old.

Instead of belonging to his twelve-year-old group.

"Baka! You guys don't even know how to hold a racket?"

"If you want to Topspin, you should use the Western grip... Hold the racket straight like this, grip the handle like you're shaking hands, everyone watch carefully..."

Wind!

Wind!

The loud discussions in the public place finally attracted the attention of many people, and made Echizen Ryoma turn his gaze away from the window.

Looking up, he saw three guys who looked like middle school students, one of whom, who seemed to be the leader, was gesturing wildly with a tennis racket inside the carriage.

The sound of the wind pressure generated by the racket was particularly noticeable inside the carriage.

This action made Ryuzaki Sakuno, who was sitting behind the three middle school students, tremble nervously. As she watched the racket approach her face, she quickly closed her eyes.

Ryuzaki Sakuno has a sweet appearance, and her clothing style is also full of the sweet girl's style.

A pink butterfly-patterned cardigan, with a pink and white solid-color short-sleeved undershirt underneath. The cardigan is joined at the chest with a beautiful red ribbon tied into a large butterfly knot.

However, Ryuzaki Sakuno, who had just graduated from elementary school and was about to enter Seigaku, was very nervous.

She even closed her eyes in a somewhat frightened manner, her small hands nervously pressing down on her thighs beneath her light green skirt.

At this moment, she was probably filled with regret, regretting that she had listened to her grandmother and come to the Kakunozaka Tennis Park.

He actually encountered three delinquents!

But her fear didn't stop; in fact, it intensified, because the three older middle school students were still talking amongst themselves.

"Wow! Sasabe, as expected of the ace player of the Hokkou Tennis Club!"

That's exactly what I'm saying!

"Idiot, that's common sense!"

The flattery from his two supporting partners made Sasabe even more smug, and he kept demonstrating the swinging motion to them.

"Come on, again! Come on!"

Such a commotion naturally attracted the attention of the other passengers in the carriage, who also saw the poor little girl.

However, the enthusiasm to stop it cooled down under the influence of Japan culture, which emphasizes "not bothering others" and "not wanting others to bother you."

However, for Echizen Ryoma, who did not grow up in this culture, wanting to stop it was just a casual matter.

"Hey!"

You guys are so noisy!

A childish voice came from the other side, and the tram passed through a tunnel the instant the voice rang out.

The light shone through Echizen Ryoma's figure, instantly casting his shadow over Sasabe two companions, and Ryuzaki Sakuno.

At this moment, in Ryuzaki Sakuno's eyes, Echizen Ryoma, who looked the same size as her, was so tall!

"Um?"

Sasabe turned his head and glared at the brat who had spoken!

Suddenly, the train slowed down, causing a violent jolt that made Sasabe lose his balance.

Snap!

Sasabe loosened his grip, and the racket fell to the ground with a thud.

"Seriously, I actually got lectured by an elementary school kid."

To ease the awkwardness, Sasabe curled his lip in disdain and reached out to pick up the racket that had fallen to the ground.

However, Ryoma ignored the other party's attempt to save face, and instead lowered his head, continuing to speak calmly.

"Ping pong! The correct Western grip is to wrap your hand around the handle from top to bottom when the racket face is down."

These ruthless words of exposure left Sasabe momentarily speechless and embarrassed.

What did you say?!

His eyes were fixed intently on the brat in front of him. Although Ryoma's face was completely obscured by the brim of his hat and he was quite young, his tone of reprimand was unmistakably serious.

Moreover, Ryoma didn't finish his sentence.

"By the way, the way you described holding the racket like you're shaking hands is called the Eastern grip. These two grips are often confused."

"You..."

After calmly finishing his boastful act, Ryoma picked up his tennis bag and walked out of the open car door without looking back.

"Wait! Don't go!"

Sasabe's voice did not stop Ryoma's steps. Ryoma, who was well-versed in the art of showing off, knew that staying would definitely not end well.

At this moment, Sasabe's companion, who had been the professional straight man, also let out a teasing laugh.

"Sasabe, how embarrassing!"

Suddenly, a notification bell rang!

"Oh no! We need to get off the bus quickly!"

As they spoke, the three of them pushed and shoved each other as they walked towards the car door.

"I want to get off too!"

Ryuzaki Sakuno, who had been silently enduring and playing the role of a nobody, suddenly stood up as if waking from a dream.

Sakuno, who had run off the platform, was looking at the time on her watch and complaining about her grandmother.

Hey! Do you even know where Kakunozaka Tennis Park is?

Having just returned to Japan, Ryoma, who wasn't very familiar with the area, couldn't find his way, so he walked up to Sakuno and asked her for directions.

That's the wonder of Fate; the first encounter between the prince and Cinderella is always full of drama.

Meanwhile, on the other side, in Osaka!

Having finally rested after an expedition, Shiraishi Kuranosuke is now sorting out his spoils.

Since they participated in the exchange competition last year, Shiraishi has traveled to several locations in Western and Northern Europe for competitions.

Because there were no competitions in the second semester of second grade, the junior high school students, who would normally have to organize their own training to improve, saw their skills improve rapidly under the guidance of the training camp.

Having witnessed the diverse paths taken by various competitors, Shiraishi gained a clear understanding of his own path, and his skills steadily improved.

Now in his third year of junior high school, with the new semester about to begin, Shiraishi needs to adjust to the new situation, so he returns to school early to assist Watanabe Osamu.

As he approached the entrance of Shitenhoji, he suddenly encountered a young man with a full head of red hair, working hard at the temple's main gate not far away.

"Hi, if it's too heavy, I can help you!"

The kind-hearted Shiraishi felt compassion for the person who was so small yet was carrying so many things all by himself.

Moreover, the little guy's striking red, tousled hair instantly reminded him of Oni Jūjirō.

"Oh, you're that older brother who plays tennis at the temple school! Hello, my name is Aoi Kintaro. I watched your match last year during the Kansai Tournament!"

Shiraishi smiled slightly, not surprised that Toyama knew him. Although he wasn't as famous as others in Tokyo Metropolis, it was a different story in Osaka.

After a brief conversation, Shiraishi looked at the little guy in front of him and asked gently.

"Kintaro, are you exercising?"

"Yes, my mother-in-law asked me to go to the other side of the mountain to fetch water for her today, so I'm treating it as training!"

Aoi Kintaro scratched the back of his head and said nonchalantly.

Shiraishi felt a throbbing in his temples as he looked at Aoi Kintaro, who had a tennis racket strapped to his back and two large wooden buckets in his hands.

"On the other side of the mountain..."

Shiraishi stared into the distance, his eyes twitching. This was no longer just training; it was downright torture.

A pang of pity rose in Shiraishi's heart for Yuan Shan; the little fellow was so pitiful.

"Kintaro, I'll go with you!"

Shiraishi plans to complete this training with Kintaro before going to find the old woman Kintaro mentioned.

Is it really appropriate to make such a young child do so much strength training?

This is inhumane!

P. S.: "A new month, please support me with monthly tickets~ I thought for a long time about where to start with Volume 3, but finally decided to be lazy and start from the very beginning, the starting point of my connection with Prince of Tennis!"