Watanabe Osamu

"Coach Watanabe, hello, I'm Saeki Muneyoshi from Tokyo Metropolis. I apologize for bothering you!"

Muneyoshi's manners were impeccable. Japan, having learned from Chinese culture, has very high standards for etiquette.

After initially finding it difficult to adjust Muneyoshi has lived here for more than ten years, has now gotten used to it.

Moreover, adhering to the principle of not hitting a smiling face, he always made sure to observe proper etiquette beforehand when he arrived at a school he was going to challenge.

Even if the situation becomes extremely awkward in the end, the other party will have no choice but to endure it and refrain from making a move.

After all, he was on someone else's turf, and Muneyoshi couldn't give them an opportunity to make trouble.

"Oh, it's Saeki- kun. May I ask what brings you Tokyo Metropolis?"

Watanabe Osamu, who was very polite to Muneyoshi, changed his usual carefree attitude, stood up straight, nodded, and said seriously.

Watanabe Osamu's words no longer carried the affable manner he usually displayed towards his members; instead, they carried a hint of distance.

For some reason, he had a vague feeling that Saeki Muneyoshi's visit was not well-intentioned.

"Coach Watanabe, I greatly admire your school's tennis atmosphere. I'm here today to exchange Regular with your regular players!"

Muneyoshi's tone was very sincere and ardent, as if he truly admired Shitenhoji.

"Oh? I don't know which school you go to?"

When he heard Muneyoshi say he wanted to talk, Watanabe Osamu only paused slightly before his easygoing smile returned.

If it's just a conversation, he doesn't see anything wrong with it.

However, seeing that Muneyoshi was wearing completely unfamiliar clothes, he casually asked about the other person's school.

"Coach Watanabe, I'm from Fudomine!"

"Fudomine..."

Watanabe Osamu, with a toothpick in his mouth, muttered something under his breath. He racked his brains but couldn't find any information about Fudomine, which must be a relatively unknown school.

Therefore, most of my vigilance disappeared again.

"Is Saeki -san also a first-year student?"

Muneyoshi nodded, Watanabe Osamu nodded slightly, and then waved towards the basketball court.

"Shiraishi, come here for a second!"

A student from another school wanted to challenge him to an exchange program, so it was definitely not his place to receive him. It would be perfect to hand him over to Shiraishi Kuranosuke, who was in the same grade.

After whispering a few words in Shiraishi's ear, Watanabe Osamu walked away with a smile.

As for Saeki Muneyoshi, he completely entrusted him to Shiraishi Kuranosuke.

"Hello, Shiraishi -kun, I'm Saeki Muneyoshi!"

"Hello, Saeki -kun, I'm Kuranosuke!"

After a moment of silence, Muneyoshi and Shiraishi introduced themselves and became acquainted.

"Shiraishi, judging from your appearance, your morning training session probably hasn't finished yet. Go and finish your training session first; I can watch you."

The two had just met and didn't know what to say, so Muneyoshi noticed the sweat on the other's temples and offered a suggestion.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi nodded, then walked aside and continued his daily basic training.

His left hand was wrapped in layers of white bandages, and every swing of his racket felt heavy.

Muneyoshi was well aware of what was going on, and he also knew that he was still adapting to this change.

As Shiraishi Kuranosuke also has amazing talent in tennis. It was the tedious training arranged for him by Watanabe Osamu that forged his near-perfect tennis foundation.

Meanwhile, Shiraishi Kuranosuke was in training, quickly forgot about Saeki Muneyoshi's existence.

Every training session requires complete immersion, feeling every subtle change in the body.

Now he has an additional agreement with Coach Watanabe, which makes him even more serious about training.

As for Saeki Muneyoshi, who was watching from the sidelines, he completely forgot about it.

Muneyoshi had no complaints about this.

After Shiraishi trained for about half an hour, the other Regular from Shitenhoji finally arrived at the Tennis Club to train.

Upon seeing Muneyoshi's figure, a hint of surprise flashed in everyone's eyes. Usually, it was Watanabe who would be watching Shiraishi's training from the sidelines, but today a stranger had appeared.

But Watanabe Osamu had disappeared, which everyone found strange.

At that moment, Watanabe Osamu, with a toothpick in his mouth, came out of the dilapidated warehouse next to the training ground after everyone had arrived. He smiled and clapped his hands to gather everyone together.

"This is Saeki Muneyoshi from Tokyo. He's come to Shitenhoji to have an exchange with us. Let's all get to know each other. Hirazeni, please give our friend who's come from afar a good welcome!"

Watanabe Osamu gave a brief introduction to Muneyoshi, emphasizing Muneyoshi's idea of "exchange" to the club members, a hint of amusement in his dark green eyes.

Japan is a country that highly values the subservient over the superior. Although it has a strict seniority system, its inherent character cannot be changed.

Therefore, after hearing Watanabe Osamu's words, the Regular of Shitenhoji no longer had their usual lazy and comical expressions on their faces.

Although it's ostensibly for exchange, it's actually a challenge.

Even the usually playful Shitenhoji lost much of his smile at this unexpected challenge.

"Yes, Coach!"

Those who were Regular were well aware of the intricacies involved, so they straightened their faces and responded in unison.

Moreover, compared to those who only had a superficial understanding of Muneyoshi Watanabe Osamu, the Regular Shitenhoji, who had lived with Watanabe Osamu for a long time, were better able to appreciate what the coach had just expressed in his tone.

Whenever Watanabe Osamu became serious or playful, it was a very important moment, and they would always listen very carefully to the young coach's advice.

This is a habit they've developed over the years; they never doubt Watanabe Osamu's coaching abilities and vision.

As they expected, in the half hour that they had just handed Muneyoshi over to Shiraishi Kuranosuke, Watanabe Osamu had already learned about Saeki Muneyoshi's general situation through his friend in Tokyo Metropolis.

The more Watanabe Osamu learned about this challenger who had abruptly come to his door, the more he valued the other party's strength.

Furthermore, they learned that the other party had not only come to Shitenhoji, but had visited almost the entire Japan.

Although most schools were unaware of Muneyoshi's strength, many people gradually came to realize his formidable power through repeated challenges.

He is a genuine National Level athlete.

Only Watanabe Osamu at that moment what kind of tyranny was hidden beneath Saeki Muneyoshi's seemingly amiable exterior.

However, Watanabe Osamu did not intend to stop it; he also wanted to use Saeki Muneyoshi's help to help his team members advance further.

"Alright, everyone, cheer up! We're the hilarious Shitenhoji! Heizen, Hara Tetsu, you two come with me for a bit. The rest of you can train on your own. Let's start with a half-hour warm-up."

Watanabe Osamu called Shitenhoji president and vice president, aside, leaving a group of energetic members to begin their daily warm-up training.

P. S.: There will be another chapter in a bit.