Now I Can Only Pretend

Although Kannagi Shinichi really wanted to find a place to rest and recover his stamina, he knew he couldn't.

At this moment, he was panicking...

The reason Atobe Keigo's racket was broken just now was entirely due to the immense impact of the tennis ball. After landing, the residual force sent the racket flying, causing it to break. Atobe Keigo hadn't received the ball, so he wasn't injured.

Don't let Atobe's current dejected and despairing expression fool you. If he were to stubbornly decide to face the challenge head-on and continue the match later, it would undoubtedly be Kannagi Shinichi who would lose, given his depleted stamina.

If that happened, it would be a huge embarrassment. Not only would he lose his Minister position, but if he became famous in the world of tennis later, today's match would be a dark stain on his life.

Kannagi Shinichi would not allow it!

He let out a soft, cautious breath.

Kannagi Shinichi kept telling himself not to panic, that he could find a solution.

Suddenly, looking at Atobe Keigo, who was still reeling from the emotional blow, Kannagi Shinichi thought of a plan.

Pretend, pretend hard, pretend to be disdainful, pretend to be utterly unfazed.

So, his face remained as stern as before. He slowly walked in front of Atobe Keigo and said, "What's wrong? Did you despair and give up when you found a ball you couldn't return?"

Yes, should I give up and abandon the tennis I love just because I can't return a shot? No, I, Atobe Keigo, will not easily admit defeat.

Seeing Atobe Keigo's fighting spirit gradually return, Kannagi Shinichi roared inwardly, "No!"

The reason he said that just now was entirely to create a dramatic pause, a prelude to what he was about to say. There was no way he would continue the match with Atobe.

So, while Atobe was still silent, Kannagi Shinichi feigned a sigh of emotion, "Although your current strength is too weak, your talent is second to none. Continue on the path of tennis you've chosen, and one day, you will catch up to my footsteps."

"Hmph!" Atobe Keigo let out a soft snort. Although he knew that with his current strength, he was no match for Kannagi Shinichi, being called weak still irked him.

But fortunately, he also heard a hint of concern for him in Kannagi Shinichi's words. Being the proud person he was, while he wouldn't say thank you, he inwardly acknowledged Kannagi Shinichi.

Atobe flicked the sweat from his forehead, a slight smile gracing his lips. "My evolution is rapid. One day, I will not only catch up to you, but I will completely surpass you."

Listening to Atobe Keigo's words, Kannagi Shinichi felt reassured. When Atobe said this, it was an indirect admission that Kannagi Shinichi was stronger than him.

But he couldn't let his guard down yet; he needed to continue changing the subject.

So, Kannagi Shinichi extended his hand, a faint smile appearing on his usually cold face, as if he were basking in a spring breeze. "Then, Atobe, before you surpass me, do you want to conquer the nation with me and create an era that belongs to us?"

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's words, Atobe Keigo's eyes lit up. He then took a deep breath, calming the emotions surging within him.

At this moment, the despair and dejection on his face were long gone. He had returned to his initial state.

With a light smile, Atobe Keigo extended his hand and shook Kannagi Shinichi's. "Naturally. I joined the Hyotei tennis club to lead Hyotei to the national summit."

The two clasped hands tightly, looking at each other and smiling.

Clap... clap... clap...

Outside the court, the spectators who witnessed this scene began to applaud.

The members of the tennis club cheered even louder:

"The victors are Hyotei..."

"The victors are Hyotei..."

Almost everyone had forgotten that the match wasn't over yet.

Only Oshitari Yuushi, sitting in the referee's chair, was bewildered. Did the match end after just two points?

I haven't even called the score yet!

Meanwhile, seeing the fighting spirit fade from Atobe Keigo's eyes, Kannagi Shinichi finally asked, "Do you want to continue the match?"

"Let's call it a day," Atobe Keigo replied with a smile and a shake of his head. If this hadn't happened just now, he might have continued, but now...

He could only compose himself and then say to Kannagi Shinichi, "Next time, I will defeat you and take your club president position."

"I'll be waiting."

Kannagi Shinichi chuckled inwardly, thinking, Today was your only chance to defeat me, but you missed it.

He had already decided never to casually use his ultimate moves in future matches.

Seeing the match conclude, the surrounding teachers and students gradually dispersed. Now, only the members of the tennis club and the reporter Inoue Mamoru remained on the tennis court.

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi called over the senior members responsible for recruiting new members and began inquiring about the new recruits.

He learned that apart from Atobe Keigo and Oshitari Yuushi, who had yet to submit their applications, a total of one hundred and thirty-seven freshmen had joined the tennis club this time.

Adding the original seventy-one members, the tennis club now had over two hundred members.

Kannagi Shinichi was very satisfied with this. Hyotei was gradually showing signs of its future.

Kannagi Shinichi gathered everyone and looked at the more than two hundred tennis club members standing before him. He calmly said, "The first order of business is to welcome our new members. I also ask the third-year and second-year seniors to help them familiarize themselves with the tennis club and adapt to its environment as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Hearing the response from the second and third-year tennis club members, Kannagi Shinichi nodded with satisfaction.

"Second matter, next week, the tennis club will hold an internal open selection to choose eight regulars who will participate in the regional tournament in May. This selection will only look at strength. As long as your strength is strong enough, even if you are a first-year, you can become a regular."

When Kannagi Shinichi finished speaking, a commotion of varying degrees arose among the tennis club members on the court.

The first-year students who considered themselves geniuses were all eager, their faces filled with ambition. Especially the Hyotei elementary school trio, their eyes gleamed as they estimated their chances of becoming regulars.

The second-years' eyes also lit up. Those with some skill felt that apart from the two monsters in the first-year, the other first-years posed no threat.

Only the two remaining regulars from the third-year had slight changes in their expressions at this moment, but they were also quite confident in themselves. As long as they didn't encounter the captain or that Atobe, they felt they could hold onto their regular positions.

Seeing that there were no more objections, Kannagi Shinichi pointed at Atobe Keigo: "Third matter, starting today, Atobe Keigo will become the vice captain of the Hyotei tennis club."

After Kannagi Shinichi finished speaking, he looked at Atobe: "How about it, do you want to be this vice club president?"

"Hmph!" Atobe Keigo let out an arrogant snort. "Since I haven't defeated you yet, I'll reluctantly be the vice club president for now. When I defeat you someday, I'll take the club president position back from you."

At this moment, a third-year student spoke up: "Club President, Hyotei has never had a vice club president. The advisor won't agree."

"I said that starting today, Atobe Keigo is the vice club president. I will speak with the advisor about any issues." Saying this, Kannagi Shinichi scanned the crowd: "You just need to know that from now on, Hyotei has a vice club president, and that person is Atobe Keigo!"