Teaching Akutsu a Lesson, Arranging a Match with Nanjirou

When Horio and the other two arrived, they saw Ryoma already about to start a match with those tennis club members.

Of course... it was a tennis match.

"Ten balls each. If I win against you all, you'll help me find the balls."

"Hahaha, how ridiculous. We have thirty people, how can you possibly play against us?"

Hearing Ryoma's arrogant words, the leaders of the group burst into laughter.

But seeing Ryoma's expression, which didn't seem like he was joking, they knew he was serious.

He immediately called out to the others to prepare for a series of matches. When this group of people challenged Ryoma.

In the locker room of the tennis club, a man who appeared to be a tennis club member brought in a man with gray hair and a ferocious expression.

The gray-haired man ignored the other man's words and began rummaging through other people's bags.

"Hey, I said, where's the money?"

"What? Don't joke around, Akutsu. If anyone finds out I brought someone who isn't in the tennis club in here, there'll be big trouble. Let's go."

Hearing the last sentence, Akutsu instantly exploded.

"What did you say, you bastard? You dare order me around? I told you, don't order me around."

Meanwhile, on the court on the other side, Ryoma had already defeated one tennis club member after another.

"That brat is actually this strong? It's terrifying."

"Damn it, Suzuki, that idiot, can't even beat a kid."

He then grabbed his racket and walked onto the court, saying to the person who had just lost.

"Get lost, Suzuki. Brat, it's my turn next."

"Whatever, just hurry up."

Ryoma immediately served, and the opponent couldn't even return a single serve.

After that, Ryoma began a series of beatdowns, with everyone falling under Ryoma's tennis skills.

"These guys are too weak. There's no need to even play the next match."

"Horio, what are you talking about? We never understand what you say."

"Oh, it's nothing. These guys are from Ginkaku. Our next match is against them. Seeing them like this, do you think there's still a need to play? I bet they'll forfeit the next match."

"So they're the members of the Ginkaku Junior High tennis club? But Senior Oishi said they're very strong."

"Heh, whatever. I'm going to look around somewhere else. You guys keep watching."

With that, Horio walked towards the Ginkaku Junior High tennis club locker room. The person he was looking for was there.

"Akutsu... aren't you interested in anything? Let me help you."

...Ginkaku Junior High Tennis Club Locker Room

"Hey, is that kid playing over there also a member of your tennis club?"

"Ah, which one? I don't recognize that person. He should be from another school. Akutsu, hurry up and leave. If they come back and see you, I'll be kicked out of the tennis club."

"I told you not to try and order me around, why don't you ever learn?"

Akutsu immediately punched the man, sending him flying backward.

"You better remember this next time, or I won't hold back... Hm?"

Akutsu, who had just turned around, felt someone staring at him before he could even speak. After searching carefully, he saw Horio waving at him.

Seeing that Akutsu had finally noticed him, Horio raised his right index finger and pointed at Akutsu, then beckoned him over.

Feeling provoked, Akutsu walked out of the Ginkaku Junior High Tennis Club.

"Brat, you were pointing at me just now, weren't you? Do you want to die?"

"What's wrong with pointing? Do I have to pay you for it?"

"Bastard, you're looking for death."

He threw a punch, but after throwing it, Akutsu felt like he had hit empty air.

"I heard your athletic ability is quite good, that's why I wanted to spar with you. But now it seems to be just average."

Knowing Akutsu's background, Horio deliberately said something to provoke him. For a junior high school student, Akutsu's athletic talent was definitely top-tier.

It was precisely because he was naturally talented in everything he did that he became interested in nothing.

"Good reflexes, brat. Let's see how long you can dodge."

He then continued to attack Horio. With his Eye of Shattering Delusions, Akutsu posed no threat to Horio.

Feeling like he had played enough, Horio stopped dodging and watched as Akutsu swung his right fist at him.

Horio sidestepped and then drove his right knee into Akutsu's stomach.

Feeling a sharp pain in his stomach, followed by a punch to the jaw, Akutsu was knocked to the ground.

"People like you who say it's easy to do anything are just spouting bullshit."

"You're a half-baked player, and I'm not interested in you for now. If you want revenge, I'll find you when I think you're good enough."

After speaking, he ignored Akutsu, who was still dizzy on the ground, and walked towards the court, estimating that Ryoma should be finished by now.

"Horio, you're back! Ryoma is amazing, he beat them all."

"Oh, nice, nice. Are you done? Let's go if you're done. It's getting late, time for dinner."

Horio didn't want to see the defeated Ginkaku members anymore. Katsuro and Katsuo helped the two girls carry the three hundred balls they won from Ginkaku, and they left happily.

Akutsu, still lying on the ground in the distance, slowly recovered a little. He recalled being taken down by Horio in two moves and felt very ashamed.

"You bastard, you just wait. I'll definitely teach you a good lesson."

Horio and the others returned to the park and saw Ryoma's dad, Echizen Nanjirou, waiting for Ryoma in his car from a distance.

"Hey, youngster, over here. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun."

Echizen Nanjirou looked at Horio and the others, his eyes sweeping over them before settling back on Horio.

"Oh~ this youngster looks quite special. Are you also one of Ryoma's classmates?"

"Hello, Mr. Echizen Nanjirou. I'm Ryoma's classmate and also his teammate."

"Are you the first-year who entered the regulars with Ryoma? That's amazing. How about it, want to have an interesting match sometime? I'm tired of playing with Ryoma every day."

Hearing Echizen Nanjirou's joking words, Horio's eyes lit up.

If he could really play a match with Echizen Nanjirou, his progress would be unprecedented.

Just as Horio was about to agree, he suddenly remembered that he couldn't do things that exceeded his physical limits anymore. So, he thought of another way.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Nanjirou, I can't play with you right now, but can I play with you in a year? I'll definitely give it my all then."

Looking at Horio's serious expression, Echizen Nanjirou, who had originally been joking, also became serious.

"Alright, youngster, I'll be ready anytime. Don't disappoint me."

Having received Echizen Nanjirou's promise, Horio didn't linger and left with Katsuro and Katsuo.

Ryoma and the two girls, along with the three hundred tennis balls, got into Echizen Nanjirou's car.