Atobe, you're the vice-captain of Hyotei's tennis club now. Work hard, and we'll get you a promotion and a raise!

The next morning.

Kamikawa yawned as he arrived at school with Tezuka. Their grades were about the same, but Kamikawa had still been placed in Class B. Class A wasn't assigned based on grades; family background mattered more.

After all, Hyotei was a prestigious school. Putting the children of the nobility in the same class made them easier to manage, and if any conflicts arose, they could resolve them among themselves.

That was pretty considerate, actually.

"So, what are you going to do about the tennis club?"

Kamikawa leaned over his desk and turned toward Tezuka, who was earnestly flipping through a book.

After defeating Atobe yesterday, Tezuka had all but secured the position of Hyotei's tennis club captain.

Technically, he was only the presumptive captain. The coach still needed to approve it.

Hyotei's coach was none other than the famously down-to-earth Sakaki Taro—Coach Sakaki.

He was quite a legend. Supposedly, he only held a position at Hyotei as a side job. He preferred teaching, apparently. Otherwise, with the fortune he had, he could have spent his days indulging in a life of luxury and coasted through life.

He had only been at Hyotei for three years before becoming the tennis club's coach. He was decisive and efficient, and during his time coaching the club, he had also guided Ochi toward the right choice.

He controlled the entire Hyotei tennis club from behind the scenes.

"The skill levels are all over the place..."

Tezuka set down his book and said gravely, "There's too big a gap between the second- and third-years and the new first-years. I'm afraid we'll have to replace some of the regulars."

"So replace them."

Kamikawa waved a hand, unconcerned. "Those seniors should step aside anyway and let more talented players take their places, shouldn't they?"

Hyotei's second- and third-year regulars really were useless.

In yesterday's friendly match against Yamabuki, they had won all three singles matches but hadn't won a single doubles match.

And the doubles teams had all been made up of second- and third-year regulars.

Even if Yamabuki's doubles teams had always been at national level, Hyotei had made it to the national top four last year. The remaining roster was simply awful.

"Fine."

With Kamikawa's approval, Tezuka nodded and picked up his pen, writing down his thoughts and plans for the tennis club. Kamikawa glanced at the page and decided not to interfere with Tezuka's choices.

When all was said and done, Hyotei's biggest weakness was its two doubles teams. Shishido and Mukahi weren't bad, and they could put up a decent fight as a pair—better than most doubles teams—but they were still far from national level.

That Kansai Wolf could team up with others thanks to his natural talent, but Oshitari was too laid-back. He couldn't control a partner the way Yanagi Renji could.

Hyotei's best doubles pairing would be Shishido and Cho Taro.

But Cho Taro was still in sixth grade at Hyotei Elementary School. Forget playing doubles—he wasn't even old enough to compete.

To dominate the nation, they absolutely needed at least one doubles team they could rely on.

Otherwise, they would still suffer badly when they faced Rikkai Dai.

"Kamikawa..."

Just as Kamikawa was about to lie down on his desk and rest, a familiar voice reached his ears. He looked up to see Shishido and Mukahi standing there, both looking uneasy.

"What's up, you two?"

Kamikawa and Mukahi were in the same class. Shishido's grades were a little worse, so he'd been placed in Class C, right next door. Jiro, who loved to sleep, was in that class too.

"I..."

Mukahi twirled a finger through his hair, unsure what to say. He looked to Shishido for help. "Why don't you ask?"

Shishido fell silent, then said, "We wanted to ask if first-years can become regulars on Hyotei's team."

Yesterday, it had more or less been decided that Tezuka would become the king of Hyotei's tennis club—in other words, its captain. But they still didn't know whether first-years were eligible to become regulars.

Everyone had seen how good Tezuka and Kamikawa were. Even Shishido knew he wasn't a match for Atobe or Oshitari, despite their losses.

As for Oshitari, Jiro was probably the only one who could keep up with him. Shishido and Mukahi would likely be crushed.

"Well..."

Kamikawa glanced at Tezuka and gestured toward him with his thumb. "You should ask him. I'm not the captain."

After that, Shishido looked at Tezuka too. Faced with that cold expression, he had no idea how to begin.

Compared with Tezuka, who looked like an iceberg, he'd much rather talk to Kamikawa, who wore a smile and seemed more approachable...

"Don't worry."

Tezuka cut Shishido off, then added, "I'll bring up the first-years' situation with the coach."

"Instead of worrying about whether you're qualified to become regulars, you should spend more time improving your skills."

Tezuka had seen Shishido and Mukahi play yesterday. Honestly, they had improved a little lately. They were certainly working hard; it was just that they hadn't made much progress.

That had a lot to do with their talent.

Gifted players improved much faster than ordinary ones.

That was inevitable.

"Th-then, sorry for the trouble."

Shishido hurriedly bowed, then ran out of the classroom.

Mukahi stood there dazed, then reflexively bowed after him.

Everyone in the classroom turned to look at Tezuka. Even he, thick-skinned as he was, felt a little embarrassed under all those stares and lowered his head. A glint of light flickered across his glasses.

"Heh... Those two."

Kamikawa was perfectly at ease. The others weren't looking at him, after all. He clasped his hands behind his back and waited for the bell to ring.

That afternoon.

Once classes were over, it was time for club activities.

Unlike the packed schedule in elementary school, middle school left plenty of time for clubs.

As soon as class ended, Tezuka took the materials he had prepared and headed toward the music room. He'd found out that morning that the tennis club's coach also worked as a music teacher at Hyotei Academy.

He was usually in the piano room, so anyone who needed him could go straight there.

Kamikawa had more freedom. He grabbed his tennis bag and headed for the courts.

As soon as he stepped outside,

Kamikawa ran into Atobe. He'd been full of confidence yesterday, but today his presence was a little more restrained. His eyes, however, were as proud as ever.

"You're the one from yesterday, right?"

Atobe glanced over Kamikawa. He didn't remember him very well, only that he was the boy who'd been with Tezuka and had played a match yesterday against that Kansai-accented guy.

"My name's Kamikawa Mutsu. It's a pleasure to meet you, Atobe."

Kamikawa smiled and held out his hand in greeting.

"Keigo Atobe." Atobe looked at Kamikawa, then held out his own hand.

"Oh, right, Atobe."

Kamikawa seemed to remember something and suddenly spoke up. "Tezuka has something to discuss with the coach, so you'll be in charge of training the tennis club for now."

"You're the vice-captain of Hyotei's tennis club now!"

Atobe froze. Before he could even process what Kamikawa had said, Kamikawa had slung his tennis bag over one shoulder and started toward the courts.

"Wait..."

"Sorry for the trouble, Atobe!"

Kamikawa waved without looking back and headed off.

That left Atobe alone, completely bewildered. Had they really decided who the vice-captain was just like that?