"Haah... haah..."
After the Metropolitan Tournament ended, there was still some time before the Kanto Tournament.
During this period, Hyotei entered an intense training phase, nearly doubling the original workload. Even those who could barely keep going gritted their teeth and pushed on, determined to earn a place on the regulars list.
Among them was... Shishido Ryo, who had already lost his spot as a first-team regular and been demoted to the second team.
Even after finishing the day's training, Shishido was still full of fighting spirit as he practiced his swings on the court.
Everyone in the club had already left. Only Shishido remained, stubbornly pushing through extra drills. Even as his right arm grew heavy from swinging, he gritted his teeth and persevered.
On the street above the highest row of the stands, a boy wearing gold-rimmed glasses silently watched Shishido on the court. The sound of balls being struck rang in his ears.
"Tezuka!"
Just then, a familiar voice came from behind Tezuka. Kamikawa held an ice-cold soda and tossed it toward him. Tezuka instinctively reached up and caught it, then turned his attention back to the court.
Kamikawa opened his soda and took a sip. "It's getting late. We should head back."
Tezuka nodded calmly. "I know. I just want to watch a little longer."
As captain of the Hyotei tennis club, he needed to keep a close eye on the players' condition. Shishido might have been cut from the regulars list, but he was still a member of the Hyotei tennis club.
Tezuka was simply doing his duty.
That was one of the things Kamikawa admired about Tezuka. Of course, if it meant sacrificing his own free time, Kamikawa would rather not admire that side of him.
"Stop watching him..."
Kamikawa looked at Shishido on