Chapter 23: A Date with Ju Xing?

“Brother, no matter whether Shengzai has made tremendous progress or was hiding his true strength before, [2] if he has this level of ability, we’re definitely going to win the regional tournament this time, right?” [3] As Ju Jieping’s younger sister, Ju Xing knew better than anyone how much effort her brother had poured into the Budong Peak tennis club over the past two years. [4] She had also been watching the efforts of the other club members closely, which was why she cared so deeply about everything concerning the tennis club. [5] “Yes, Shenshi and Shenwei have grown incredibly fast; if Shengzai truly has this level of strength, this year we might actually have a chance to make it to the Guandong Championship. [6] But winning the regional tournament won’t be easy—we still have Seishun Academy as a formidable rival.” [7] Compared to Budong Peak Middle School, the Seishun Academy tennis team was extremely well-known locally. [8] This year, they were the top seed in the regional tournament, while Budong Peak’s tennis team didn’t even qualify as a seeded team. [9] Yet the strength Shengzai displayed today genuinely surprised Ju Jieping. [10] If we plan well, this year Budong Peak might truly shock everyone and win the regional championship! [11] To better gauge Shengzai’s limits and facilitate future team arrangements, Ju Jieping even took to the court himself and played several practice matches with Shengzai. [12] The results of these practice matches left everyone stunned! [13] It was understandable that Shenwei got crushed by Shengzai—after all, Shengzai had already been slightly stronger than Shenwei before. [14] But in the eyes of Budong Peak’s tennis club members, Ju Jieping had always been a godlike figure. [15] Their captain didn’t just revive a stagnant tennis club; his own skill level was so formidable it inspired awe in every member. [16] Yet over several consecutive practice matches, Shengzai won more than he lost against Ju Jieping. [17] In other words, Shengzai was now stronger than their own captain! [18] “Shengzai, in these past few practice matches, you haven’t shown your full strength, have you?” [19] Since the regional tournament began tomorrow, today’s training ended earlier; just as Shengzai had changed out of his uniform and was about to head home, Ju Jieping suddenly appeared behind him and asked. [20] “Aren’t you the same, Captain? [21] Although I don’t know what your past was like, I hope one day I can fight you at your full strength.” [22] After several practice matches, Shengzai had grown increasingly adept at using swordsmanship in tennis. [23] During his matches with Ju Jieping, not only did Ju Jieping sense Shengzai was holding back, but Shengzai himself clearly felt Ju Jieping was concealing a significant portion of his true power. [24] Or rather, it wasn’t that Ju Jieping deliberately hid his strength—he simply feared that if he unleashed his real power against Shengzai, he might accidentally destroy him. [25] As one of the former “Two Giants of Kyushu,” his strength must have been at least national championship level. [26] But due to his past experiences, Ju Jieping now held himself back severely, so during matches with Shengzai, he never exceeded Guandong Championship-level power. [27] After hearing Shengzai’s words, Ju Jieping smiled silently and finally turned away. [28] He was no longer one of the ace players from Shizugaku Middle School—he was now the captain of Budong Peak’s tennis club. [29] He would carry his dream forward, leading Budong Peak to victory; now that he clearly understood Shengzai’s level, he felt a new sense of confidence within. [30] Thanks to ability sharing, Shengzai now felt he could truly be counted among those who could unleash “Murderous Tennis.” [31] Power comparable to national championship level might not seem extraordinary later on, but in regional or Guandong-level tournaments, it was practically like cheating. [32] Although Captain Ju Jieping said they could go home early today, Shenshi, Shenwei, and the others clearly took this tournament seriously and were still training on the court. [33] But Shengzai had already slung his racket bag over his shoulder and was preparing to slip away. [34] “I knew it—you’d never stay behind to train like Shenwei and the others. [35] Since you’ve got nothing else to do when you get home, why not come with me somewhere interesting? Let’s call it a date.” [36] Just as Ju Jieping left, Shengzai was stopped at the school gate by Ju Xing, who had been waiting for him. [37] “Not interested. Dates only slow down my sword-drawing… my swing.” [38] Facing the playful, adorable Ju Xing, Shengzai wore an expression of clear disgust, declaring himself a Sigma man immune to beauty’s allure. [39] But after waiting so long at the gate with hopeful anticipation, Ju Xing’s face instantly darkened; she crossed her arms and pouted, “Don’t lie—you think I don’t know you’re planning to play video games tonight with your classmate, Hashimoto? [40] Seriously, rejecting such a cute, beautiful girl’s date just to hang out with a chubby kid? Shengzai, you’re so clueless. [41] Or are you, perhaps, one of those legendary Nantong…? If so, I’ll go tell your mom and Ya Xiang right away.” [42] That’s right—in this world, Shengzai had family, and they were quite wealthy. [43] He had a successful mother and an older sister who was an idol. [44] Ju Xing, as a classmate, had visited his home before, and both his mother and sister had taken an unusual liking to her. [45] Many times, Ju Xing had Shengzai completely under her thumb because she’d report his misdeeds to his mother and sister. [46] Whenever Ju Xing filed a report, Shengzai’s mother—the CEO of her company—and his sister, the national idol, would cut his allowance for that month. [47] So, under her overwhelming pressure, Shengzai reluctantly allowed himself to be dragged away by Ju Xing… [48] “So this ‘date’ of yours just means holding a milk tea and watching other people play tennis here?” [49] Shengzai hadn’t expected much from this date with Ju Xing, but he hadn’t expected her to bring him to a street tennis court just to watch others play. [50] “What’s wrong with that? Normal dates are just movies and meals—so boring. [51] Better to come here and watch tennis, especially since I heard many regional tournament players practice at this street court. [52] That way, you get a date and gather intel on other schools’ players—what’s not to like?” [53] Ju Xing took a sip of her milk tea, suddenly found the flavor odd, handed it straight to Shengzai, then snatched the ice cream from his hand before he’d even taken a bite. [54] (End of Chapter)

But if he has this kind of strength, we’ll surely win this regional tournament, right?”

As Jujuping ’s younger sister, Juxing knew exactly how much effort her brother had poured into the Undō Peak Tennis Club over the past two years.

She had also been watching the efforts of the other tennis club members, which was why she cared so deeply about the club’s affairs.

“Yes, Shinji and Kamio have grown incredibly fast. If Shengzai has this kind of strength, we might actually have a chance to make it to the Kanto Tournament this year.”

But winning the regional championship won’t be easy—we still have Aoyama Gakuin as a formidable rival.”

Compared to Undō Peak Middle School, the Aoyama Gakuin Tennis Club was extremely well-known locally.

This year, they were the top seed in the regional tournament, while Undō Peak’s tennis team didn’t even qualify as a seeded player.

Yet the strength Shengzai displayed today truly surprised Jujuping .

If we plan well, this year Undō Peak might truly shock everyone and win the regional championship!

To better gauge Shengzai’s limits and aid future team strategy, Jujuping even took to the court himself and played several practice matches with Shengzai.

And the results of these practice matches left everyone stunned!

It was understandable that Shengzai crushed Kamio—after all, Shengzai had already been slightly stronger than Kamio before.

But to the members of the Undō Peak Tennis Club, Jujuping had always been a godlike figure.

Their captain didn’t just revive a stagnant tennis club—he also possessed strength that filled the entire team with awe.

Yet in the consecutive days of practice matches, Shengzai won more than he lost against Jujuping .

In other words, Shengzai was now stronger than their own captain!

“Shengzai, you haven’t shown your full strength in these past few practice matches, have you?”

Since the regional tournament began tomorrow, today’s training ended early. Just as Shengzai had changed his clothes and was about to head home, Jujuping suddenly appeared behind him and asked.

“Isn’t that true for you too, Captain?”

I don’t know what your past was, but I hope one day I can fight you at your full strength.”

After several days of practice matches, Shengzai had grown increasingly skilled in using swordsmanship techniques in tennis.

During his practice matches with Jujuping , not only did Jujuping notice Shengzai was holding back, but Shengzai himself clearly sensed that Jujuping was concealing a significant portion of his strength.

Or rather, it wasn’t that Jujuping deliberately hid his power—he simply feared that if he unleashed his true strength against Shengzai, he might accidentally destroy him.

As one of the former “Two Greats of Kyushu,” his strength must have been at least national tournament level.

But due to his past experiences, Jujuping now held himself back severely, so during matches with Shengzai, he never exceeded Kanto Tournament level.

After hearing Shengzai’s words, Jujuping smiled silently and finally turned away.

He was no longer one of the ace players from Shishigaku Middle School—he was now the captain of the Undō Peak Tennis Club.

He would carry his dream forward, leading Undō Peak to victory. Now that he understood Shengzai’s true level, he felt a new confidence within him.

Thanks to ability sharing, Shengzai felt he was now one of the players capable of unleashing “Murderous Tennis.”

Strength comparable to national tournament level might not seem extraordinary later on, but in regional or Kanto-level tournaments, it was practically like cheating.

Although Captain Jujuping said they could go home early today, Shinji and Kamio clearly took this tournament seriously and were still training on the court.

But Shengzai had already slung his racket bag over his shoulder and was preparing to slip away.

“I knew it—I figured you wouldn’t stay behind to train like Kamio and the others.”

You’ve got nothing else to do at home anyway. Why not come with me somewhere interesting? Consider it a date.”

Just as Jujuping left, Shengzai, having just stepped out of the school gate, was immediately stopped by Juxing , who had been waiting for him.

“Not interested. Women only slow down my sword-drawing… my swing speed.”

Facing the playful and adorable Juxing , Shengzai wore an expression of clear disgust, declaring himself a Sigma man immune to feminine charm.

But faced with Shengzai’s rejection, Juxing —who had waited eagerly at the gate for a long time—suddenly changed her expression, crossed her arms, and pouted: “Don’t lie. I know you’re meeting Kouno from class tonight to play video games.”

Seriously, you turn down a cute girl like me just to hang out with a chubby kid? Shengzai, you’re so clueless.”

Or are you, perhaps, one of those legendary Nantō types? If so, I’ll go straight to your mom and sister Yaoka and tell them everything.”

That’s right—in this world, Shengzai had family, and they were quite wealthy.

He had a successful mother and an older sister who was an idol.

Juxing , as a classmate, had visited Shengzai’s home, and both his mother and sister had taken an unusual liking to her.

Many times, Juxing completely controlled Shengzai because she would tattle to his mother and sister.

Whenever Juxing tattled, Shengzai’s mother—the CEO of a company—and his sister—the national idol—would cut his allowance for that month.

So, under her overwhelming pressure, Shengzai reluctantly let Juxing drag him away…

“So this ‘date’ of yours means just holding a milk tea and watching other people play tennis?”

Shengzai hadn’t expected much from this date with Juxing , but he hadn’t expected her to bring him to a street tennis court to watch others play.

“What’s wrong with that? Normal dates are just movies and meals—so boring.”

Better to come here and watch tennis. I heard quite a few regional tournament players practice at this street court.”

That way, you get a date and gather intel on other schools’ players—what’s not to like?”

Juxing took a sip of her milk tea, suddenly found the taste odd, handed it straight to Shengzai, then snatched the ice cream from his hand before he’d even taken a bite.

(End of Chapter)