Chapter 24: Could I Be the Mocking Face?

The so-called street tennis court is a public facility, but since this is a world of tennis, it indeed draws a large crowd.

Because the lighting is bright, and this street tennis court is quite famous nearby, many with some skill often come here to show off, so over time, it became lively.

As dusk gradually fell, Shengzai noticed that besides himself and Xiao Xing, there were also quite a few young couples here on dates, as well as some skateboarders.

The tennis court sat right in the center of the square, surrounded by a large crowd of onlookers—it was truly a holy ground for showing off.

“This is the hidden talent you mentioned? And the players on the court don’t even look like middle schoolers. Your intel gathering plan is probably going to fail.”

Earlier, Xiao Xing had said the street tennis court had skilled players, so Shengzai had paid special attention.

But after watching several matches, Shengzai found the players’ skill levels were quite average—not completely amateur, but barely above casual player level.

Yet wherever there’s a place to show off, the protagonist is never absent.

Just as Shengzai was losing interest and preparing to leave, two students carrying tennis bags—one tall, one short—suddenly arrived at the court.

The short one wore a baseball cap; the tall one had an extremely noticeable black spiky crew cut.

After taking the court, they defeated over ten pairs with just serves and returns, instantly drawing all the attention in the crowd.

The street tennis court’s rule is one-set matches, with the challenger serving first, and only doubles are played here.

When Xiao Xing saw the two dominating the court, she widened her eyes in shock.

Although she had confidently told Shengzai that the street tennis court had skilled players, she herself knew well that these so-called “skilled” players couldn’t compare to those from tennis elite schools.

Xiao Xing had often come here to play before, but she had never seen these two before today.

“I didn’t expect you’d actually be right—there really are regional tournament players here playing tennis.”

“The Prince of Tennis” is a long-running anime; Shengzai couldn’t remember all the plot details, only the main storyline and some memorable matches.

When hearing Shengzai’s words, Xiao Xing stared at him with a confused expression.

“They’re the regular members of Seishun Academy’s tennis team—the rivals we’ll face in the regional tournament.”

The short one wearing the cap is a first-year from Seishun Academy, named Echizen Ryoma.

Don’t be fooled by him always using his right hand—he’s actually left-handed. Though short, he’s especially good at showing off.”

“The spiky-haired one is Momoshiro Takeshi, a second-year from Seishun Academy, skilled in bullet serves and slam dunks.”

“He has strong explosive power and insight, but his personality is quite impulsive.”

Xiao Xing, already bewildered, froze completely upon hearing Shengzai’s revelations.

This was just too absurd—not only did Shengzai know the names of Seishun Academy’s regulars, but he even knew their personalities and techniques in such detail.

If she, Ju Xing, hadn’t known Shengzai since first grade and been in the same class ever since, she might even suspect he was a spy sent by Seishun Academy.

“Are they Seishun’s doubles team?”

Though she didn’t know how Shengzai knew so much, as Fudoumine’s rivals in the regional tournament, Xiao Xing was still very curious about them.

“Doubles? No, no, no—they’re both strong singles players. Seishun’s doubles are weak, and their doubles pairing is downright terrible.”

“They only seem strong now because their opponents here are all so weak.”

“If there really were even slightly stronger doubles players here, they’d get humiliated in no time.”

Almost as soon as Shengzai finished speaking, a pair named Izumi and Fuchikawa stepped up as challengers.

Though Izumi and Fuchikawa’s skill seemed ordinary to Shengzai, as a well-coordinated doubles pair, they quickly spotted the problems between Ryoma and Momoshiro.

Soon after, Ryoma and Momoshiro were thoroughly beaten—and mocked right to their faces.

“Each of you is strong individually, but your doubles play is a complete mess.”

“Shengzai, did you get it wrong? Are they really Seishun’s regulars? If the top seed in the regional tournament is this weak, it’s incredibly disappointing.”

Though deeply frustrated, they lost, and Ryoma and Momoshiro were about to leave—until a girl’s voice from the crowd stopped them in their tracks.

Shengzai sighed and turned to look beside him; the culprit, Xiao Xing, grinned at him and stuck out her tongue cutely. “We finally ran into Seishun’s regulars here—don’t you want to play against them?

You could even gather some intel on them—or just check out their strength.”

Ever since learning Ryoma and Momoshiro were Seishun’s regulars, Xiao Xing had become interested in them.

Unfortunately, the street tennis court’s rule was only one-set matches.

Plus, Izumi and Fuchikawa’s skill level was too low to push Seishun’s pair to their limits, so Xiao Xing had deliberately provoked them just now.

“Even though we don’t know who you are, please take back what you just said.” — Momoshiro Takeshi

“Bold words. Then how about a match?” — Echizen Ryoma

Ding, Xiao Xing used Taunt on Seishun Academy first-year Echizen Ryoma and second-year Momoshiro Takeshi.

Ding, effect was outstanding!

If the ones present had been third-years from Seishun Academy, Xiao Xing’s provocation likely wouldn’t have worked.

But since the targets were first- and second-years, the effect could only be described as outstanding.

Seeing Shengzai’s silence, Ryoma and Momoshiro clearly grew annoyed—they were the ones who started the taunting, yet now the taunters refused to fight.

“Did you guys get it wrong? It was her who said you’re weak, not me.

If you want to prove yourselves, you should fight her—not me. I’m just a bystander, okay?”

Watching the two agitated boys, Shengzai was baffled—Xiao Xing was the one who started the provocation, so why were they targeting him? Was it because he looked stronger?

Not wanting trouble, Shengzai was about to slip away—when the girl beside him suddenly grabbed his arm and said: “We’re from Fudoumine Middle School, and we’re also competitors in your regional tournament.”

(End of chapter)