Chapter 38: Challenging Yukimura

Inside the barbecue restaurant.

Taking advantage of the time Kirihara was mixing his dipping sauce, Takahashi hurried back to his seat, shaking off Kirihara.

Seeing Takahashi return, Yukimura spoke to him: "Some time ago, the Kanagawa Regional Preliminaries concluded, and we at Rikkai took first place."

"That doesn't really matter; what comes next is the Regional Tournament."

"This year is also your first year participating, Takahashi."

"Although the Regional Tournament isn't very difficult, you still need to go and gain some experience."

"As for the other regulars, sending 3-4 people will be enough!"

Takahashi responded with an "mm."

"We at Rikkai are the overlords of the Kanto Region; we've been first place in the Regional Tournament for I don't know how many years. It's a piece of cake; only the National Tournament is worth us taking seriously!"

Kirihara also returned to his seat and said dismissively.

"No matter what level the match is, you must not be careless or slack off!" Sanada, who was at his side, said with a frown.

Kirihara let out a "Tch."

Seeing an empty seat next to Takahashi, Sanada sat down beside him.

Takahashi was just picking up a cup of milk tea to drink.

He looked up and saw Sanada's dissatisfied gaze.

Takahashi raised his eyebrows, signaling to Sanada to ask why he was dissatisfied.

"Milk tea is junk food; the sugar content is too high, it has no benefits for the body at all, and you, still in your puberty, shouldn't be drinking this kind of beverage."

What a lecture like an elder!

Takahashi leaned out to look and saw that on Sanada's original seat, there was a cup of green tea placed.

Just looking at that thick tea soup, one could feel a sense of bitterness.

What a hobby for an old man!

"Vice Captain, we are peers after all; don't always lecture me with the air of an elder."

Takahashi retorted.

Marui, who was to the side, also chimed in: "Sugar is a good thing; it can quickly replenish physical strength. Takahashi, here!"

After saying this, he placed a piece of cake in front of Takahashi.

"My favorite, sharing it with you!"

Seeing the appearance of the cake, Sanada felt a headache coming on.

"Marui, eat fewer sweets."

"You'll get diabetes!"

Marui was unimpressed and said: "Today is a group meal, Vice Captain, please put away your rigid style!"

Sanada fell silent.

"Takahashi, how do you usually train to have improved so much in one month!"

Sanada asked, finally pulling the topic back to the main point.

Once these words were out, Marui and Kirihara also became interested.

Looking at the eager gazes of the three directed at him, Takahashi spoke up.

"Hmm..."

"Improve the efficiency of practice per unit of time!"

Kirihara was full of confusion and asked: "What does that mean?"

"Heaven's timing, geographical advantages, and human harmony. None of these three can be missing!"

Takahashi answered, feigning profundity.

"What the hell?" Kirihara started acting rowdy again.

"Quiet!"

Sanada barked at Kirihara and began to ponder.

Thinking back to the conversation from a month ago, Takahashi had also proposed this theory.

As far as he knew, "Heaven's timing, geographical advantages, and human harmony" came from the classic work of the Dragon Kingdom, "Mencius."

The original meaning seemed to be aimed at warfare.

The court is like a battlefield!

Applying the theory of warfare to tennis was truly profound!

His own Wind Forest Fire Mountain also came from the Dragon Kingdom's classic, "Sun Tzu's Art of War."

Thinking back to a month ago, he even felt that this was Takahashi trying to deceive him, just an excuse he found at random.

Now it seemed, it was he who was ignorant!

Mistaking a pearl for a fish eye!

This was his own fault!

It seems he still needs to study the works of the Dragon Kingdom properly!

Their inner meaning is broad and profound!

Sanada's gaze toward Takahashi was also filled with respect!

To be able to apply theories from the battlefield to the tennis court, he truly is a peerless genius!

The next day.

In the Tennis Club office.

Takahashi sat on a swivel chair.

There was a desk in front of the chair.

Captain Yukimura Seiichi sat across from the desk.

Yanagi Renji and Sanada Genichiro sat on a sofa to the side.

"I don't quite understand what you just said, please repeat it!"

Takahashi said.

Yukimura Seiichi smiled slightly and continued: "Takahashi, the Tennis Club has always valued strength above all else."

"You defeated our former Vice Captain Sanada in yesterday's match, and your challenge was successful."

"According to the rules of Rikkai, you are now the Vice Captain of the Tennis Club, and you will also take over Sanada's original position as Singles No. 2."

"So, starting today, you will have to worry about all the big and small matters in the Tennis Club."

"Also, the upcoming Regional Tournament in the Kanagawa area is about to begin."

"According to Rikkai's tradition, it is also led by the Vice Captain."

"I believe that with your ability, you can guarantee a first-place finish, right!"

"Rikkai has always taken first place in the Kanagawa Regional Tournament; I've lost count of how many years it's been!"

Yukimura patiently explained to Takahashi again.

Sanada also spoke up: "I even specifically wrote a management guide; it explains all the responsibilities of the Vice Captain clearly, and I'll give it to you later."

What! I have to be this damn Vice Captain!

Isn't this just being a glorified nanny?

Having to manage everything, big and small.

From the Regional Tournament to the daily training volume of the club members, it's all the Vice Captain's responsibility.

And to think Sanada actually managed to write a book; what a massive amount of work that is!

How could Takahashi, who has always been free and easygoing, accept such trivial and complicated labor!

He challenged Sanada precisely so that he could continue to live a free and unrestrained life in the future.

If he really became the Vice Captain, he would have to get up early every day; how is that any different from training!

Takahashi turned his gaze to Yukimura's side.

He saw an old photograph displayed in a glass cabinet.

In the photo, Sanada Genichiro's aura was full of youthful vigor.

Looking back, the person sitting on the sofa was clearly a middle-aged man wearing a black hat.

A thick sense of world-weariness washed over him.

This was the result of being Vice Captain for three years.

"I refuse!"

Takahashi said firmly.

"These are the rules," Yanagi Renji said, "and the Rikkai Tennis Club is famous throughout the country; the position of Vice Captain is a goal that many people yearn for."

Yukimura continued: "There are quite a few chores in the Tennis Club; I will have Sanada hand them over slowly to give you time to adapt."

"These are all the Vice Captain's tasks, so as the Captain, what do you do?"

Takahashi asked.

Sanada was somewhat dissatisfied and interjected: "The Captain is the one who leads the entire Tennis Club, our goal to strive for, and the one who points out the path forward for us."

"Fine, since the challenge for Vice Captain was successful and I can become the Vice Captain, then next, I want to challenge you!"

Takahashi said firmly toward Yukimura.

Takahashi had finally seen through it; the Vice Captain position is just a drudge job.

Only the Captain has a cushy job!

He doesn't have to attend training on time, and he doesn't even have to lead the team to the Regional Tournament himself.

He's called the leader of the entire Tennis Club, but isn't he just a mascot who doesn't do anything?

This is the position he should be in.

To lie flat and slack off openly.

No one can manage him!

And no one dares to manage him!

This is the life he yearns for!

Takahashi solidified his goal.

That is the position of Captain!

Takahashi's words shocked the other three people present.

For many years, no one had dared to challenge Yukimura directly.

Ever since Yukimura entered Rikkai and challenged the then-Captain as a first-year, becoming famous after one battle, for these past three years, the Captain had been more like a god far removed from the mortal world, and no one dared to challenge him.

Even the Vice Captain, Sanada, had very few opportunities to spar with Yukimura.

How could Takahashi, having just become the Vice Captain, dare to challenge Yukimura directly?