Chapter 39: The Promise with Yukimura

Ever since Yukimura Seiichi became Captain in his first year.

He refreshed the Tennis Club's original records and successfully won the National Tournament twice in a row.

He pushed the Rikkaidai Tennis Club to an even higher level.

The club members all placed him on a pedestal!

Not a single person dared to challenge him directly!

At this moment, Takahashi's words left the two people present completely shocked.

"Fine, strength determines everything. If you have this strength, I am naturally happy to hand the position of Captain over to you."

To the surprise of Sanada and Yanagi, Yukimura agreed very readily!

"Let's do it after the Regional Tournament ends; I have had a lot to deal with recently!"

"During this time, you should follow Sanada to familiarize yourself with the duties of the Vice Captain and the management of the Tennis Club!"

"Good! It's a deal!" Takahashi said.

……

After Takahashi left.

Sanada spoke up: "Yukimura, why did you agree to his request?"

Yanagi Renji also said: "A Vice Captain position wasn't enough to satisfy him; he actually set his sights on the Captain's seat. I didn't expect his ambition to be this great!"

Yukimura smiled slightly and said: "I don't think it's that his ambition is great."

"I'm afraid he just feels that there are too many trivial matters for the Vice Captain to handle and that the burden is too heavy."

"He thinks that I have it easy as Captain, so he wants to come and challenge me."

Yanagi Renji hadn't thought of it from that angle, but once he heard Yukimura's explanation, he suddenly understood.

Given Takahashi's free-spirited personality, that was indeed very likely!

"If he truly has the strength, it would be better for him to take this seat early. After all, we will be moving up to high school next year. With him as Captain, the National Tournament championship will remain Rikkai's for the next three years."

"I originally had this in mind when I let him become Vice Captain, to let him get familiar with the management of the Tennis Club."

"Since he is so motivated, we, as his seniors, must provide him with this platform."

Yukimura continued.

"Sanada, I estimate that he won't be managing much during this time, so I'll have to trouble you to do a bit more."

"Understood!" Sanada replied.

Yukimura actually admired Takahashi; his strength was sufficiently formidable and his talent was sufficiently monstrous!

Only such a person could be worthy of the position of Rikkaidai Tennis Club Captain.

The Rikkaidai Tennis Club did not lack people who worked hard; what it lacked were true geniuses!

As for winning or losing the match, Yukimura hadn't thought about it.

Although Takahashi's strength was sufficiently powerful, he still needed more tempering to serve as Captain.

One or two failures would only make him grow more rapidly and receive better tempering.

As for the idea that Yukimura would fail.

Please! Since he entered middle school, not only had he never lost a match, he had never even dropped a single point in a small game!

If Takahashi truly had the strength to defeat him, then he would be the well-deserved Tennis Club Captain, and Yukimura would not need to spend any more thought on it.

Yukimura could then lay down his heavy burden and head to the high school division with peace of mind!

……

The next day.

On the tennis court.

Captain Yukimura made a rare appearance at morning practice.

Under the surprised gazes of everyone, Yukimura announced that Takahashi Yanichi would be serving as the Tennis Club's Vice Captain.

At the same time, he explained that since Takahashi was not familiar with the operations, Sanada would act as his assistant, and for the next month, the basic affairs of the Tennis Club would be managed by both of them until Takahashi could act independently.

This news caused an uproar.

"What?"

"Did I hear that right?"

"Our Vice Captain is being replaced?"

"Just because of yesterday's match? Not only the status of Regular Member, but even the position of Vice Captain can be challenged?"

"This is too shocking!"

"The Vice Captain is being replaced just like that!"

Yukimura watched as everyone chattered and discussed, then said: "Quiet!"

"As long as you have the strength, if you can challenge and defeat the current Vice Captain or Captain, then this position is yours."

"This is Rikkai's consistent tradition!"

"Back then, I was able to sit in the Captain's seat as a first-year student because I challenged and defeated the Captain at the time!"

"I welcome everyone to challenge actively!"

"Today's matters are finished; everyone continue practicing."

……

These words raised the crowd's emotions to the highest point.

"Pinch me hard to see if I'm dreaming. Did the Captain just say that if you challenge him successfully, you can become Captain?"

"Yes, the Captain also said this is Rikkai's consistent tradition."

"This is too exciting!"

"I used to think the Captain and Vice Captain were unreachable, perhaps something I could never achieve in a lifetime. I didn't expect that it would only take two steps to do it. That is to challenge and achieve victory."

"But, do you dare to challenge them?"

"I don't. Although I don't dare, I have a goal now!"

"With a goal, I feel that victory is not far away."

"From now on, my training has a goal and motivation!"

"Me too, training, training, I love training!"

"An inch of time is an inch of gold; I don't have time to keep chatting. Practice, practice, hurry up and practice."

……

The atmosphere on the Court suddenly became heated.

Every team member was full of drive and began training with vigor.

It was rare for Takahashi to get up so early, and while yawning, he said: "Captain Yukimura, you are truly amazing; with just two or three sentences, you stirred up all their emotions."

Yukimura smiled slightly and said: "That is also because there is a living example like you standing before their eyes, giving them a concrete goal!"

Watching Takahashi and Yukimura conversing back and forth, complimenting each other.

Sanada and Yanagi, who were on the side, looked at each other and felt that this scene was actually very harmonious!

There was not the slightest bit of the tension from yesterday!

"I'll leave the rest to you and Sanada."

Yukimura patted Takahashi on the shoulder and walked away with long strides.

"Alright!"

After Yukimura left, Takahashi spoke to Sanada: "In the morning, they just run and do some basic training, right?"

Sanada nodded.

"Then let them practice for now; I'm going to the activity room to take a nap!"

"I'll leave this place to you!"

Takahashi also patted Sanada on the shoulder and walked toward the direction of the activity room.

Sanada: ……

Sanada really wanted to speak up and stop him, but he realized he no longer had the standing to stop him.

Now Takahashi is the Vice Captain!

And he, Sanada, is no longer the Vice Captain!

His brows beneath his black hat furrowed tightly.

But Takahashi, who had already walked far away, did not see it.

Except for the week of the midterm exams, he had never gotten up this early.

He felt light-headed and ethereal, his mind not even fully awake.

Just thinking that this kind of life would continue for another month.

Takahashi deeply felt that the job of Vice Captain was truly not meant for humans.

It was just being enslaved and exploited.

Didn't you see those club members? The way they looked at Yukimura was completely different from how they looked at Sanada.

Looking at Yukimura, they revealed respect and admiration!

But looking at Sanada, they revealed dissatisfaction and fear!

Sanada still had to get up early every day to manage all the big and small affairs of the Tennis Club.

Like a managing old nanny!

Just like the saying goes: Manage a "team" for three years, and even cats and dogs will despise you!

In this instant, deep sympathy for Sanada ignited in Takahashi's heart!

It's not easy!