Chapter 63: Yukimura Falls Ill

Inside the hospital.

Yukimura lay on the bed and said to Takahashi, "Takahashi, I'm afraid I won't be able to participate in the upcoming Kanto Tournament!"

"I can leave the team entirely to you, right?"

Takahashi replied, "The team's victory or defeat is my duty to begin with."

"Student Yukimura, what you need most right now is to rest and recover well!"

"As for the Kanto Tournament, we haven't lost in the past, and we won't lose in the future!"

As the words fell, a faint smile crept onto the corners of Takahashi's mouth.

At the same time, Takahashi secretly vowed in his heart that he would absolutely not let the glory and legacy of Rikkai, built over so many years, be cut short in his hands.

"Master is right; it's not a coincidence that we win the championship at the Kanto Tournament, it's an inevitability. With our current strength, we could win this time with our eyes closed!"

Kirihara jumped out and said loudly.

"Too slack, this is truly too slack!"

"How can you face a match with such an attitude?"

Sanada was very dissatisfied with Kirihara's phrasing.

"What does it matter? We're definitely going to win anyway."

"We are going to take the Kanto Tournament trophy and use it as a gift for Vice Captain Yukimura's discharge from the hospital."

Kirihara said nonchalantly.

"You must show reverence for every match!"

Sanada gradually furrowed his brows.

"Kirihara is right; we should celebrate Yukimura's discharge with the Kanto Tournament trophy."

Marui also spoke up.

After some discussion.

Takahashi would still lead the team for the Kanto Tournament.

Originally, Rikkai's tradition was for the Vice Captain to lead the team during the Regional Tournament, and for the Captain to lead during the Kanto Tournament and National Tournament.

As the Vice Captain of the Tennis Club, Yukimura's collapse did not actually affect the overall situation.

It was just that Takahashi, as a first-year freshman, although highly skilled, lacked experience in large-scale tournaments.

Moreover, his personality was casual and laid-back.

This point made the Three Giants somewhat worried.

Therefore, Sanada Genichiro would still serve as the acting Vice Captain.

They hoped to use Sanada's rigorous and serious personality to stabilize the overall situation.

Furthermore, before Takahashi arrived, Sanada had always been the Vice Captain.

Now that he was returning to his original position, there was no need for any adjustment period, and he could handle matters with ease and in an orderly fashion.

Regarding this, Takahashi raised both his hands and feet in agreement.

He liked partnering with Sanada far too much.

Sanada's personality was exactly to his taste.

Facing the smile that occasionally appeared on Yukimura's face, Takahashi always felt a chill down his back.

Moreover, Yukimura was originally the Captain and was not very good at handling various trivial matters.

Many small things often required him and Yukimura to discuss and resolve them together.

But Sanada was different.

Takahashi recalled the half a month or so when he served as Vice Captain.

Because Takahashi was a newly appointed first-year, Sanada nominally said he would hand over duties and assist from the sidelines.

But in reality, because he disapproved of Takahashi's follow-his-heart style of doing things, Sanada honestly took on almost everything himself.

Takahashi, on the contrary, ended up with nothing to do, and would go to the tennis court to watch the team members practice and enjoy the prestige of being Vice Captain.

Now that he had become Captain, saddled with Vice Captain Yukimura who was also not very good at doing things, there were actually more small matters to handle than when he was Vice Captain.

From this, Takahashi realized deeply.

The deciding factor in whether the position of Captain is idle is whether the Vice Captain is capable.

And Sanada was the most perfect Vice Captain in Takahashi's heart!

Thinking of this.

"Vice Captain Sanada, happy to work with you; I'll be counting on you from here on out!"

Takahashi patted Sanada on the shoulder, his expression very relaxed and happy.

"Captain, please give me your mobile phone number, just in case I can't find you."

Sanada said.

"Uh..."

Takahashi was choked up.

Thinking about how he did indeed often wander around aimlessly, making Sanada search everywhere for him.

Takahashi suddenly didn't know how to answer.

"My mobile number is 1..."

"No, wait, I am a good student who follows school rules and regulations; how could I possibly have a mobile phone!"

"Sanada, you are too good at joking!"

He almost forgot, Sanada Genichiro was the school's Disciplinary Committee Chair, specifically in charge of school rules and regulations, and one very important part of that was students violating the rules by bringing mobile phones.

If it were exposed that I have a mobile phone, I would be in trouble!

Good thing I reacted quickly!

Takahashi thought to himself.

Seeing Sanada's eyebrows twitching uncontrollably.

Takahashi stepped forward, put his hand on Sanada's shoulder like a buddy, and said, "I am a good student; it is impossible for me to have contraband like a mobile phone."

"But I have a telephone at home; you can call my home number."

"If that really doesn't work, you can write a note and leave it on my desk."

Sanada gave in and said, "Fine!"

Tokyo.

Street Tennis Court.

Beside the court, a pile of people lay on the ground.

Each of them held a tennis racket, sprawled out on the ground in quite ridiculous postures.

"Is this the strength of the Street Tennis Court? Where is your strongest player? Have him come out!"

Atobe Keigo held a tennis racket, pointed it forcefully at the people on the opposite side of the court, and said with a very arrogant and haughty attitude.

"Captain, is this the Street Tennis Court with strength that you spoke of?"

"The way they are all defeated and lying on the ground is truly unsightly."

Mukahi Gakuto, who had dark red hair, said to Atobe.

"Atobe, the Kanto Tournament is about to begin; that is our goal."

"Is a tiny Street Tennis Court even worth us taking action?"

"What a waste of time!"

Oshitari Yuushi, who had short dark blue hair and wore a pair of glasses, also spoke up.

Atobe, who had initiated this challenge, did not speak; he stood in place and fell into deep thought.

Nearly a month ago, Atobe and Huadi had come to this Street Tennis Court to play.

With only Huadi playing alone, Atobe sat on the ground, watching the match at close range on the court.

Such a doubles lineup defeated all the doubles pairs at this tennis court.

Just as Hyotei's Coach Sakaki Taro had said, the Street Tennis Court was merely a paradise for tennis underachievers; no one with real strength would hang around a place like this.

Just as he was immersed in his own elegant and magnificent technique, Takahashi, brought over by the cannon fodder doubles pair, ruined his mood.

With just one ball, one Serve, Huadi lost the point.

One must know that Huadi's strength was considered outstanding even among the more than 200 members of the Hyotei Tennis Club.

Moreover, in this Street Tennis Court that required doubles, Huadi had single-handedly taken down almost everyone on the other side.

Yet, such a Huadi had not even been able to receive Takahashi's Serve.

This showed that Takahashi's strength was not ordinary.

Having witnessed that ball with his own eyes, a ball with a speed reaching about 200km/h, Atobe could judge that Takahashi's strength should also be at the National Level.

Although not as good as his own, he was still an opponent not to be underestimated.

Especially since his racket swing speed was extremely fast.

One could barely see his swinging motion!

Coupled with the information learned from Tennis Monthly reporter Inoue Mamoru, Atobe became even more concerned about Takahashi.

Therefore, Atobe, having nothing to do lately, often wandered around this Street Tennis Court, wanting to run into Takahashi again and compete with him.

However, for nearly half a month, Takahashi had not appeared again at all.