Chapter 9: One Month of Experience? Kirihara Issues a Challenge

On the tennis court.

Takahashi Yanichi could not understand Kimura Kojiro's questioning at all.

Especially since every time he answered a sentence, Kimura's complexion would turn a shade paler.

But pale as he was, it did not stop Kimura from continuing to ask questions.

If you are not feeling well, go and rest immediately.

What is the point of asking others irrelevant questions?

Takahashi looked at his bloodless cheeks and felt a pang of sympathy.

After all, they were classmates, and aside from Kimura's love of showing off his three years of tennis experience, he was not bad.

Especially since he had not successfully joined the Tennis Club.

Hmm? Could this be the reason for it!

People really shouldn't be too obsessed with winning and losing!

Takahashi Yanichi, in a fit of kindness, prepared to speak up and comfort Kimura Kojiro.

"You've only been learning tennis for a month?"

Niou Masaharu's surprised voice rang out.

In an instant, the eyes of the entire court were focused here.

Recalling Takahashi Yanichi's performance just now, everyone was shocked.

"Really? Is he that amazing?"

The outgoing Kirihara Akaya spoke up.

"How about we have a match, the two of us?"

For some reason, Kirihara's desire to win was stirred, and he took the initiative to request a match.

"That's not a good idea. They are freshmen who just entered the Tennis Club; as seniors, we should look after them."

Marui Bunta spoke up, attempting to dispel Kirihara's impulsive behavior.

Recalling the first day Kirihara Akaya entered Rikkai University Affiliated Middle School, he climbed the campus wall and shouted that he would defeat everyone in the Tennis Club and become the number one in the Tennis Club.

After that, he challenged the third-year seniors of the time single-handedly and won every match.

It wasn't until Sanada Genichiro, who was a second-year at the time, stepped in that Kirihara was defeated and the farce was brought to an end.

But the competitive Kirihara Akaya did not forget this defeat, and later challenged the Three Giants many times, although in the end, it always ended in Kirihara's failure.

But this goes to show the formidable nature of Kirihara's strength!

And his obsession with victory!

At this moment, a first-year student who had just joined the Tennis Club had somehow provoked Kirihara's desire to win. To protect the freshman, Marui Bunta, as a senior, had the responsibility and obligation to stop this match.

But Kirihara's mind was made up.

"Since he has joined the Tennis Club, he will definitely have to play practice matches in the future, so doing it a little early doesn't matter."

Takahashi Yanichi readily accepted Kirihara's challenge, saying: "It doesn't matter, if you want to play, let's play."

It was unexpected for Marui Bunta that the first-year freshman would agree so readily.

Truly, a newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger!

Even if he stood out among the freshmen, he had absolutely no chance of winning against Kirihara.

And once Kirihara is provoked during a match, he...

Although Marui Bunta did not like Takahashi's attitude, who told him to be a senior? He still had to stop this match.

"The Captain and Vice Captain are not far away; go and ask them for instructions!"

"You don't want to be punished by Vice Captain Sanada, do you!"

Marui Bunta saw Yukimura, Sanada, and Yanagi not far away and said to Kirihara.

"Tch, fine, I'll go!"

Kirihara knew that Sanada would likely not agree, but he still walked toward them.

Having witnessed all this, Yamamoto Taro said worriedly: "Takahashi, that's a senior, can you win?"

"You just joined the Tennis Club, and you just went through the test, your condition isn't good; even if you refuse, the senior can't say anything."

Seeing the turn of events, Kimura Kojiro also emerged from his own world of hurt and joined the conversation.

"I've looked into this seaweed-head senior; he is the second-year ace, Kirihara Akaya. It is said that when he was a first-year, he once defeated the third-year seniors of that time. Although he eventually lost to Vice Captain Sanada, one can see how terrifying his strength is."

"Although you have high talent, you've only been learning for a month and want to deal with him. It's simply wishful thinking; you don't have a chance."

Although Kimura Kojiro was no good himself, he was very happy to be able to get the upper hand over Takahashi Yanichi in conversation.

He was even willing to brag for Kirihara Akaya just to suppress Takahashi Yanichi.

But he didn't realize that those were Kirihara Akaya's achievements, and had nothing to do with him!

At the same time, Kirihara walked over with long strides and said: "The Captain agreed and said they would act as referees."

On the other side.

Sanada asked Yukimura in confusion: "A freshman who just joined the Tennis Club, why would you agree to let him play against Kirihara? Isn't this clearly making things difficult for him?"

"Kirihara's strength is obvious to all; he surpasses most people in the Tennis Club. Once he enters Demonization, even I feel a bit of pressure."

Yukimura smiled faintly and said: "Didn't you just say he is hard to manage and often skips training?"

"Isn't the time to discipline him here now?"

"People with talent will only submit to those stronger than them."

Sanada continued: "But to let him play against Kirihara right away? Is it nightmare mode from the start?"

"What if the blow is too great and he gives up tennis?"

Yukimura said: "If he gives up after one failure, how can such a person become the first-year ace of Rikkai?"

"I didn't expect you to have such high expectations for him!" Yanagi Renji said.

"The Rikkaidai Tennis Club respects strength above all; as long as one has talent and strength, they are our key focus for development, regardless of their grade. This is the foundation that allows us to be a prestigious school in the Kanto Region, and it is also the basis for our National Two-Consecutive Championship."

Yukimura said indifferently.

On the Court.

Kirihara Akaya VS Takahashi Yanichi.

"The match begins," Sanada said as the referee.

Kirihara Akaya said, "I'll give you the serve; this is a senior's care for a freshman."

"On the court, there are no seniors or juniors, only strength determines the hero," Takahashi Yanichi said indifferently.

Outside the Court.

Seeing Takahashi Yanichi and Kirihara Akaya playing a match on the court, the group of people who had previously been hanging their heads all perked up.

As the first ones to be eliminated, they had just been hit hard by Takahashi successfully entering the Tennis Club, but at this moment, they were fully revived.

"What's going on? Why are things developing so fast!"

"Why is he suddenly playing a match against Senior Kirihara?"

"I heard Senior Kirihara is the ace of the second years and is highly valued by the Captain."

"Then his strength must be very strong."

"That goes without saying!"

"He's not someone that kind of slacker can compare to."

"Show him some color!"

"Make him understand what real strength is."

"Right, taking shortcuts is just cleverness; true success still depends on hard work and struggle."

"So what if he got into the Tennis Club? If his attitude isn't right, there are plenty of seniors to deal with you."

"So what if you have a bit of talent? There are plenty of people more talented than you who are also working harder than you."

"Go, Senior Kirihara!"

Beside the Court.

Kimura Kojiro was very excited and said, "Let Takahashi be a bit more restrained and not be arrogant; now it's good, he's hit a wall."

Yamamoto Taro immediately retorted, saying, "Takahashi isn't arrogant; it's you who keeps bragging."

"I... I didn't!" Kimura Kojiro lacked some confidence.

"You go around saying you have three years of tennis experience, and basically all the freshmen know about you now. Isn't that just you bragging and showing off everywhere?"

"In the end, you still didn't get into the Tennis Club, just like the rest of us."

"If I were you, I'd find a hole to crawl into instead of making a fool of myself everywhere!"

Yamamoto Taro rarely gathered the courage to say so much in one breath.

"I... I..."

"Although I admit Takahashi's talent is very good, I think the senior will definitely win this game."

Kimura Kojiro was left speechless by the retort and struggled to change the subject.

"That's not necessarily true; I just think Takahashi will definitely win."

As soon as the words fell, Yamamoto Taro noticed that everyone else was looking at him with strange gazes.