Cross-Court Connections【 Echizen Ryoma 】

11.0 Sneaking Off, But Not Really

In the days following their chance meeting on the bustling streets of the city, Asuka and Ryoma threw themselves headlong into the demanding world of sports training, each driven by a relentless determination to hone their skills and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.

For Asuka, the path to mastery lay on the badminton court, where she was guided by the watchful eye of Captain Kurogane and the meticulous guidance of Kobayashi Rei. For days leading up to the upcoming tournament, she immersed herself in the rhythmic cadence of shuttlecocks and swift footwork, each movement a testament to her unwavering dedication.

And through it all, Ryoma remained a constant presence in Asuka's thoughts, a silent source of inspiration and motivation. She drew strength from his unwavering determination, channeling his indomitable spirit into her own quest for excellence.

After one particularly intense practice session, Asuka found herself standing at the sidelines of the tennis courts once more, her gaze fixed on Ryoma as he moved with effortless grace across the court. The rhythmic sound of his racket striking the ball filled the air, showcasing his unwavering focus and determination.

Lost in her thoughts, Asuka was startled when a voice broke through the silence, pulling her back to reality. She turned to see Oishi Shuichiro, the tennis club's vice-captain, approaching her with a warm smile.

"Hello, you must be the famous Nakamura Asuka," Oishi greeted her, his tone laced with genuine curiosity.

Taken aback by the unexpected attention, Asuka blinked in surprise before offering a hesitant nod. "Famous?" she echoed, a hint of incredulity in her voice.

Oishi chuckled at her reaction, shaking his head. "Rumors travel fast on these tennis courts," he explained with a knowing smile. "I'm Oishi Shuichiro, by the way, vice captain of the male tennis team. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Asuka returned the greeting with a polite bow, her expression a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. "I'm... well, you seem to already know," she replied, her voice trailing off slightly.

Oishi laughed softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Sorry about that," he said, his tone apologetic. "Anyway, thank you for your support for our Echizen. I'm sure it means a lot to him."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Asuka's lips as she nodded in agreement. "I'm glad you think so," she replied earnestly, a sense of warmth filling her chest at the thought of being able to support Ryoma in some small way.

Oishi's smile widened at her response, his demeanor friendly and welcoming. "On that note," he continued, "You're always welcome to watch our matches with us. It's nice to have some extra support in the stands."

Asuka's eyes lit up with gratitude at the invitation, a sense of excitement bubbling within her. "Thank you," she said sincerely, her voice tinged with enthusiasm. "I'll definitely take you up on that offer."

With a final nod of acknowledgment, Oishi bid her farewell, leaving Asuka to ponder the unexpected encounter. As she watched Ryoma continue his practice, a newfound sense of camaraderie blossomed within her, fueled by the knowledge that her support was welcome by Ryoma's teammates.

———

As the date of the preliminaries loomed closer, Asuka's schedule became a whirlwind of activity, each day blending seamlessly into the next as she juggled her commitments with unwavering determination. Early mornings and late afternoons were spent on the badminton court, where she poured her heart and soul into each practice session, striving for perfection with every swing of her racket.