Youthful Days (Book 1)

2. A-Team

Seigaku's sports clubs had a word-of-mouth rule: freshmen were not allowed to be on school teams.

Although this was an informal rule, senior students usually frowned upon freshmen who tried out for teams. First-years were expected to be respectful to the upperclassmen's age, experience and time spent in the school. They were expected to cater to the needs of their senpais and to learn the ropes. This rule was received without objection for years because those from the youngest year usually assumed defeat. Nobody wanted to risk public humiliation at the beginning of their high school journey.

Ayuna only learned about these hidden expectations when she signed up for the badminton club. But these invisible restrictions didn't stop her. Under her father's tutelage, she was well-trained from a young age. She didn't feel like performing janitorial duties or wasting a year re-learning the basics. To her, it made no sense to follow the rules for the sake of it.

Going against conventions, she decided to try out for the team. Everything proceeded smoothly: as days went on, no reprimands came.

For the next week, Ayuna took the six o'clock train to school to prepare for her upcoming intramural tournament. Each morning, she'd jog around the Physical Activities Complex and the cherry blossom groves next to the tennis courts, then repeat this route several times. During her run, she noticed tennis nets were set up and wondered if the tennis club was also preparing for try-outs.

"Ah, I should know you'd find a way to follow me again," rose a familiar voice from behind her.

Ayuna turned to its source. In this time, Ryoma had caught up to her. "Good morning to you too, Ryoma-kun."

"And you're Hanamachi something, right?"

"Hanamachi Ayuna."

"What kind of place is Hanamachi*, anyway?"

"You don't see me picking on Echizen, do you?" she retorted.

Without a comeback, Ryoma diverted the subject. "So you're serious about playing badminton."

Ayuna nodded. She realized he was eavesdropping on that first day, after all. "And you're here for tennis, right?"

"I'm going to be a part of the team," he replied.

She took in the solemnity in his words. When he said this, his eyes had a determined glint. "Is that why you came to Seigaku?"

Instead of answering, Ryoma ran ahead. "Work hard and try not to get beat, Hanamachi."

Ayuna thanked his back view with a smile. It was as friendly as Echizen Ryoma was going to get.

***

On the day of the intramural tournaments, Ayuna was one of the first to arrive in the gym. Unexpectedly, she was approached by a group of older girls as she was retying her shoelaces. Looking up, she saw that they had the participant list dangling in midair and rackets tucked under their arms.

"Hey, first-year," one of the girls called, standing front and center. She wore a high ponytail held up with a bright pink scrunchie and held a pink racket. She pointed at the list, "You signed up for today's tournament?"

Ayuna glanced at the paper. "Yes, that's me."

"You do realize you're the only first-year who signed up, right?"

Ayuna was silent; she didn't expect herself to be an outlier.

"Even if you don't, it's breaking the rules." The older continued smugly, "If I were you, I would either join the other first-years in sweeping the courts or join something harmless like ikebana**. You know, in case you get hurt."