Youthful Days (Book 1)

33. Sakuno & Ryoma

Tezuka Kunimitsu left for Germany on the last day of May.

With June arrived another rainy season in Japan and a pivotal point for Seigaku's sports teams.

Immediately following the captain's departure was the match against Josei Shonan High. Known as the school with a craft in tennis, coach Hanamura Aoi was the team's master trainer, notorious for cultivating players with uncanny physical and technical abilities. There were the twin Tanaka brothers, who could identify the tennis ball's position by ear. Then there was the vice-captain Wakato Hiroshi, famed for his capacity to imitate world-class players. Finally, there was Shinjo Reiji, known as the coach's masterpiece, who can switch playstyles without changing form.

The tennis team didn't falter in the face of this daunting lineup. Instead, the captain's absence made the team more cohesive as they endured challenges like an unbreakable unit. After a series of struggles, Seigaku ultimately claimed victory and earned their ticket to semi-finals.

Yet for the badminton team, their close loss against Josei Shonan marked the end of their competitive season and the climb towards national tournaments. The girl's team was effectively adjourned on the spot and club meetings would be limited to the morning from this point on.

Despite Seigaku's defeat, Momoko was happy as a clam. Since she and Momoshiro finally started dating, clearing out her calendar outside of school hours became a top priority. They were halfway through the term, summer was encroaching, and life was good.

Standing in stark contrast was Ayuna. Having held out hope for the team to qualify for national tournaments, she was dispirited from their disqualification. Without regular practices, her days suddenly seemed empty.

Ayuna's low spirits didn't slip by undetected. Noticing her absentminded smiles and increasing reticence, Fuji decided to take matters into his own hands to cheer her up.

Under the guise of preparing for their upcoming match, he clandestinely convinced Inui to design a training plan for the beach. Inui eagerly agreed: not only was he ready for a break, but he also happened to have vouchers to a family friend's restaurant nearby. Together, they sent the invitation around the team and settled on a date for this excursion.

***

"Why on earth are you bringing me along on a training trip?" Ayuna asked Fuji quizzically. It was early Saturday morning and the sun was just peeking above the eastern horizon. On the weekend, the train zipping towards Tokyo Harbor was close to vacant.

"Because Inui arranged for us to train at Odaiba beach," answered Fuji. "If I remember correctly, you've never been there, right?"

Ayuna nodded, but her brows stayed knitted. "Why would Inui-senpai design a plan for the beach in the first place? I can't see how this is relevant to tennis..."

"According to him, the sand shifts beneath one's feet while running, which works out the small muscles on the feet and ankles that aren't normally activated on the pavement. It helps to readjust any imbalances and prevent future injuries. Not to mention, pushing on the sand helps us harness more power."

Still skeptical, she pursued, "If it's so beneficial, then why isn't the whole team coming?"

"Not everyone's free this weekend, I suppose."

"But—"

Finally caving in from her incessant questioning, Fuji interjected with a smile, "I wanted to take you out, Ayuna. You seem withdrawn since the badminton team got disqualified. I don't want you to see you mope around anymore."

"I'm not moping."

"Fine, you aren't moping," said Fuji with a chuckle. "It's just me being oversensitive, then. Consider this outing as a favor for me, how's that?"