Chapter 10
If Hiyoshi lost the match, he would have to drink a cup of multicolored vegetable juice.
The boy, cold both in appearance and demeanor, trembled as he raised the cup and, under the sympathetic gazes of his teammates, gulped it down.
Plop!
Another one went down.
The boys all wore expressions numb from experience, as if they had been through this many times. They skillfully carried the fallen away and laid them on the bench. The whole scene exuded a strange calmness tinged with madness.
Near Hiyoshi, several others already lay stiffly on the ground, creating an eerie atmosphere that could easily frighten a strict disciplinarian into losing his hair.
Among the few still conscious, some felt relief, while others endured torment. The former were the victors of the match; the latter, those yet to play.
In the midst of his busy schedule, Tsukimi Higurashi glanced over and remarked thoughtfully, “Everyone’s enthusiasm is really high. It seems that competitions do need a system of rewards and punishments after all.”
“Rewards and punishments?”
Katsuya Kirihara, still shaken from barely surviving, asked in confusion, “Senior Higurashi, what’s the reward, then?”
Higurashi fixed his gaze on those cat-like emerald eyes and said meaningfully, “Isn’t not having to drink the multicolored vegetable juice reward enough?”
“Ah, that’s true,” Kirihara suddenly realized, feeling as though he had landed a great deal.
Higurashi turned his head to the handsome blond boy with the teardrop mole and said, “Tobe-kun, do you want the recipe? It seems especially suited for the tennis club.”
The Ice Emperor team collectively gasped.
Tobe’s unworthy heart skipped a beat, but his concern for his teammates prevailed. “No, thank you.”
The Ice Emperor boys’ eyes sparkled like stars: today is yet another day moved by the kindness of our beloved captain!
King-sama, we knew following you was the right choice!
“Ah, what a pity,” Higurashi said regretfully. “Actually, I think this is a good way to train the spirit. Besides, drinking more is not only good for health and improves endurance, but might also strengthen the body.”
Though there was no factual basis for this, the earnest expression and tone of the dark-haired boy were so convincing that Tobe’s reason told him it was impossible, but his heart almost believed it.
Sensing trouble, Renjiro Oishi quickly said, “That’s Yanagi-kun’s secret recipe. It shouldn’t be shared so casually.”
“Renji won’t mind,” Higurashi replied.
Yanagi Renjiro not only didn’t mind but was very willing. “It’s fine. I’m happy to share it; just give me some feedback afterward.”
At this point, Tobe no longer hesitated. “Thanks, I’ll make sure the feedback report is well written.”
The Ice Emperor team: That tyrant again!
*
The friendly practice match ended successfully, with both sides gaining much.
Sanada shook Tobe’s hand and said, “Looking forward to facing you at the Kanto Tournament.”
Tobe returned the handshake. “Yeah, at the Kanto Tournament, the winner will be Ice Emperor!”
“Rikkaidai leaves no blind spots!” Sanada retorted without backing down.
After leaving Ice Emperor, the Rikkaidai group did not immediately return to Kanagawa but went together to Kanai General Hospital.
Before this, the unflappable Sanada even remembered to buy a bouquet of sunflowers.
Upon entering the hospital, a nurse recognized them and greeted warmly, “You’re here to see Yukimura again? No wonder he seemed in good spirits today.”
Sanada said, “Yes, thank you, nurse, for taking care of Seiji.”
“It’s my duty,” the nurse waved her hand. “You should go ahead; Yukimura should be in his ward now.”
The boys bid farewell and entered the elevator, pressing the button for the ward’s floor.
Noticing Higurashi’s unusually quiet demeanor, Yanagi lowered his head slightly and asked, “Atsuki, what’s wrong?”
Katsuya Kirihara chimed in, “Senior Higurashi, are you nervous?”
Higurashi nodded in response.
“Don’t be nervous. Captain Yukimura is easy to get along with,” Kirihara comforted him.
“That’s good,” Higurashi smiled. “I’m just shy and never know what to say the first time I meet someone.”
There was a brief silence.
Nio teased, “Puri~ Too shy and already causing trouble on first meetings?”
Referring to the Ice Emperor boys.
“Nio-kun, that’s pure slander,” Higurashi said earnestly. “Everything I do is to maintain friendship between the schools, promote mutual progress, and uphold the selfless spirit of sportsmanship!”
Even Kirihara, who trusted him blindly, couldn’t completely agree with that.
*
“Senior Higurashi, you don’t have to be like this.”
Yanagi Renjiro, about to receive a wealth of experimental data, squinted and fibbed, “Atsuki, you’re already a qualified manager.”
The Rikkaidai boys were speechless.
Their strategist really has no scruples when it comes to data.
“Ding—”
The elevator arrived.
In the ward, Yukimura sat on the edge of the bed with his back to the window, holding a sketchbook and drawing intently. Several children in hospital gowns gathered around him, occasionally exclaiming, “Seiji-nii is amazing!”
Knock knock.
A soft knock sounded. Yukimura paused his brush and looked toward the door with his violet eyes. “Please come in.”
“Yukimura…”
Sanada turned the doorknob and entered but was cut off after just two words.
Katsuya Kirihara popped his head in from behind and dashed right up to Yukimura. “Captain, we came to see you!”
“Kirihara, you’re too careless!” Sanada scolded. “Yukimura is still sick; don’t be so reckless!”
The children scattered like mice seeing a cat, rushing behind Yukimura for shelter.
“Wow, so scary!”
“Such a fierce big brother!”
“Will he spank us?”
“No, we’re good! Don’t spank us!”
“Spare us, Vice Captain Sanada!”
There seemed to be something strange mixed in with the children.
Yukimura disapproved, “Genichiro, you scared them.”
Sanada awkwardly adjusted his cap.
“That big brother just looks fierce, he doesn’t actually hit anyone,” Yukimura reassured them.
Kirihara said, “But I was scolded this morning for being late!”
The children shrank back. “Eep!”
After the “eep,” they quietly covered their little bottoms.
The Rikkaidai boys: …
Still, maybe you should consider your own reasons?
The children jostled and whispered among themselves. After a while, a short-haired girl stepped forward timidly.
She glanced at Sanada, then mustered courage to say to the violet-haired boy, “Seiji-nii, we’ll head back for now so we won’t disturb you and the big brothers.”
“Yeah, yeah!” The others nodded quickly like little chicks pecking.
Yukimura sighed, “…Alright. Be careful on the way back, don’t bump into anything.”
“Okay—”
“Bye, Seiji-nii!”
The children hurried away.
Yukimura looked at Kirihara gently. “Late again today, Katsuya? Did you stay up playing games too late and oversleep?”
Nio said, “Piyo.” He had just trapped himself with that remark.
The boy with soft, wavy violet hair looked worried. “Katsuya, if this keeps up, how can we trust you to manage the tennis club…”
Kirihara was nearly overwhelmed with guilt.
Sanada frowned deeply. “Too…”
Yanagi added, “Katsuya, too slack.”
Marui chimed in, “Exactly, you can’t make the captain worry.”
Nio joined in, “So irresponsible, Katsuya!”
Sanada was speechless; the words stuck in his throat.
Kirihara’s eyes sparkled as he bowed low in apology. “I’m sorry. I was wrong, Captain Yukimura!”
“Then double training until the Kanto Tournament, alright?” Yukimura’s smile grew even gentler, as if large lilies blossomed behind him.
“Captain Yukimura, I have no problem with that!”
Higurashi admired silently.
Though late, Sanada was punished for a week; with Yukimura, it was a whole month—and he accepted it willingly.
Well, he is the captain, after all.
Yukimura’s smile deepened further as he turned his gaze to the new face.
“So, you must be our new manager. Nice to meet you. I’m Yukimura Seiji.”
The slender, elegant boy was warm and approachable, instantly likable.
“I’m Tsukimi Higurashi. Nice to meet you,” the obedient boy with ink-black eyes replied politely and thoroughly.
The others around them were silently stunned.
After a moment, Nio said seriously, “Puri, Hiroshi, do you think this counts as fraud?”
Yagyuu naturally took a step aside. “Nio-kun, please consider the occasion.”
Yukimura said, “Masaru’s words are really heartbreaking.”
Higurashi added, “Heartbreaking slander.”
Nio blinked his fox-like eyes, snatched the sunflower bouquet from Sanada, and said, “I’ll put the flowers in a vase.”
“Thanks, Masaru.”
As if the previous conversation never happened, the boys soon began chatting, sharing stories about the practice match and daily life. The ward’s atmosphere was cheerful and relaxed.
Higurashi only occasionally responded.
Today’s quiet Atsuki, noted.
Half an hour later, Sanada called a halt. “Alright, Yukimura needs to rest now.”
Kirihara said, “But I still have so much to say to the captain.”
“Don’t be selfish, Katsuya!”
Yukimura also said gently, “Genichiro, it’s okay.”
He hadn’t been this happy in a long time. The hospital always smelled of disinfectant, constantly reminding him of his frail body and the reality that he couldn’t play tennis.
Even someone as determined as him could feel fear, which bred a sense of dislike for this place.
Chatting with his tennis club friends made him feel like he had returned to better days, easing the weight in his heart.
Sanada said seriously, “Seiji, you can’t be selfish either.”
The Rikkaidai boys: Only he dares to scold Captain Yukimura.
They faced off for a few seconds before Yukimura gave in. “Alright, alright, Genichiro, don’t always be angry. You’re starting to look like an old man.”
They packed up and said their goodbyes.
“Captain Yukimura, we’ll come see you again next time.”
“Goodbye.”
The door closed, separating Yukimura from the outside world.
He looked at the sunflowers on the windowsill—the orange petals, brown center, turning toward the sun, radiating a glow of hope.
Meanwhile, the group reached the elevator and pressed the button to go down.
Ding—the elevator doors opened.
Once they entered, Higurashi suddenly said, “I think I forgot something. You all go ahead; don’t wait for me.”
The doors closed again as the elevator began descending.
Kirihara scratched his head. “Are we really not waiting for Senior Higurashi?”
Yanagi said, “No need. Atsuki might take a long time.”
The others exchanged puzzled looks.