Since you have asked so sincerely (please vote, add to your favorites, and invest!)

The next day, Mingyi Songhara and Taichi Dan set out together for Yamabuki Middle School as planned. On the way, the boy suddenly recalled something and asked, “By the way, Taichi, you and Jin Akutsu are both first-years. Why do you always call him ‘big brother’?”

“Huh?” Taichi Dan was taken aback, then scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “You probably don’t know, since you haven’t met Akutsu yet. Even though he’s only a first-year, he’s already 170 centimeters tall, while I’m only 148.1 centimeters…”

“One-four-eight point one…” Mingyi murmured. In fact, being 170 centimeters in first year wasn’t all that surprising—when Mingyi was in the first year of junior high, before crossing over, he was already that tall.

Still, Taichi Dan, at a mere 148.1 centimeters, did look almost like a little brother next to the towering Akutsu. The contrast of small and frail beside tall and imposing did create that instantly adorable height difference. Boys as petite as Taichi must be the type you could tuck into your bag to save space when going out.

Nestled in the western Kanto region, Yamabuki Middle School and Ginhua Middle School shared a certain harmony in their surroundings. While Ginhua basked in the shade of lush forest, Yamabuki seemed like a beautiful academy encircled by a riot of colorful blossoms.

Amid that sea of blooming flowers, thick, vibrant greenery grew in abundance. The mingled scent of rich earth and fresh plants filled the air; a single breath was enough to leave one feeling utterly refreshed.

Together with Taichi Dan, Mingyi searched for any sign of Akutsu, even going so far as to ask students who looked like first-years, but most gave the same reply: they didn’t know who he was.

A troubled look crossing his face, Mingyi rubbed his chin. Akutsu probably hadn’t joined the tennis club at this point. As far as Mingyi remembered, it was only in his third year that Kanya Banta discovered him and brought him into the club two months before the start of the regional tournament.

As they passed the Yamabuki tennis courts, Mingyi’s steps faltered at the sight of a round-headed boy inside, doing push-ups.

“What’s wrong, Mingyi?” Taichi Dan asked when he saw Mingyi staring at the round-headed boy.

“It’s nothing. I just feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…” Mingyi shook his head. That round head did look familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

The round-headed boy, perhaps sensing he was being watched, paused mid-exercise, sweat dripping steadily onto the ground. He stood, regarded Mingyi and Taichi, who wore the Yamabuki uniform, and said, “You two look unfamiliar. Have you just transferred to Yamabuki?”

“Yes! I’m Taichi Dan, and I just transferred today!” Taichi nodded energetically at the question. Mingyi said, “My name is Mingyi Songhara. I’m just here looking for someone.”

“Looking for someone?” The round-headed boy blinked, wiped his sweat with a towel, and stepped out. “I’m Masami Higashi. Is the person you’re looking for in the tennis club?”

“Ah… not exactly.” Mingyi suddenly realized who this round-headed boy was. Masami Higashi! The same Masami who, together with Kentaro Minami, formed the formidable “Potato Bear Duo”—the doubles pair who would go on to reach nationals two years running.

“I doubt you’d know who I’m looking for. Sorry to interrupt your practice.” Mingyi offered an apologetic smile, but Taichi Dan piped up, “Higashi, do you know a boy named Jin Akutsu? He plays tennis too, just like you.”

“Jin… Akutsu?” Higashi’s reaction made Mingyi, who’d been about to leave, turn back. Taichi nodded eagerly. “You know him?”

“Oh, what a coincidence. Most classmates keep their distance from Akutsu, but you two are out here searching for him. As it happens, he’s in my class.” Higashi’s smile was tinged with helplessness.

“That really is a coincidence.” Mingyi smiled and then explained to Higashi why they were looking for Akutsu.

“Oh? You want to recruit him for tennis? That’s ambitious, but I can tell you with complete certainty—you’ll never persuade him. He doesn’t even like tennis,” Higashi said, surprised, but then growing confident.

“You never know until you try,” Mingyi replied with a slight smile. Seeing his determination, Higashi said, “Since you’re so set on recruiting Akutsu, don’t say I didn’t warn you—he’s dangerous.”

“Right now, he’s probably somewhere alone… Ah! There he is—that’s Akutsu.” As Higashi was pondering where Akutsu might be, he spotted a boy with a watermelon-shaped haircut, hands in his pockets, wearing a white school uniform in the distance. He called out to Mingyi and Taichi.

Turning his head, Mingyi’s gaze fixed on the boy Higashi had identified as Jin Akutsu. At this stage, Akutsu hadn’t yet grown out his signature spiky gray hair; his face was still pale, cold, and expressionless, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as though brimming with silent menace.

“Akutsu!” Taichi recognized the boy in the white uniform instantly and waved, calling out loud.

“Taichi…” Akutsu stopped, looking at the boy with the deep-blue hair and green sweatband.

“Hm?” When Akutsu’s eyes met Mingyi’s, those normally impassive eyes narrowed slightly.

“Jin Akutsu,” Mingyi stepped forward and called his name.

Staring down at Mingyi, Akutsu said indifferently, “What do you want, kid?”

Mingyi looked up at Akutsu, who towered over him by more than a head, and couldn’t help but laugh. Apparently, he was being underestimated.

“What’s with that look in your eyes?” Akutsu, feeling uneasy under Mingyi’s gaze, finally asked.

“Jin Akutsu: previously trained in karate, possessing extraordinary athletic ability that makes mastering any sport a breeze. With your exceptional physique, you excel in power, speed, balance, and flexibility—a quintessential athletic prodigy.”

“Oh? Impressive. You’ve done your homework on Akutsu,” Higashi said, his expression turning serious as he watched Mingyi’s back. It seemed this boy was truly determined to win Akutsu over.

Akutsu was becoming more and more unsettled. He grabbed Mingyi’s collar, his eyes taking on a dangerous glint. “You brat, just who are you?”

“Since you ask so sincerely, allow me to enlighten you,” Mingyi replied, easily prying Akutsu’s hand away and giving a thumbs-up. “I’m Mingyi Songhara, first-year and the hope of the Everlasting Academy tennis club!”

He paced as he spoke. “You’re a natural athlete, able to learn anything effortlessly, but that’s also your weakness—you never feel passionate about sports you can master so easily. Of course, that’s not your only flaw. You tend to solve your problems with violence when things don’t go your way…”

“Kid… If you know so much about me and still dare provoke me, what’s your real aim?” Akutsu swung a fist at Mingyi. Higashi was stunned—he hadn’t expected Akutsu to lash out, even if he knew the boy had a bad temper. After all, Mingyi hadn’t really said anything provocative!

Higashi rushed toward Akutsu, but realized he’d be too late to stop him. Taichi, meanwhile, was so frightened he covered his eyes, unable to watch what would happen next.

“What’s going on?” Taichi peeked through his fingers when he didn’t hear the expected sounds. The scene before him—and the abruptly halted Higashi—left both of them utterly astonished.

Mingyi had stopped Akutsu’s punch with a single finger, his expression calm and unruffled. “Let’s talk things out. No need to get violent.”

Akutsu’s fist was frozen just centimeters from Mingyi’s face. Even his pale, expressionless face showed a flash of surprise. Blocked with just one finger… Who on earth was this kid?

“No need for that look, Akutsu. Most people I face are overwhelmed by my flawless presence. Since you seem so full of pent-up energy, why not settle it with a match? If you lose, you’ll have to follow me from now on.”

Mingyi folded his arms as he spoke.

Akutsu snorted, rebellious as ever. “Who do you think you are, kid? Don’t think you can order me around!”

Mingyi’s expression grew serious. “This isn’t an order—it’s salvation.”

“What?” Akutsu clearly didn’t understand what Mingyi meant.

“For you, nothing would be more humiliating than being defeated in a field you don’t even respect. You enjoy mocking those who persevere, and as it happens, I’m not someone who relies on hard work either. So, why don’t you let me be the one to hand you your first defeat?”

With that, Mingyi slowly raised his racket, the air whistling as he pointed it straight at Akutsu, who glared at him with icy indifference.