118. Everyday Life: Tezuka, Who Loves Gossip but Avoids the Scene

“Are you going out, Arin?”

Yuki Akutsu, a beautiful woman with shoulder-length hair, noticed Arin’s expression and asked with concern.

“None of your business, old woman.”

With that, Arin finished changing and turned away.

Behind the concrete wall, Renji Yanagi heard that Sadaharu Inui had called Arin over and, feeling uneasy, said, “Are you sure it’s okay to call him here…”

“Hm. Although Arin appears indifferent on the surface, judging by his hesitation and subtle shifts in tone, there’s a 98.9% chance he’s changing his mind.”

Sadaharu Inui pressed a button again and said calmly.

“Who would’ve thought someone so aloof would actually take an interest in Matsubara’s date… he’s quite the hidden flirt.”

Renji Yanagi wiped the sweat from his brow, embarrassed.

“According to the data, Arin’s 99.9% focus on Matsubara is on how to defeat and surpass him. Naturally, anything directly related to Matsubara catches his attention more.”

While pressing buttons, Sadaharu Inui pulled out a notebook.

“You… who else are you calling? Shouldn’t we be gathering more data on Matsubara?”

Seeing Sadaharu Inui make another call, Renji Yanagi suddenly felt a bad premonition and his expression darkened slightly.

“Wait a moment.”

“Hello, it’s me…”

On the other end was Kunimitsu Tezuka, fishing by the moat. Wearing a sun hat, a cardigan over a white short-sleeved shirt, and a necklace matching an anime character’s, he listened patiently to Sadaharu Inui’s rapid speech. Watching the fishing float gently bob on the calm water, he closed his eyes and said, “Got it, I understand.”

With few words, Kunimitsu Tezuka hung up.

“What’s up, Kunimitsu? Something wrong?”

Kunimitsu Kuni, sitting beside him with slicked-back hair and a beard, looked over calmly and asked.

“Nothing, Grandpa. Let’s continue.”

With that, Kunimitsu Tezuka resumed fishing peacefully.

Beep… beep…

Across the line, Sadaharu Inui listened to the dial tone and, somewhat surprised, said, “He hung up.”

“By the way, who were you calling that time?”

Renji Yanagi was beginning to doubt whether Sadaharu Inui truly intended to investigate Matsubara’s information.

“Hey.”

A cold voice came, and Arin appeared with his hands in his pockets, approaching the two. He looked at Renji Yanagi, raising an eyebrow slightly. “What’s going on? So, I’m not the only one here.”

After speaking, Arin turned to Sadaharu Inui. “By the way, what’s the deal with that kid? Is he going on a date with Shishido?”

“Huh?”

Renji Yanagi’s mouth dropped in surprise, then he looked at Sadaharu Inui’s expressionless face and said, “Hey, Sadaharu… aren’t you mistaken? It’s Matsubara who’s dating the girl, isn’t it?”

“Ah, slip of the tongue.”

Sadaharu Inui responded calmly, showing no apology.

“Hey! You’re all here, aren’t you, Darn it!”

On the other side, Shinya Yanagisawa waved at everyone, speeding toward them on his bicycle. Just before crashing into the group, he executed an impressive 360-degree drift to stop.

“What’s going on? I heard from Aki that Matsubara and Shishido both like the same girl. Who is she exactly? Is she pretty? Which school is she from?”

“Huh?”

Arin’s expression twisted oddly upon hearing the third version of the story.

“What?”

Renji Yanagi’s face changed again.

“This won’t do. We have to talk some sense into Matsubara and Shishido. After all, they’re all from the same tennis club. If they act on impulse, it won’t be fair to either of them or that girl.”

Shinya Yanagisawa kept talking to himself. Arin clenched his teeth in frustration. “What’s really going on? Are you crazy?”

“Sadaharu!”

Renji Yanagi was now somewhat angry, reproaching.

“I do remember telling Yanagisawa that they both went out with the same girl… ah, slip of the tongue.”

As Sadaharu Inui explained to Renji Yanagi, seeing his skeptical expression, he gave up the excuses and told the truth.

“The wear on this girl’s racket strings is surprisingly light. Besides some loosening of the strings, the frame and edges are undamaged. It’s clear she’s a skilled player who takes good care of her racket.”

The shopkeeper at the private sports store carefully examined Fuyuka Oda’s pale pink racket and brightened.

“You flatter me, sir. I started playing tennis very early, so those minor damages are from before I learned properly. As for the strings, I prefer them to be a bit looser, please.”

Fuyuka Oda blushed slightly, scratching the back of her head and smiling softly as she made her request.

“Don’t worry. Also, your grip tape is quite old. Let’s replace it with a new one while we’re at it.”

The shopkeeper nodded and gestured toward the rack. “Your racket used to have black grip tape. We just got several new colorful grips — some absorb sweat better; others enhance the feel. Feel free to pick.”

“Wow, your store really has a lot of limited edition rackets…”

Ryo Shishido was quickly drawn to the dazzling rack of rackets at the private store.

“Yes, many of them I imported directly from overseas, cutting out the middlemen. If you like, you might consider one.”

The shopkeeper nodded, admiring the colorful rackets.

“Matsubara, which color do you think looks good?”

Bending down with her hands on her knees, Fuyuka Oda looked at the grips. Her short sleeves pulled back revealed a patch of snow-white skin. The boy was briefly distracted by the sight, then awkwardly scratched his face and laughed dryly. “Let me see… hmm, bright yellow doesn’t suit me, and dark blue looks a bit like ink…”

Watching Matsubara Nariyo and Fuyuka Oda carefully choosing grips, the shopkeeper smiled knowingly. But when he glanced at their companion Ryo Shishido, his smile faltered slightly. Stroking his chin, he pondered with some meaning.

“How about this one? I think light blue suits better…”

Noticing Fuyuka Oda’s phone case with cute pale blue and pink round ears, Matsubara Nariyo unhooked a grip from the rack and said,

“But it seems kind of expensive…”

Looking at the price tag, Matsubara was a little shocked. This was a private store after all. The grip, which would cost a couple hundred yen more at a professional sports shop, was priced nearly double here.

“A nice grip is worth the price. You’ll regret missing out.”

Fuyuka Oda smiled lightly to herself, then took the grip from Matsubara.

“Then this one it is.”

Handing the grip to the shopkeeper, Fuyuka Oda smiled sweetly.

Since Matsubara had helped her choose, the girl didn’t bother considering the price and agreed immediately. Her crescent-shaped eyes sparkled with small joy.

Recalling what Yuna Iwamura said before asking assistant coach Sadaharu Inui for Matsubara’s number, she suddenly smiled with a warmth that could melt hearts.

“If you like Matsubara but are afraid to confess and be rejected, why not start as friends? Gradually build your feelings by inviting him out — even just for a walk, chatting, or grabbing a quick meal. That’s the quickest and most effective way to grow closer. Don’t just text or call after getting his number; guys can get annoyed by that.”

Yuna Iwamura’s gentle voice echoed in Fuyuka Oda’s mind.

“Stringing and grip wrapping take some time. You two can go for a walk first.”

The shopkeeper smiled.

“You go ahead. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things.”

Ryo Shishido found a chance to decline Matsubara’s invitation, pointing at the rack of rackets on the wall with a smile.

Click.

The two walked out side by side as the sports store door opened.

“They’re out, Sadaharu. But… Shishido’s gone.”

Renji Yanagi peeked out, seeing only Matsubara Nariyo and Fuyuka Oda, startled, and whispered.

After the two disappeared from their sight, Shinya Yanagisawa listened to the full story. His hopeful and anxious expression faded as he frowned.

“What the heck, Darn it? After all this, you still don’t know what Matsubara, Shishido, and that girl Oda were doing together? You had me thinking something serious happened.”

“But that girl Oda does often watch our matches. Before you and Akazawa joined the tennis club, she barely missed any district or metropolitan tournaments. She always cheered for Matsubara.”

Renji Yanagi crossed his arms, confident.

“Tch. Even if that girl likes that kid, it doesn’t mean anything has to happen between them. It’s all just your speculation. Maybe for her, it’s always been one-sided.”

Arin couldn’t help but say coldly.

“Suddenly I think Arin makes a lot of sense. Hey, why do you understand girls so well, Darn it?”

Shinya Yanagisawa, hearing this, felt enlightened and couldn’t help but ask.

“…”

Arin was speechless, crossing his arms and looking away.

Sadaharu Inui wasn’t interested in their bickering. He was now pondering why Tezuka hung up on him. Wasn’t spying on Matsubara’s date supposed to be interesting? Unable to analyze Tezuka from his data, Sadaharu dialed again reluctantly.

Sitting on a small bench by the moat, Kunimitsu Tezuka was savoring the fragrant tea brought by his grandfather, Kunimitsu Kuni. Hearing the phone ring, he calmly reached into his pocket and said,

“Hi, it’s me.”

“Like I said earlier, what’s your take, Tezuka…”

Before Sadaharu Inui could finish, Tezuka closed his eyes and mercilessly hung up again. Sadaharu listened to the rhythmic dial tone and tilted his head. “Hung up again. Why?”

Kunimitsu Kuni looked at his grandson’s calm expression and after a long pause said,

“If you want to go, then go. You can’t catch fish unless you’re calm.”

“No, not as you think. Regarding stories, I limit myself to listening, but I dislike seeing the storytellers’ faces.”

Kunimitsu Tezuka explained faintly.

“Is that so.”

Kunimitsu Kuni’s old face showed a faint smile as he gazed at his fishing float bobbing on the water. At one moment, when the float shook violently, he happily gripped his fishing rod.

“This is big—got one!”

Purple Pen Literature