North High School, Toshinosuke Sasabe

"Eh? Can such a plan really work?" After listening, Miyose Asakura found Nae Matsubara's scheme a bit far-fetched, hard to believe.

"To be honest, I think it's quite interesting, but if it comes to acting, I'm afraid this old man here might just drag you down," replied Niro Asakura, who didn't see much wrong with it. As long as it was possible to teach those two good-for-nothings a lesson without resorting to physical conflict, he was more than willing. Still, Matsubara's plot was rather intricate—they'd need at least a rehearsal or two to pull it off convincingly.

"Sorry for the trouble, Uncle Asakura, and you too, Miyose, but you mainly just need to watch the show. Leave the rest to Shishido and me," Matsubara replied with a knowing smile. Ryo Shishido returned the smile, adding, "Don't worry, Matsubara, I'll play my part well."

Two boys dressed in dark brown school uniforms, white shirts, and green ties were strolling along the sports market street. They both looked like first-year middle schoolers. One had shoulder-length, slightly wavy hair parted down the middle; the other sported straight, short hair, also parted in the center.

"Today's practice was exhausting, Sasabe..." The short-haired boy rubbed his sore neck and complained.

"Tch, that's because we got knocked out of the regional qualifiers by Rindou. If it weren't for those blockheads in the doubles team getting completely crushed, our singles matches wouldn't have been left with just two chances to win. That's why the captain's been ramping up the training lately..." grumbled Junosuke Sasabe, the wavy-haired boy.

These two were both starting members of the North High School Tennis Club's first-year team. Sasabe, Junosuke, was the second singles player in the regional preliminaries, while the short-haired boy, Tatsutoki Tatsukawa, was a substitute.

"Still, Kanemoto was a big problem, too. As the third singles, he lost as well. Frankly, it's lucky we're a seeded school. If we hadn't been, losing both doubles and a singles match would have meant instant elimination," Tatsukawa said with some relief.

"So what, are you saying we’re actually weaker than we thought?" Sasabe glared at him, dissatisfied.

"I didn't mean that, Sasabe... Come on, don’t be upset. After we check out the gear shop, let’s grab a bite at that noodle shop," Tatsukawa hastily explained, then suggested.

"Just thinking about that place, Niraku Ramen, really gets on my nerves. The food's good—what's the big deal if I order a bit more? It's not like I don't pay for it. Yet the owner acts like it's some huge tragedy every time. Such bad luck..." Sasabe complained, recalling the owner’s grim face.

"Exactly. Whatever, Sasabe. Let’s eat and go; it’s not like he can do anything to us," Tatsukawa agreed. He, too, disliked the owner—if they couldn't finish, they could just throw it away. Weren't customers supposed to be right? Why be scolded for it?

After buying a load of practice equipment from the sports shop, Sasabe and Tatsukawa headed straight into a narrow alley and entered Niraku Ramen.

Ding-ling!

"Welcome!" Niro Asakura called out cheerfully at the sound of the bell.

The moment he saw Sasabe and Tatsukawa, however, his smile vanished. Miyose Asakura, busy kneading dough, shot them a hostile glance as well.

"Hey, boss, bring us everything you've got on the menu. Start with two bowls of ramen; we'll order the rest once we're done. Got it?" Sasabe said, unfazed by the icy reception.

"Hurry up, we're starving," Tatsukawa added, tossing their tennis bags and new gear onto the empty seats.

"Understood," Niro Asakura replied with a stern face. He turned to lift the kitchen curtain, but as he stepped through, he glanced back. Outside, Matsubara and Shishido discreetly held up three fingers each, signaling the plan was on. Miyose exchanged a glance and a smile with her father, nodding.

"Hurry up, boss! Are you planning to cook outside?" Sasabe snapped at Niro Asakura's deliberate pace.

"Right away," Asakura replied, disappearing into the kitchen.

"Those two, huh? Judging by their uniforms, they must be North High School Tennis Club members," Shishido said quietly, sidling up to Matsubara, who was leaning against the alley wall.

"Yeah, those are the 'grain-wasters' Uncle Asakura mentioned," Matsubara nodded, a sly smile curling at his lips. "But I didn't expect it to be them."

"You know them, Matsubara?" Shishido asked curiously.

"Not exactly. Before I recruited you all, I gathered intel on players from all the Kanto schools. North High is the fourth seed, so I paid special attention," Matsubara explained, hands in his pockets as he walked a few steps. "The long-haired one is Sasabe; the short-haired one is his sidekick. With these two, there's no need to go easy." His words ended in a quiet laugh.

It was almost comical for Matsubara to run into Sasabe, one of the most frequently appearing antagonists in the Prince of Tennis series, in a little ramen shop. In the first episode, Sasabe was the first to make an appearance, then the Seigaku Tennis Club would always come back at him, and in the new series, yet another Sasabe appeared—same name, different character.

"Whew... I’m stuffed..." Tatsukawa patted his round belly and eyed the half-full bowl in front of him. "Hey, Sasabe, isn’t today’s ramen portion huge? I can barely finish..."

"It is. And the bowl is way bigger than before..." Sasabe agreed, looking at the enormous porcelain bowl that required both hands to lift.

"Boss, what’s the deal with these massive bowls? There’s enough in here for three people!" Sasabe called out.

"Since you two are usually so wasteful, I specially prepared the extra-large bowls we use for eating contests. This way, you'll waste less food. Even if you can't finish half the bowl, it's better than wasting lots of separate dishes," Asakura replied calmly.

"Tch. What’s it to you if we waste food? It’s not like we can’t pay, you old grouch. Let’s go, Tatsukawa!"

"Right!"

Sasabe, already in a foul mood from the captain's brutal training, wasn't about to put up with the owner's attitude. He tossed some bills on the table and made for the exit. But just as they reached for the curtain, Asakura's cold voice stopped them.

"Hey, you two. You ate two bowls but only paid for one. Care to explain?"

"What?!" Both spun around. Sasabe, bristling, snapped, "Listen, old man, don't you dare accuse us! I paid more than enough for several bowls already!"

Purple Pen Literature