Temporary Withdrawal from the Club

“Songyuan won!” Shishido Ryo exclaimed happily.

“Hmph, it was already a foregone conclusion,” Akutsu responded indifferently, clearly unconcerned. Cheers rose in waves, and many Evergreen students flooded onto the court to celebrate. For them, defeating Yamabuki Junior High meant securing their place in the Metropolitan Tournament, and next up for Evergreen was the Kanto Tournament!

“Congratulations, Tezuka,” Kaneda Kan’ya stood up and offered his congratulations.

Although Tezuka was somewhat displeased by Kaneda’s little tricks during the match, as the captain of the Evergreen Academy Tennis Club, he kept his emotions in check. He quickly stood and shook Kaneda’s hand, replying humbly, “You flatter me, Mr. Kaneda. It truly was an exciting match.”

“Perhaps today’s defeat will prove beneficial for Yamabuki. Regardless, next time we’ll be back for revenge,” Kaneda said calmly.

“I look forward to it,” Tezuka nodded, watching Kaneda leave the lively tennis court behind.

“Well done, Songyuan,” Fuji said with a gentle smile.

“I knew Songyuan wouldn’t lose!” Shishido chimed in.

“How about a cup of Dry’s Special Drink, Improved Formula 2.0? For a tired body, it’s the most efficient way to recover,” Inui Sadaharu adjusted his gleaming glasses, flashed his big white teeth, and handed over a thermos.

“Ah… I’ll pass…” Songyuan’s mouth twitched as he gave a strained laugh.

“Hey, Sadaharu… Even though the match is over, don’t do such weird things, okay?” Yanagi Renji, seeing Inui’s persistent promotion of his drinks, considered his actions borderline diabolical and shook his head in embarrassment.

“That’s a real shame. Out of the four drinks I’ve developed so far, this one tastes the best, and I’m most confident in it,” Inui sighed. Hearing this, Shishido couldn’t help but ask, “Is it the fourth drink besides vegetable juice, Dry’s Special Drink, and the Powerful Mixed Drink?”

“Of course! Would you like a cup?” Inui’s eyes glinted mischievously as he opened the lid and poured a glass.

“Ah… I’ll pass too…” Shishido, observing the purple smoke emanating from the red-and-yellow, creamy liquid that was Dry’s Special Drink Improved Formula, backed away, covering his mouth.

Seeing the reactions, Inui shrugged, then drank the purple-smoking concoction himself, prompting laughter from those nearby.

“Uh…” Watching Inui down the drink, Songyuan and the others were stunned. Could it be… this time, Dry’s juice is actually drinkable?

Recalling the iridescent, creamy-white beverage just moments ago, Shishido felt queasy. He had a strong sense that this improved drink was still dangerously unfit for consumption.

“Ah!” Inui’s cry drew everyone’s attention. Songyuan and his companions’ mouths fell open, as if they could fit a whole bun inside, for Inui’s face had turned a sickly blue after drinking the improved formula—like someone poisoned.

“A twisted mouth and crooked eyes…” Fuji, opening his sapphire eyes, exclaimed in surprise.

“Drooling…” Songyuan murmured in shock.

“Face contorted…” Shishido muttered, dumbfounded.

“Fingers deformed…” Kumakiri Shibayama added.

Clang… Clunk! The thermos cup fell to the ground and rolled away, while Inui remained frozen like a statue, as if he had died on the spot.

“Hey… Sadaharu…” Shishido couldn’t help but call out.

“Ah!” A scream echoed through the entire venue as Inui, like a wound-up toy, shot out, enveloped in a cloud of thick smoke!

Duang! At the public restroom of the Metropolitan Tournament venue, a young man about to toss a bomb was suddenly knocked to the floor by a whirlwind. He picked up his fallen hat, his eyes wide with fear, staring at the restroom door, which was now closed and emitting mysterious, smoky fumes. Terrified, he fled in panic.

“Is… is he okay?” Oda Fuyuka was clearly frightened by Inui’s antics.

“Haha…” Shishido gave a nervous laugh and explained, “Don’t worry, I think it’s just because it tasted so good…”

After saying this, Shishido secretly breathed a sigh of relief—thank goodness he hadn’t listened to Sadaharu’s nonsense and drunk it himself.

“A self-made remedy, taken, and… perished…” Songyuan’s forehead was streaked with dark lines.

“Hmph, karma always comes around; Dry’s juice spares no one,” Akutsu scoffed coldly.

“Can’t… even drink his own stuff…” Yanagi was sweating profusely. He truly was amazed by Inui—why make something even you can’t drink yourself?

Meanwhile, on Yamabuki’s side, the defeated Sengoku saw Dan Taichi, Higashi Miyabi, and others running up. He reached out with a smile, “Sorry, everyone. I lost.”

“It’s alright, Sengoku, don’t let it bother you,” Minami Kentarou handed him a towel. Sengoku gave a dry laugh, “Thanks, Captain.”

“Losing must feel bitter, Sengoku,” Kaneda Kan’ya walked over slowly, smiling.

“Yeah, but that Songyuan Mingyi really is impressive. Every time I thought I’d surpassed him, he’d overtake me the next moment,” Sengoku nodded, his expression becoming serious.

“But failure is also a valuable experience. The same goes for you all—only by learning from defeat can you discover more potential,” Kaneda turned his gaze to Higashi Miyabi, Minami Kentarou, and the Mikami brothers, smiling.

“So, what are your plans going forward?” Kaneda looked back at Sengoku.

“I’ve decided to leave the club for a while, to truly search for my own tennis style, starting from scratch,” Sengoku’s solemn words stunned everyone, with Dan Taichi being the first to speak, “Even if you want to change your style, there’s no need to quit the club, Sengoku.”

“That’s right, we’ll all work hard together, Sengoku,” Higashi Miyabi said, clearly reluctant to see him go.

“Sengoku, I believe your tennis abilities are second to none,” Kaneda quietly opened his eyes, offering comfort.

“Exactly, stay with us, Sengoku,” Minami Kentarou added.

“Everyone’s words really touch me, but my mind’s made up. It’s not a permanent departure—I'll be back soon, not as a former Junior Tournament runner-up, but as Sengoku Kiyoshi himself,” Sengoku was moved by their efforts to keep him, but this only strengthened his resolve to temporarily leave the tennis club. After all, the blow dealt by Songyuan Mingyi was simply too great. He couldn’t remain overconfident; he needed to work harder, then return to the court!

Remembering Songyuan’s terrifying, powerful shots during the match, Sengoku unconsciously clenched his fists.

“We’ll be waiting for your return, Sengoku!” Dan Taichi was the first to put his hand in front of Sengoku, followed in perfect harmony by Higashi Miyabi and Minami Kentarou, then the Mikami brothers.

“Don’t let Yamabuki down…”

“Or you’ll be in trouble…”

“Go for it, Sengoku!”

Niwatome Inao also reached out.

“You’re our singles ace—come back soon,” Takahashi Ryuseki added his hand.

“Everyone…” Sengoku’s lake-blue eyes glistened, and he decisively placed his hand on top. Finally, Kaneda Kan’ya, smiling kindly, put his hand atop Sengoku’s.

Purple Pen Literature