**Chapter 21: The Intra-School Selection Begins**

Night fell.

The lights in the Ice Tennis Club office were still on.

Sakaki Taro, the coach (supervisor/advisor) of the tennis club, sat at his desk, carefully reviewing the selection list sent by the captain, Atobe.

Generally, the official representatives of each club were nominated by the captain and then approved by the coach.

Most of the time, out of trust, the coach wouldn't make any changes to the list.

Sakaki Taro was no exception.

In fact, aside from his role as the tennis club coach, Sakaki primarily taught music at Hyotei Academy.

Normally, he didn't involve himself much in the tennis club's affairs, leaving everything to Captain Atobe.

Only during events like the intra-school selection, where his approval was needed, would he step in.

"The list is the same as last year."

As Sakaki looked over the names on the list, his right fingertips lightly tapped the desk, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face.

"It seems there aren't any outstanding newcomers this year."

As the coach of Hyotei, Sakaki naturally hoped to see fresh talent joining the team.

Ideally, he wanted to see players who could catch his eye, like the ones who had appeared five years ago and two years ago.

Two years ago, Atobe, who had returned from England, swept through the tennis club, leaving Sakaki deeply impressed.

As for five years ago, another prodigy had emerged, leading Hyotei to its first appearance at the national tournament and achieving remarkable results.

"So…"

Thinking of this, a trace of gloom appeared on Sakaki's face. "Is this something that happens every three years?"

"Hmm?"

However, just as he was about to set the list aside after a quick glance, his attention was suddenly drawn to a name at the very end.

"Ishikawa Shin?"

"First-year?"

"Interesting…"

Seeing the name placed at the bottom of Group D, Sakaki's lips curled into a smile of interest.

Hyotei didn't have a vice-captain.

The entire list was compiled by Atobe alone.

Without a doubt, this first-year named Ishikawa Shin must have been personally observed by Atobe before being added to the list.

And Sakaki knew Atobe's judgment very well.

"To be noticed by Atobe and placed in this group… This intra-school selection is going to be very interesting!"

Putting the list aside, Sakaki stood up and walked to the window.

At the same time, on the distant tennis court near the streetlight, a figure could be seen practicing serves.

"That posture is…"

With his sharp eyes, Sakaki immediately noticed something. "Ootori's… Heavy Cannon Serve?"

The unfamiliar figure gradually overlapped with someone he had in mind.

At this moment, the coach, who usually stayed out of the tennis club's affairs, suddenly felt a surge of anticipation for the intra-school selection that would begin tomorrow!

---

The next day.

The second week of the new semester.

As the newcomers began to get acquainted, the campus and classrooms became livelier.

In Class C of Hyotei's first-year students, Ishikawa remained as usual, engrossed in his books. It wasn't that he was aloof, but rather that there was no one in his class who caught his interest.

In fact, the same could be said for all the first-year students on the same floor.

In the original story, Hyotei was like this.

The first-year players simply didn't have anyone noteworthy.

Having already finished most of the semester's academic subjects, Ishikawa had now moved on to studying advanced tennis strategies.

At the moment, he was holding the third autobiography he had borrowed from the library, written by a retired top professional player.

Usually, such books were filled with motivational fluff, but since they were written by top players, they also contained some personal insights into tennis.

After reading three of them, Ishikawa had summarized some key takeaways,初步确定了今后训练的方向,并琢磨出了一些比赛场上可能施展的战术.

The next step was to test them in actual matches.

Of course, this was assuming Atobe had indeed included him in the new round of intra-school selections.

Otherwise, he'd have to continue lying low for another month.

However, Ishikawa's intuition told him that the captain of Hyotei wouldn't let him off so easily.

---

3:00 PM.

Club activity time.

As Hyotei's largest club, the tennis club's new semester selection matches had already attracted a large crowd of students before they even began.

Most of them were girls.

This was partly due to Captain Atobe's good looks and wealth, but also because Hyotei's tennis team was one of the best in Tokyo.

At the moment, on the tennis club's training grounds, over two hundred members stood in neat formation.

At the front were Coach Sakaki Taro, dressed in a maroon suit, and Captain Atobe Keigo.

"The intra-school selection for this month begins today."

"The rules remain the same. Thirty-two players will be selected from all members and divided into four groups of eight."

"Each group will play matches in pairs, with only wins counted. The top two from each group will earn regular spots, while the third and fourth will be placed in the second team."

As Sakaki spoke, he pulled out the match list and announced, "Group A: Atobe Keigo, Akutagawa Jiro…"

"Group B: Mukahi Gakuto, Ootori Choutarou…"

"Group C: Taki Haginosuke, Kabaji Munehiro…"

"Group D: Oshitari Yuushi, Shishido Ryou, Hiyoshi Wakashi… Ishikawa Shin!"

"All thirty-two of you, remember your groups. The match schedule and court assignments are posted on the bulletin board. Anyone who fails to show up without a valid reason will be disqualified!"

After Sakaki finished speaking, aside from Atobe and a few others, the selected players all wore serious expressions.

This was the authority of Hyotei's coach.

Even Atobe, in his eyes, was no different from the others.

Beyond that, many turned their attention to a certain black-haired, handsome young man in the crowd.

Once Sakaki dismissed them for free practice, murmurs of disbelief immediately arose.

"How is that possible? That newcomer actually got a spot in the selection?"

"Yeah, it's the intra-school selection! Only thirty-two out of over two hundred members!"

"What about Koshimizu or Maruyama? Aren't they stronger than him?"

"Idiots!"

But just then, a cold voice sounded behind them.

"Who?"

They turned around instinctively, only to see a brown-haired boy with a mushroom cut and a gloomy expression smirking at them.

"Hiyoshi?!"

Seeing that it was the captain of the second team, they immediately swallowed their retorts.

"Watch your words."

Seeing their fearful expressions, Hiyoshi sneered. "Don't forget, only the captain has the authority to decide the selection list!"

With that, he walked away.

The group, now drenched in cold sweat, exchanged nervous glances. If Atobe found out they had been badmouthing him behind his back, they'd be in serious trouble.

"As expected, the weak remain weak."

Glancing at their reactions, Hiyoshi felt even more disdain.

Then, his gaze shifted to the training area, where Ishikawa was already practicing swings with a group of first-years. "Interesting. Even at a time like this, he's still doing such pointless drills?"

"Is he confident about the matches, or has he already given up after seeing the list?"

Thinking this, Hiyoshi's smile widened.

He didn't believe it was the former. In fact, he admired Ishikawa's apparent acceptance of reality.

Then, his eyes turned to a nearby court, where a brown-haired boy with long hair tied back was warming up.

"Looks like my luck is holding… Shishido-senpai!"

**(End of Chapter)**