Seigaku Sports Office
“Coach Ryuzaki!” A man in a neat suit smiled warmly as he entered.
“Oh!
It’s Inoue from Tennis Weekly.
Long time no see!” Ryuzaki greeted him with a smile.
“I picked this up for you on the way here.
Just a small gift,” Inoue Shu said, handing over a present.
Ryuzaki accepted it.
“You didn’t have to bring anything.
You came all this way already.
Next time, no gifts, okay?
Please, have a seat.
Tea or coffee?”
“Tea would be great.
Don’t trouble yourself!”
“Are you still handling interviews by yourself these days?” Ryuzaki asked while pouring.
“I hired a new assistant, but he’s been sick at home the last few days.”
“Oh, that’s good!” Ryuzaki said.
“You won’t be as busy then!”
“Haha, it’s alright,” Inoue scratched the back of his head.
“I heard Seigaku has two incredible first-years this year.
One of them is Samurai Nanjiro’s son, Ryoma Echizen, right?”
“Yes, your sources are as sharp as ever, Inoue.
You even know about Ryoma.
That’s correct — he’s Nanjiro’s son.
They have very similar eyes,” Ryuzaki said, gazing out at the tennis courts.
“Of course.
I used to be a huge fan of Samurai Nanjiro.
I watched every match he ever played.
I still don’t understand why he retired at his absolute peak.
Five Grand Slam titles… didn’t that mean anything to him?” Inoue asked, puzzled.
“Haha, you’d have to ask him yourself.
Knowing him, he probably found something even more interesting,” Ryuzaki laughed, her expression filled with nostalgia.
“Really?
That’s… quite something,” Inoue said.
“Anyway, let’s talk about your other new first-year — Ye Changfeng.
I heard he’s Chinese?
That’s pretty unusual!”
“Oh, you mean that cocky kid?” Ryuzaki paused for a moment.
“He’s strong.
After Tezuka and Fuji, he’s probably third.
What’s strange is how fast he’s improving.
It’s almost unnatural.”
“Oh?” Inoue was surprised to hear such high praise from Coach Ryuzaki.
“So for the regional preliminaries, are you planning to put him at third singles?”
“That hasn’t been decided yet.
For doubles, besides Oishi and Kikumaru’s Golden Pair, I’m still struggling with the second pair,” Ryuzaki said helplessly.
“The regional preliminaries shouldn’t be too difficult.
Why not let Tezuka and Fuji rest a bit?” Inoue suggested.
“I’ve considered that, but every team has improved a lot this year.
Seigaku can’t afford to be careless,” Ryuzaki replied.
“Oh, it’s already this late!” Inoue checked his watch.
“Coach Ryuzaki, may I interview some of your promising regular players?
I still need good material for next week’s issue.”
“Go ahead.
Just tell Oishi I approved it,” Ryuzaki said.
“Great, I’m off then!
See you later!” Inoue rushed out energetically.
“That guy… still the same impatient self,” Ryuzaki chuckled, then turned back to the paper on her desk.
It was covered in many revisions.
Written on it were the planned singles lineup:
1st Singles: Ye Changfeng
2nd Singles: Shusuke Fuji
3rd Singles: …
“Changfeng, someone’s looking for you!”
Ye Changfeng was packing up to head home.
“Who is it?”
“Hello, I’m Inoue Shu from Tennis Weekly.
I’d like to interview you.
Do you have time?” Inoue extended his hand.
“No time.”
Ye Changfeng recognized him immediately as the reporter from the original story.
He had no interest in dealing with interviews right now — he still needed to discuss the manga submission with Mayu.
“Please!
I’m begging you!” Inoue actually grabbed onto Ye Changfeng’s sleeve to stop him.
“Fine, fine.
Make it quick.
I still have things to do,” Ye Changfeng said helplessly.
“Great!
First question: Why did you choose Seigaku?”
“Because it’s close.”
“Second question: What do you think of Ryoma Echizen?
How strong do you think he is?”
“Has nothing to do with me.”
“Third question: Do you have any dreams?
Becoming national champions?”
“National champions?
No.
If I had to say… my goal is to defeat everyone and become the Tennis God!”
“The Tennis God…?” Inoue was stunned.
He had interviewed many players before, but none had ever said something like this.
This Chinese boy really was as arrogant as the rumors claimed.
By the time he snapped out of it, Ye Changfeng had already walked far away.
“Wait!
Changfeng!
I still have many more questions!”
“Go ask Echizen instead!
Hahaha!” Ye Changfeng laughed loudly and quickly disappeared.
“What a guy… He’s really something special.
I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do in the regional preliminaries.
What kind of strength does someone need to declare such an enormous dream?”