Notes:
As another aside, Jin Azayama and Wakizashi middle school are my own creation, but everything else is obviously Tonomi's ;).
Ganbatte kudasai yo – English : Good Luck, or Work hard. Osu – Yup, Sure, Ok. Rizumu ni noru ze – Literally I ride the rhythm, but since that sounds so strange in English, it can also be translated to "I'm in the rhythm". Ikkyu Nyu Kon – I've seen this translated as "One shot to your soul" and "One shot in". I don't own the manga so I don't know how it's written in characters to be able to tell. Desu – To be, also used to make certain statements more polite. Dan uses desu at the end of all his sentences, which is really weird. Gekokujyoo – Beating a person of higher rank and taking their place.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- Two weeks had quickly passed since the exciting news of the "Junior Japan Showcase Tournament" had been delivered to Seigaku. While showing no outward signs of it, Ryoma did indeed look forward to facing off against the top tennis players in Japan. A cocky grin slowly formed on Echizen's face as he walked up the steps towards the Tokyo recreation facilities where the tournament would be held. The gymnasium was huge and had the modern, stylistic feel of the gym at Jyosei Shounan middle school. Ryoma could see a throng of reporters at the entrance, flashing their cameras at every tennis player that walked in. Ryoma heard footsteps behind him, and slowly turned around. Behind him was Kaidoh, sporting his Seigaku tennis uniform and his trademark dark green bandanna.
"Ganbatte kudasai yo, Kaidoh senpai," said Ryoma in his usual unemotional tone of voice. He grinned slightly, tainting the phrase with a hint of sarcasm. Kaidoh, highly unamused, simply stared back at Ryoma.
"I don't need any mouth from you," said Kaidoh, putting his hands in his pockets and continuing to walk up the steps.
Upon reaching the entrance to the gymnasium, Kaidoh and Echizen were almost blinded by the camera flashes. The air was filled with the incessant questioning of the reporters. Ryoma shielded his eyes, seemingly annoyed with all the attention. Inoue and Shiba were among the many reporters. Shiba's eyes lit up as she caught sight of the two Seigaku regulars.
"Look, Inoue senpai, it's Kaidoh-kun and Echizen-kun!" said Shiba excitedly pointing her camera towards the two and snapping a photo.
In an instant, from behind Shiba and Inoue, Tomo and Sakuno burst out in a display of fanfare and pompoms.
"Hurrah, Hurrah! Ryoma-sama!" yelled Tomo at the top of her lungs, waving sparkling pink pom-poms and showering multi-colored confetti in all directions. Sakuno, extremely embarrassed by her friend, stood in the back blushing beet red.
"Tomo-chan..."
Tomo ran up to Echizen and Kaidoh, waving her pom-poms and cheering.
"Do your best today Ryoma-sama. No one can touch the wonderful tennis skills of Ryoma-sama!"
Echizen tilted his white cap slightly, apparently puzzled by the strange behavior of Tomo. Echizen always wondered why she always made such a brazen fool of herself in front of others.
Inoue stepped forward, carrying a black satchel he used to hold his laptop.
"Well you two will want to get going. Everyone is warming up inside the gymnasium. I'm really looking forward to seeing your matches," said Inoue.
"Really, everyone getting so worked up..." remarked Ryoma, pulling down his cap, as he walked inside the gymnasium with Kaidoh directly behind him.
The gymnasium had been transformed into a veritable festival of tennis. Large banners adorned the sides, reading "Junior Japan Tournament". Cameramen were buzzing from court to court, flashing pictures of the up and coming stars of Japanese tennis. Tennis enthusiasts were all chatting about Japan's re-entry into the tennis world. There was a stand with water bottles and fresh towels for the participants, as well as a large white board, next to a podium, showing the outline for pairings for the exhibition matches. Much to Ryoma's surprise, standing next to the water bottle table was none other than, Inui!
"Inui senpai, what are you doing here?" asked Kaidoh.
"Yo, Kaidoh, Echizen. I am here to assist the committee with the tournament, and for data gathering."
"You never quit, such sickening tennis...", said Echizen in his usual low and understated tone.
"I couldn't miss the chance to gather data on the up and coming tennis stars of Japan. Look, over there. You may see some familiar faces," said Inui senpai, pointing over to the tennis courts at the other end of the gym. In the first court were none other than Ibu Shinji and Akira Kamio of Fudoumine.
"Rizumu ni noru ze!" exclaimed Kamio as he miraculously caught up to Shinji's kick serve and sent it flying back to Shinji's court.
"How annoying, Kamio just gets faster every time. I hope they start soon", muttered Shinji under his breath as he struck the tennis ball, delivering a high speed shot cross court.
Kaidoh watched the practice match intently. His face showed no signs of surprise at the apparent improvement in speed and stamina Kamio had made. Kaidoh was sure that if they faced off again, it would not go the same way as last time. Ryoma's attention moved away from Kamio and Shinji towards the adjacent court.
"Ikkyu....Nyuuu....Kon!" exclaimed Chootaro Ooshitari as he served the ball, delivering his unbelievably fast scud serve. The tennis ball flew through the air like a rocket, landing in the opposite court. Waiting to return the ball, Hiyoshi Wakashi changed stances. With his arm outstretched and his tennis racket pulled back to the side of his head, Hiyoshi swung his tennis racket wildly, returning the scud serve into Chootaroo's court. Chootaroo, in shock that his patented scud serve was returned, failed to snap out of his stupor in time to return the ball. Hiyoshi stood erect with his tennis racket at his side. He looked around the gymnasium, surveying the other players. His focus soon turned towards the entrance, and to Echizen.
"I see the shorty has finally arrived. I'll have my revenge for that embarrassment at the regionals. Gekokujyoo da," thought Hiyoshi.
Echizen had been watching Hiyoshi and Chootaroo, but maintained a disinterested look.
"You both will soon get a number to decide which exhibition matches you will participate in. You two should warm up a bit like the others. They'll be starting soon," said Inui.
"Osu" replied Kaidoh as he set down his bag and went with Echizen to an empty court to begin their warmup.
Inui wrote in his journal while watching Sengoku of Yamabuki warm up with Dan of the Yamabuki tennis club. Sengoku, grinning from ear to ear, hit the ball back and forth with Dan.
"I feel lucky today Dan. It was good of you to come and help me warm up. I'm the only player from Yamabuki in the tournament," said Sengoku.
"No problem senpai. I wanted to come see this tournament. Besides, I'll get to see Echizen play desu," replied Dan, wearing a hat identical to Echizen.
Sengoku flung the ball high in the air, leaping high into the air and curving his right hand forward. Sengoku hit the ball, using his Kohou technique, to send the ball flying at top speed.
"Sengoku of Yamabuki middle school? His match with Kamio is supposed to have driven him to change his style of tennis. I wonder what tennis will come out of that training?" said Inui to himself, while scribbling notes and graphs into his mysterious journal.
Inui's attention then moved to Yuuta Fuji and his training partner, Atsushi. Atsushi served the ball and hit it with all his might at Yuuta. Yuuta raced towards ball at top speed, swinging his racket low and striking the ball just as it bounced upward. With a fluid upward stroke of his left hand, Yuuta pulled off his patented Super Rising, sending the ball back into Atsushi's court faster than he could react. Atsushi stood in a crouched position, apparently stunned at the speed of Yuuta's super rising.
"Awesome Yuuta, you've been training hard. Your Super Rising is even faster than before."
"Thanks, ever since the day I played Ryoma Echizen I have increased my level of training. If I'm going to beat my brother I'm going to have to exceed him first."
Yuuta's expression was set in his determination, as he turned his head and watched Ryoma and Kaidoh perform their warm up.
"I may not be able to use my Twist Spin Shot, but I have something equally good. Just you wait Echizen," thought Yuuta.
Yuuta and Atsushi resumed their warm up routine. Inui adjusted his thick rimmed black glasses, making more notes in his notebook. At the very end of the gymnasium stood a lone figure wearing a white polo shirt with silver lining at the sleeves. "Wakizashi middle school" was emblazoned on the back. The young boy stood a little over Ryoma's height. His hair was jet black and dyed blue at the tips, and was quite short and spiky. His face was quite handsome, smooth, and youthful. His frame seemed lean and sturdy, not very muscular but not skinny. A look of quiet concentration came over his face as he hit the ball against the wall, warming up.
"Wakazashi's Jin Ayazama? Wakazashi middle school could not participate in the tournament this year due to a series of terrible injuries in their tennis club. They would have put up a great fight during the tournament. I don't have much data on Jin, but he must be good enough to impress the judges to enter the tournament. What kind of tennis will he show?" thought Inui.
A loudspeaker went off, making a loud noise to get the attention of everyone in the gym. A few moments later a soft female voice announced "will all participants of the Japan Junior Tournament please assemble in front of the podium where we will announce the exhibition match order."
After a few moments a stately looking man, apparently the committee judge, walked up to the podium atop a small makeshift stage next to the board showing the pairings. Next to the judge stood Inoue and Shiba, as well as a few other Monthly Pro Tennis employees. All of the contestants for the tournament stood in a line in front of the podium, each carrying tennis rackets and looks of sheer determination etched onto their faces.
"We'd like to thank all our sponsors for helping us make this tournament possible. Each of these outstanding young men have shown their tennis skills during the prefectural and regional tournaments and are now going to showcase for us what Japanese tennis will be like for next year. Our contestants for this year are..." The judge made a grand gesture with his hand, bidding the audience to applaud while he announced the names.
"Of Yamabuki middle school, Sengoku Kyosumi. Of St. Rudolph, Yuuta Fuji. Of Fudoumine middle school, Akira Kamio and Shinji Ibu. From Jyoosei Shonan, Reiji Shinjyoo. From Rokkaku middle school, Aoi Kentarou. From Hyootei Gakuen, Hiyoshi Wakashi, and Chootaro Ooshitari. From Wakizashi middle school, Jin Ayazama. And last but not least, from Seishungakuen, Kaoru Kaidoh and Ryoma Echizen. Our first match up will be a singles match. Fudoumine's Shinji Ibu versus St. Rudolph's Yuuta Fuji."
Shinji and Yuuta both stepped forward, exchanged momentary side glances at each other, and then faced the audience. The audience filled the auditorium with thunderous applause. Echizen lowered his head, with his hat covering his eyelid. From the corner of his eye, he looked at the line of worthy opponents, and at the very end, the mysterious player from Wakizashi middle school, Jin Ayazama.
"What kind of tennis will he show us?" thought Inui to himself.
As another aside, Jin Azayama and Wakizashi middle school are my own creation, but everything else is obviously Tonomi's ;).
Ganbatte kudasai yo – English : Good Luck, or Work hard. Osu – Yup, Sure, Ok. Rizumu ni noru ze – Literally I ride the rhythm, but since that sounds so strange in English, it can also be translated to "I'm in the rhythm". Ikkyu Nyu Kon – I've seen this translated as "One shot to your soul" and "One shot in". I don't own the manga so I don't know how it's written in characters to be able to tell. Desu – To be, also used to make certain statements more polite. Dan uses desu at the end of all his sentences, which is really weird. Gekokujyoo – Beating a person of higher rank and taking their place.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- Two weeks had quickly passed since the exciting news of the "Junior Japan Showcase Tournament" had been delivered to Seigaku. While showing no outward signs of it, Ryoma did indeed look forward to facing off against the top tennis players in Japan. A cocky grin slowly formed on Echizen's face as he walked up the steps towards the Tokyo recreation facilities where the tournament would be held. The gymnasium was huge and had the modern, stylistic feel of the gym at Jyosei Shounan middle school. Ryoma could see a throng of reporters at the entrance, flashing their cameras at every tennis player that walked in. Ryoma heard footsteps behind him, and slowly turned around. Behind him was Kaidoh, sporting his Seigaku tennis uniform and his trademark dark green bandanna.
"Ganbatte kudasai yo, Kaidoh senpai," said Ryoma in his usual unemotional tone of voice. He grinned slightly, tainting the phrase with a hint of sarcasm. Kaidoh, highly unamused, simply stared back at Ryoma.
"I don't need any mouth from you," said Kaidoh, putting his hands in his pockets and continuing to walk up the steps.
Upon reaching the entrance to the gymnasium, Kaidoh and Echizen were almost blinded by the camera flashes. The air was filled with the incessant questioning of the reporters. Ryoma shielded his eyes, seemingly annoyed with all the attention. Inoue and Shiba were among the many reporters. Shiba's eyes lit up as she caught sight of the two Seigaku regulars.
"Look, Inoue senpai, it's Kaidoh-kun and Echizen-kun!" said Shiba excitedly pointing her camera towards the two and snapping a photo.
In an instant, from behind Shiba and Inoue, Tomo and Sakuno burst out in a display of fanfare and pompoms.
"Hurrah, Hurrah! Ryoma-sama!" yelled Tomo at the top of her lungs, waving sparkling pink pom-poms and showering multi-colored confetti in all directions. Sakuno, extremely embarrassed by her friend, stood in the back blushing beet red.
"Tomo-chan..."
Tomo ran up to Echizen and Kaidoh, waving her pom-poms and cheering.
"Do your best today Ryoma-sama. No one can touch the wonderful tennis skills of Ryoma-sama!"
Echizen tilted his white cap slightly, apparently puzzled by the strange behavior of Tomo. Echizen always wondered why she always made such a brazen fool of herself in front of others.
Inoue stepped forward, carrying a black satchel he used to hold his laptop.
"Well you two will want to get going. Everyone is warming up inside the gymnasium. I'm really looking forward to seeing your matches," said Inoue.
"Really, everyone getting so worked up..." remarked Ryoma, pulling down his cap, as he walked inside the gymnasium with Kaidoh directly behind him.
The gymnasium had been transformed into a veritable festival of tennis. Large banners adorned the sides, reading "Junior Japan Tournament". Cameramen were buzzing from court to court, flashing pictures of the up and coming stars of Japanese tennis. Tennis enthusiasts were all chatting about Japan's re-entry into the tennis world. There was a stand with water bottles and fresh towels for the participants, as well as a large white board, next to a podium, showing the outline for pairings for the exhibition matches. Much to Ryoma's surprise, standing next to the water bottle table was none other than, Inui!
"Inui senpai, what are you doing here?" asked Kaidoh.
"Yo, Kaidoh, Echizen. I am here to assist the committee with the tournament, and for data gathering."
"You never quit, such sickening tennis...", said Echizen in his usual low and understated tone.
"I couldn't miss the chance to gather data on the up and coming tennis stars of Japan. Look, over there. You may see some familiar faces," said Inui senpai, pointing over to the tennis courts at the other end of the gym. In the first court were none other than Ibu Shinji and Akira Kamio of Fudoumine.
"Rizumu ni noru ze!" exclaimed Kamio as he miraculously caught up to Shinji's kick serve and sent it flying back to Shinji's court.
"How annoying, Kamio just gets faster every time. I hope they start soon", muttered Shinji under his breath as he struck the tennis ball, delivering a high speed shot cross court.
Kaidoh watched the practice match intently. His face showed no signs of surprise at the apparent improvement in speed and stamina Kamio had made. Kaidoh was sure that if they faced off again, it would not go the same way as last time. Ryoma's attention moved away from Kamio and Shinji towards the adjacent court.
"Ikkyu....Nyuuu....Kon!" exclaimed Chootaro Ooshitari as he served the ball, delivering his unbelievably fast scud serve. The tennis ball flew through the air like a rocket, landing in the opposite court. Waiting to return the ball, Hiyoshi Wakashi changed stances. With his arm outstretched and his tennis racket pulled back to the side of his head, Hiyoshi swung his tennis racket wildly, returning the scud serve into Chootaroo's court. Chootaroo, in shock that his patented scud serve was returned, failed to snap out of his stupor in time to return the ball. Hiyoshi stood erect with his tennis racket at his side. He looked around the gymnasium, surveying the other players. His focus soon turned towards the entrance, and to Echizen.
"I see the shorty has finally arrived. I'll have my revenge for that embarrassment at the regionals. Gekokujyoo da," thought Hiyoshi.
Echizen had been watching Hiyoshi and Chootaroo, but maintained a disinterested look.
"You both will soon get a number to decide which exhibition matches you will participate in. You two should warm up a bit like the others. They'll be starting soon," said Inui.
"Osu" replied Kaidoh as he set down his bag and went with Echizen to an empty court to begin their warmup.
Inui wrote in his journal while watching Sengoku of Yamabuki warm up with Dan of the Yamabuki tennis club. Sengoku, grinning from ear to ear, hit the ball back and forth with Dan.
"I feel lucky today Dan. It was good of you to come and help me warm up. I'm the only player from Yamabuki in the tournament," said Sengoku.
"No problem senpai. I wanted to come see this tournament. Besides, I'll get to see Echizen play desu," replied Dan, wearing a hat identical to Echizen.
Sengoku flung the ball high in the air, leaping high into the air and curving his right hand forward. Sengoku hit the ball, using his Kohou technique, to send the ball flying at top speed.
"Sengoku of Yamabuki middle school? His match with Kamio is supposed to have driven him to change his style of tennis. I wonder what tennis will come out of that training?" said Inui to himself, while scribbling notes and graphs into his mysterious journal.
Inui's attention then moved to Yuuta Fuji and his training partner, Atsushi. Atsushi served the ball and hit it with all his might at Yuuta. Yuuta raced towards ball at top speed, swinging his racket low and striking the ball just as it bounced upward. With a fluid upward stroke of his left hand, Yuuta pulled off his patented Super Rising, sending the ball back into Atsushi's court faster than he could react. Atsushi stood in a crouched position, apparently stunned at the speed of Yuuta's super rising.
"Awesome Yuuta, you've been training hard. Your Super Rising is even faster than before."
"Thanks, ever since the day I played Ryoma Echizen I have increased my level of training. If I'm going to beat my brother I'm going to have to exceed him first."
Yuuta's expression was set in his determination, as he turned his head and watched Ryoma and Kaidoh perform their warm up.
"I may not be able to use my Twist Spin Shot, but I have something equally good. Just you wait Echizen," thought Yuuta.
Yuuta and Atsushi resumed their warm up routine. Inui adjusted his thick rimmed black glasses, making more notes in his notebook. At the very end of the gymnasium stood a lone figure wearing a white polo shirt with silver lining at the sleeves. "Wakizashi middle school" was emblazoned on the back. The young boy stood a little over Ryoma's height. His hair was jet black and dyed blue at the tips, and was quite short and spiky. His face was quite handsome, smooth, and youthful. His frame seemed lean and sturdy, not very muscular but not skinny. A look of quiet concentration came over his face as he hit the ball against the wall, warming up.
"Wakazashi's Jin Ayazama? Wakazashi middle school could not participate in the tournament this year due to a series of terrible injuries in their tennis club. They would have put up a great fight during the tournament. I don't have much data on Jin, but he must be good enough to impress the judges to enter the tournament. What kind of tennis will he show?" thought Inui.
A loudspeaker went off, making a loud noise to get the attention of everyone in the gym. A few moments later a soft female voice announced "will all participants of the Japan Junior Tournament please assemble in front of the podium where we will announce the exhibition match order."
After a few moments a stately looking man, apparently the committee judge, walked up to the podium atop a small makeshift stage next to the board showing the pairings. Next to the judge stood Inoue and Shiba, as well as a few other Monthly Pro Tennis employees. All of the contestants for the tournament stood in a line in front of the podium, each carrying tennis rackets and looks of sheer determination etched onto their faces.
"We'd like to thank all our sponsors for helping us make this tournament possible. Each of these outstanding young men have shown their tennis skills during the prefectural and regional tournaments and are now going to showcase for us what Japanese tennis will be like for next year. Our contestants for this year are..." The judge made a grand gesture with his hand, bidding the audience to applaud while he announced the names.
"Of Yamabuki middle school, Sengoku Kyosumi. Of St. Rudolph, Yuuta Fuji. Of Fudoumine middle school, Akira Kamio and Shinji Ibu. From Jyoosei Shonan, Reiji Shinjyoo. From Rokkaku middle school, Aoi Kentarou. From Hyootei Gakuen, Hiyoshi Wakashi, and Chootaro Ooshitari. From Wakizashi middle school, Jin Ayazama. And last but not least, from Seishungakuen, Kaoru Kaidoh and Ryoma Echizen. Our first match up will be a singles match. Fudoumine's Shinji Ibu versus St. Rudolph's Yuuta Fuji."
Shinji and Yuuta both stepped forward, exchanged momentary side glances at each other, and then faced the audience. The audience filled the auditorium with thunderous applause. Echizen lowered his head, with his hat covering his eyelid. From the corner of his eye, he looked at the line of worthy opponents, and at the very end, the mysterious player from Wakizashi middle school, Jin Ayazama.
"What kind of tennis will he show us?" thought Inui to himself.