Chapter 296: Activities

“Although hot-blooded youth doesn’t suit us, moving around a bit occasionally isn’t bad. How about a game of tennis?” Lei Yin suddenly suggested, feeling inspired after sitting under the shade for a while.

“But I’ve never played tennis before,” Kazumi said, lifting her head.

“What a coincidence, neither have I,” Lei Yin replied as he carefully picked up the sleeping Amy.

Kazumi looked at him, both amused and exasperated, then stood up and brushed the grass off her clothes.

Outside the gymnasium, there was a large outdoor tennis court divided into four sections. When Lei Yin and Kazumi arrived, three of the courts were being used by the tennis club for practice, leaving one court temporarily empty. Lei Yin had spotted the empty court from the lawn earlier and, on a whim, decided to bring Kazumi over to play.

After gently placing Amy on a long bench with a backrest near the court, Lei Yin said to Kazumi, “Wait here, I’ll go rent some rackets.” With that, he headed toward a shop several hundred meters away with a sign that read “Racket Rentals.”

Kazumi, curious, glanced at the nearby court where members of the tennis club were practicing.

A boy and a girl were playing, both dressed in Teikyo Tennis Club uniforms. The girl, however, wore a white skirt.

Even though Kazumi only had a vague understanding of tennis, it was clear that the girl’s skills were far superior to the boy’s. She deliberately aimed the ball at open spaces, making the boy run back and forth to retrieve it.

The girl laughed frequently at the boy’s flustered state, and a few students sitting on the sidelines couldn’t help but cheer loudly.

At this moment, Lei Yin returned with two rackets and a few soft tennis balls.

After handing one racket to Kazumi, Lei Yin walked to the opposite side of the court and said, “Good thing you’re wearing flat shoes today, or we wouldn’t be able to play. Let’s start.”

Kazumi was startled. “We’re starting just like that?”

“Do you want me to send you a formal invitation, Miss Gennai?” Lei Yin teased. Then, he tossed the ball into the air and swung his racket, sending the ball flying.

“Are you trying to kill me?!” Kazumi yelled as she hurriedly returned the ball, only for it to hit the net.

“Excellent serve by Masashi! Unfortunately, Kazumi misses the return due to weight issues, losing the first point,” Lei Yin announced theatrically, using the racket handle as a makeshift microphone for his commentary.

“Ridiculous! You’re the one with weight issues. And that point doesn’t count!”

“Why not?” Lei Yin asked, puzzled.

“You crossed the line when you served, and you weren’t even in the service area. So, it’s invalid.”

“Where’s the service area?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t even know the rules.”

“I don’t know them very well. But why do you look so happy about it?”

“I’m not. You’re imagining things. Fine, I’ll serve.” Kazumi picked up the ball and walked toward the back of the court.

When she reached the right-hand baseline, she pointed her racket at the spot where she was standing and said, “This is the service area. After scoring or losing a point, you switch to the other side to serve. Got it?”

Unexpectedly getting a chance to lecture someone who always seemed to know everything, Kazumi felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction. She silently thanked Takeshima Shinobu, who loved flashy tennis skirts and frequently explained women’s tennis matches. Without her verbose commentary, Kazumi wouldn’t have had this opportunity.

Being lectured by his own sister, Lei Yin felt a bit out of sorts and couldn’t help but protest, “Hey, we’re just playing for fun. Do we really need to follow the rules so strictly?”

“No exceptions,” Kazumi replied decisively, immediately serving the ball.

Lei Yin had no choice but to play along, albeit somewhat clumsily.

Although Lei Yin had never played tennis before and barely understood the rules, sports are ultimately about vision, reaction, speed, and strength. For someone like him, a hidden master, these aspects were completely second nature—far beyond the abilities of ordinary people.

However, since he treated this match as a game, it wouldn’t be fun if Kazumi couldn’t hit the ball at all. So, he intentionally aimed the ball toward her and slowed down his shots to make them easier for her to return.

Kazumi’s reflexes, while not as sharp as Rumi’s, who trained regularly in kendo, weren’t too far off. After a few rounds, even though she had only ever heard Takeshima Shinobu explain tennis rules and had never played herself, she began to improve and return the ball more consistently.

With Lei Yin deliberately holding back, the match quickly became evenly balanced. As the ball flew back and forth, both of them ran around the court to retrieve it. Occasionally, when she managed to make her brother dash across the court to save a well-placed shot, Kazumi, who always thought she lacked enthusiasm, would find herself laughing in delight at his awkwardness.

By now, she was starting to think that tennis was actually quite fun.

“Hey, you’ve made two serving errors in a row. What’s the point? This round is mine,” Lei Yin teased.

“Don’t you know that if the last point of a game results in two serving errors by the player who’s trailing, it doesn’t count as losing a point? Instead, the serve transfers to the opponent. So, here’s the ball—it’s your turn to serve,” Kazumi said generously as she tossed the ball to him.

Catching the ball, Lei Yin looked skeptical. “Is that really the rule? You just gave a completely different explanation earlier! Hey, don’t take advantage of my ignorance to make up rules. I’ve noticed that most of your ‘rules’ always seem to benefit you. Isn’t that a bit too coincidental?”

Kazumi, full of confidence, retorted, “That’s just how tennis rules are. If you don’t believe me, you can call the police station and ask. If you don’t have any objections, hurry up and serve.”

“Are you kidding me? Who would call the police station to ask about tennis rules? You might as well tell me to call the International Tennis Federation.” Lei Yin sighed and reluctantly served again.

Kazumi secretly laughed to herself. Serves him right for not knowing the rules!

After about forty minutes of play, Kazumi finally couldn’t keep up. She stopped and, panting heavily, said, “I’m done—I need a break.”

Lei Yin walked over to her and teased, “You’re this exhausted after such a short time? You’re really out of shape.”

Kazumi shot back, “Do you think everyone has monstrous stamina like you? Not signing up for an Ironman triathlon is practically a waste for someone like you.”

“If you go with me, I’ll consider it.”

The two bantered as they walked back to the sidelines to rest.

Seeing Amy still fast asleep like a little piglet, Lei Yin chuckled. “She really has it good.”

Then, turning to the sweat-drenched Kazumi, he said, “Go wash your face. I’ll grab some water.”

“Okay.” Kazumi stood up and headed toward the faucet.

When Lei Yin returned with two bottles of water, they sat down and rested, watching the tennis club members practice. Kazumi, seemingly wanting to avenge her earlier loss, watched their practice with intense focus.

After a while, six young people—three men and three women—entered the area. All of them wore sportswear, and four of them were holding professional tennis rackets.

After entering the court and realizing that all the sections were occupied, the group of six showed a hint of disappointment.

“How are we supposed to play without a court? This is so frustrating,” a girl in a light green tennis skirt complained.

At that moment, the tallest guy in their group glanced at the Teikyo Tennis Club members practicing nearby and appeared a bit angry. He walked over to a student standing by the chain-link fence and said, “Go call your club president.”

The student, clearly a freshman, was intimidated by the man’s imposing demeanor and quickly ran off to find the president.

Before long, the club president arrived with the freshman and asked, “Did you want to speak with me?”

The man gave him an odd look before saying, “We’re students from Waseda University here on vacation. I understand that Teikyo students are training here, but you’ve occupied all the courts. Isn’t that a bit much?”

Strange, I thought there was still one court left empty, the president thought as he glanced toward the section that should have been unoccupied.

To his surprise, he saw two people sitting by the sideline of that court. Not only that, but the boy seemed familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Suddenly, it clicked, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead.

However, since the person in question was only sitting and not actively using the court, the president felt a sliver of hope and quickly walked toward them.

The six young visitors assumed he was going to free up the court for them and followed behind.

As they approached, Lei Yin suddenly turned his head to look at them.

“Are you Gennai Masashi?” the president asked with the most friendly expression he could muster.

“Yes, that’s me. Is there something you need, old man?” Lei Yin glanced at the president and the people standing behind him before responding.

The president awkwardly cleared his throat and said, “I’m Kumai Masayama, president of the Teikyo Tennis Club. I’m 22 years old and a senior in the Literature Department.”

“Sorry, your mature face made me mistake your age,” Lei Yin said with a smile. “So, what do you need?”

Seeing Lei Yin’s amicable demeanor, the president gained a bit more confidence and continued, “It’s like this, Gennai-san. As you know, our tennis club is training here, preparing for the upcoming Spring Championships. However, my friends here came to play tennis, and since we’ve occupied all the courts, there’s no available space for them. I was wondering if you could give up your court for them?”

“Oh, I see,” Lei Yin said thoughtfully.

“Yes, I’d really appreciate it if you could help us out.”

Lei Yin paused for a moment before smiling warmly.

Seeing this, the president felt a wave of relief.

“Sorry, but I’m playing with my sister right now. You guys have three courts—just let them use one of yours. Kazumi, get up. Let’s go for another three hundred rounds!” Without waiting for a reply, Lei Yin turned and headed back onto the court.

Kazumi, stifling her laughter, picked up her racket and followed him.

“Ah, being invincible is so lonely. Kazumi, please stop letting me win, okay?” Lei Yin teased.

“Hmph, I was just careless earlier. Besides, you’ve only beaten me by a few points.”

“How dare you underestimate me! Don’t think you can treat me like Garfield just because I’m not roaring like a tiger. This time, I’ll make sure you admit defeat!”

“Brother, could you please stop imitating a toddler?” Kazumi sighed helplessly.

And so, the pair of mischievous siblings resumed their tennis match without a care, completely ignoring the president’s dejected and resentful gaze.

If it had been someone else, Masayama Kumai would have lost his temper long ago. However, he had once witnessed this person single-handedly take down over ten members of the boxing club in seconds during a skirmish. None of them could even stand afterward. Since then, he had no courage to challenge him.

“Please wait a moment, okay? I’ll ask someone to free up a court for you.” After addressing the young visitors, the tennis club president dejectedly walked toward the nearest court.

The group of six exchanged puzzled glances.

After another half hour of playing, Kazumi suddenly raised her hand and said, “I’m done. Let’s call it a day.”

Lei Yin glared at her. “Are you kidding me? You win one game, and now you want to stop?” He was starting to regret holding back earlier. Clearly, being too kind doesn’t pay off.

“Anyway, I’m done. Final result: one-to-one tie. I’ll let you off the hook this time.” Kazumi couldn’t hold back her laughter as she spoke.

Lei Yin sighed bitterly. “You’re such a cheater. You have zero sportsmanship.”

Seeing his expression, Kazumi laughed even more triumphantly.

As Lei Yin picked up the ball from the ground, he asked, “Are you really done playing?”

Kazumi smiled. “Yeah, I’m exhausted. I haven’t exercised this intensely in a long time.”

Lei Yin scoffed, “You call this intense exercise? Looks like I’ll need to drag you out for a jog every day from now on. Keep this up, and you’ll have a belly before you’re thirty.”

“Great! I hope it turns into a lifesaver ring so I’ll never have to worry about falling off a boat,” Kazumi shot back without hesitation.

“Tch, you say that now, but when the time comes, you’ll wish you could cut it off. If we’re done here, I’ll go return the rackets.”

“Go ahead. Oh, and grab two bottles of water while you’re at it.” Kazumi handed her racket to him.

As Lei Yin was about to leave, a young woman’s voice came from the neighboring court. “You looked like you were having fun. Mind playing a match with me?”

Lei Yin and Kazumi turned to see one of the six visitors—a tall girl—smiling at them from behind the chain-link fence.

Hearing her offer, Lei Yin felt a spark of interest. He had just gotten into the groove, only for Kazumi to quit. Now, with someone offering to play, he was tempted.

After a moment’s thought, Lei Yin said, “Just so you know, this is my first day playing tennis. I don’t even fully understand the rules. You still want to play with me?”

The girl smiled. “That’s fine. I saw you playing earlier, and you seemed pretty good. Besides, I’ve got nothing else to do.” With that, she grabbed her racket and walked around the fence to their court.

Kazumi then said, “Take your time, brother. I’ll go buy the water.”

Lei Yin nodded. “Take the little one with you. I’m worried she might get hit by a stray ball if she falls asleep here.” He wasn’t sure how skilled this girl was, so he decided to play it safe.

“Got it.” Kazumi walked over to Amy and picked her up.

By this time, the girl had reached the court.

“I’m Gekka Miki. Pleased to meet you,” she said confidently, introducing herself.

“Hi,” Lei Yin replied casually. He had never gotten used to the Japanese habit of bowing to strangers for every little thing, so he just nodded. After all, they were just meeting briefly and would part ways after the match.