The next day.
Nine o'clock in the morning.
Matsuoka Rin was already standing in front of the Hyotei Academy principal.
The villa he resided in was not far from Hyotei, or rather, not far from anywhere in Tokyo.
At this moment, he had already taken a series of transfer exams.
All of his subject scores were — perfect!
Moreover, Matsuoka Rin completed the exams in less than an hour.
Therefore, at this moment, all the teachers of Hyotei looked at Matsuoka Rin in astonishment, as if they had seen a treasure.
His transfer application was also unanimously approved.
Of course, even if Matsuoka Rin's academic performance wasn't up to par, he would still have been approved.
However, feeling the gazes of the many teachers, Matsuoka Rin's mouth twitched involuntarily.
To be honest, if he couldn't pass with a perfect score, he would actually start to doubt himself.
"Then, I'll take my leave first."
After receiving the Hyotei uniform and the teachers' responses, Matsuoka Rin headed towards the Hyotei Tennis Club.
Along the way.
Everyone's eyes were involuntarily drawn to Matsuoka Rin.
"Who is that? He's so handsome! I've never seen him before!"
"It's Matsuoka Rin, oh my god, he's my new male idol! How could he be at Hyotei... Is that a Hyotei uniform!?"
"Matsuoka Rin? Seigaku's only first-year regular? But why is he here? *Hiss*, did he transfer? And wasn't your male idol Atobe the Captain?"
"...Not expelled, but it seems he also applied for expulsion, yet was kicked out of Seigaku first!"
"...Is Seigaku crazy? Kicking out Matsuoka Rin??"
The discussions were endless.
Everyone's gaze was drawn in unison to the tall, elegant red-haired youth with exquisitely handsome features.
Especially some of the girls, their eyes sparkled as they continuously watched Matsuoka Rin.
As for the surrounding gazes, Matsuoka Rin completely ignored them.
He had experienced such gazes countless times before.
Only when he heard some people mentioning that he was expelled did his mouth twitch.
In Japan, while transfer students are very common.
Expulsion, unlike being kicked out of school, doesn't leave a stain, but it's generally not ideal.
Amidst the discussions, no one dared to approach Matsuoka Rin.
Until a voice rang out.
"Tsk, you brat finally arrived!"
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice, and then they were all utterly astonished.
The figure exuded arrogance and extravagance, as if he didn't know how to write the words 'low-key'—
—Atobe Keigo!
"Why are you here?"
Matsuoka Rin naturally glanced at Atobe Keigo, raising his eyebrow.
These two brief sentences,
However, they made everyone realize that Atobe Keigo and Matsuoka Rin knew each other, and even had a very good relationship!
"Tsk tsk, of course, I came to pick you up."
Atobe Keigo pouted and said somewhat sarcastically, "Some people are blind, but this great one isn't!"
"Let's go, to the Tennis Club! My childhood friend, and… Hyotei's Vice Captain!"
After these few words fell.
The atmosphere on the scene instantly became silent again.
It was even eerily silent.
All the students of Hyotei looked at each other.
Blind?
What did that mean?
Also, Hyotei's Vice Captain? Atobe Keigo's childhood friend?!
Who?
Matsuoka Rin?
They knew a little about Matsuoka Rin and Seigaku, but this was the first time they learned that this person was Atobe Keigo's childhood friend!
Seigaku kicked out such a person? They must be crazy!
Hearing this.
Matsuoka Rin's mouth twitched.
"Alright, that's enough!"
"Besides… who will regret it later, we still don't know."
As Matsuoka Rin spoke, he shrugged his shoulders indifferently, but a hint of emotion was in his eyes.
He had originally planned to submit his resignation from the club and school, but before his application was approved, Ryuzaki Sumire, perhaps out of anger, kicked him out first.
He had just learned this news.
So, Atobe Keigo was very angry at this moment.
But Matsuoka Rin himself, after his initial anger, had calmed down a lot.
To be honest, he really had nothing to regret about leaving Seigaku.
Although his memories of Prince of Tennis had become somewhat vague with time, he estimated that even if Seigaku truly had some kind of halo, it was probably about to shatter.
After all…
Just yesterday.
Before he hung up the call with Echizen Nanjiro.
That little guy, Echizen Ryoma, had already indignantly stated that it was impossible for him to join Seigaku!
Yes, it was impossible for him to join Seigaku!
And regarding this, Echizen Nanjiro did not object or stop him at all.
However, he also didn't expect that his withdrawal from Seigaku would make Ryoma and Echizen Nanjiro so angry.
Thinking of this, Matsuoka Rin glanced at Atobe Keigo beside him again, naturally knowing what was going on.
Clearly, Atobe Keigo was also angry for him.
"Also, thanks."
Matsuoka Rin just said a calm sentence; there was no need for more words between friends.
Just as he didn't add many words to Ryoma and Nanjiro's anger.
"Hmph."
Hearing this, Atobe Keigo merely pouted, "If you really want to thank this great one, then don't hold back later."
"Hold back? Of course not."
Matsuoka Rin raised his eyebrow slightly; the two of them didn't say it explicitly.
Yet, they both understood what the other meant.
Clearly, the Hyotei players were indeed somewhat dissatisfied.
And Atobe Keigo had no intention of stopping this dissatisfaction.
The reason was simple: he believed Matsuoka Rin had the ability to handle it.
And…
"This is good too."
Atobe Keigo and Matsuoka Rin exchanged glances, both knowing each other's thoughts.
In the world of tennis, to earn the respect of another player.
The fastest, most direct, and most effective method—
—is to prove yourself!
This was everyone's consensus.
Matsuoka Rin also strongly agreed with this view; in the tennis world, let tennis do the talking!
Whether it's to gain others' approval.
Or to make others understand.
Nothing is faster than playing a match!
…
At the same time.
This was the Hyotei Tennis Club.
A profound silence.
Since Atobe Keigo left, this silence had been brewing.
Or rather, it had been brewing since yesterday.
They could accept a newcomer joining the Hyotei Tennis Club.
But the premise was that the newcomer wasn't an appointed Vice Captain!
"Vice Captain? I really want to see who this person is."
Shishido Ryo said somewhat defiantly, "Hey, can you guys just accept a Vice Captain suddenly appearing?"
Hearing this, everyone at Hyotei fell silent.
Of course, they couldn't accept it!
Even Atobe Keigo becoming their Hyotei Captain, and even now, firmly holding the Captain's position and dismissing the former Vice Captain.
The reason for all of this was simply because Atobe Keigo was stronger than any of them!
And it was the same now!
"Hey, Oshitari, what do you say?"
While everyone was silent, Shishido Ryo was the first to look at a blue-haired youth among them, who was Oshitari Yushi.
Everyone looked at Oshitari Yushi in unison.
Aside from Jiro Akutagawa, Oshitari Yushi's strength was second only to Atobe Keigo!
He also had the greatest possibility of becoming Hyotei's Vice Captain.
"What do I say?"
Oshitari Yushi glanced at everyone and said calmly, "The person coming is Matsuoka Rin."
"What!?"
Everyone's eyelids twitched.
Matsuoka Rin??