Vol. 1 Chapter 22 – Light and Tennis

Asahi-san? You mean Hikaru?” (Taiju)
“Yes, it’s nothing major, but…” (Reiya)
“Her breast size? If that’s it, next time I go home, I’ll sneak into her room and check for you.” (Taiju)
“That’s not it!” (Reiya)

I might seriously need to reconsider whether letting this guy near Ichiru-san is a good idea.

“It’s tennis, tennis. Asahi-san is amazing at tennis, right? I was wondering how long someone has to play to get that good.” (Reiya)
“Oh, is that all? Since when… let’s see…” (Taiju)

Taiju-san sounded disappointed as he said that, then folded his arms and began to ponder.

“She was probably playing with tennis balls before she could even talk.” (Taiju)
“That long ago? Was there some kind of trigger or reason?” (Reiya)
“Trigger? It’s because our mom used to be a pro tennis player.” (Taiju)
“What!? P-Pro…!? Asahi-san’s mother!?” (Reiya)
“What, you didn’t even know that? She was apparently pretty famous. Try googling her maiden name, Takayama Mitsuki.” (Taiju)

As instructed, I immediately took out my phone and searched for the name.

“It’s true…” (Reiya)

At the very top of the search results was the Wikipedia page for the female pro tennis player ‘Takayama Mitsuki’.

I tapped it and read the contents carefully.

Just like Asahi-san, she belonged to a famous club since her junior era and was active at the forefront.

She won numerous domestic titles, including the All Japan Junior Championships.

Carrying huge expectations, she turned pro at eighteen right after graduating high school, and in the same year, she broke through the qualifiers to compete in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.

At twenty, she achieved her first tour victory and even broke into the top 30 of the world rankings.

Asahi-san would surely follow a similar path from now on.

That’s the kind of smooth-sailing athletic career, apparent to anyone, that was listed there.

However, that dazzling success abruptly ceased after a certain entry that followed.

At the age of twenty-one, during the summer, her left knee gave out due to overwork from matches and practice.

Subsequently, despite undergoing long-term rehabilitation, she was unable to return as a player and retired.

She began avoiding media appearances, and the entry only noted that she was now working as a coach at a local tennis club.

“I had no idea…” (Reiya)
“So yeah, she’s been receiving elite education from our mom since she was just a tiny kid.” (Taiju)
“Does that mean… she was forced into it reluctantly, or something like that?” (Reiya)

It’s a common story for a mother to entrust her own dreams to her child and train them strictly.

Perhaps that was connected to her current state of mind.

Thinking that, I tried probing a little deeper, but—

“Reluctantly? No way. Our mom’s not that type.” (Taiju)

He denied it instantly, without even pausing to think.

“I mean, when I quit, she didn’t say anything.” (Taiju)
“Huh? Taiju-san, you played tennis too?” (Reiya)
“Until middle school. I got pretty decent, but then I realized I didn’t actually like sports that much, so I quit. Even then, Mom’s stance was just ‘do whatever you like’.” (Taiju)
“So, Asahi-san has been immersed in tennis of her own free will since she was a child?” (Reiya)
“I don’t know what’s going on inside her head, but probably. She’s the type who clearly switches between ON and OFF, but when she’s ON, man, it’s tennis, tennis, tennis, morning, noon, and night. She’s a whole-body tennis person. If you took tennis away from her, there’d be nothing left.” (Taiju)
“No, I think quite a lot would still remain…” (Reiya)

Nevertheless, the words of her brother, who had watched her closely for so long, were quite valuable.

However, I still had no idea why someone so passionate about tennis was acting the way she was now.

Could it be that she was simply tired right now, and her OFF state was just continuing…?

“So, what are you gonna do hearing all this?” (Taiju)
“N-No… I was just thinking… people who accomplish great things really do put in incredible effort from a young age… I just wanted to confirm that again…” (Reiya)
“Ah, I see. Well, whatever, but since I told you, make sure you speak well of me in front of Mizumori-san.” (Taiju)

‘Then show me something worth praising,’ I wanted to say, but couldn’t, given that he’d just shared information with me.

With that, the inquiry paused for the time being, and we started moving towards Mizumoritei.

“By the way, changing the subject… is that a Ruleless Dungeon shirt?” (Reiya)

I looked again at Taiju-san walking beside me.

He wore denim pants and just a single long-sleeved shirt—a casual outfit.

He looked good even dressed like that, but the shirt had a large character printed prominently on it.

It was a character from the game I mentioned when Taiju-san asked me about my favorite titles before.

“Yeah, cool, right?” (Taiju)

He grabbed the hem and shamelessly spread it out so I could see it better.

A girl with vividly colored hair, holding a gun and a chainsaw.

Punk Girl—one of the playable characters you choose before starting the game.

It wasn’t some mega-hit title that sold millions, but this character became surprisingly popular, and I’d seen quite a bit of fan art on social media.

I honestly didn’t know they’d actually made merchandise of her.

“Where did you buy that?” (Reiya)
“Hm? I didn’t buy it, I made it.” (Taiju)
“Made it…? Does that mean it’s… a bootleg…?” (Reiya)

It wasn’t fan art; it used official art and even had the official logo.

If it wasn’t official merchandise, then it was what you’d call a bootleg.

Maybe I needed to upgrade him to genuinely shady person status, I thought—

“It’s official merchandise, obviously. Don’t say things that sound bad.” (Taiju)
“Huh? But you said you made it yourself… yet it’s official…?” (Reiya)
“…Hm? Oh, right, I guess I haven’t told you yet.” (Taiju)
“Told me what?” (Reiya)
“I made this game.” (Taiju)
“Wh-Whaaaaaat!?!?” (Reiya)

He casually dropped an astonishing fact.

“To be precise, there are two others besides me. The graphics lead and the programming lead.” (Taiju)
“I-Is that really true…? Developing a game while being a university student…?” (Reiya)
“It’s still more like a club than a company, though. We are incorporated, technically.” (Taiju)

Taiju-san spoke as if it were nothing special.

However, to me, the people who make games were practically gods.

The person I’d thought pathetic just moments ago suddenly seemed to shine even brighter than his appearance suggested.

“Still, it’s a small world when your sister’s friend mentions the game you made as their favorite title.” (Taiju)

Ah, should I ask for a handshake or something…?

Did I have an autograph board he could sign…?

“By the way, aren’t you interested in the creation side?” (Taiju)
“Huh? No… I’m really not… well, it’s not like I have zero interest, but… right now…” (Reiya)
“Ah, I see. You came at it from a pretty interesting perspective back then, so I figured you might be. Well, playing and making are totally different. But let me know anytime if you get interested. I can probably set you up with a light internship.” (Taiju)
“O-Oh…” (Reiya)

S-So cool…

Wait, I might not be able to handle this anymore.

Just walking next to him was making me nervous.

Feeling like a child in front of their favorite star athlete, I somehow managed to reach the bus stop.

We boarded a bus that arrived at the same time and sat down next to each other.

The doors closed, and shortly after the bus started moving…

“Hm…? Huh…?” (Taiju)

Taiju-san started patting himself down over his clothes.

“What’s wrong?” (Reiya)

As I looked puzzled, he clapped his hands together as if realizing something.

“My bad, forgot my wallet. Can you lend me some cash?” (Taiju)

A university student, holding his hands up in front of his face and grinning as he begged a high schooler for money.

Being shuttle-run between respect and contempt, my emotions were already a complete mess.