Baby Steps

40-30!

Yes!

Kanagawa Junior Tennis Circuit

I've never seen that player before.

He didn't make his debut until high school.

Bro started tennis last year after entering high school.

So he's only been playing for a little over a year.

He has only a year of experience?

Why's he calling him "Bro"?

Game, Miyakawa. 3-2.

He's...

Why's he taking notes in the middle of a match?

Who even does that?

Hey, look inside his bag.

Why does he have so many notebooks?

That wasn't too bad.

Time!

One Year Earlier - Spring

Okay, that's all for today.

At least, that was the plan.

But since we have some time, let's do a quick problem.

You gotta be kidding!

If you've been reviewing at home, this should be a simple problem.

I was able to fit everything from this class in exactly five pages.

Who can solve this?

Maruo?

How about you, Maruo?

Yes.

We're counting on you, honor student!

It's all up to Straight-A Ei-chan!

That's correct.

Your handwriting is very neat.

Keep up the hard work.

I will.

That's our Ei-chan!

Way to go!

That's all for today, then.

Maruo Eiichiro, Age 15

Tennis and Notes

You need to chew your food more

or it won't digest properly, Kageyama.

Should you really be giving me advice?

Personally, I think you're the one who needs help.

Seriously, you're too precise.

I'll help myself.

What do you think you're doing?!

Don't get mad because I messed up your eating order.

That's not why.

I'm mad because you took my food without asking.

Here, then.

Sorry. You can have this.

No soup-based foods!

Er, I mean...

Idiot.

Yuki!

It's Takasaki Natsu from class 1-2.

She's so cute!

Why's she here?

Natsu, what's up?

Can I please borrow your world history notes?

We have a quiz next period.

In that case, you'd be better off using the Ei-chan Notes than mine.

"Ei-chan Notes"?

Yep, Ei-chan's notes.

In our class, they're considered more useful than textbooks.

Ei-chan's really nice, so he makes copies for everyone.

See? Aren't they incredible?

Wow, they are!

Though, when it reaches this point, it's just...

weird.

Shh! Stupid!

He's behind us!

Oh, are you Ei-chan-san?

Yeah, I am.

I'm Maruo Eiichiro.

Nice to meet you.

Um, I'm Takasaki Natsu from class 1-2.

Can I borrow your Ei-chan Notes?

Sure, but they're all like that...

You heard what I said?

Yes...

I mean, no normal person takes notes like these.

You know, they say there's a fine line between genius and madness.

So I figured you must be pretty weird yourself.

Huh?

Natsu, that didn't help.

Which subject?

World history.

Oh... I don't have any copies.

In that case...

World History I

Here.

Wow, it's an original.

"Original"?

Key points are underlined in red,

and key events are underlined in yellow.

Relevant information is in the margins.

It's the original version.

A clean copy in addition to the one he uses in class.

Oh, be quiet.

Wow, twice the effort!

Here.

Thanks, Ei-chan.

You're so lucky, Ei-chan.

What do you mean?

Takasaki Natsu is said to be the cutest girl in our grade.

Maybe so, but...

Oh, is that why you let her borrow an original?

It's not!

You should be happy that a boring honor student

like you got to talk to a school idol.

It wouldn't have been possible without your perfect notes.

Mind your business.

That's not why I'm taking these notes.

Takasaki-san!

Ouch...

Are you okay?

My original notes that I've kept perfectly clean while writing every day!

Stay calm, Ei-chan!

It was an accident!

Okay, I can still read them.

Sorry, Ei-chan.

I got your notes a little dirty.

She's so cute!

Sorry I spilled your lunch.

U-Um...

Oh, it's okay!

Well then, see ya later!

W-Wait!

They're just notes. Don't get so depressed.

Takasaki-san apologized afterward, didn't she?

Sorry, Ei-chan!

You let me borrow your notes, and I got them dirty...

I'm no good at dealing with people like her.

I'm sure.

So are you going to join any clubs, Ei-chan?

Clubs?

I mean, I'm in the shogi club, you know?

Why don't you join?

Sorry, but I'll have to pass.

Why?

Actually, I'm thinking that I need to exercise.

What, so you're gonna join a sports team?

No, that's not it.

And there it is! Your honor student schedule!

You're even using the student handbook.

I go to cram school three times a week,

and I have class committee meetings once a week.

That means I'm only free after school on Wednesdays.

So instead of joining a team that practices every day,

I'm looking for a way to get some exercise

once a week when I have time.

So I don't get out of shape.

What are you, a retired old man?!

You've had straight As since you were little.

You actively participate on school committees,

you're diligent as hell, and the teachers love you.

It's like your whole life is following a track.

Do you even enjoy it?

Are you happy with how your life is going?!

Not sure.

You really are a happy guy...

So what kind of exercise are you thinking about?

Maybe going to a gym, or swimming.

What's that "Free" flyer for?

Looking for new members this spring! Free!!

"Free"? Tennis?

Tennis, huh...

Have you ever played tennis before?

Never.

Knew it!

Wow.

This place is huge!

South Tennis Club...

Nice, Miyata-san!

I see.

A sport that everyone can enjoy...

Looks easier than I thought.

And they have plenty of indoor courts,

so you can play when it's raining.

This seems like a perfect activity to work on once a week.

Did you just hear something?

Hear what?

Why am I hiding?

And what is Takasaki-san doing here?

Let's keep going, Natsu!

Wow, she must be really good.

Even I can tell.

Her opponent's also good.

There are even kids much younger than me here.

Now that I look closer, everyone in here is really good.

They're nothing like the people outside.

Hey.

What?

Are you a spy from another club?

A spy?!

Or are you some kind of pervert?

You were staring at Nat-chan.

No, I'm here because of the free—

Coach! There's a weird old man here!