My Neighbor Is Tezuka

Self-indulgent series

With their parents' "help," Hitsuji Haninozuka and her neighbor Kunimitsu Tezuka become good friends.

Then she realizes her little friend seems a bit "weak"...

He's an athletic boy, but he can't keep up with her stamina? Even worse, his health and safety awareness is completely inadequate! He never takes care of his arm, even though he's a tennis player!

What can she do?

He's her little friend, after all. She can at least be a little understanding.

So she arranges everything, from fitness training to health and safety lessons!

Education starts when they're young!

(She's a younger sister, but she often has the heart of an older one.)

-

After they start middle school, she agrees to his invitation, partly because she can't stop worrying about that "tennis-brained" boy.

[Hitsuji Haninozuka, a first-year at Seishun Academy and manager of the boys' tennis team]

She's called the manager, but in practice she does the captain's job, including managing finances and requesting budgets, keeping track of and purchasing supplies, and organizing player records...

The actual captain, Yamato, is overjoyed: You don't often find such capable and well-behaved juniors these days~

Seeing her childhood friend put up with being bullied by his seniors, Hitsuji Haninozuka suppresses her anger and says she'll let it go.

But when she sees a racket swing toward her childhood friend's arm with her own eyes, Hitsuji Haninozuka flips the table.

Watching the second- and third-years knocked flat, Yamato falls silent. He just didn't expect her to be such a good fighter.

After cleaning up the tennis club's mess, Hitsuji Haninozuka turns her gaze to Yamato: ...Once I've fixed this captain up, he'll be good enough to use.

Yamato doesn't know he's been targeted. Right now, it feels like the sky is about to fall. The "future pillar" he's been counting on is about to leave, taking other promising players with him...

Yamato: Oh no. Is the future of Seigaku going to be ruined on my watch?

He tries everything to persuade the "future pillar," who's made up her mind, even pulling out the ultimate pillar move, but nothing works.

With no other option, Yamato turns to the manager for help, but...

Yamato clutches his restless heart and, after careful consideration, decides to start a reform. Setting aside a few minor furry problems, things go surprisingly smoothly!?

Yamato is shocked, dazed, and confused.

Yamato: This can't be right.

Hitsuji Haninozuka: <Happy peace sign>

--

[Bonus Scene: A First-Year's Guide to Survival]

Ryoma Echizen has just returned from overseas and joins Seishun Academy's boys' tennis team, following in his father's footsteps.

The team has a harmonious and positive atmosphere, and the upperclassmen are kind and approachable. Ryoma Echizen says, "You're still a long way off," but he actually likes this tennis team.

Momoshiro-senpai even secretly shares some advice with him: You can make Captain Tezuka mad, but you must never make Hitsuji-senpai mad!

Echizen looks at the cute Hitsuji-senpai, who seems to have a nice temper, and scoffs.

Then he sees Hitsuji-senpai make the upperclassmen cry out in pain with nothing but her bare hands. Ryoma Echizen trembles, wondering if he's ever offended Hitsuji-senpai before.

He hasn't, right?

Momoshiro-senpai sneers: What do you think?

PS:

1. Seigaku will win, but they'll also lose. The story won't follow canon exactly, and includes original elements.

2. Tezuka won't play while injured anymore.

3. The heroine has her own dreams, but the plot is mainly Prince of Tennis, with an even split between matches and everyday life. After middle school begins, it leans more toward an ensemble cast.

4. This is my first fanfic, written in third person. OOC warning.

Theme: Grow together