Neppu (Bunko Fu 32-1)

[Machine Translation] I never want to lose to this guy! Koji, a second-year junior high school student, saw his opponent Junichi, who looked down on others in a tennis practice match, and thought to himself, "I never want to lose to this guy! However, at a certain tournament, the two decided to play doubles together. They have handicaps, and their personalities and play are complete opposites, but they clash earnestly, albeit clumsily. Then, before the tournament, an incident occurs... This work, which vividly depicts their single-minded passion, won an honorable mention in the 48th Kodansha Children's Literature Newcomer Award.

「こいつにだけは絶対に負けたくない!」テニスの練習試合で他人を見下すような態度の対戦相手・順一を見て、中学2年の孝司は無性にそう思った。ところが、ある大会で2人はダブルスを組むことに。ハンデがあり、性格もプレーも正反対な彼らは、不器用ながらも、本気でぶつかり合う。そんな中、大会前にある事件が起こり...。一途な情熱を鮮やかに描く、第48回講談社児童文学新人賞佳作受賞作。