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*Huff... Huff...*
The players on the court were gasping for breath. Even Marui and Jackal, who had won the match, were nearing their limits. If it hadn't been for the fatal mistake made by their second-year opponent during the final serve, the outcome of the match could have been entirely different.
"You're strong," Marui said with a smile as he shook Ootori's hand at the net. "I'm looking forward to facing you again at the Nationals."
"Same here," Ootori nodded firmly. This match had given him a taste of what it meant to compete at the national level. It had also strengthened his resolve and filled him with anticipation for future battles.
Meanwhile, Shishido glared at Jackal, who was drenched in sweat and practically glowing under the court lights. "Next time, I'll break through your defense head-on!"
"We'll see about that," Jackal replied with a smirk. "I'll crack your formation too."
Both sides had felt the strength of their opponents during this match. They had a strong feeling that the next time they met, their rivals would be even tougher. Each side had already marked the other as their destined rivals.
After the match, Shishido and Ootori approached Coach Tōru, heads bowed. "Coach, we're sorry we lost."
"It's fine. Go rest," Coach Tōru said with a calm nod. He wasn't one to scold unnecessarily. Shishido and Ootori had performed beyond expectations against the nation's top doubles pair. Losing the first doubles match didn't shake his confidence in the team. After all, this year's Hyotei lineup was the strongest it had ever been.
Back with the team, Ootori surprised everyone by bowing to Ishikawa. "Thank you for pointing out my flaws."
It was a genuine gesture. Like Tezuka had said, Ootori was deeply grateful to Ishikawa. While he couldn't accept his own critical mistakes, he found it even harder to accept winning through loopholes that the referee couldn't detect. Now, despite the loss, he felt more motivated than ever to train harder.
"It's nothing," Ishikawa replied with a smile. "You played well, but next time, that formation might not work as effectively against Marui and Jackal."
Shishido and Ootori nodded, fully trusting Ishikawa's judgment. They silently vowed to use the roughly 20 days between the Kantō and National tournaments to train and improve.
The announcement for the next match soon echoed through the stadium:
"Doubles 1: Rikkai Dai's Yanagi Renji and Yagyū Hiroshi versus Hyotei's Oshitari Yūshi and Mukahi Gakuto. Please prepare."
"It's our turn!" Mukahi stepped forward confidently, racket in hand. After his match against Seigaku, he had focused on improving his stamina. Facing Rikkai's second-string pair instead of Marui and Jackal only boosted his confidence.
"Let's go," Oshitari said calmly, though he remained on high alert. Rikkai was no ordinary team, and the fact that Yanagi and Yagyū were assigned to Doubles 1 meant they were no pushovers.
On Rikkai's side, Yanagi analyzed the situation. "Oshitari is the most dangerous player in this match. His individual skills are at a national level. Don't let your guard down until the very end."
Yanagi and Yagyū nodded. Unlike the flashy Marui and Jackal, they were far more low-key. As they stepped onto the court, they didn't attract as much attention as their Hyotei counterparts.
"Yanagi Renji and Yagyū Hiroshi?" Fuji from Seigaku looked intrigued. "Inui, do you have any information on them?"
"I know Yagyū. He's known as the 'Gentleman' of Rikkai, and he has a powerful technique. But Yanagi..." Inui adjusted his glasses. "Honestly, I know nothing about him."
"Nothing?!" The Seigaku team was shocked. Inui's data tennis might not be as advanced as Ishikawa's, but his dedication to gathering information was unmatched. For him to have no data on a Rikkai regular was unheard of.
"It's true," Inui confirmed. "Yanagi has barely played in any official matches. If it weren't for his status as a regular, he'd probably go unnoticed."
"Hmm," Ōishi frowned. "For someone like that to be in Doubles 1, he must be something special."
"My abilities can only take me so far," Inui admitted, glancing toward Hyotei's bench. "But that guy over there might know more."
At the net, the players exchanged pre-match pleasantries.
"So, this is Yanagi?" Mukahi's eyes locked onto the silver-haired boy. Ishikawa had specifically warned him to be cautious around this player.
"The most troublesome player in Rikkai?" Oshitari thought as he shook Yagyū's hand. If Ishikawa had singled Yanagi out, there was no way he was an ordinary opponent.
Yagyū noticed the intensity of their gazes. "Do they know something?"
After the coin toss, the players took their positions.
"Game start, first set!" The referee announced. "Yagyū to serve!"
*Thud... Thud... Thud...*
Yagyū bounced the ball at the baseline, his movements calm and precise.
"Hyotei's Doubles 2 managed to push Marui and Jackal to their limits," Yanagi thought, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "Let's see what you two are made of."
*Thwack!*
Yagyū's serve shot straight down the center, landing perfectly on the service line.
Oshitari's eyes flickered as he swiftly returned the ball, aiming for Yagyū's backhand.
"Impressive control," Yagyū noted, returning the shot with equal precision.
The two engaged in a baseline rally, their skills evenly matched. Neither could gain the upper hand.
"Oshitari's as good as ever," Yanagi observed. "But if he's the stronger one, then the weak link must be..."
His gaze shifted to Mukahi, who was fidgeting at the net, clearly eager to join the action.
"Annoying, isn't he?" Yanagi thought, a sly smile forming as he began to distract Mukahi with subtle movements.
Mukahi, already impatient, grew increasingly irritated. "This guy's really getting on my nerves."
Just then, Yagyū fired a powerful shot toward the net.
"Watch out!" The Hyotei team shouted in alarm.
But Mukahi, reacting quickly, raised his racket to block the ball.
*Thwack!*
The ball ricocheted off his racket and landed out of bounds.
"0-15!"
The Hyotei team breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"That was too close," Ootori muttered.
Mukahi glared at Yanagi. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Me? It was just an accident," Yanagi replied with an innocent shrug.
"I knew it," Mukahi said coldly. "That guy was right. You're dangerous."
Yanagi's eyes flickered as he glanced toward Hyotei's bench, where Ishikawa stood with a knowing smile.
"Him again?" Yanagi thought, feeling an unusual sense of unease.
As the match continued, the tension on the court grew. Both teams were determined to prove their strength, but it was clear that this was only the beginning of a much larger battle.
(End of Chapter)