*pat-reon: belamy20*
*Boom!*
On the court, Yanagi served again.
His demeanor was calm, as if he hadn't noticed the tension at the net. His focus was solely on Oshitari.
The same could be said for Oshitari.
The two engaged in another rally, with Oshitari speeding up his attacks, trying to push Yanagi to his limits. But to his surprise, the Rikkai player remained composed and unfazed.
"Yanagi Hiroshi is really something," Oshitari thought, growing more and more impressed as the match went on.
Similarly, Yanagi felt the pressure from his opponent. Yanagi had warned him—Oshitari was indeed the trickiest player in Hyotei.
It seemed like neither of them would gain the upper hand anytime soon.
"I didn't expect the first doubles match to start off so intense," Kunimitsu from St. Rudolph remarked, watching with wide eyes. "Yanagi's reflexes, technique, and judgment are all top-notch. It's surprising that someone like him isn't more well-known within Rikkai."
"Yeah," Akazawa agreed, equally stunned.
If he were in Yanagi's shoes, facing Oshitari's relentless baseline shots, he doubted he could handle the pressure. What was even more surprising was that Yanagi wasn't as famous as his teammate, Kirihara.
"Rikkai is truly something," Akazawa sighed. "They're full of hidden talents."
"So," Kunimitsu's gaze shifted to the two figures at the net, "the key to this match will likely depend on the forwards."
At that moment, Mukahi found himself locked in a stalemate with Yagyuu.
Every move Mukahi made, Yagyuu mirrored. Left, right—it was like Yagyuu was glued to him, impossible to shake off.
"This isn't working," Mukahi thought, feeling the rhythm of the match slipping away. "I need to find a way to break free from his shadow. Maybe… I can use *that*!"
*Tap, tap.*
With a plan in mind, Mukahi began to move more actively.
"Oh?" Yagyuu noticed Mukahi's sudden shift and followed closely.
"Come on," Mukahi smirked inwardly.
He started darting left and right, gradually increasing his speed. To keep up, Yagyuu had no choice but to accelerate as well.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
Meanwhile, the rally between Oshitari and Yanagi continued, the ball whizzing past the two forwards.
"Is Mukahi out of his mind?" Shishido muttered, watching Mukahi and Yagyuu dart through what felt like a battlefield.
"Yagyuu's got some guts too," Ootori added, equally amazed.
The two of them were playing a dangerous game, weaving through the shots. The longer this went on, the higher the risk of getting hit.
*Boom!*
Suddenly, Mukahi stopped in his tracks.
"This guy…" Yagyuu's expression shifted.
He realized Mukahi's plan: waiting until the last possible moment to dodge the ball as it flew past him.
This was completely different from Yagyuu's earlier tactics. Back then, Yagyuu had predicted the shots and moved early, keeping a safe distance. But Mukahi was gambling with his safety, risking getting hit at any second. It was borderline reckless!
Yagyuu, who loved to play mind games, wasn't fond of handing the initiative to his opponent. He decided to back off.
"What's wrong? Scared?" Mukahi taunted.
"Huh?" Yagyuu's eyes narrowed.
He hesitated, his movement faltering.
*Swish!*
At that moment, Mukahi tilted his head to the side.
*Whoosh!*
Oshitari's shot flew past him.
The默契 between the two Hyotei players was undeniable—they were undoubtedly one of the best doubles pairs in middle school tennis.
"Hmph!" Yagyuu smirked, effortlessly intercepting the ball with his racket.
He aimed for Oshitari's backhand, but Mukahi was ready.
*Smack!*
Mukahi lunged forward, using his signature dance-like style to return the ball at a sharp angle before gracefully landing on one hand.
*Boom!*
"0-30!"
Mukahi scored, a confident grin spreading across his face as he adjusted his stance.
"Not bad," Inui commented from the sidelines. "Using his默契 with his partner to outplay his opponent. He's taken control of the match and cleverly shifted the focus from the baseline to the net."
Inui glanced at Mukahi, impressed. The fiery Hyotei player had clearly grown, learning to strategize and think on his feet.
"How's that?" Mukahi boasted, clearly pleased with himself. "I can play your game too!"
"Hmm," Yagyuu remained silent, though inwardly, he was surprised.
Mukahi's speed and explosiveness seemed to have improved since the data he'd gathered.
"It seems," Yagyuu thought, recalling Ishikawa's face, "this year's Hyotei is different from before."
*Boom!*
The match resumed.
Mukahi continued to provoke Yagyuu, playing his dangerous game.
With the upper hand, Mukahi grew bolder, letting the ball graze past his cheek. The risky move had the Hyotei team holding their breath.
*Boom!*
Mukahi seized the opportunity to score again.
"0-40!"
"No way…" The spectators from other schools were stunned. Hyotei was actually dominating Rikkai's serve!
"Hehe," Mukahi grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
In past matches, it was always Oshitari who saved the day. But this time, it was his turn to influence the outcome.
*Boom!*
Yanagi served again, unfazed by the match's intensity.
*Boom!*
Oshitari returned, and the two resumed their rally.
"What's wrong? Not up for another round?" Mukahi teased Yagyuu at the net.
"Hmm," Yagyuu's eyes flickered.
He wasn't sure if this was Mukahi's own idea or part of a larger strategy orchestrated by Hyotei's mysterious vice-captain. If it was the latter, things could get complicated.
Cautious, Yagyuu held back.
Mukahi, thinking he'd intimidated Yagyuu, began plotting his next move.
*Swish!*
Suddenly, Mukahi stepped aside.
Yagyuu instinctively prepared to return the ball, but it wasn't coming his way. He glanced at Mukahi, realizing the Hyotei player was toying with him.
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Mukahi repeated the tactic, lulling Yagyuu into a false sense of security. Then, without warning, he dodged again—this time, the ball *was* coming.
Caught off guard, Yagyuu barely managed to return the shot.
*Boom!*
Mukahi seized the moment, sending the ball deep into the baseline.
*Tap, tap!*
He then sprinted to the side of the court.
"Using quick reflexes to shake off Yagyuu?" Yanagi thought, chasing the ball while glancing at the net.
Mukahi had left a gap on his right, but Yanagi knew it was a trap. If he aimed there, Oshitari would cover it instantly.
Instead, Yanagi decided to play it safe, sending a high lob to Mukahi's side.
"A lob?" The crowd gasped.
"A smart move," Inui nodded. "It slows down the pace, giving Yagyuu time to regroup and lock down Mukahi again."
*Swish!*
But Mukahi wasn't done.
He leaped into the air, his incredible jump sending him into a mid-air spin.
"It's here!" The Hyotei team cheered. "Mukahi's Moon Volley!"
"Hehe," Mukahi grinned, surveying the court from above. "I've got you both figured out."
*Boom!*
He smashed the ball down, confident in his victory.
*Whoosh!*
But then, a yellow beam shot past him.
Mukahi's eyes widened in shock.
*Boom!*
At the baseline, Oshitari barely had time to react before the ball shot past him.
"15-40!"
The Hyotei team's expressions darkened.
"Finally showing your true colors?" Kirihara smirked from Rikkai's side. "I thought Yanagi-senpai wasn't going to defend this serve."
"The Laser Beam," Jackal chuckled. "Even I can't return that."
"So, he's serious now," Oshitari thought, eyeing Yanagi warily. He'd suspected Yanagi was holding back earlier.
"The Laser Beam, huh?" Mukahi narrowed his eyes. "It's fast, but if you think that's enough to stop us, you're wrong!"
*Whoosh!*
Another beam shot past Mukahi and Oshitari.
*Boom!*
"Game!"
"Rikkai, 1-0. Change sides."
Despite their early advantage, Hyotei lost the first game to Yanagi's relentless Laser Beams.
"Calm down, Mukahi," Oshitari reassured him during the switch. "The Laser Beam is fast, but if we watch closely, we can find its weakness."
"Yeah," Mukahi nodded, shaking off his frustration.
He refocused, ready to use his speed to dominate their serve.
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
But Yanagi's Laser Beams were too fast.
Three shots in a row left Mukahi struggling to keep up, a flicker of fear creeping into his mind.
"Is this all Hyotei's got?" Kirihara sneered. "All talk, no action."
*Boom!*
Oshitari served, deliberately slowing the ball down, almost handing it to Yanagi.
"Oh?" Yanagi raised an eyebrow. "If you're in a hurry to end this, I'll oblige."
*Swish!*
He unleashed another Laser Beam.
"Here it comes!" The crowd murmured.
*Whoosh!*
The ball flew past the net, leaving Mukahi frozen.
*Boom!*
But then, a crisp *smack* echoed through the court.
*Whoosh!*
A beam shot back, landing on Yanagi's side.
"15-40!"
The stadium fell silent.
"No way…" a Rikkai player whispered. "He just returned Yanagi-senpai's Laser Beam?!"
The crowd stared at Oshitari in disbelief.
"O-Oshitari," Mukahi stammered. "How did you…"
"Simple," Oshitari replied, his gaze fixed on the stoic figure across the net. "This Laser Beam was much slower than the ones in the first game. So, you're not Yanagi… You're Yagyuu, aren't you?"
*Gasps!*
Mukahi's eyes widened as he stared at "Yanagi."
"You're… Yagyuu?!"
**(End of Chapter)**
*pat-reon: belamy20*