"Assemble!"
The announcement echoed across the courts.
Whether they were practicing or chatting, every member of the tennis club hurried to Court No. 1.
The second and third-years lined up neatly at the front, while the newly joined first-years stood scattered in the back.
Looking at the row of regulars, Ryūzaki Sumire felt a deep sense of helplessness.
Aside from Yamato, the rest of the regulars were… well, useless was the kindest word for it.
Last year, Seigaku couldn't even make it past the preliminary rounds of the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament.
Everyone knew Yamato had talent, but the rigid rules had kept him from becoming a regular until the very end of the season—wasting an entire year.
Truthfully, even without Yoru's words, Ryūzaki had been considering changes.
But she lacked the courage, afraid of destabilizing the team.
Now, after her conversation with Yoru, a new idea had taken root.
A spark of madness flickered in Ryūzaki's eyes.
She surveyed the gathered players and declared:
"Given Seigaku's declining performance in recent years, I am implementing new rules to change our current situation."
"Traditionally, the position of tennis club captain is handed down by the graduating senior to a chosen third-year, who then holds the role for the entire year."
"But from today onward—anyone who can defeat all regulars in a single day will become the new captain!"
Whoa—!
The announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Nearly every upperclassman turned to look at Yamato Yūdai.
They all knew—among the current regulars, Yamato was in a league of his own.
Even as a first-year, his skills had far surpassed his seniors.
If not for the rule barring first-years from becoming regulars, Seigaku might not have crashed out so early last year.
Even the newly appointed captain, Kawasaki Junna, glanced at Yamato.
But one person's gaze never left Yoru.
Ryūzaki Sumire.
This new rule—was for him.
She didn't have the guts to force the change herself, but if someone else could shake up the club?
That, she could allow.
"Coach Ryūzaki is clearing the way for Yamato…"
"Obviously. Everyone knows he already beat all the regulars last year."
"Honestly, Yamato as captain wouldn't be bad. At least he's strong enough to command respect."
"If he'd been playing last year, we might've made it to the Kanto Tournament."
Whispers filled the air, but Ryūzaki ignored them.
"Anyone who wants to challenge must sign up now. Only two challengers per week—and they must defeat all regulars in a single day!"
A single day.
That detail made everyone pause—including Yamato himself.
Beating the other regulars wasn't the issue.
But doing it all in one day?
Even with two of last year's starters gone, five regulars remained.
Yamato did the math—four matches back-to-back.
It wasn't impossible, but the stamina drain would be brutal.
Still, all eyes stayed on him.
If anyone could pull it off, it was Yamato.
Just as Yamato hesitated, the current captain, Kawasaki Junna, gave him an encouraging nod.
"Captain…"
Touched, Yamato steadied himself—
"I'll sign up!"
A youthful voice cut through the silence before Yamato could speak.
The crowd froze.
Because Yamato hadn't spoken yet.
Who else would dare—no, who else could challenge?
"Wait… that's a first-year!"
"He's a first-year?! He's taller than most of the second-years!"
The one who'd spoken was Yoru.
Before anyone could react, he'd already stepped forward, walking past the regulars to the front.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
A first-year, acting this bold?
Non-regular challengers had to face one extra match—making it five consecutive battles.
"Is there a rule against first-years challenging?"
Yoru's calm voice cut through the murmurs.
"Hey, first-year! You've got some nerve!"
"You're not even a regular! That means five matches in a row—are you insane?"
To the upperclassmen, Yoru's attitude was nothing short of disrespectful.
Their glares burned with anger and mockery.
"Kid, you don't know your place. This isn't some game you can just sign up for."
A regular with a white headband and a scar across his face glared daggers.
The other regulars didn't speak, but their frowns said enough.
To them, Yoru was just causing trouble—not seriously competing.
"So first-years can't challenge?" Yoru repeated, unfazed.
His tone was icy, his gaze dismissing the regulars' hostility.
"Pfft—Kaedamori, he's not even acknowledging you!" someone snickered.
Kaedamori?
Yoru's eyes flickered with recognition.
When he'd skimmed the regulars' profiles earlier, he'd only checked their stats—not their names.
But this guy's appearance, his headband, and his name…
There was no mistaking it.
He had to be related to Kaidō Kaoru—one of the future Princes of Tennis.
Probably his older brother.
Though in the original story, Kaidō only had a younger brother…
"Wait, what about the others—?"
Yoru quickly scanned the other regulars:
Yamato Yūdai. Kawasaki Junna. Nishimura Komugi. Imai Izumi. Kaedamori.
Ah. Never mind.
Aside from Fuji's sister and Ryōma's brother, most of the Seigaku regulars were eldest siblings.
"Of course first-years can challenge."
Ryūzaki's voice cut through the tension.
"But Coach—!"
"Regulars, prepare yourselves. First up—Imai Izumi!"
Ryūzaki shut down any protests, immediately setting the match.
The message was clear.
Seeing her firm stance, the regulars swallowed their objections.
Kaedamori stepped forward, veins bulging.
"Coach, let me go first! I'll teach this arrogant brat a lesson!"
"You?"
Yoru burst out laughing, his eyes dripping with disdain.
"I hope you can back up that confidence later," Kaedamori snarled.
His face darkened.
Last year, he'd been the No. 2 regular—only below Yamato.
Even Captain Kawasaki wasn't his match.
"Don't misunderstand."
Yoru's gaze swept over the Seigaku regulars, his smirk widening.
"I'm not just talking about you."
He paused, then delivered the final blow—
"I'm saying every single one of you here…"
A beat.
"Is trash."