Do I Have a Mocking Face?

Street tennis courts are public facilities, but because this is the world of tennis, they naturally attract a large crowd.

Since the lighting is bright enough and this particular court seems quite famous in the vicinity, those with a bit of skill often choose this spot to show off. As time passed, it became a lively hub.

As the sky gradually darkened, Seiya noticed that besides him and An, there were many other young couples on dates, as well as some skateboarders.

The tennis court was located right in the center of the plaza. With so many onlookers, it could certainly be considered a holy land for showing off.

"Is this the 'hidden dragon and crouching tiger' place you mentioned? The people on the court don't even look like middle schoolers. Your plan to gather intelligence is likely going to fall through."

Because An had previously claimed that there were experts at the street tennis court, Seiya had paid special attention.

However, after watching a few matches, Seiya found that the skill level of those playing was quite average. They weren't exactly amateurs, but they were barely at the level of random passersby.

Yet, where there is a place to show off, there are naturally protagonists.

Just as Seiya was losing interest and preparing to leave, two students—one tall and one short—carrying tennis bags suddenly arrived at the court.

Of the two figures, the shorter one wore a baseball cap, while the taller one had a very conspicuous black, spiky crew cut.

After stepping onto the court, the pair relied on their serves and returns to defeat over a dozen pairs in a row, instantly drawing the full attention of everyone present.

The rules of the street tennis court were one game to decide the winner, the challenger serves, and the court was strictly for doubles.

Seeing the two of them displaying their prowess on the court, An's eyes widened in surprise.

Although she had confidently told Seiya that there were experts at the street tennis court, she knew full well that the so-called experts here couldn't compare to the players from prestigious tennis schools.

An used to come to this street tennis court often, but she didn't recognize this duo who had suddenly appeared today.

"I didn't expect you to actually guess right this time. There really are regional tournament players here playing tennis."

Prince of Tennis was a long-running series, and Seiya couldn't remember every plot point, only the general main story and some of the more spectacular matches.

When she heard Seiya's words, An looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"They are our rivals in the regional tournament, regular members of the Seishun Academy tennis club. The short one in the cap is a first-year at Seigaku named Ryoma Echizen. Don't let the fact that he always plays with his right hand fool you; he's actually a lefty. He may be short, but he's especially good at showing off."

"The one with the spiky hair is Takeshi Momoshiro, a second-year at Seigaku. He excels at the Bullet Serve and the Dunk Smash. He has great explosive power and insight, but his personality is quite impulsive."

An, who was already confused, was completely stunned when she heard Seiya's revelations.

It was simply too absurd. Not only did she wonder how Seiya knew the names of Seigaku's regular members, but it was even more exaggerated that he knew their personalities and techniques so clearly.

If she hadn't known Seiya since the first year and been in the same class as him, she would have suspected that he was a spy sent by Seigaku.

"Are they doubles players for Seigaku?"

Although she didn't know how Seiya knew so much, as a rival to Fudomine in the regional tournament, An was still quite curious about the two.

"Doubles? No, no, no. They are both very strong singles players. Seigaku's doubles strength is very weak, and the doubles pair they form is even worse. The only reason they look strong right now is because their opponents here are too weak. If there really were slightly stronger doubles players at this street court as you said, they would have been taught a lesson by now."

Almost as soon as Seiya finished speaking, a pair named Fukawa and Izumi stepped onto the court as challengers.

Although Seiya thought Fukawa and Izumi's skills were mediocre, as experienced doubles players, they quickly discovered the problems between Ryoma and Momoshiro.

Consequently, Ryoma and Momoshiro were soon being thrashed, and even mocked to their faces.

"Even though their individual skills are strong, their doubles play is a total mess. Seiya, could you have been mistaken? Are they really Seigaku regulars? If the strength of the top seed in the regional tournament is only this much, it's truly disappointing."

Although they were quite unwilling, a loss was a loss. Ryoma and Momoshiro were about to leave, but as they walked off the court, the words of a girl in the crowd made them stop in their tracks.

Seiya turned his head to look at his companion with a helpless expression. The girl, who was the culprit, looked at him and stuck out her tongue cutely. "It's not every day we run into Seigaku regulars here. Don't you want to play against them? You could gather some intel or just see what they're really made of."

Ever since she learned that Ryoma and Momoshiro were Seigaku regulars, An had become interested in them.

However, it was a pity that the rules of the street tennis court were only one game to decide the winner.

Furthermore, the skill level of Fukawa and Izumi was simply not enough to force the two Seigaku players to show their true colors, which was why An had deliberately provoked them.

"I don't know who you are, but please take back what you just said." -- Takeshi Momoshiro

"You've got a big mouth. In that case, do you want to play a match?" -- Ryoma Echizen

Ding, An has used Provocation on Seigaku first-year Ryoma Echizen and second-year Takeshi Momoshiro.
Ding, it's super effective!

If the targets had been other third-year students from Seigaku, An's provocation probably wouldn't have had much effect. However, since the targets were first and second-years, the effect could only be described as super effective.

Seeing Seiya remain silent, Ryoma and Momoshiro were clearly dissatisfied. It was Seiya and An who had provoked them, but now that the provocation was done, the other party didn't dare to accept the challenge.

"Are you two mistaken? She's the one who said you weren't good enough, not me. Even if you want to prove yourselves, you should be playing against her. I'm just a passerby, okay?"

Watching the two agitated boys, Seiya felt baffled. It was An who had been mocking them to their faces, not him. Why were they both coming at him? Was it just because he looked stronger?

Seiya, who didn't want to invite trouble, was just about to slip away when the girl beside him suddenly grabbed his arm and said, "We are both from Fudomine Middle School, and we are also your opponents in the regional tournament."