Crushing Doubles

"The next match to be held is Doubles 1, featuring Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi from Hyotei Academy versus Yamato Yūdai and Inui Sadaharu from Seigaku. Both teams, please prepare yourselves!"

The referee's voice echoed throughout the stadium once more as the second match of Doubles 1 began.

In the Seigaku team, Inui and Yamato, having just finished their warm-up, walked onto the court holding their rackets.

Meanwhile, in the Hyotei camp, a thunderous cheer erupted once again as two third-year students made their appearance.

Hyotei's chosen duo for Doubles 1, Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi, were players who had competed in the National Tournament last year alongside Hyotei's former legendary captain, Ochi Gekko.

They were players who, even after Hyotei underwent changes, managed to retain their starting positions.

This was undeniable proof of their formidable strength.

"It's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi! They both performed exceptionally well at the National Tournament last year."

"It seems Hyotei intends to decide the match in doubles."

"Indeed, they truly are a nationally ranked powerhouse."

"However, Hyotei's overall strength has declined somewhat this year. When Ochi Gekko was here last year, Hyotei was terrifyingly strong!"

"That's right, last year Hyotei also had a strong singles player like Hakamada Izō, and even stronger, Ochi Gekko!"

"Exactly, especially that man. He was incredibly powerful. Just looking into his eyes back then gave me a sense of dread!"

"Hyotei's national renown was largely due to his leadership."

The constant surrounding chatter reached Muneyoshi's ears. Hearing these familiar names, Muneyoshi felt a pang of emotion.

Hakamada Izō and Ochi Gekko were both future first-team players for U17.

And they both attended the same middle school. Yet, even such a formidable Hyotei could only barely secure a spot in the national top four.

Makino Fuji, led by Byōdōin Hōō, was simply too strong. Whether it was Maizaka School, led by Irie Kanata and Tanegashima Shūji, or Hyotei and Rikkai Dai, they all faltered under his might.

What about the future? Which school would reign supreme in the middle school circuit in the future?

"Rikkai Dai... Once today's Metropolitan Tournament is over, I should pay them a visit..."

Muneyoshi thought of Rikkai Dai, who in the original story was almost a king-like presence. He now had a clear and distinct goal for his future plans.

On the court, both sides were ready and in formation. Hyotei would serve first.

"Yamazaki, don't hold back. We can't let the first-years look down on us. Let's give it our all and win this match!"

Yano Masatoshi leaned forward at the net, gazing ahead, and said calmly.

"I know!"

Yamazaki Fumio lightly tapped the tennis ball, tossed it high, crouched, and then slammed it down with force.

Bang!

The tennis ball flew over the net, landed, and then sped towards the baseline.

Inui Sadaharu reacted quickly, his feet moving as he watched the ball. Just as he was about to reach it, the ball suddenly accelerated slightly, slipping through the gaps in his racket.

"What!"

Inui Sadaharu was greatly surprised. This type of shot was completely absent from his data, leaving him momentarily flustered.

Bang!

But Yamazaki Fumio wouldn't give him time to adjust. With a sound of impact, he swung his racket.

The tennis ball traced a beautiful arc, flying over Yamato Yūdai in the frontcourt, and landing directly on the baseline on his backhand side.

"Sadaharu, don't worry, you can do it!"

Noticing Inui Sadaharu's wavering mindset, Yamato Yūdai gently reassured him.

"I'm sorry, Yamato-senpai!"

"It's alright. Focus, the match is still ongoing!"

Bang!

Another powerful strike echoed. Inui Sadaharu's glasses flashed white as he finally caught up to the ball and swung his racket with all his might, sending the ball flying back.

"Heh! Adapting quickly!"

Seeing this, Yano Masatoshi pushed off with his back foot, caught the ball with a scoop, and then precisely smashed it onto the baseline!

"Game, Hyotei, 1-0."

Outside the court, as Hyotei secured the first game, the Hyotei cheerleaders let out a mighty roar of support.

"The victor shall belong to Hyotei..."

"The victor shall belong to Hyotei..."

Inui Sadaharu took a deep breath, blocking out the noisy cheers. It was now his service game.

While his serves hadn't reached their later extreme speeds, they were not to be underestimated even now.

BANG!

"Ace, 15:0, Seigaku scores."

BANG!

"Ace, 30:0, Seigaku scores."

"Game, score 1:1, tied, switch sides."

With four ace serves, Inui Sadaharu easily completed his service game, making up for the mistake in the previous game.

After Inui Sadaharu held serve, the third-year pair from Hyotei Academy also managed to win a game again through their chemistry and coordination.

"Game, score 2:1, Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi combination leads."

During the side switch break, Fuji Shusuke found Tezuka with a grave expression. "Tezuka, you've noticed it too, haven't you!"

Hearing this, Tezuka nodded with a stern face.

Fuji continued, "They've exploited Inui's inability to collect their data and are constantly attacking him. And Yamato-senpai's special move is difficult to use in doubles. This game..."

Fuji didn't finish his sentence, but Tezuka understood his meaning. They were in a difficult position this game.

He had played against Yamato Yūdai before and knew that Yamato Yūdai's strength could only be fully unleashed in singles.

"Phantom Dream..."

Tezuka softly uttered the move that had once caused him great trouble. Although Yamato Yūdai's technique wasn't yet perfect, it was already enough to affect his opponents.

But this was doubles, and there were two of them...

Now, without a coach, they had been completely outmaneuvered by the opposing coach.

BANG!

"Game, score 2:2, tied."

BANG!

"Game, score 3:2, Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi combination leads."

BANG!

"Game, score 5:3, Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi combination leads."

BANG!

"Game, match over, score 6:4, Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi combination wins."

Yamazaki and Yano, who had won this match, high-fived. The Hyotei members, already at match point, also wore joyful expressions.

"It looks like the Metropolitan Tournament champions will be Hyotei again this year!"

"Hyotei! Hyotei!"

"Hyotei wins, Seigaku is defeated! Hyotei wins! Seigaku is defeated!"

Hyotei's supporters cheered ecstatically. With two consecutive wins, Hyotei's victory was within reach.

Meanwhile, Inui Sadaharu and Yamato Yūdai, returning to the Seigaku player area, were filled with guilt, especially Inui Sadaharu.

The reason this match had dragged on for so long was entirely due to Yamato Yūdai's efforts.

Inui Sadaharu was still too inexperienced, and his data tennis hadn't reached a high level of mastery.

The combination of Yamato Yūdai and Inui Sadaharu managed to win back a few games through Yamato Yūdai's strength and the data Inui Sadaharu later collected.

However, the deficit they incurred early on was too large. Even after collecting the data, Inui Sadaharu couldn't defy fate in the end.

They ultimately lost 6:4.