"Next up is the second doubles match: Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi of Hyotei Academy versus Yamato Yūdai and Inui Sadaharu of Seigaku. Players, please get ready!"
The referee's voice rang across the venue once again, and the second doubles match began.
On Seigaku's side, Inui and Yamato had just returned from warming up. They walked toward the court, rackets in hand.
Meanwhile, as Hyotei's two third-years came out, thunderous cheers rose from their side once again.
Hyotei's second doubles team, Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi, had both competed in the National Tournament last year under Hyotei's former legendary captain, Ochi Gekko.
They were among the players who had managed to retain their Regular positions even after Hyotei underwent a major overhaul.
That alone spoke volumes about their strength.
"I can't believe it's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi. They both put on an impressive showing at last year's National Tournament."
"Looks like Hyotei plans to settle the match in doubles."
"Yeah, they really are a National Level powerhouse."
"But Hyotei's overall strength has definitely declined this year. When Ochi Gekko was there last year, Hyotei was truly terrifying!"
"Right. Last year, they also had a formidable singles player like Hakamada Izō, not to mention Ochi Gekko!"
"Exactly. Especially that man—he was so strong. Just looking into his eyes was enough to make you shudder!"
"Hyotei made a name for itself across the country because he led them."
The constant chatter around him reached Muneyoshi's ears. Hearing those familiar names, he felt a little nostalgic.
Hakamada Izō and Ochi Gekko were both future First String members of U17.
They had both attended the same middle school, yet even a team as powerful as Hyotei had only barely managed to reach the National Tournament semifinals.
Makino Fuji, led by Byōdōin Hōō, had been far too strong. Whether it was Maizaka School, led by Irie Kanata and Tanegashima Shūji, or Hyotei and Rikkai Dai, they had all fallen before him.
What about the future? Which school would reign supreme in the middle school tennis world?
Rikkai Dai... Once the Metropolitan Tournament is over today, I should pay them a visit...
Thinking of Rikkai Dai, which had seemed almost invincible in the original story, Muneyoshi now had a clear goal for his plans.
Both teams were ready on the court, standing in formation. Hyotei would serve first.
"Yamazaki, don't hold back. We can't let a bunch of first-years look down on us. Give it everything you've got and win this match!"
Yano Masatoshi leaned forward at the net, staring ahead as he spoke calmly.
"I know!"
Yamazaki Fumio tapped the ball lightly before tossing it high. He bent his knees and arched his back, then pushed off hard with both legs and slammed his racket down.
Thwack!
The ball shot over the net, bounced, and quickly sped toward the baseline.
Inui Sadaharu saw the ball and moved quickly. Just as he was about to catch up to it, it suddenly accelerated in a short burst and slipped straight through the gap in his racket.
"What?!"
Inui was taken aback. This trajectory wasn't in his data at all, leaving him completely at a loss.
Thwack!
But Yamazaki Fumio didn't give him time to adjust. At the sound of the hit, he had already swung his racket.
The ball traced a graceful arc over Yamato Yūdai at the front of the court, then landed right along the baseline on his backhand side.
"Sadaharu, don't worry. You can do this!"
Noticing that Inui Sadaharu was rattled, Yamato Yūdai comforted him gently.
"Sorry, Yamato-senpai!"
"It's all right. Stay focused. The match is still going!"
Thwack!
Another resounding hit rang out. A flash of white glinted across Inui Sadaharu's glasses. At last, he caught up with the ball and swung with all his might, sending it flying back.
"Hah! He's adapting fast!"
Seeing this, Yano Masatoshi pushed off hard with his back leg and reached out to scoop up the ball. Then he sent it straight down onto the baseline!
"Game, Hyotei, 1–0."
Outside the court, Hyotei's cheer squad let out a deafening roar as their team took the first game.
"Victory belongs to Hyotei..."
"Victory belongs to Hyotei..."
Inui Sadaharu took a deep breath and shut out the noisy chants. It was his service game now.
His serve wasn't yet as fast as it would become later, but it was still nothing to scoff at.
Thwack!
"Ace, 15–0, Seigaku scores."
Thwack!
"Ace, 30–0, Seigaku scores."
"Game, 1–1. The score is tied. Change sides."
With four aces, Inui Sadaharu held serve with ease, making up for his mistake in the previous game.
After Inui Sadaharu held serve, Hyotei Academy's third-year pair likewise won a game through their teamwork and coordination.
"Game, 2–1. Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi lead."
During the changeover, Fuji Shusuke approached Tezuka, his expression grave. "You noticed it too, didn't you, Tezuka?"
At that, Tezuka nodded, his expression stern.
Fuji continued, "They've seized on the fact that Inui hasn't had a chance to gather data on them, and they keep targeting him. And it's hard for Yamato-senpai to use his special move in doubles. This game..."
Fuji didn't spell it out, but Tezuka understood what he meant. Winning this game would be difficult.
He had played against Yamato Yūdai and knew that Yamato could only bring out his full strength in singles.
"Phantom Dream..."
Tezuka murmured the name of the move that had once given him so much trouble. Yamato Yūdai hadn't yet perfected it, but it could still affect his opponents.
But this was doubles. There were two opponents...
Without a coach of their own, they had been completely outmaneuvered by the opposing coach.
Thwack!
"Game, 2–2. The score is tied."
Thwack!
"Game, 3–2. Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi lead."
Thwack!
"Game, 5–3. Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi lead."
Thwack!
"Game, match over. The score is 6–4. The winners are Hyotei Academy's Yamazaki Fumio and Yano Masatoshi."
After securing the match, Yamazaki and Yano slapped each other's hands. The members of Hyotei, now at match point, were all beaming.
"Looks like Hyotei's going to win this year's Metropolitan Tournament too!"
"Hyotei! Hyotei!"
"Hyotei wins! Seigaku loses! Hyotei wins! Seigaku loses!"
Hyotei's supporters cheered wildly. With two straight wins, victory was now within their grasp.
Back in Seigaku's players' area, Inui Sadaharu and Yamato Yūdai both wore guilty expressions, Inui especially.
The only reason the match had lasted this long was Yamato Yūdai's efforts alone.
Inui Sadaharu was still too inexperienced, and his Data Tennis was nowhere near its full potential.
The combination of Yamato Yūdai and Inui Sadaharu had managed to claw back a few games through Yamato Yūdai's strength and the data Inui gathered later on.
But the hole they had dug for themselves early on was simply too deep. Even after Inui Sadaharu finally collected enough data, he couldn't turn the tide.
In the end, they lost 6–4.
Before you continue