Two Pairs of Brothers
"After consultation and agreement between the participating teams, it has been decided that the old competition rules will still be used for this match because the number of junior high school students on the Japan Team does not meet the minimum requirement under the new rules. 💘🎈 ♨🐧"
"Next up is the doubles match between the Japan and Greece teams."
A loud announcement rang out across the clay court of the Panathinaikos Stadium in Athens.
"The Greece team, represented by Apollo Stefanopoulos (second-year junior high school student) and Orion Stefanopoulos (second-year junior high school student), will face off against the Japan Team, represented by Mutsu Yūho (third-year high school student) and Mutsu Yūma (third-year high school student)."
"Please welcome both players to the stage!"
"The sun and the moon?"
Thanks to Muneyoshi's guidance, the members of the Japan Team now noticed the names of the Greece Team members.
Upon hearing these ancient Greece god names, even those who were not very familiar with Greece mythology couldn't help but feel curious.
After all, regardless of the mythological system, the sun and the moon are not things that ordinary people can easily mess with.
The fact that they could use the names of the gods of the sun and the moon as their own proves that they were extraordinary individuals.
Furthermore, judging from their similar appearances and the same surname, these two, like the Mutsu Brothers, are the most suitable twin pair for doubles.
However, while the rest of the Japan Team were more concerned with the two's appearances and the names of the sun and moon deities, Mitsuya, who was in charge of data collection, frowned upon hearing their surnames.
"This surname..."
His mind drifted back to the turbulent and dark Middle Ages in Europe, which he had learned incidentally while researching the data.
"Seniors, please be careful. If I'm not mistaken, the people with that surname on the other side probably don't have any honorable methods."
Mitsuya didn't hesitate much, whispering a reminder in their ears.
"Mutsu-senpai, when you face them, you must be as vigilant as you are when facing Tōno- senpai!"
Compared to Mitsuya's brief suggestion, Muneyoshi's reminder was much more accurate.
His words startled the Mutsu Brothers: "Like Tōno? Does that mean the other side also Execution Method?"
We'll be careful.
After being reminded by Muneyoshi and Mitsuya, the two remained vigilant.
Facing a team ranked tenth in the world, whose strength is already considerable, they will be even more cautious after being reminded.
As the two opponents, each with the exact same face, appeared on the field, the cheers from the audience grew even louder.
"My God, both sides are twins!"
"What is this, a duel between twins?"
"Hey, the Japan Team and the Greece Team really have a knack for it!"
The chatter around them did not disturb the Mutsu Brothers, who were keeping in mind what Saeki Muneyoshi and Mitsuya had said and did not engage in conversation with the locals.
After a simple guessing game, the competition began.
"The match begins with the Greece Team's Apollo Stefanopoulos and Orion Stefanopoulos serving first."
Apollo, with his handsome features resembling an ancient Greece sculpture, stood in the backfield.
He pulled a tennis ball from his pocket, but instead of hitting it like the others, he looked up and glanced between the Mutsu Brothers. ☮♕ 💘ඏ
"Ha, you think twins can handle us? Get over there!"
Apollo scoffed dismissively, then tossed the tennis ball in his hand violently.
Bang!
He barely touched the ground with his toes, without making a large jump, and before the tennis ball reached its highest point, his arm swung heavily down from mid-air.
"Hmm? It's not a dangerous serve like Tōno's, but the simplest high serve?"
Seeing the other party's simple movements, a hint of surprise flashed in Saeki Muneyoshi's eyes.
However, although the opponent's serve was simple, it was not weak.
Thump!
Although it's a high serve, tennis involves other variations. After landing, it makes a dull thud on the ground before flying out of bounds at extremely high speed.
→
"Ace, Greece, 15-0."
On the field, the Mutsu Brothers exchanged a glance, their faces now showing not only vigilance but also a hint of seriousness.
Although the opponent was only a junior high school student, the strength and speed he possessed were beyond what an ordinary junior high school student could have. Without paying close attention, one might not even be able to see him.
After scoring, Apollo remained silent and quietly went to the left service court.
He took out a tennis ball, glanced at it, and then tossed it again.
Bang!
The tennis ball once again sent a powerful whistling sound through the air.
However, this time, Apollo's serve didn't score a point so easily.
Bang!
With just two steps, Mutsu Yūma easily intercepted the tennis ball in its path with his racket.
"If you think that you can keep scoring with such a simple shot, then you're seriously underestimating people."
A hint of mockery flashed in Mutsu Yūma's eyes.
After an easy interception, Mutsu Yūma his wrist upwards, sending the tennis ball flying back.
Moreover, the slight lifting motion made the angle of the tennis ball more tricky, directly approaching the baseline diagonally opposite.
"Oh? You can return the ball on the second one? But it's just one ball, what's there to be so proud of?"
Apollo, positioned at the baseline service box, instantly turned back and rushed towards the opposite baseline, arriving at the ball's landing point in a matter of moments.
The moment the tennis ball bounced, the afterimage of his rapid swing enveloped it.
Bang!
A flash of mustard yellow light disappeared in an instant, and the tennis ball struck precisely at the side of Mutsu Yūma's foot as he couldn't catch his racket in time.
"Greece scores, 30-0."
As they exchanged serves, the Mutsu Brothers crossed paths.
Mutsu Yūho glanced at his younger brother and said calmly, "It seems their strength is indeed quite impressive!"
"In that case, little brother, it's time to go!"
Mutsu Yūho to the backfield and spoke softly.
"Give it your all, brother!"
As his younger brother Mutsu Yūma, finished speaking, two milky-white auras rose from their bodies.
A faint, white mist mingled above their heads.
In an instant, a powerful aura burst forth from the two of them, sweeping outwards like ripples.
"This is!"
"Synchronization!"
"These twins actually managed to resonate in sync!"
The Mutsu Brothers' sudden transformation attracted everyone's attention; such miraculous doubles prowess is rare even in Europe.
However, the Greece Team was not surprised by this.
After all, the Japan Team's traveling squad has been in Europe for a long time, and almost every one of them has played in a football match.
Therefore, each team is generally aware of their capabilities.
The Mutsu Brothers' Synchronization was, of course, one of their methods of intelligence gathering.
Apollo and Orion were well aware of this, so they were not alarmed.
"Brother, let's test the power of their Synchronization!"
"No problem, brother!"
Apollo served again, and this time he didn't look up at the Mutsu Brothers.
Because of the Synchronization, all their stats increased, and they were in a state of complete mental and emotional numbness.
In this state, the Mutsu Brothers' pale golden eyes gazed ahead, looking down upon the world like gods.
At this moment, they resembled gods more than their Greece brothers who had taken the gods' names.
P. S.: "Please vote with monthly tickets!"
This should be the Mutsu Brothers' last match; they won't be featured anymore. They went back in third grade and became background characters for middle school students—it's ridiculous.