From Never-Before-Seen Doubles Pairings

As Yanagi Renji gathered the "real" data on Ibu Shinji, their match grew increasingly intense.

The two agile figures raced across the court. After continual training, Shinji had pushed every aspect of his physical ability to its current limit.

Bang!

"Game, point to Ibu Shinji of Fudomine. The score is 5–3."

Bang!

"Game, point to Yanagi Renji of Rikkai. The score is 4–5."

Yanagi had to bring nearly all his strength to bear to win that game. By now, he had realized there was something wrong with his data.

But the match was already at the edge of a cliff, and he felt helpless.

"Renji..."

On the sidelines, Yukimura's brows knitted together. The match seemed to be unfolding in a way none of them had expected.

Yanagi looked just like he had back in his first year, when Mitsuya Akito faced Saeki Muneyoshi.

The data was wrong in both cases, and both players were struggling.

"Is this the limit of my path in Data Tennis...? Brother Akito, I still haven't caught up with you."

Yanagi calmly pressed the tennis ball in his hand. If only he were a little stronger—if he had the same ability Mitsuya had as a third-year—then perhaps the match wouldn't have come to this.

He glanced at the figure across the court, surrounded by Beast Aura, whose data had turned completely unreal. He sighed inwardly. "Was the 'output' Brother Akito talked about something I really can't master?"

Thinking of the person who had always guided him, and of how that person had taught him to find his own path in Data Tennis at the Shikoku tournament, Yanagi felt a pang of guilt.

Whoosh!

The ball flew up. Yanagi's eyes snapped open, and his formerly calm, tranquil demeanor turned sharp in an instant.

"I shouldn't be