Ryūzaki Sumire: What can I do? I choose to believe in miracles.

"The next match is Doubles 1: Tezuka Kunimitsu and Kikumaru Eiji of Seigaku versus Lin Xiu and Kamio Akira of Fudomine Junior High!"

"Will both teams please take the court!"

"Seigaku lost!"

"Their lineup has been completely dismantled. They wanted to break through in doubles and then win the match, but Fudomine saw it coming.💝😎 ✋👽"

"Who does Fudomine have left? Saeki Muneyoshi!"

"And Seigaku? Are they really planning to rely on a first-year to win the championship?"

"Does Seigaku think he's the protagonist? That he can lead them to a comeback against the odds?"

"Real life isn't some novel. There's no invincible hero dropping in from the heavens to save the day!"

Once the Doubles 1 lineup was announced, the shape of the match had become clear.

Without the benefit of hindsight, Seigaku's strategy had made perfect sense. It was essentially the reverse of Fudomine's approach.

They'd sent their strongest singles players into doubles to topple Fudomine's doubles legend.

Then, with Akutsu winning his singles match, they would take the match.

Unfortunately, reality wasn't a script.

If Fuji had won that match, or if Fuji and Tezuka had switched places, things might have turned out differently.

Coach Ryuzaki stood by the court, her face full of worry as she rubbed her aching temples.

The wrinkles on her already-lined face had bunched together even more.

She'd thought this lineup was their best option, but Fudomine had adjusted theirs too.

Every time Seigaku tried to outmaneuver them, they stepped right into a trap Fudomine had laid. Now Seigaku was in this predicament.

To be honest, while Fudomine had shown itself to be stronger than Seigaku, the gap wasn't all that large.

If you discounted the unbeatable Saeki Muneyoshi,

Fudomine couldn't hold a candle to Seigaku.

And the player who would take