A New Kind of Nothing

Seeing Tanegashima take the court, Muneyoshi wasn't the only one to come out of the lounge.

Ōmagari Ryūji, who had always seen Tanegashima as the opponent he most wanted to defeat, also came to Muneyoshi's side.

"Tsk, tsk... No matter how many times I watch it or experience it, I still think Tanegashima's talent is astonishing."

Seeing Tanegashima use his signature move once again, Ōmagari Ryūji couldn't help rubbing the little mustache on his chin and smacking his lips.

Ōmagari Ryūji meant every word.

In fact, he understood Tanegashima better than anyone else—even Muneyoshi and Irie.

After all, Tanegashima had personally sent him to the mountain retreat.

For the past two years, Ōmagari Ryūji had never stopped wanting to repay Tanegashima for "the score they had to settle."

Irie, who was sensitive to people's emotions, could tell how sincere Ōmagari Ryūji was.

He merely smiled at the remark.

But to Muneyoshi, it sounded a little off. Right now, he really wanted to ask Ōmagari bluntly:

You admire Tanegashima so much and know him so well, so you've been keeping something big under wraps? Then you're going to hand him the most memorable defeat of his life at the crucial moment?

It had to be said: most of the people on Japan Team who had made it this far were, to some degree, obsessive and a little unhinged.

Although Muneyoshi knew what Ōmagari had prepared for Tanegashima, he couldn't bring up something that hadn't happened yet.

So he took up the thread with a smile.

"Senior Tanegashima's talent is indeed incredible, but I'm sure Senior Ōmagari has been holding back too. I can't wait to see the day you defeat Senior Tanegashima. I'll be cheering you on!"

At Muneyoshi's words, both Irie and Ōmagari looked incredulous.

But in the next moment,