In April, the weather in Tokyo Metropolis wasn't very hot yet. The morning sunlight was especially gentle, and falling on their faces, it felt indescribably pleasant.
At the Hyotei tennis courts, members of the tennis club gathered in small groups, discussing yesterday's matches.
The first-years had performed so brilliantly that they had put a great deal of pressure on their upperclassmen.
The older students couldn't help gathering together, encouraging one another.
Just then, Kannagi Shinichi arrived at the courts with the list of assigned groups and had someone post it on the bulletin board.
The players taking part in the round-robin tournament stepped forward to check which groups they were in.
There were four groups. Groups A and B had thirteen players each, while Groups C and D had twelve apiece.
There were fifty players in total, with two days allotted for the matches. On average, everyone would have to play six or seven matches a day.
Shishido Ryo and Mukahi Gakuto squeezed into the crowd, dragging along a drowsy Akutagawa Jirou as they started searching the list for their groups.
A moment later, Shishido wore a pained expression as he said to Mukahi, "I'm doomed. My first opponent is that conceited Atobe."
Listening to Shishido complain, Mukahi grinned schadenfreudeously. "Ryo, two players from each group will make the regular team. Even if you lose to Atobe, you can still make it as long as you beat your other opponents."
"Don't laugh at me. Take a look at who's in your group."
Shishido patted Mukahi on the shoulder and pointed to Oshitari Yuushi's name on the list.
"That guy's really strong. In both matches yesterday, he beat his upperclassmen in just ten minutes."
Seeing Oshitari's name in his group, Mukahi's grin vanished. His bright eyes were filled with concern.
Just then, Shishido spotted Akutsu's group on the list and quickly turned to Jirou. "Jirou, Akutsu is in your group. He played brilliantly yesterday, too. Don't let your guard down."
But when Shishido turned around, he found Jirou draped over Mukahi's shoulder, drooling and fast asleep.
On the courts, the Hyotei players began warming up, preparing with all their might for today's matches. They had made it to the round-robin stage, and no one was willing to give up now.
Being a Hyotei regular was an honor.
A young man carrying a camera had arrived at the courts early. He was Inoue Mamoru, a reporter for Tennis Weekly.
Having heard in advance that Hyotei's tennis club would be holding tryouts for its regulars that day, he had come early to gather material.
Since it was a weekly magazine, his interview with Kannagi Shinichi and the others hadn't been published yet. Inoue planned to use the tryouts as an opportunity to learn more about Hyotei.
By then, Kannagi Shinichi and Atobe and the others had all arrived at the courts, and the regular-team round-robin matches were about to begin.
Thanks to the Atobe Financial Group's generous investment, Hyotei's tennis club now had sixteen courts instead of the original six, enough to accommodate all the players.
The first big match of the day was the showdown between Atobe Keigo and Shishido Ryo on Court Two.
The previous day, both players had eliminated upperclassmen by scores of 6–0. Now, many club members who had already been eliminated were watching from outside their court.
Inoue noticed the crowd, too, and hurried over to the sidelines with his camera.
On Court One, Kannagi Shinichi had finished warming up and was beginning his first match of the day. His opponent was Yamazaki Uye, a former third-year regular.
Although Yamazaki was his upperclassman, he had great respect for Kannagi. When he saw him step onto the court, he hurried over to shake his hand. "Captain, I look forward to playing with you."
Kannagi looked over the former Hyotei regular, then nodded. "I won't go easy on you, senpai."
At Kannagi's words, Yamazaki froze. He had lowered himself like that precisely because he'd hoped the captain would go easy on him...
Six minutes later...
"Game, set. The score is 6–0. Kannagi Shinichi wins."
They shook hands after the match.
A faint smile appeared on Kannagi's usually stern face as he said to Yamazaki, "Senpai, your center of gravity becomes unsteady when you move your feet. That weakens your returns. I suggest strapping some weights to your legs; it'll help correct the problem."
"Yes!" Hearing Kannagi's advice, Yamazaki bowed gratefully.
Kannagi smiled and nodded, then headed to Court Two to watch the match between Atobe and Shishido.
Standing where he was, Yamazaki watched Kannagi's retreating figure, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Game, the score is 3–0. Atobe Keigo leads."
On Court Two, Shishido Ryo leaned on his racket, staring across the court as he panted heavily.
When the tennis club members watching the match saw Kannagi approaching, they made room for him.
It was Shishido's serve. He took a deep breath, then raised his arm and sent a fast serve flying into Atobe's side of the court.
It was a perfect serve, landing right on the line. An ordinary player could only watch helplessly as it scored.
But his opponent was Atobe Keigo, an elite player who was just one step away from reaching the national level.
Atobe's footwork quickened. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the ball. He swung his racket with his right hand, sending the orange ball streaking like a beam of light toward the opposite corner of Shishido's baseline.
Shishido poured all his strength into his legs, leapt into the air, and sent the ball back with a lob.
Perhaps seeing how Shishido refused to give up on a single ball, Atobe seemed to take the match seriously, too.
He leapt high and fixed his sharp eyes on Shishido's grip. Then, with a powerful swing of his right hand, he sent the ball streaking like a beam of light, knocking Shishido's racket right out of his hand.
Clack...
After the racket hit the ground, the ball continued soaring into the air. Atobe leapt again, swung his racket, and smashed the ball down like a bullet.
"Rondo of... Destruction..."
It was a perfect two-stage smash.
As Atobe landed, he brushed his bangs aside and stood there, utterly absorbed in himself.
"Bask in the glory of this brilliant performance..."
Seeing that shot, the tennis club members watching erupted into cheers. It had been so dazzling.
Even Inoue Mamoru, the Tennis Weekly reporter, hurriedly grabbed his camera and captured the scene.
Only Kannagi Shinichi, watching Atobe lose himself in his own glory, couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth.
How was it that words so over-the-top sounded completely natural coming from Atobe Keigo?
Ten minutes later, Shishido Ryo was lying on the court, panting heavily. The referee announced the score.
"Match over. The score is 6–0. Atobe Keigo wins."
Atobe walked over to Shishido and offered his right hand, pulling him up. "You played well. I enjoyed that."
Shishido's face first showed a flicker of surprise. Just like Kannagi Shinichi, he wasn't impressed by Atobe's swaggering talk.
Even so, a faint smile appeared on his face.
Maybe that guy was just a little too full of himself...
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