Atobe Keigo VS Shishido Ryo

In Tokyo Metropolis in April, the weather wasn't yet scorching hot. The morning sun was exceptionally gentle, casting a comfort that was hard to describe onto one's face. → Read on Google

On the Hyotei tennis courts, members of the tennis club gathered in small groups, discussing yesterday's matches.

The first-years' performance yesterday had been too brilliant, putting a lot of pressure on the upperclassmen.

They couldn't help but gather together, cheering each other on.

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi arrived at the tennis court with the already-grouped list, and had it posted on the notice board.

The participants in the round-robin tournament began to step forward, checking their respective groups.

There were four groups in total. Groups A and B each had 13 people, while Groups C and D each had 12 people.

A total of fifty people, with a two-day competition period. On average, each person would play six to seven matches per day.

Shishido Ryo and Mukahi Gakuto, dragging a sleepy Akutagawa Jirou, squeezed into the crowd and began searching for their groups on the list.

A moment later, Shishido Ryo, with a grimace, said to Mukahi Gakuto, "It's over. My first opponent is that arrogant Atobe."

Listening to Shishido Ryo complain, Mukahi Gakuto chuckled gloatingly, "Ryo, anyway, two regular players are selected from each group. Even if you lose to Atobe, as long as you beat the other opponents, you can still be selected as a regular."

"Don't laugh at me. Look at who's in your group."

Shishido Ryo patted Mukahi Gakuto's shoulder and pointed to Oshitari Yuushi's name on the list.

"This guy is very strong. He won against the upperclassmen in both of yesterday's matches in just ten minutes."

Seeing Oshitari Yuushi's name in the same group, Mukahi Gakuto's gloating smile vanished, replaced by a look of seriousness in his bright eyes.

Just then, Shishido Ryo saw Akutagawa Jirou's group on the list and quickly turned to him, saying, "Jirou, your opponent in the group is Akutsu. This guy's performance yesterday was also very impressive, so you can't let your guard down."

However, when Shishido Ryo turned back, he saw Akutagawa Jirou slumped on Mukahi Gakuto's shoulder, drooling and fast asleep.

On the court, the Hyotei tennis club players began warming up, fully preparing for today's matches. Having made it into the round-robin tournament, no one was willing to give up.

Hyotei regular player – this was an honor.

A young man holding a camera had arrived at the edge of the tennis court early. The person was Inoue Mamoru, a reporter from Tennis Weekly.

Having received advance notice that the Hyotei tennis club would be holding its selection for regular players today, he had come early to gather material.

Since it was a weekly publication, the interview with Kannagi Shinichi and others had not yet been published. Inoue Mamoru took this opportunity of the regular player selection to gather more information about Hyotei.

At this moment, Kannagi Shinichi and the others from Atobe's group had already arrived at the court, and today's regular player round-robin tournament was about to begin.

Thanks to the generous investment from the Atobe Zaibatsu, the original six tennis courts of Hyotei had now become sixteen, enough for the players to compete.

The first major match of the day would be held on Court No. 2: the duel between Atobe Keigo and Shishido Ryo.

Both had eliminated their upperclassmen with a score of 6:0 in yesterday's matches. Many of the eliminated tennis club members were now gathered outside their court to watch.

Inoue Mamoru noticed this and quickly went to the edge of the court with his camera.

On Court No. 1, Kannagi Shinichi had also finished warming up and was starting his first match of the day. His opponent was Yamazaki Uye, a former third-year regular player.

Despite being an upperclassman, Yamazaki Uye showed great respect to Kannagi Shinichi. Upon seeing Kannagi Shinichi step onto the court, he quickly stepped forward to shake his hand, saying, "Buchou, please guide me."

Kannagi Shinichi sized up the former Hyotei regular player and then nodded, "Senpai, I won't hold back."

Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's words, Yamazaki Uye's face froze. He had lowered his stance so much precisely hoping that the Buchou would go easy on him...

Six minutes later...

"Match over. Score is 6:0. Kannagi Shinichi wins."

They shook hands after the match.

A slight smile appeared on Kannagi Shinichi's cold face as he spoke to Yamazaki Uye, "Senpai, your footwork and center of gravity are unstable. This will result in insufficient power when receiving serves. I suggest you tie some weights to your feet to help correct your unstable center of gravity."

"Yes!" Hearing Kannagi Shinichi's words, Yamazaki Uye bowed gratefully.

Kannagi Shinichi smiled and nodded before heading to Court No. 2, preparing to watch the match between Atobe and Shishido Ryo.

Yamazaki Uye, standing where he was, watched Kannagi Shinichi's receding figure, his eyes filled with reverence.

"Game. Score is 3:0. Atobe Keigo leads."

On Court No. 2, Shishido Ryo leaned on his racket, his eyes fixed on the opposite court, where he was breathing heavily.

The tennis club members watching the match made way as they saw Kannagi Shinichi approaching.

It was now Shishido Ryo's service game. He took a deep breath, then raised his arm, sending a fast serve towards Atobe's half of the court.

The serve was perfect, landing right on the sideline. For an ordinary player, this would have been an ace.

But his opponent was Atobe Keigo, a top player who was just a step away from reaching Nationals.

Atobe's footwork quickened, and in what seemed like an instant, he was in front of the ball. He swung his racket with his right hand, and the orange ball flew like a streak of light towards the other baseline of Shishido Ryo's court.

Shishido Ryo placed all his strength into his legs and leaped into the air, hitting the ball back with a lob.

Perhaps seeing Shishido Ryo's never-give-up attitude with every shot, Atobe Keigo seemed to be taking this match seriously as well.

He leaped high into the air, his sharp eyes fixed on Shishido Ryo's racket. Then, with a powerful swing of his right arm, the tennis ball became a blur of light and shadow, directly knocking Shishido Ryo's racket away.

Crack...

After the racket hit the ground, the ball still flew high into the sky. Atobe Keigo leaped again, swinging his racket with his arm. The ball, like a bullet, slammed down onto the court.

"The Annihilating... Waltz..."

It was a perfect second smash.

As Atobe Keigo landed from his jump, he smoothed his bangs and stood there, lost in self-admiration:

"Be enthralled by my magnificent, flashy technique..."

The tennis club members watching the match shouted loudly at the sight of this shot; it was simply too brilliant.

Even Inoue Mamoru, a reporter from Tennis Weekly, quickly grabbed his camera to capture the moment.

Only Kannagi Shinichi's lips twitched slightly when he saw Atobe Keigo basking in his own glory.

Why do his chuunibyou lines sound so natural coming from Atobe Keigo?

Ten minutes later, Shishido Ryo lay on the court, gasping for breath. The referee began to announce the score:

"Match end. The score is 6:0. Atobe Keigo wins."

Atobe Keigo walked over to Shishido Ryo, extended his right hand, and pulled him up. "You played well. I enjoyed it."

A flicker of surprise crossed Shishido Ryo's face. Like Kannagi Shinichi, he wasn't particularly bothered by Atobe Keigo's boastful words.

However, a slight smile appeared on his face now.

Perhaps this guy is just overly narcissistic...