Akutsu's Growth

Since they had chosen a distant destination, they would brave wind and rain to reach it. Since they had chosen to step onto the court, they would accept any result without regret.

Countless youthful boys swung their rackets, running back and forth across the lush green courts.

They dreamed of wearing that gray-and-white emblem of glory that belonged to Hyotei.

As the matches slowly went on, the morning passed. Everyone from Hyotei taking part in the round-robin tournament had played at least three matches.

On the court, only Kannagi Shinichi, Atobe, and Akutsu still looked fresh. Everyone else standing there was utterly exhausted; even Oshitari Yuushi could feel the strain on his body.

Fortunately, the student cafeteria had prepared a hearty lunch to replenish their energy. After eating, the tennis club members who had taken part in the round-robin tournament finally recovered some of their strength.

In the cafeteria, Kannagi Shinichi spotted Inoue Mamoru, a reporter for Tennis Weekly, wolfing down food in a corner.

Kannagi Shinichi didn't go over to speak with him. After finishing his meal, he headed to the side of the tennis courts, picked up the match results sheet, and looked over everyone's scores.

Five players had won all three of their morning matches: Kannagi Shinichi, Atobe, Oshitari, Akutsu, and Akutagawa Jirou.

Shishido Ryo, who had stood out in earlier matches, lost to Atobe Keigo in his first match that morning, getting off to a bad start. Fortunately, he won his next two matches against older members of the tennis club.

Mukahi Gakuto, meanwhile, ran out of stamina in his third match. Despite leading 5–1, he was overturned 7–5 by Tsukishiro Douzan, a former regular on the tennis team. He would face a major challenge if he hoped to earn a place among the regulars.

After the morning's three matches ended, the likely regulars for Hyotei were beginning to emerge.

In Group A, besides Kannagi Shinichi, the most likely candidate for a regular spot was Yamazaki Uye, a third-year and former regular.

In Group B, barring any surprises, the regulars would likely be Atobe Keigo and Shishido Ryo.

In Group C, the regulars would likely be Akutsu and Akutagawa Jirou.

Group D was the most complicated. Oshitari Yuushi had all but secured a place among the regulars, but three others still had a chance. Each had lost once, and their losses formed a cycle: one had lost to another, who had lost to the third, who had lost to the first. Mukahi Gakuto was among them.

By afternoon, the players taking part in the round-robin tournament began arriving on the courts one after another. The first match of the afternoon in Group C was a major showdown between two undefeated players: Akutsu and Akutagawa Jirou.

Kannagi Shinichi soon finished his own match and went over to the court where they were playing.

Their match was scheduled to start a little later, so Atobe Keigo had arrived early to watch. When Kannagi Shinichi came over, Atobe immediately made room beside him. "Kannagi, who do you think will win?"

He glanced up at the scoreboard. The score was tied at 1–1 for now; Akutagawa Jirou had just held his serve. The two seemed evenly matched.

In the original story, Akutsu was exceptionally talented. After playing tennis for just one year, he had become one of Japan's best players and had even made the U-17 team. But he had only been playing tennis for a few days so far, and his fundamentals were poor. He relied almost entirely on his physical gifts.

Akutagawa Jirou was different. He had a solid foundation in tennis, and his wrist was more agile than most people's. More importantly, he was one of the players Konomi Takeshi had described as coming closest to reaching the Pinnacle of Perfection in Japanese junior tennis.

(Don't ask me who Konomi Takeshi is. He's just a manga artist. What does he know about tennis?)

For that reason, Kannagi Shinichi couldn't easily predict the winner. He calmly explained, "Akutsu has the advantage in physical strength. He has excellent athletic instincts and incredible flexibility. He can return the ball from almost any position.

"Akutagawa Jirou's strengths are his solid fundamentals and superb net play. The outcome will depend on whether Akutsu's beastlike style or Akutagawa Jirou's proper technique proves superior."

Atobe Keigo nodded in agreement, then turned his attention back to the court.

Akutsu was up to serve. He let out a roar, bent his knees and leaped, then swung his racket with all his strength. A powerful serve shot out in an instant.

Whoosh...

The ball moved quickly, but Akutagawa Jirou could handle that kind of speed.

He sprinted after it, caught up just as it bounced, and struck it back with force. The ball traced an arc toward the back of the court on Akutsu's opposite side.

"Beautiful return."

Even Atobe Keigo couldn't help praising the shot.

"But Akutsu's already chasing it. His physical gifts are incredible."

As Kannagi Shinichi finished speaking, Akutsu's figure shot forward like a cheetah. He sprang backward into the air, and in an instant, he was in front of the ball.

The tennis club members watching gaped at Akutsu's outrageous movement for a moment, then erupted into excited shouts.

"Is Akutsu even human...?"

"That guy's a monster..."

Even Atobe Keigo felt a flicker of unease when he saw the shot. "That guy really can't be underestimated."

On the court, Akutsu watched Akutagawa Jirou's open spaces with a defiant look on his face.

Then he drove the ball back and rushed to the net, his movements smooth and fluid, his attack relentless.

Thwack...

The ball hit the ground and shot toward the sideline. Akutagawa Jirou had no choice but to sprint and dive, reaching it just in time to send it back.

But this one was a lob.

Akutsu tilted his head up slightly to track the ball. Once it cleared the net, he leaped high into the air and slammed it down...

Thump...

"15–0, point to Akutsu Jin."

Watching the shot, Inoue Mamoru raised his camera again and captured the moment.

On the other side, Kannagi Shinichi watched Akutsu and couldn't help smiling. "Looks like Akutsu's really improved."

The match continued. This service game gave Akutsu a huge advantage.

Thump...

"30–0, point to Akutsu Jin."

Thump...

"40–0, point to Akutsu Jin."

Thump...

"Game. The score is 2–1, Akutsu Jin leads."

"Hahaha..."

After winning the game, Akutsu gripped his racket and burst into delighted laughter.

But with that pale face, the smile sent a chill through everyone who saw it.

"Th-that laugh of Akutsu's is terrifying..."

"His tennis is scary, but his smile is even scarier. He really freaked me out..."

Even Kannagi Shinichi, who was known for his cool composure, felt a shiver when he saw Akutsu's smile. Maybe I should consider adding a new rule to the tennis club: Akutsu's not allowed to laugh during matches...