Gathering of the Hyotei Regulars

While most people were intimidated by Akutsu's smile, a cheerful voice echoed from the court.

"Amazing, truly amazing!"

Akutagawa Jirou, on the court, his eyes shining, quickly approached Akutsu. Facing that terrifying grin, he showed no fear, instead offering a bright smile. "Your body movement is so fast, it feels like you're flying through the air. How do you do it?"

Akutsu's smile abruptly stopped. Looking at the bright-eyed boy before him and hearing his praise, Akutsu showed a rare hint of shyness, his lips stiffening. "I... I don't know. It's probably natural... I guess..."

Seeing this, Kannagi Shinichi secretly smirked. "So, Akutsu can't handle people who are too enthusiastic."

On the court, Akutagawa Jirou had returned to the baseline, holding his racket and waiting for Akutsu's serve. "You're really amazing. Another game, another game."

At this moment, the referee for this match, covering his face, reminded him, "Akutagawa Jirou, this is your service game."

"Ah, it's my turn to serve."

Hearing the referee, Akutagawa Jirou walked back to the service line with a bit of disappointment. But the disappointment didn't last long. Holding the tennis ball, he looked at Akutsu on the other side and shouted excitedly, "Even though you're strong, I'll definitely hold my serve."

Akutagawa Jirou tossed the tennis ball high into the air, leaning his body forward extremely, and swung his racket forward.

Bang...

As the tennis ball left his racket, Akutagawa Jirou's feet were already in motion, and he instantly reached the net.

Akutsu continued to strike with his racket, the ball intended to fly towards Akutagawa Jirou's lower body. →

Just as Akutsu was about to score, a strange scene began to unfold. Akutagawa Jirou seemed about to fall, but the racket in his hand suddenly changed direction, perfectly meeting the tennis ball.

Then, the ball crossed the net, forming a drop shot that Akutsu couldn't react to in time.

Thump, thump, thump...

The tennis ball bounced lightly on the ground...

"15:0, Akutagawa Jirou scores."

After Akutagawa Jirou scored this point, he used the same method to score the remaining points in this game.

Swish...

"30:0, Akutagawa Jirou scores."

Whoosh...

"40:0, Akutagawa Jirou scores."

"Score is 2:2, tied."

"Hmph... hmph... this bastard... this is definitely not luck..."

Akutsu stared intently at Akutagawa Jirou. Those previous shots seemed accidental, and the points scored felt like luck.

But Akutsu knew those shots were definitely strange, not as simple as luck.

His gaze was sharp, like a wild beast looking at Akutagawa Jirou. Perhaps it was his intuition, but he looked at Akutagawa Jirou's wrist.

He wanted to know if his guess was accurate, but for now, he had to hold his serve.

He tossed the tennis ball up again, and Akutsu shouted, pouring all his strength into his right hand as he forcefully struck the ball.

Whoosh...

A sharp yellow blur shot out. The power and speed of the tennis ball were a level higher than the previous serve. People only saw a trajectory flash by, and the ball instantly landed in the opposite court.

Akutagawa Jirou moved quickly, reaching the ball just in the nick of time. He swung his racket with his right hand, preparing to return the bouncing ball.

Bang...

But as his racket touched the tennis ball, his wrist felt an immense force. He couldn't help but exclaim, "As expected of someone the club president personally brought to Ice Emperor, his strength is incredible."

The tennis ball was eventually returned by Akutagawa Jirou, but this shot was another lob.

Akutsu on the other side leaped up again, smashing the ball behind Akutagawa Jirou.

"15:0, Akutsu Jin scores."

After this point, the game completely turned in Akutsu's favor. Two minutes later, the referee announced the latest score.

"Game, score 3:2, Akutsu Jin leads."

Now it was Akutagawa Jirou's service game. He tried the same tactic again, and after serving, he rushed to the net.

This time, Akutsu no longer attacked Akutagawa Jirou's lower body but instead hit a lob. Akutagawa Jirou quickly retreated, barely managing to return the ball.

It was another opportunity. Akutsu leaped up again, followed by a powerful smash.

"15:0, Akutsu Jin leads."

"Hahaha... I was right after all. Those first two games weren't luck at all, it was because of your wrist."

Upon scoring this point, Akutsu Jin couldn't help but laugh wildly.

"Iya-ya, you found me out," Akutsu said. Though his secret was revealed, Akutagawa Jirou didn't seem embarrassed at all, standing there with a grin as he admitted it.

After seeing through Akutagawa Jirou's wrist secret, the match's momentum completely shifted in Akutsu's favor.

Bang...

"Game, score 4:2, Akutsu Jin leads."

"Game, score 5:2, Akutsu Jin leads."

"Game, score 5:3, Akutsu Jin leads."

"Match end, score 6:3, Akutsu Jin wins."

Although he managed to win back a game in Akutsu's deciding set, Akutagawa Jirou ultimately lost the match. He lay on the court, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, but a wide grin stretched across his lips. "Tennis is just too much fun..."

Seeing this, Akutsu Jin prepared to help him up, as he quite enjoyed interacting with Akutagawa Jirou.

However, after a moment, Akutsu erupted in a roar, "You damn idiot, wake up already!"

As time passed and the matches grew more intense, the situation regarding the regular player selection became increasingly clear.

There was one match in particular that Kannagi Shinichi was paying close attention to: Oshitari Yuushi versus Mukahi Gakuto.

Perhaps Oshitari's tennis style completely countered Mukahi Gakuto's, as Oshitari didn't lose a single game in this match.

Especially in one game, he used the Brown Bear Drop Shot, a move that left the tennis club members and reporter Inoue Mamoru in awe.

Inoue Mamoru also seized the opportunity, capturing Oshitari Yuushi's return shot with his camera.

The sun began to set, and the few streaks of evening clouds in the sky painted the entire court in a rosy hue.

The two-day regular player selection quickly concluded. Most people wore expressions of disappointment, as Hyotei only had eight regular spots.

At this point in time, there was no Hyotei Second Team. Since the team had just formed and needed matches to improve its strength, they wouldn't pull any stunts like sending a second team to compete, not even in regional tournaments.

Through the series of matches, the strong players gradually emerged, while the losers, despite their disappointment, bravely accepted their fate.

After all, the victors are justified, and the vanquished have no regrets.

At this moment, Hyotei's advisor, Sakaki Taro, held the latest list of Hyotei's regular players and surveyed the tennis club's more than two hundred members.

"I now announce Hyotei's new batch of regulars."

"Director Kannagi Shinichi..."

Vice President Atobe Keigo...

"Third-year Yamazaki Uye..."

"First-year Akutsu Jin..."

"First-year Oshitari Yuushi..."

"First-year Shishido Ryo..."

"First-year Akutagawa Jirou..."

And

"First-year Mukahi Gakuto..."