Time slipped by unnoticed during training. Over the past few days, none of Hyotei's regulars had slacked off.
Kannagi Shinichi still focused mainly on training his technique, with learning to control his strength as a secondary goal. Atobe, meanwhile, was honing his eyesight and strength, preparing to settle things with Kannagi Shinichi after the regional tournament ended.
Oshitari Yuushi was trying to master the techniques he had already learned while developing new signature moves. Akutsu was drilling the basics and occasionally practicing with Atobe to gain experience.
Shishido Ryo had started trying out doubles, Mukahi Gakuto was working hard to improve his stamina, and Yamazaki Uye was changing his center of gravity. As for Akutagawa Jirou, aside from being dragged into doubles by Shishido every day, he spent most of his remaining time sleeping.
Nearly everyone had made great strides during these days of intense training.
Akutsu and Shishido Ryo had trained especially hard. Even Kannagi, Atobe, and the others fell a little short in comparison.
In the blink of an eye, the final day of the regional tournament arrived. One more win would earn Hyotei a place in the Metropolitan Tournament; two wins would make them regional champions.
Nippori Tennis Park in Tokyo was the venue for the final two rounds of the East Tokyo regional tournament.
Aside from the few schools still competing, the park was filled with even more spectators who had come to watch the matches.
There were also scouts from other schools who had come to observe the competition.
And Hyotei, a national powerhouse, was their target.
Outside the park, five buses pulled up in neat formation. Hyotei's team poured out in a grand procession.
Sakaki Taro led the way, as always, with the regulars close behind. More than two hundred members of the tennis club followed them, carrying Hyotei banners and war drums.
Seeing the imposing procession of more than two hundred people, the park's visitors quickly moved aside to make way.
The scouts from other schools were equally struck by Hyotei's impressive display. Their expressions grew serious as they murmured in awe.
"Those regulars have such a powerful presence. This year, Hyotei could be one of the strongest teams in the country..."
"Not one of them is ordinary, especially Kannagi Shinichi, who's been called the strongest in the country. We have to observe them carefully. We can't miss a single detail about Hyotei..."
The scouts from the other schools followed not far from Hyotei's regulars, cameras in hand, sneaking around as they filmed.
Hyotei's team paid them no mind. After all, tennis ultimately came down to strength.
No amount of match footage could change the gap between two teams if one lacked the skill to begin with.
Only players like Yanagi Renji and Inui Sadaharu, who relied on data to play tennis, were worth Hyotei's attention.
Sakaki Taro led everyone straight to the registration desk, where he submitted the list of regulars who would compete that day. The semifinal draw was also about to begin.
Outside the draw area, the regulars from the other three schools had their hands clasped in prayer. It was quite a sight.
Kannagi Shinichi and the others looked over.
The players wore solemn expressions as they murmured under their breath.
"Please, don't let us draw Hyotei..."
"Please, don't let us draw Hyotei..."
The onlookers nearby found it both funny and a little awkward, but no one was surprised.
Hyotei was simply too strong this year. From the start, the other schools had set their sights on avoiding them, claiming second place, and earning a place in the Metropolitan Tournament.
Now they had made it to the final four. Just one more round would earn them a spot in the Metropolitan Tournament.
But they had one condition: they had to avoid Hyotei in the semifinals. They knew full well they had no chance of beating them.
The draw was complete, and Hyotei's opponent had been decided.
Some teams were lucky enough to avoid Hyotei. Others were not, and would have to face them in the semifinals.
The lucky ones cheered wildly; the unlucky ones could only despair.
Kōdō Academy was the unlucky one.
When the two teams shook hands and bowed before the match, Hyotei's players could clearly sense the despair radiating from Kōdō Academy's regulars.
The match began quickly, and ended just as quickly.
"Game, match over. The score is 6–0. Hyotei Academy wins..."
"Game, match over. The score is 6–0. Hyotei Academy wins..."
"Game, match over. The score is 6–0. Hyotei Academy wins..."
Forty minutes later, all three matches were over. Hyotei had swept their opponents once again.
During the post-match handshake, Hyotei's players sensed their opponents' disappointment but said nothing.
After all, tennis had always been a matter of strength.
Watching Hyotei's performance, the scouts from the other schools looked even more serious than before.
Hyotei had been far too strong—strong enough to make their opponents despair.
The semifinals ended in the morning. Hyotei didn't bother to concern themselves with who they would face in the final. Their opponent didn't matter; what mattered was that Hyotei would win.
After lunch, with the bento prepared by the school, the afternoon arrived in the blink of an eye. Hyotei was about to play their second match of the day: the regional tournament final.
The school facing Hyotei in the final was Kakihara Junior High.
Unlike the players from the other schools that had faced Hyotei, Kakihara's regulars were all visibly excited.
They had earned their place in the Metropolitan Tournament and achieved the goal they had set from the beginning: second place in the regional tournament.
Tap... tap...
When a team in gray-and-white uniforms came toward them, the excitement vanished from their faces.
Instead, they looked at the much younger boys before them with a hint of fear.
After the two teams shook hands, the match began at once.
Just like the morning's matches, nothing unexpected happened.
Forty minutes, three sets of 6–0, and Hyotei had claimed the regional championship with ease.
The victory had been a little dull, but every member of the tennis club still cheered.
"Victory belongs to Hyotei..."
"Victory belongs to Hyotei..."
As their opponents in the final, Kakihara Junior High felt no disappointment. They were celebrating too. After all, second place had been their greatest goal.
The regional tournament's award ceremony was about to begin. All of Hyotei's regulars stood on the platform, with Kannagi Shinichi holding the trophy high as they gathered around him.
Inoue Mamoru, the reporter who had arrived late, reached the awards platform at that moment.
Looking at the youthful, smiling faces on the platform, he couldn't help but smile. Then he raised his camera and captured the scene.
Years later, when people saw that photograph again, countless voices would marvel:
"Hyotei—this was when they began their path to dominating the country."
Before you continue