Soon, time passed, and each team found its own court. Hyotei's match was about to begin.
The stands around Court Four in the park were already packed with spectators.
"Hyotei's really strong this year. Looks like St. Rudolph's run ends here..."
"Hyotei has three national-level players. This match should be a foregone conclusion..."
Hearing the spectators outside the court dismiss St. Rudolph, Mizuki's face darkened. He looked across the court and saw Akutsu staring back at him with a cold gaze.
"Victory belongs to Hyotei..."
"Victory belongs to Hyotei..."
The huge crowd of Hyotei cheerleaders outside the court chanted in unison. More than two hundred members of the tennis club had come to cheer Hyotei on, along with a large number of the regulars' fans.
Atobe Keigo had the biggest fan group, with dozens of girls shouting encouragement for him. Kannagi Shinichi and Oshitari Yuushi came next, with plenty of girls cheering them on as well. And, of course, there was Akutsu. To everyone's surprise, seven or eight girls were cheering for him, too.
Seeing Hyotei's overwhelming show of support, quite a few St. Rudolph players had already lost their nerve before the match even began.
Mizuki, standing off to the side, saw this and his expression darkened even further.
"The first round of the Metropolitan Tournament is about to begin, with Hyotei Academy facing St. Rudolph Academy."
"We'll begin with the second doubles match..."
The referee's voice rang out over the loudspeakers, and Hyotei's cheerleaders once again began shouting encouragement to their players.
The match began amid the cheers. First up was the second doubles match, with Mukahi Gakuto and Yamazaki Uye representing Hyotei.
St. Rudolph's doubles team consisted of two third-year students.
"As far as I know, Mukahi Gakuto has the worst stamina