"Game, score 1–0, Yamabuki's Fuji Syusuke leads."
On the court, Fuji Syusuke's service game ended quickly. With four Disappearing Serves, he held serve with ease.
His serve wasn't especially fast or powerful, but his technique was absurdly good.
Across the net, Yamato Yudai was breathing heavily. He'd been completely helpless against Fuji's serves, and now a crushing pressure was weighing on him.
This first-year who'd left Seigaku was strong—far stronger than Yamato.
The players changed sides. Yamato looked dazed as he headed to his seat. Ryuzaki Sumire, sitting in the coaches' area, saw his expression and could already guess how the match would end.
Ryuzaki didn't say anything. Instead, she looked at Fuji Syusuke, who had once belonged to Seigaku but had ultimately left.
The boy was a tennis prodigy. And yet she had never realized it.
"I wonder if I can invite them back to Seigaku."
Ryuzaki murmured, her gaze turning sorrowfully toward the Yamabuki first-years behind Fuji.
She deeply regretted what had happened. If she'd paid more attention to the first-years back then, Tezuka Kunimitsu wouldn't have been injured, and these kids, who had once belonged to Seigaku, wouldn't have left. They would have led Seigaku back to greatness.
While Ryuzaki was thinking about inviting Fuji and the others back to Seigaku, Yamato began serving. With the sound of the racket striking the ball, the tennis ball flew toward Fuji's side of the court.
Thwack...
Thwack...
After several exchanges, the ball flew toward Fuji's side again.
At the baseline, Fuji opened his usually half-lidded eyes. A cold glint flashed in his blue eyes as he spoke softly...
"Triple Counter - Returning Swallows."
Thwack...
The sound of the ball being struck rang out, and once again, a shocking scene unfolded on the court...
The ball flew across the court