The Metropolitan Tournament lasted three weeks, with matches held in batches. After Hyotei's morning match against St. Rudolph, they still had a second-round match in the afternoon.
After eating the special lunch the school had prepared for its players, Hyotei learned who they would face that afternoon: Kakimoto Junior High, in the same bracket as Seigaku.
Two o'clock in the afternoon.
Court Six in the Tennis Center Park was surrounded by a noisy crowd, with cheers breaking out from time to time.
Thwack...
"Yamazaki Uye and Mukahi Gakuto score!"
"Game, match over. The score is 6–0. Hyotei's Yamazaki Uye and Mukahi Gakuto win."
"Hyotei will be the victor!"
"Hyotei will be the victor!"
In just ten minutes, Yamazaki Uye and Mukahi Gakuto had won the second doubles match. Outside the court, Hyotei's cheer squad gave a resounding cheer for their victory.
"They're too strong. We have no chance against Hyotei..."
After the second doubles match ended, several of Kakimoto Junior High's regulars already looked despairing. Their doubles pair hadn't managed to score a single point against Hyotei.
As many of Kakimoto Junior High's regulars despaired over the matches ahead, a boy in the corner of their players' area looked at the older students' performance with contempt.
In a voice only he could hear, he muttered, "It's not that our opponents are too strong. Our seniors are just too weak."
On the court, the referee had already announced the start of the first doubles match. Hyotei's lineup was the same as in the morning: Shishido Ryo and Akutagawa Jirou.
Ten minutes later...
Thwack...
"Shishido Ryo and Akutagawa Jirou score!"
"Game, match over. The score is 6–0. Hyotei's Shishido Ryo and Akutagawa Jirou win."
When the first doubles match ended, another cheer rose from Hyotei's cheer squad...
"Hyotei