The Match Officially Begins
After the intensive training camp and the finalization of the team roster, everyone from each school resumed their regular training.
Whether they were selected or not, everyone practiced diligently before the official competition began.
Amidst the repetitive daily training sessions, time quickly passed until the day of the competition.
Because it is an international competition, the venue for this competition was specially chosen to be a large stadium.
On the day of the official competition, the stadium was packed with people inside and out.
Both sides had a lot of supporters; there were even people selling posters inside the stadium, and people from various schools came to watch the game.
"Alright, you've all been looking forward to today's match for a long time, right? Let's go inside."
Inside the players' tunnel, Coach Sakaki looked at the group of students from various schools behind him.
He gave everyone a wink, then turned and walked towards the court together.
As we gradually emerged from the dark passage, the blinding light before our eyes briefly faded.
What appeared before everyone was a venue large enough to accommodate thousands of people.
The stands were packed with spectators, their voices mingling throughout the venue.
The two teams walked to the net, shook hands politely, and then returned to their benches to prepare for the start of the match.
"Looks like they're really popular. Richard Baker is quite a competent agent."
Back on the players' bench, Coach Sakaki, Hanamura, and Tezuka sat with the players, while Horio sat on the Coach' bench.
Looking at the crowd cheering for the West Coast team, Horio still felt that Richard Baker, the team Coach, was more suited to be a star agent.
"The match is about to begin. Next up is Second Doubles. Players, please enter the arena."
After a brief opening, the announcer declared that the match was about to begin.
Because the starting lineups are only announced before the match, no one except the two teams knows the details.
Therefore, the announcement of each group's roster attracts the attention of the entire audience.
At this moment, everyone in the stadium was staring at the player tunnels on both sides, waiting for the Second Doubles pair to appear.
Amid cheers from the crowd, Sanada and Atobe slowly emerged from the player tunnel on the Kanto team's side.
As a representative of Rikkai Dai Fuzoku Junior High and Hyotei, he naturally has no shortage of supporters.
As soon as the two appeared, a wave of cheers erupted from the audience following the announcement over the loudspeaker.
After a while, the broadcast started again.
Billy Katie and Mike Lee appeared from the West Coast team's tunnel.
Then another round of cheers erupted from the crowd, no less than those for Sanada and Atobe.
"You must have learned a lot during the training camp, but your opponents are not an easy combination. Enjoy the game."
"I didn't expect it wouldn't be Coach Sakaki sitting here, but it's all the same now, the victory will only belong to me."
Looking at the two people in front of him who had never partnered in doubles before, Horio wasn't too worried.
After all, two strong individuals can make up for some of the lack of teamwork.
However, upon hearing Atobe's somewhat smug words, Sanada maintained his arrogant demeanor.
"I don't care whether it's singles or doubles, or who my partner is, I'll still give it my all."
"Alright, Coach Sakaki asked me to sit here so he could give you advice before your matches. Don't say these things in front of me. Your opponents aren't each other, but those guys from the West Coast."
Horio was speechless as he watched the two constantly at odds.
"You're temporary partners, so there's no need to set up any formations at the beginning. Just play according to your own style of play, and then make adjustments later."
The first battle will affect our morale later, so teach them a good lesson.
Having said that, Horio let the two of them come up on stage, otherwise they would just keep arguing if they stayed in front of him.
"Are you all clear about your tasks? The more exaggerated the performance, the better, as long as it pleases our sponsors."
On the other side of the Coach bench, Richard Baker clearly explained the game's objectives to his players.
"Of course! A match that ends too quickly wouldn't be fun, right, boss?"
"Boss, what kind of player is the opponent?"
"The opponent is a player from the Kanto team; that's enough for you to know."
Mike Lee, adhering to the principle of knowing himself and his enemy, was dealt with by Richard with a single sentence, and the two, unable to get any information, turned around and went on stage.
"The match begins. Kanto team's Atobe serves."
The match officially began, Kanto team had the right to serve.
"I don't care if you're from the West Coast or the East Coast, all I know is that I, the great one, will be victorious."
After saying that, Atobe tossed the ball up and swung his racket forcefully.
Bang...
"Kanto team scores, 15:0"
Atobe scored with a serve; thanks to the combined training methods employed by Coach Hanamura at the training camp, Atobe power has visibly improved.
After the first ball, Atobe served again, and Billy, now more alert, returned the ball.
Sanada, however, gave them no chance, jumping directly at the net and smashing the ball.
Bang...
"Kanto team scores, 30:0"
"Are they planning to observe the situation on the west coast first...?"
"That should be true. Although my information is incomplete, those two goals were definitely not up to their standard."
In the stands, Oishi and the others were not happy that Sanada and Atobe had scored the first two goals.
On the third ball, the number of rallies between the two sides increased.
You can tell from the sounds of the balls hitting the ball that neither side is to be underestimated.
Bang...
"Kanto team scores, 40:0"
"For the last ball, I'm going to use this move to finish you off."
On the baseline, Atobe prepared to end the first game himself, hitting the ball.
Once you've predicted Billy's return shot, move immediately.
"Let me."
He spoke to Sanada in the attacking third while moving, but Sanada did not do so.
Sanada quickly appeared in front of Atobe and retaliated with a backhand strike.
Bang...
"Kanto team scores, score 1-0"
"Sanada, don't interfere in my business."
"Hmph, you're the one who's getting in my way."
Atobe walked towards Sanada, somewhat angry about Atobe earlier actions.
However, Sanada did not think this was excessive and Atobe without hesitation.
"That's really amazing. It turns out they weren't just talking the talk."
"However, it seems they don't have much in common."
"That's right, but it's not your turn to perform yet."
On the Coach bench, Coach Baker, who had his own plans in mind, didn't allow Billy and Mike to immediately counterattack.
At the start of the second set, the Coach did not give any orders to counterattack.
Billy wasn't playing for real, but things were different from the first game.
The power of the shot and the speed of movement have both increased.
Although it put some pressure on Sanada and Atobe, it was still within their tolerance.