Coach Baker, Who Knew How to Win Hearts

"So, Fuji- Senpai, did you enjoy the story of Beck?"

After seeing Beck leave, Horio turned to look at Fuji, who had a calm Fuji.

"That's quite well said. I must say his empathy is quite strong; he can really get people to fall into his trap."

"Looks like I was overthinking it. Even if I didn't show up, you wouldn't fall for his trick."

Hearing Fuji say that, Horio realized he had worried for nothing.

"Let's go, Fuji- Senpai. Even though the self-inflicted injury trick didn't work, that Arnold Iglijef is no small fry."

"I heard his nickname is 'Steel Scorpion,' and he's also known as the Tennis Machine.'"

"So, this is an opportunity to test the results of your training over this period of time."

"Next up is the Second Singles, featuring Fuji Syusuke of the Kanto team."

They were facing the West Coast team Arnold Iglijef.

The referee's voice came over the loudspeaker again, and the Second Singles match officially began.

"We've finally waited for you, Fuji- Senpai! Show us the strength of Seigaku!"

"The Third Singles is evenly matched, so it's still one win and one loss."

"There are only five games in total, so the remaining two are especially important."

"Yes, if Fuji can't win this match, then the Kanto team won't be able to win either."

In the spectator area, even before the match started, the Seigaku members were already worried about Fuji.

"It is said that Fuji's opponent in this match is not a simple character, compared to Kamishiro Reiji of Josei Shonan."

Arnold Iglijef of the West Coast team is the real Tennis Machine; he has maintained an undefeated record in official matches since being discovered by Coach Baker.

"It looks Fuji this match won't be easy for Fuji either. If he loses, the Kanto team will either have to draw with the West Coast team or lose."

"That's the current situation, but Fuji has been practicing very hard during this time."

I haven't fully grasped all of his information yet, so who knows what unexpected changes might occur in the competition.

Oishi and the others in the spectator area watched the increasingly enthusiastic atmosphere in the stadium, but as Fuji's teammates, they had no intention of joining in.

Inside the stadium, Fuji and Arnold emerged from their respective player tunnels.

The stadium became even noisier the moment the two competitors entered the arena.

However, due to Coach Baker's pre-match promotion, all the players on the West Coast team were very popular.

So even though Fuji and Arnold appeared at the same time, most of the comments in the audience were in favor of Arnold.

"The scene was so chaotic, Coach Baker is truly a talent."

On the Coach's bench, Horio, positioned in the center of the stadium, was naturally the one who could best feel the enthusiasm of the audience.

"Fuji- Senpai, your opponent looks formidable. Aren't you nervous?"

Seeing Fuji sitting next to him preparing his racket, Horio couldn't help but tease him.

"Is that so, Horio? If he's really that strong, then this match should be quite interesting, right?"

He still wore that warm smile, but the atmosphere on the other side was completely different from that on Horio's side.

"So, Arnold, are you ready to give it your all?"

Coach Baker glanced at Arnold, who stood expressionless beside him. Upon hearing Coach Baker's words, Arnold's eyes sharpened even more.

"Yes, boss, I will win this match."

Arnold's tone was soft, but the firmness in his words was evident.

"I've staked everything on this game. Ever since the fall of the Berlin Wall, my parents have immigrated our whole family from Europe to the United States so that we could have a better life."

I'd heard it was a free country, but for an outsider like me, the only people I could stay with were those ostracized by society.

After answering Coach Baker, Arnold's memories were inevitably drawn back to that period of time.

In a secluded and dark alley, Arnold, wearing only a thin leather jacket, sat lazily against the wall, his head slightly lowered, making it impossible to see the expression on his face.

Whether it was fatigue or something else, Arnold seemed listless.

"Arnold! Quick! Run! They're coming!"

Suddenly hearing his companion's urgent reminder, it was like a primal physical reaction.

Arnold didn't think too much about it, nor did he ask too many questions.

Arnold, who had been listless, stood up abruptly and ran in another direction of the alley with his companion who had come from a distance.

But fate had other plans; after running for a while, the two were blocked by a wire gate.

Looking at the barbed wire door in front of him, Arnold pushed it a few times with both hands in frustration.

However, the wire door only creaked a few times, without revealing even a crack for the two of them to squeeze through.

"Keep running, you bastard! I finally caught you. Today I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget."

Four men dressed differently appeared behind Arnold.

The man at the head of the group, with his bronze skin, was holding a wooden stick, which sent chills down everyone's spine.

Arnold and his companions looked panicked when they saw the enemy's formation.

"Quick! This way."

In his panic, Arnold saw various wooden crates and iron barrels piled up against the iron gate and quickly led his companions to climb up them.

Seeing that the two, who had previously seemed to have nowhere to escape, were preparing to flee again, the four of them also sprang into action.

However, the four men consistently miscalculated Arnold's speed. By the time they approached the pile of wooden crates, Arnold and his companions had already climbed to the top.

"How about we learn a lesson?"

After kicking the metal bucket down, his companion, thinking he had escaped, immediately became smug.

"Don't delay, let's go quickly."

Arnold clearly didn't want to waste any more time, so he quickly interrupted his companion and prepared to climb over the iron gate.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Arnold turned around and saw a scene that filled him with despair.

Four more people appeared on the other side of the iron gate.

Compared to the original four, the four new people were carrying thicker wooden sticks.

"This is what you call one problem after another. Get down here now, you're not getting away today."

Arnold and his companion, who thought they could escape, were unexpectedly blocked by their enemies on the other side.

So, a scene unfolded where two people were perched on a wire gate, with four menacing-looking men staring at them from both sides.

It's just like prey being stalked by a wild beast; no matter which way it goes, it will be devoured.

Even if they don't go down, their platform for survival will eventually be overrun by the wild beasts on both sides.

A light drizzle began to fall, making the already dark alleyway even darker.

The wire mesh gate where two people had been lying was now empty, while two people lay on the ground not far from the gate.