Second Singles Victory

"I want to know why you were dragging your feet during the match from the very beginning. Was it really just because you felt Arnold wasn't giving it his all?"

Horio spoke directly to Fuji was surprised by Horio's directness.

"Before the match, Coach Baker told me about Arnold's past experiences, how he turned himself into a Tennis Machine in order to have a better life."

But I think there's a part of him that he hides away, and that part might be the real him.

I want to see the side of him that he's hiding, even though he turned himself into a machine to escape his painful past.

I can't comment on that, I haven't experienced it myself, but I want him to know that tennis can be something that brings him joy.

Hearing Fuji's words, Horio was surprised by his intentions and assumed he had been swayed by Coach Baker.

What a person goes through and what they become is not something outsiders can interfere with.

What you're imagining are all idealized scenarios. Have you ever considered what would happen if your guesses were true, if you did those things, and if you succeeded?

But is that really what Arnold wanted? Turning himself into Tennis Machine was his own choice, and it could also be his motivation to live a better life.

If you break this balance, can you guarantee that it will become better?

Horio's words also silenced Fuji, who for a moment was unsure whether what he had done was right or wrong.

"Don't think about bearing all the consequences if you do something wrong with good intentions. You can't bear that. A person's life is very heavy."

It's already difficult enough for a person to take control of their own life, let alone think about taking responsibility for someone else's.

Seeing Fuji struggling, Horio uttered his final words.

"Timeout expired, match resumes with a score of 40-0."

The referee's voice interrupted Fuji's thoughts, and Fuji, who had returned to the court, was still struggling.

My gaze inexplicably fell on Coach Baker again. Coach Baker, who had recovered, was facing Arnold was making a series of mistakes.

Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer and reprimanded Arnold, giving him no kind look whatsoever.

Seeing this, Fuji instantly understood.

"That's right, I can't interfere in other people's lives, so I'll do everything I can to beat you."

After Arnold was reprimanded by Coach Baker and returned to the field, Fuji's expression became serious.

Seeing Fuji's change, Horio curled into a smile.

On the court, Fuji stopped using his usual serve; the Disappearing Serve finally reappeared near the end of the match.

I noticed that Fuji changed his serve from before, using this low-altitude serve.

Arnold was a little angry, thinking that Fuji looked down on him.

So he decided to teach Fuji a lesson, to show him the consequences of underestimating himself.

However, after the tennis ball bounced off the ground, Arnold, who was preparing to swing his racket to return the ball, watched helplessly as it disappeared right in front of him.

"Kanto team scores, score 6:4, Kanto team wins."

"They even used Disappearing Serve' at the very end of the match. If it were me, I would have felt incredibly uncomfortable."

Sengoku, watching from the sidelines, had a strange expression as he saw Fuji end the match with Disappearing Serve.

Your skills are truly amazing. I hope we'll have the chance to meet again.

"Uh... okay..."

After the match ended, Fuji still politely stepped forward to shake hands.

This time, Arnold did not take her hand as he had done at the beginning.

At this moment, the atmosphere off the court was not good, whether it was the Coach bench or the West Coast crowd at the tunnel entrance.

"Boss, I'm sorry, I tried my best, but the opponent is still a step ahead of me. If I could have another chance..."

"You've missed your chance. My team doesn't need a player like you anymore. Go back to your miserable life."

After leaving the field, Arnold faced Coach Baker and apologized to Coach for losing the game.

But Coach Baker clearly couldn't accept this outcome and interrupted Arnold before he could finish speaking.

Then he got up to leave, but Coach Baker, who had just stood up, screamed and fell to the ground again.

"You treat players like tools and you still have the nerve to argue? You keep saying you don't want your players to go back to their hellish lives, but little do you know that it's you, this profit-driven Coach, who's trapping them in that hell."

As Coach Baker lay on the ground screaming in pain, Horio's voice came from behind him. Hearing Horio's words, Arnold turned around and looked at him.

"I have no right to comment on your situation, but I know this person is definitely not someone you can rely on to pursue a better life."

After saying that Horio got up and left the stadium, while Arnold stood there, lost in thought.

"Arnold, what did the boss just say to you?"

After thinking for a long time, Arnold packed up his tennis bag and left the court.

As Billy walked into the players' tunnel, Billy noticed that Arnold seemed off since he had spoken to Coach Baker, so he quickly went over to ask what was wrong.

He said the team no longer needed him.

"Baker actually said something like that to you...?"

"Now, my dream of reaching the top of the tennis world has been shattered."

Why do you think you're ruined?

Tom, Arnold's teammate, was a little angry when he heard Arnold say such discouraging things.

"Because... I didn't seize the opportunity."

"Losing once or twice is nothing. Nobody in the world is immune to defeat. As long as you become stronger in the future, that's all that matters."

Terry was also a little unhappy when he heard Arnold's words, but he still encouraged him. Bobby, who was standing next to him, also nodded to Arnold.

"Yes, as long as we maintain this fighting spirit, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"But... I've already been kicked out of this team, and now I have to go back to that boring life."

"Even if you're kicked out of this team, it doesn't mean you can't play tennis anymore. And whether you want to live that kind of boring life or not is entirely up to you."

Seeing that Arnold was still in low spirits, his teammates all spoke up to encourage him.

"Hey, hold your heads high and stand tall! This is going to be a great game, and it won't be surprising who wins or loses."

"You've been transformed and become stronger, which is something to be happy about."

"And you're not the Arnold you used to be anymore; you'll succeed wherever you go."

Hearing his teammates' encouragement, Arnold finally smiled.

The effects of the lost games and being kicked out of the team have disappeared.

She's no longer so fixated on the idea that she absolutely has to rely on Coach Baker to reach the top of the world, and has become more confident that she can create a good life on her own.