Ryoma Is Challenged

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, 40:30"

After being shocked by Kevin's Outer Spin Serve the first point, Ryoma quickly adjusted his form and earned game point in the sixth game.

Kevin, on the other side, also had a big smile on his face, looking quite satisfied with his opponent.

"Echizen Ryoma, let me experience your strength firsthand."

After saying that, he served another Outer Spin Serve.

The two were locked in a stalemate once again, with Kevin on one side having thoroughly studied his opponent, and Ryoma on the other, who was practically another version of himself.

Regardless of the ball trajectory or tactic, it all seemed to have lost its effectiveness.

After several rounds, Ryoma finally couldn't resist making his move. After Kevin returned the ball, Ryoma sprinted towards the net.

Then he disappeared from Kevin's sight, and hit B-move Serve.

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, score tied 3-3"

"Is this Echizen Ryoma's B-move Serve...?"

The B-move Serve that I had studied repeatedly in videos was now actually appearing in front of me.

Kevin felt both surprised and excited, even more so than when he first learned to B-move Serve.

"Great job, little one! Keep winning like this!"

"Good job, keep it up!"

Seeing their teammates on the school team perform so well, Seigaku and the others were very happy.

"Making me wait this long is no fun if I win so easily. I need to have a good time... Echizen Ryoma."

On the court, Kevin looked at Ryoma on the opposite side with an excited smile on his face.

Perhaps it was Kevin's Outer Spin Serve that provoked Ryoma, because Ryoma also started using Outer Spin Serve in the seventh game.

Compared to Kevin's Outer Spin Serve, Ryoma's was much more authentic, with both the angle and power approaching perfection.

The moment the tennis ball flew out, it was clear that it posed a considerable threat.

"That's Ryoma's Outer Spin Serve. Seeing it in person is definitely more impressive than watching the videotape."

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, 15:0"

Kevin scored directly with his serve, failing to return Ryoma's Outer Spin Serve.

"What's wrong? That guy doesn't seem to want to fight at all."

"And what's with the smile on his face? He's actually smiling."

"Kevin, he's just enjoying himself."

The West Coast team on the sidelines noticed Kevin's unusual behavior and were somewhat puzzled.

But Billy, as his good friend, was able to understand his feelings.

"Before, he had only seen Ryoma's skills on videotapes, but now he's experiencing them with his whole body."

Seeing Kevin's cheerful expression on the field, Billy couldn't help but think of Kevin's past.

In order to defeat Ryoma, Kevin would repeatedly watch Ryoma's match tapes.

Watch it over and over again, one ball at a time, even one movement at a time.

I studied Ryoma's every move from any game until I could replay it in my mind, and then I learned his skills myself.

"Kevin has studied Ryoma very thoroughly, and in order to learn the perfect skills, we train intensively every day."

Hearing Billy say this, the others were surprised that Kevin would push himself to this point in order to defeat Ryoma.

Watching the two players trading blows on the court, Billy's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Now is your time to shine, Kevin, so enjoy the game!"

Kevin, enjoying the game, and Ryoma, determined to win, were locked in a fierce battle, neither giving an inch.

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, score 4:3"

After more than a dozen rounds of combat, Ryoma won another game, completing the comeback.

"Was playing against Echizen Ryoma really that fun?"

"Yes, I'm super happy."

"Oh? That's great, but if you don't take the competition seriously, I'll be in trouble, because the sponsors are watching."

Seeing Kevin smiling even while wiping his sweat, Coach Baker spoke up to remind him.

"I understand, as long as we win, that's all that matters, right?"

"Young man, you'd better not be so arrogant."

"... Yes, boss..."

Perhaps because he had finally gotten his wish to compete against Ryoma, Kevin was a little excited, even a little smug.

Coach Baker's face immediately turned cold and his tone became serious when he heard Kevin's somewhat arrogant tone.

Despite the Coach's threatening tone, Kevin was intimidated by his imposing presence.

However, Kevin, whose enthusiasm had been dampened, remained somewhat unconvinced. He threw his towel on the chair, turned around, and went back to the court.

"How was it, Ryoma? Your opponent didn't disappoint you, did he?"

Looking at Ryoma, whose expression remained unchanged, Horio teased.

"I'm still far from it; I need to keep scoring."

"Really? But I must warn you, don't underestimate your opponent, and things won't be so easy from the start of the next round."

I know Ryoma might be holding a grudge, since he wouldn't have had a chance to play in this match if Kirihara hadn't been injured.

However, underestimating one's opponent after winning two games is a mindset that needs to be corrected.

"Knew."

He adjusted his hat and turned to walk towards the court.

Bang...

"West Coast team scores, 15-0"

"That was B-move Serve, absolutely perfect."

"Although I knew he had studied Echizen thoroughly, I didn't expect it to be to this extent."

It was another exchange that lasted several rounds, but this time it wasn't Ryoma who ended it with B-move Serve, but Kevin.

Seeing Kevin's B-move Serve, which was almost identical to Ryoma's, the spectators in the stands were quite surprised.

"Look at Echizen's expression. He's clearly about to explode with anger. This guy is so naive; he gets provoked so easily."

At the players' tunnel, the other members of the team who were closer to the pitch could see Ryoma's situation more clearly.

At this moment, Ryoma's face turned grim as he saw his skills perfectly replicated by his opponent, who then scored over him.

His pride was hurt, and Ryoma was no longer simply holding his breath like before.

He's now so eager to prove that only he can play this game, so although he's still going all out, he's lost his rhythm.

"That idiot, he couldn't even see such an obvious provocation."

On the Coach's bench, Horio, who had a clear view of the situation on the field, frowned slightly.

Bang...

"Kanto team scores, 15-15"

An angry Ryoma scored a point with a smash at the net, but judging from his expression, one might mistakenly think that Kevin, who was smiling across from him, had won.

"Echizen, are you really going to let your opponent lead you by the nose so easily...?"

In the Coach's lounge, Tezuka watched the television screen, his expressionless face revealing nothing of his thoughts.