You're Going to Lose
The tennis ball kept hitting Oshitari's racket, but despite using all his strength, Oshitari managed to keep the racket from being knocked away.
Even so, the impact on the tennis ball continues to increase.
Gradually, Oshitari's racket face began to deform.
The racket strings were dented by the impact of the tennis ball, and finally couldn't withstand the enormous force.
The racket was still hit and sent flying, and the tennis ball punched a hole in the racket face.
"Oops!"
Normally, it would be a good thing if the tennis ball broke through the racket's obstruction, but Kikumaru's exclamation drew everyone's attention to the air.
The ball, which should have broken through the block and scored directly, bounced back into the air at the last moment after the racket face was damaged, flying towards Momoshiro's backcourt.
"Oh no, Atao can't catch that ball!"
"It's too far to run back."
"Damn it, such a good shot and they couldn't score!"
"If Oshitari that goal, it's anyone's guess how long their game will last."
The Seigaku members felt it was a pity that the tennis ball had been returned by Oshitari.
However, just as everyone was sighing, Momoshiro's words once again caught their attention.
"I told you not to worry."
After Momoshiro finished speaking, the wind that had been dormant for a long time picked up again on the court.
The ball, which was originally flying towards Momoshiro's backcourt, suddenly slowed down and then changed direction.
The tennis ball had already begun to fall, but the wind hadn't stopped, and the ball, being blown back, was getting closer and closer to Oshitari's half of the court.
Just as the ball was completely falling, the wind still only blew the tennis ball to the net in the very center of the court.
However, when the tennis ball landed on the net, it deflected slightly and landed towards Oshitari's half of the court.
Thump... thump thump thump
"Seigaku Momoshiro scores, score 7-5, Seigaku wins."
The referee's announcement rang out, and Seigaku won the Third Singles.
The entire arena was stunned to see Momoshiro use his perception of nature once again at the last moment to end the match that should have continued.
A cheer erupted from Seigaku's side, while Oshitari looked somewhat helpless.
"The numbness in my hands is still there, Momoshiro's strange strength... and the last moment I remained calm and observant..."
Despite losing the match, Oshitari was still amazed by Momoshiro's strength and composure in the final moments.
"The opponent is a very aggressive player who can also remain calm, which is indeed troublesome, but there's nothing we can do about it. Let's go and rest first."
Coach Sakaki looked at Oshitari, who seemed somewhat different from usual, and didn't criticize him too much.
"Honestly, even after being hit like that, they're still so reckless."
Meanwhile, Coach Ryuzaki, who was bandaging Momoshiro's wounds, didn't hold back his words.
"That was a really good match, Tao."
"Ah Tao, you actually learned such an amazing skill behind our backs! You really kept it a secret."
After being bandaged up, Momoshiro sat against the court's net, basking in the praise of the crowd.
Gan and Kaitou, who were standing to the side, had already taken off their clothes and picked up their rackets.
"Momoshiro, that was a really great match. Thanks to your performance, two men's passion was ignited."
Gan walked out, and after saying that, he followed Kaitou onto the field.
"Honestly, Oshitari- Senpai is so naive. He actually lost his composure when facing a player like Momoshiro."
"Stop babbling and stop speaking ill of your own people."
"Yes, yes, I'm so sorry, Senpai Mukahi."
On the other side, Hyotei's Second Doubles was also ready.
Mukahi was somewhat unaccustomed to Hiyoshi Wakashi's way of speaking.
"Tch, that's why I don't want to partner with this guy... Oh well... let's go, Hiyoshi."
After Mukahi comforting himself, Hiyoshi turned his attention to the arena and became serious as well.
"The Second Doubles match between the Seigaku Academy and Hyotei Academy is about to begin, featuring Seigaku Academy's Miki and Kaitou against the Hyotei Academy's Mukahi and Hiyoshi."
"Hey, damn it, let me tell you the odds of you losing this game."
The referee announced the start of the match, and the players from both sides came onto the field to shake hands. At this moment, Mukahi took the initiative to strike up a conversation.
"You have a 100% chance of losing this match."
Hearing Mukahi's words, Gan did not refute them, but simply adjusted his glasses.
However, Mukahi interpreted this action as fear, and Hiyoshi, who was standing nearby, echoed his sentiment.
"You two... stop spouting nonsense!"
Silence doesn't mean that Kaitou can tolerate it.
Despite acknowledging the strength of Hyotei, who had already lost to her once, Kaitou acknowledged their superior ability.
But how could they tolerate such arrogance from their former loser?
An angry Kaitou immediately swung her racket, but Mukahi, who was similar to Kikumaru, was Mukahi.
Kaitou's sudden attack was nothing to worry about; Mukahi kicked off with both feet and did a backflip to dodge it.
Seeing that her first attempt didn't work, Kaitou prepared to do something else.
However, Mukahi also extended his racket and blocked Kaitou's racket with a clean downward strike.
"It's too early to announce the results now."
"Hmph, let me show you what it means to be outmatched."
Clearly still harboring resentment over his Kanto Tournament, Mukahi was in a very bad mood from the very beginning of the competition.
"Some people just don't learn their lesson. They've forgotten how they lost in the first place, and now they're shouting like they did back then. You're destined to lose, and you can't win even if you risk your life."
Horio has never been particularly fond of opponents like Hyotei, who are all talk and no action.
Especially those who provoke others before the competition even starts—where does their confidence and arrogance come from when the outcome is uncertain?
Horio didn't control his volume, and not only Mukahi and Hiyoshi on the field heard it.
Even the rest of the Hyotei, including Atobe, and even Coach Sakaki on the Coach bench, heard it.
Coach Sakaki had no objection to Horio's words, after all, he was just someone who only cared about results.
People like this are more likely to agree with Horio's words.
However, the other members of Hyotei were different, regardless of whether they won or lost in the Kanto Tournament.
Hearing Horio's words instantly brought back memories of that time.
The score was originally tied at 2-2, and it was thought that Atobe, as the captain of Hyotei, would definitely win the game.
Besides, the other person is only a first-year student; how good could they possibly be?
But reality slapped them hard in the face; their minister was suppressed right from the start of the competition.
They didn't gain any advantage from start to finish, and ended up with a humiliating 6-0 defeat.
At that moment Hyotei was ridiculed by all the schools, especially by its leader.
They were surprisingly shut out by a first-year student, and in the final moments of the match, they showed an unprecedentedly disheveled appearance.