Doubles Two Clinched; The Golden Pair Took the Court

"Come on, St. Rudolph. We'll show you what Seigaku can do."

As their opponents prepared to serve, Momoshiro and Kaitou focused, ready to return the ball.

Thwack...

The ball shot off the racket and flew straight toward Momoshiro.

Momoshiro aimed for the opposite baseline and sent the ball straight down the line.

Kisarazu hurried back to the baseline and returned the ball to the baseline on Seigaku's side.

Seeing the ball heading for the baseline, Momoshiro and Kaitou quickly repositioned, leaving the baseline open for Kaitou.

As he ran, Kaitou took the stance for his Snake Shot. Then he swung his arm wide—and unleashed the Spinning Snake Shot he'd hit by accident during the qualifying match against Fudomine.

Thwack...

"Seigaku scores, 15–0."

The ball curved around the net and landed inside the doubles court.

"Damn, Seigaku had a trick like that up their sleeves."

"It's fine, Atsushi. They can only hit that shot from the corners of the baseline. If we hit the ball to the middle, they won't be able to use it."

"True... But if we do that, the match won't be any fun."

After their brief exchange, Momoshiro began the next serve, and the rally unfolded just like the previous one.

Kisarazu could have hit the ball to the middle, but suddenly turned his racket and sent it to the right corner of the baseline again.

Kaitou saw what was happening and didn't hesitate. He planted his right foot behind him, steadied his center of gravity, then swung his arm.

Pushing his body forward with his right foot, he unleashed the Spinning Snake Shot again.

This time, the ball passed over the coaches' area, its arc much wider. Just as the shot seemed certain to score, Kisarazu appeared at the net and cut it off.

Kisarazu swung his racket backhand, aiming at the incoming ball. To keep Momoshiro from smashing it, he used a backhand slice to hit a Lob Shot.

But Momoshiro was not the player they imagined him to be. He raced toward the net, planted his left foot, and leaped into the air.

"A backspin Lob Shot hangs in the air longer, and the wind can change its trajectory. It'll be hard for Momo to smash it back."

Seeing Momoshiro leap, Fuji was startled from the sidelines.

Momoshiro's incredible jumping ability and balance didn't let anyone down. He smashed the ball with all his might, sending it flying toward St. Rudolph's side of the court.

Yanagisawa and Kisarazu watched the ball's flight closely, and Yanagisawa had already taken his stance to return it.

But just as the ball was about to hit the ground, its trajectory suddenly changed.

Before Yanagisawa could adjust, the rebounding ball, still carrying all its force, flew straight at his face.

The ball struck Yanagisawa's left cheek, distorting it, and sent him flying more than a meter before he fell to the ground without moving.

Yes, he'd been knocked out...

Everyone on the sidelines was stunned. It hadn't been intentional, but it had been pretty brutal.

The referee hurried over to check on Yanagisawa. After examining him carefully, he determined that Yanagisawa couldn't continue, so he had no choice but to declare St. Rudolph's forfeit. Seigaku won Second Doubles.

It was a bit melodramatic, but that was how Second Doubles ended.

Next up was Seigaku's first doubles match: Oishi and Kikumaru, known as the Golden Pair.

"Oishi, let's play a good match."

"Yeah, sure, Eiji. Let's go."

"What a strange turn of events. Let's just say they got lucky this time."

Seeing Yanagisawa lying dazed on a bench, St. Rudolph's captain Akazawa spoke up to reassure the others.

"It wasn't luck, Captain. When we played them, their abilities kept improving. They've already far exceeded our predictions."

Kisarazu, who had experienced it firsthand, spoke earnestly. Just as he was about to say more, Mizuki walked over.

"Stop making excuses. If you'd followed my plan, you'd have won long ago. If everyone acts like those two, you'll have a problem, Akazawa."

"Don't worry, Mizuki. Leave the next match to me."

Akazawa patted Mizuki on the shoulder, his expression serious. Seeing this, Mizuki said nothing more.

"The first doubles match of the tournament is about to begin. Players, please get ready. Seigaku will serve."

The first doubles match began. Oishi stood at the baseline and told Kikumaru to do his best before focusing on his serve. Kikumaru looked relaxed, too.

Meanwhile, the trio who'd gone to buy drinks had run into something. They'd already bought their drinks and were heading back when they passed a practice court and spotted someone in a St. Rudolph uniform practicing.

He kept swinging the racket in his left hand, looking a little irritated.

"Horio, look. Isn't that the guy from St. Rudolph they call the Left-Handed Killer?"

"The left-hander... It should be him. Looks like he's really annoyed he can't play Senpai."

"Ah... When he plays Ryoma later, do you think he'll take out all his anger on him?"

"Who knows? Didn't they say he's never lost to a left-handed player? Maybe today's the day he breaks that record."

Hearing Horio and the others, the already-irritated Fuji Yuta grew even angrier. He stopped practicing and walked toward them.

Seeing the furious look on Yuta's face as he approached, Katsuro and Katsuo immediately chickened out, while Horio remained unfazed.

"What did you just say? Who did you say was going to lose? Say that again if you've got the guts."

"I said you're going to lose. This so-called Left-Handed Killer is just a machine built through training."

Katsuro and Katsuo were afraid of Fuji Yuta, but Horio wasn't about to back down.

"No matter how precise a machine is, break one part and it's just scrap metal. No wonder you're not as good as your brother. What a short-sighted guy. Katsuro, Katsuo, let's go."

Furious at Horio's words, Fuji Yuta wanted nothing more than to teach him a lesson. But remembering the tournament rules against fighting, he held back.

"You said I'd lose? Then I'll show you how I beat your left-hander to the ground."

Watching Horio walk away, Fuji Yuta kept his fists clenched and his teeth gritted.

By the time the three returned to the court, the first doubles match was already halfway through, with the score tied at 3–3.

"Looks like it's a close match. St. Rudolph must be targeting Senpai Kikumaru specifically."

Seeing Kikumaru drenched in sweat and panting nonstop, Horio wasn't surprised at all.

"That's right. Luckily, Kikumaru's been focusing on building up his stamina since the last intraschool ranking match, but the sun is just too brutal today. It's a real disadvantage for a player who relies on agility."

Inui Sadaharu pushed up his glasses as he spoke. Horio then looked at the two players from St. Rudolph.

"They don't look so fresh either. Akazawa and Kaneda seem to be holding up better than Senpai Kikumaru, but I doubt their muscles can keep going much longer."

"Oh? You can even tell how strong their muscles are? Horio, you really are impressive."

"Senpai Inui, you could add that to your data when you collect it. I'm sure it'd be useful."

After speaking, Horio turned his attention back to the court and smiled faintly.

"They're all at the end of their rope. Now it's a question of whose willpower is stronger..."