Doubles Two Taken, Golden Pair Appears

"Come on, St. Rudolph, I'll show you how strong Seigaku is."

Watching their opponents prepare to serve, Momoshiro and Kaitou focused their attention, ready to return.

Bang...

The tennis ball was struck by the racket and flew straight towards Momoshiro.

Momoshiro aimed for the opponent's baseline and hit a powerful straight shot.

Kisarazu hastily retreated to the baseline and also hit the ball back to Seigaku's side of the court, near the baseline.

Seeing the ball flying towards the baseline, Momoshiro and Kaitou quickly adjusted their positions, leaving the baseline area to Kaitou.

Kaitou, while running, adopted the stance for his Snake Shot. Then, with a big swing of his arm outwards, he unleashed the Spinning Snake Shot, the same one he had surprisingly used against Fudomine during the preliminary rounds.

Bang...

"Seigaku scores, 15:0."

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

"Damn it, they were hiding that move too, Seigaku."

"It's okay, Atsushi. That shot can only be played from the baselines. As long as we hit it to the middle, they won't be able to return it."

"That's true... But if we do that, the match will be too boring."

After a brief exchange, Momoshiro began his next serve, receiving the same return as the previous shot.

Kisarazu, who could have hit the ball to the middle, suddenly twisted his racket and sent the ball back to the right baseline again.

Seeing this, Kaitou didn't hesitate. He stepped back with his right foot, stabilized his center of gravity, and swung his arm.

His right foot simultaneously pushed his body forward, and the Spinning Snake Shot reappeared.

This time, the tennis ball flew past the coach's stand, with a much larger arc. A shot that they thought was a sure point was suddenly intercepted by Kisarazu, who appeared at the net.

Kisarazu swung his racket backhand towards the incoming ball. To prevent Momoshiro from smashing it, he specifically used a backhand slice to hit a Lob Shot.

But Momoshiro was not as predictable as they imagined. He sprinted towards the net, then forcefully pushed off with his left foot, leaping into the air.

"A Lob Shot hit with a slice carries spin, so it stays in the air longer. With the wind, its trajectory changes. It's very difficult for Momo to smash it back."

Seeing Momoshiro leap into the air, Fuji, who was watching from the sidelines, was startled.

However, Momoshiro, whose jumping ability and balance were astonishing, did not disappoint. He powerfully executed a smash, and the ball flew rapidly towards St. Rudolph's side of the court.

Yanagisawa and Kisarazu had been intently watching the ball's trajectory. Yanagisawa had already assumed a ready stance to return it.

But as the ball neared the ground, its trajectory suddenly changed.

Before Yanagisawa could adjust, the rebounding ball, with undiminished force, flew towards his face.

Yanagisawa's left cheek was visibly deformed by the impact of the bouncing ball. He was then thrown back over a meter and lay on the ground, unmoving.

Yes, he had been knocked out...

The crowd off the court was also stunned. Although it wasn't intentional, it was certainly brutal.

Seeing this, the referee rushed over to check on Yanagisawa. After a thorough examination.

He determined that Yanagisawa could no longer continue the match and had to declare St. Rudolph's forfeit. Seigaku won Doubles 2.

Although it felt a bit melodramatic, Doubles 2 ended just like that.

Next up was Seigaku's Doubles 1 match, featuring Oishi and Kikumaru, known as the Golden Pair.

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

"Okay, Eiji, let's go."

"To have something like this happen... I guess they just got lucky this time."

Seeing Yanagisawa lying on the bench, disoriented, St. Rudolph's captain, Akazawa, comforted his teammates.

"No, Captain. As we played against them, their abilities kept improving, completely exceeding our predictions."

Kisarazu, who had experienced it firsthand, said earnestly. As he was about to speak further, Mizuki walked over.

"Stop making excuses. If you had done as I said, you would have won long ago. If everyone were like those two, this wouldn't do, Akazawa."

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

Akazawa patted Mizuki's shoulder with a serious and determined expression. Seeing this, Mizuki said no more.

"Now commencing the rematch for Doubles 1. Both teams, please prepare. Seigaku to serve."

The Doubles 1 match officially began. Oishi, standing at the baseline, said "Good luck" to Kikumaru before focusing on his serve. Kikumaru looked relaxed.

Meanwhile, the trio who went to buy drinks also encountered some events. The three, who had already bought their drinks and were preparing to return, happened to pass by a practice court and saw someone in a St. Rudolph uniform practicing.

His left hand, gripping the racket, swung continuously, and his face showed a hint of frustration.

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

"A lefty... that must be him. Looks like he's unhappy he can't play against Fuji-senpai."

"Ah... so when he plays Ryoma later, he won't take out his frustration on Ryoma, will he?"

"Heh, who knows? Isn't it said he's never lost to a lefty player? Maybe today's the day he breaks his record."

Hearing Horio and the others, Fuji Yuta, who was already unhappy, became even more annoyed. He stopped what he was doing and walked towards Horio and the others.

Seeing Yuta walking towards them with a fierce look on his face, Katsuro and Katsuo immediately cowered, with the exception of the unfazed Horio.

"What were you just saying? Who did you say would lose? Say it again if you dare."

"I said you'll lose. 'Lefty Killer'? You're just a machine trained by others."

Katsuro and Katsuo were afraid of Fuji Yuta, but Horio wasn't going to stand for it.

"Even the most precise machine becomes a pile of scrap metal if one part is broken. No wonder you can't compare to your brother. You're so short-sighted. Katsuro, Katsuo, let's go."

Fuji Yuta, enraged by Horio's words, wanted nothing more than to teach Horio a lesson. But then he remembered the tournament rules prohibiting fighting among participants and managed to restrain himself.

"You say I'll lose? Then I'll show you how I'll take down your lefty."

Watching Horio walk away, Fuji Yuta's clenched fists and gritted teeth never relaxed.

By the time the three of them rushed back to the court, the doubles match had already reached its halfway point, with the score tied at 3-3.

"Looks like it's a tough match. St. Rudolph is specifically targeting Kikumaru-senpai."

Seeing Kikumaru on the court covered in sweat and panting non-stop, Horio wasn't surprised at all.

Although Kikumaru had been focusing on his stamina since the last inter-school ranking match, the sun today was just too brutal. It was a significant disadvantage for players who relied on agility.

"That's right. Fortunately, Kikumaru has been strengthening his stamina training recently, but the weather has still caused him to expend too much energy."

Inui Sadaharu said, pushing up his glasses. Horio then looked at the two from St. Rudolph.

"The opponents don't look too comfortable either. Akazawa and Kaneda seem to be doing much better than Kikumaru-senpai, but their muscle strength probably won't hold out much longer."

"Oh? You can even tell their muscle strength? Horio, you really are amazing."

"When you're collecting data, Senior Inui, you can add that too. It'll definitely be beneficial for you."

After speaking, Horio turned his gaze back to the court and then smiled slightly.

"They're both at their limit. It just depends on whose will is stronger..."