Doubles, One Point Each

"Seigaku! Seigaku! Seigaku! Seigaku..."

On the court, the match between Seigaku and Yamabuki had already begun.

To be on the safe side, Coach Ryuzaki had paired Kawamura and Fuji for doubles two.

Kawamura's solid backcourt play and Fuji's agile net techniques, coupled with the fact that they were an experienced doubles pair, made them a formidable duo.

However, their pursuit of safety didn't seem to yield much. The current score was 5:3, with Yamabuki leading by two games.

At this point, both Kawamura and Fuji were drenched in sweat, their stamina nearly depleted.

Bang...

"Yamabuki scores, the score is 6:3. Yamabuki wins."

With the referee's announcement, the doubles two match concluded with Yamabuki defeating Seigaku 6:3.

"These two are still not cut out for doubles. They both have too strong personalities, and their coordination is completely lacking. This is our weakness."

"It seems Yamabuki's doubles are as strong as ever. But now, besides Oishi and Kikumaru, Seigaku has no other viable doubles pairs. The situation isn't looking good."

Seeing that Yamabuki's winning strategy was proving effective, Coach Ryuzaki from the coaching box couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

In the stands, the Golden Pair, preparing for their next match, didn't stop. They walked directly towards the court.

"Long time no see, Oishi. Let's have a good match."

On the court, Minami Kentaro of Yamabuki's doubles one, with his hedgehog hairstyle, said to Oishi.

Oishi's expression darkened upon hearing Minami Kentaro's words. Kikumaru, seeing his partner still dwelling on the shadows of last year's defeat, immediately stepped forward and flicked Oishi on the head.

"Don't worry too much, Oishi. I'm still here."

"Ah! Right, Eiji! Let's just play like we always do."

Seeing the two regain their composure, Coach Ryuzaki, who had been worried, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Coach Ryuzaki, we'll win doubles one this year too."

Startled by Yamabuki's coach speaking to her, Coach Ryuzaki frowned.

Recalling that he had allowed Akutsu to join the Yamabuki tennis club, she asked, "Ban-senpai, didn't you say that playing tennis should be about having fun? Why would you let someone like that join your team?"

"Of course. I'm still the same as before. Although it might be unfair to Oishi, I still want to make you remember last year."

As they spoke, Minami Kentaro on the court began to serve.

Kikumaru, accurately judging the return path, hit a flat drive back. Yamabuki's other doubles player, Higashikata Masami, seizing the opportunity when Oishi was distracted, hit the ball into Oishi's blind spot, scoring a point.

Oishi, having lost the point, stared at the ball on the ground, unable to react.

"His technique has improved since last year. His timing is excellent. If Oishi can't keep up with his timing, this match will be very difficult."

In the following few serves, Minami Kentaro and Higashikata Masami repeatedly scored points, targeting Oishi, who was out of sorts.

"They've scored consecutive points! It's like they know exactly what Oishi-senpai is thinking."

Yamabuki Middle School's strategy was simple and clear: target Oishi. Even Katsuro and Katsuo from the sidelines could see it. Inui Sadaharu, standing nearby, explained.

"The method they're using is the same one they used to defeat Oishi and his senpai last year. Oishi probably still has some lingering trauma from it."

"Damn it, using such a dirty trick! Let me teach you a lesson."

A somewhat angered Kikumaru immediately served the ball. Yamabuki's Minami Kentaro then feigned a return.

Seeing Minami Kentaro assume a return stance, Kikumaru prepared to rush forward to intercept.

At this moment, Oishi, who was at the net, suddenly turned back.

"Eiji, don't move."

"Last year, it was because I lost my composure that Senpai had to come up to help me, disrupting our formation and giving them an opening."

"The only thing I can do now is to calm down and not be disturbed by them."

He then sprinted towards the ball and hit a backhand drop shot, which landed perfectly on Minami Kentaro's racket.

Oishi then turned and hit a Moon Volley.

The ball flew towards the sky and then landed directly on the baseline.

"Seigaku scores, 15:0."

"You think using the same trick as last year can defeat me? How laughable."

Minami Kentaro and Higashikata Masami, surprised by Oishi's change, showed expressions of excitement after their initial shock.

"So this is Seigaku's Golden Pair. It looks like this match will be very interesting."

"Hey, Momoshiro-senpai, I think you should start warming up. Yamabuki's Sengoku is a formidable opponent for you."

Seeing Oishi emerge from the shadows of last year's defeat, Horio knew the match would end soon, so he urged Momoshiro to warm up in advance.

"Is that so? Since you say so, I'd better have a good match with him."

Hearing that Horio considered Sengoku difficult to deal with, Momoshiro didn't hesitate and immediately grabbed his tennis bag to warm up.

Watching Momoshiro walk away, the curious Katsuro and Katsuo couldn't help but ask Horio.

"Horio, is that Sengoku really that strong? From the sound of it, it seems like Senpai Momoshiro will have a hard time winning."

"He'll definitely win. Senpai Momoshiro now is different from before. His fully unleashed right foot and recent high-intensity training have brought him great progress."

"Besides, that Sengoku from Yamabuki is currently just a guy with some talent who doesn't take tennis very seriously. 'Lucky Sengoku'? In the face of strength, luck doesn't exist."

"Luck doesn't exist in the face of strength. I knew only you, Horio, would say something so confidently."

Horio, who had been explaining to Katsuro and Katsuo, suddenly turned his head to look in another direction. Horio's eyes instantly turned cold.

"If you want to die, you don't have to be in such a hurry. I'll make you truly experience despair."

Looking at Akutsu standing under the shade of a tree not far from the court, tearing up a notebook he took from his fanboy, Taichi, Horio felt even more that there was no need to hold back.

On the other side, Oishi, holding the baseline, and Kikumaru, unleashing his Special Skill Shot at the net, continuously scored points.

Even after the Yamabuki pair changed their tactics, Oishi and Kikumaru handled it well.

It didn't take long before they secured victory in doubles one.

With two doubles matches concluded, Seigaku and Yamabuki each won one point.

Next up were the singles matches. Momoshiro, who had gone to warm up, returned just as Oishi and Kikumaru won.

Seeing Momoshiro, whose forehead was slightly sweaty but in great condition, everyone felt that the victory in singles three would also belong to Seigaku.

In their view, with Horio as a fallback, Seigaku only needed to win one more match.

That would be equivalent to directly winning the championship of the tournament, and they would then participate in the Kanto Tournament as a seeded team.