Dream Illusion

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, score 6-4"

Kirihara hit another Smash Shot, ending the Second Doubles.

At this point, the score is tied between Court No. 5 and Court No. 3.

"Not bad, they actually had this as a trump card hidden."

"Shiraishi, were you wearing that gold arm guard when you played against me in the semi-finals?"

After the match ended, Shiraishi and Kirihara returned to the sidelines, while Atobe and Fuji focused their attention on Shiraishi.

"Akaya, you did a great job!"

"You're starting to look more presentable, Akaya."

"That's right, he already looks like a leader capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities."

At this moment, Yukimura walked over with Marui and Yanagi, and gave Kirihara a smile of approval.

"Next match is Second Singles, right? Let me see your current strength."

While everyone was fixated on Shiraishi and Kirihara, Horio turned to look at Akutsu was not far away.

"Hmph, don't be so arrogant. No matter who the opponent is, they're not worth my attention. The only person I've ever wanted to defeat is you."

Akutsu didn't show a pleasant expression upon hearing Horio's words; of course, he wasn't the kind of person with a friendly face to begin with.

After saying that, Akutsu took his racket and went onto the court.

In the Second Singles, Court No. 5 fielded Akutsu.

On the other side of Court No. 3, the team sent out was the former Captain Seigaku, or rather, the former Captain before him, Yamato Yuta.

"I hope we can have a great match."

"Tch, shut up, I'll beat you to a pulp."

On the court, the two players, about to start their match, exchanged glances at the net before turning back to their respective positions.

Akutsu served, but he didn't go all out against Yamato from the start.

It wasn't a matter of testing him; rather, he felt that Yamato wasn't worthy of him using his full strength.

Akutsu concealed some of his true strength and served.

Even Akutsu's serve, delivered with restraint, was not easy for Yamato.

After barely managing to return Akutsu's shot, Akutsu instantly appeared at the net using his unique movement style.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 15-0"

With a casual swing of the racket, the tennis ball was returned.

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 30-0"

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 40-0"

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, score 1-0"

"What's going on? That former Seigaku Captain wasn't all that great."

"He couldn't even return a shot like that from Akutsu? Is he really from Court No. 3?"

"He probably hasn't revealed his true strength yet, otherwise, with this level of skill, it would be impossible for him to command respect on Court No. 3."

Akutsu won the first game decisively, and Yamato was no match for Akutsu at all.

Atobe and the others watching from the sidelines couldn't help but criticize his performance, while only Fuji and Kikumaru looked at Yamato without saying a word.

Akutsu on the field also became increasingly uninterested, and the disdain in his eyes as he looked at Yamato grew even stronger.

"Hey, Yamato, you're being overshadowed by your junior. Get your act together!"

Seeing Yamato get beaten so badly in the first game, the Nakagawanaidou the sidelines couldn't help but remind him.

The others in Court No. 3 remained silent, their eyes showing no sign of worry.

"Alright, alright, in that case, it's time for me to bring out my trump card."

After the first round, Yamato also realized Akutsu's strength, so he became serious after the Nakagawanaidou finished speaking.

Reaching the baseline, he tossed the ball up and then swung his racket to deliver a mediocre serve.

"It seems this former Captain of Seigaku is quite something."

"What's the meaning?"

Off the field, Horio, who had been quietly watching the game, suddenly said something, which puzzled Oni.

"To be able to gain a foothold in Court No. 3 with only ten points in the five dimensions, it seems that Irie Court No. 3."

Upon hearing Horio's explanation, Oni remained silent.

It was obvious that he knew Irie had never revealed his true strength, so his gaze returned to Yamato on the field.

At this moment, Akutsu had already returned Yamato's serve, and Yamato quickly moved to the ball's landing point and swung his racket to return it.

Whether it was the serve or the return, it seemed unremarkable to everyone else.

Just as Akutsu was preparing to end the battle on this one ball, a miraculous scene unfolded.

The tennis ball bounced off the ground, Akutsu swung his racket in the direction of the bounce.

But just as the racket was about to hit the tennis ball, the tennis ball somehow passed right through the racket.

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3, 15-0"

By the time Akutsu reacted, the tennis ball was already two meters away from Akutsu.

"Why? I should have been able to hit that ball just now."

Akutsu looked at the spot where the tennis ball had appeared, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"What happened? Akutsu swung at nothing!"

"And it was from so far away from the ball, what exactly happened with that shot?"

Compared to Akutsu's confusion, Shiraishi and Chitose on the sidelines were surprised, clearly seeing the same thing Akutsu had just witnessed.

"Am I right, you idiot? Can someone with only two points of skill really hit a shot like that?"

"That move is indeed difficult to deal with, but I believe in that kid; he's probably the strongest among these middle school students."

Horio looked at Yamato on the field and said with a smile.

The demon seemed to have also figured out the secret behind Yamato's move, so according to his judgment, Akutsu could still defeat Yamato.

"Everything you see is an illusion of evil deeds. Is it a dream or stark reality? Can you tell the difference?"

This is my trump card, the Dream Illusion.

"Dream Illusion?"

"What exactly did that high school student named Yamato do..."

On the court, Akutsu looked at Akutsu, who was deep in thought, and said the name of the move that had just been used.

Kirihara, watching from the sidelines, was completely bewildered, while Atobe placed his hand on his brow and began to observe Yamato's movements.

"Stop looking, Akutsu was just fooled by a non-existent ball."

At this moment, Horio interrupted Atobe, and when the others heard Horio say this, they all turned to look.

"Akutsu used to play a wild style that relied on his intuition, but now he prefers to anticipate the situation before acting."

It's not that this is bad, it's just that it's not suitable for him.

In the first game, Yamato must have realized this, which is why he used the "Dream Illusion" move.

"Pre-judgment?"

Hearing Horio's explanation, Kirihara's eyes were filled with doubt.

"That is, judging the return ball based on the opponent's breathing rhythm and movements, and then returning the ball according to your own prediction."

The opponent precisely exploited this weakness of Akutsu's, changing the trajectory of the ball in a split second, which is why Akutsu's swing missed.

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3: 30-0"

Just as Horio finished explaining, Yamato scored again using Dream Illusion.

"If you don't believe me, you can try it yourselves. Observe his breathing and movements before he prepares to swing and predict the trajectory of the ball. See if you make the same choice as Akutsu."

"No need, Horio is right, that's exactly what I did with that shot just now."

If I had to make a choice, I would choose the same thing as Akutsu.

Just as everyone was about to give it a try, Fuji stopped them.

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3: 40-0"

Thump...

"Score at Court No. 3, score 1-1"

"That's impressive, they caught up with you in an instant."

"Akutsu should have figured it out by now. Once you find the key to that move, breaking it will be a piece of cake."

"No, it should be even more difficult."

Just when everyone thought Akutsu was about to retaliate, Atobe spoke up and denied their guesses.

"Akutsu is an extremely proud guy. Even if he knows that his opponent is taking advantage of his playing style, it will only fuel his pride."

The more this happens, the less likely he is to give up his current playing style.

Moreover, once someone gets used to a certain playing style, it's even harder to abandon it.

Upon hearing Atobe's explanation, everyone fell silent, except for Horio spoke with a smile.

"Atobe was right about the first half of what he said, but to say that he should abandon his usual playing style is not true."

Don't forget, what Akutsu's true fighting style is like.

"So, if Akutsu has come to his senses, then there might be a turning point in this match?"

Horio's words gave the others a glimmer of hope for victory, but getting someone like Akutsu to come to his senses was far from easy.

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3, 15-0"

"You are indeed a very talented junior. Your ability to quickly read the opponent's trajectory reminds me of someone."

He was a genius too, but now he's pursuing his own dreams.

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3: 30-0"

"While your talent is remarkable, it is precisely because of this talent that I can make use of it."

Thump...

"Score for Court No. 3: 40-0"

"It's commendable for someone to be persistent in their beliefs, but is it really true that persisting in everything is always a good thing?"

Thump...

"Score by Court No. 3, score 2-1"

"What you see now is all an illusion, including your current self. So where is your real self right now?"

The third game ended with Yamato taking the lead.

"I never expected Yamato to have such a formidable move hidden away."

"It seems that his five key attributes will need to be reassessed by the Coach staff after this match."

Off the field, Nakagawanaidou's teammates were surprised that Yamato had something to hide.

The same Irie; Yamato's displayed strength is completely different from what he used to be.

"You're so long-winded. I can't be bothered to listen to your rambling. Save your logic for someone who's willing to listen."

Akutsu was clearly not listening to Yamato's words; the score deficit made him somewhat unhappy.

"Since you can change the ball's trajectory instantly, I'd like to see just how far you can go."