March Towards Despair Fugue

With both sides persisting, the match finally ended when Mukaichi Issa hit a Net Cord Shot.

Exhausted to the point of being unable to move an inch, Tachibana and Chitose could only watch, panting, as the tennis ball landed on the ground not far from them.

However, compared to the two junior high school students, Suzuki Shun and Mukaichi Issa were not much better off.

With the last Net Cord Shot, Mukaichi Issa used up all his remaining strength.

Moreover, this Net Cord Shot was due to insufficient strength and was a lucky shot, so it can be said that Lady Luck was on the side of the high school students in the end.

"You two are really impressive; you truly deserve to be our promising juniors."

"Yes, your Beast Synchronization is truly amazing. I believe you'll surpass us soon."

After the competition, Suzuki Shun and Mukaichi Issa, as Senpai, highly respected Tachibana and Chitose.

"The two Senpai are still as amazing as ever."

"I hope we can have such a thrilling and satisfying match next time."

Having all attended the same school, the group naturally felt quite familiar with each other.

Now that the competition is over, the four of them, no longer tense before the game, chatted casually.

After exchanging pleasantries, they each returned to their respective groups.

I'm sorry, we lost in the end.

"It's okay, the pressure on grades has already scared those guys away."

After Tachibana and Chitose returned to the sidelines, the two immediately apologized to the others.

Kirihara was very easygoing, and Kirihara comforted both of them by offering reasons for their regrettable loss in the match.

"Even if you scare them, it's useless if you don't win."

"In my opinion, your challenge this time was simply reckless."

"They're just middle school students, they shouldn't have been promoted to the Court No. 5 in the first place, that's why this happened."

As Kirihara was speaking, three other high school students from the other sports field suddenly appeared.

"What did you say!?"

"Don't panic. We're here to win."

When mocked by high school students, Kirihara immediately wanted to confront them.

It was Atobe's voice that made him stop. He took off his coat and flung it towards Kirihara.

Kirihara if on instinct, Kirihara immediately reached out and caught it.

Seeing this, Horio couldn't help but shake his head.

"This guy is a natural at taking on jackets; he took over from Yukimura in the National Tournament and now he's taking over from Atobe."

Just as Horio stopped, Ishida Gin, who was standing next to him, suddenly started moving.

He turned around, stepped onto a chair, and raised his hands.

"Hyotei has won! Atobe has won!"

" With Kabaji gone, Atobe has led another big, dimwitted idiot astray..."

If Kirihara only made Horio feel somewhat sentimental, then Ishida Gin truly made Horio want to complain.

"That's right, it doesn't matter what anyone says, as long as we win one more game, we've won."

Seeing his teammates cheering for Atobe, Shiraishi was briefly surprised but then joined in the Atobe.

Following Shiraishi and Ishida Gin, the other middle school students also chanted the slogan, "Hyotei won, Atobe won!"

Hearing the cheers from the junior high school students, a rare smile appeared on Ghost's face.

"I never expected to see something like this here. Atobe really knows his stuff."

Horio, who was standing to the side, naturally saw the smile on the demon's face and couldn't help but admire Atobe's abilities.

At that moment, Atobe suddenly snapped his fingers, and the cheering junior high school students immediately stopped.

"The winner is Court No. 5."

Atobe's single sentence broadened the scope of the discussion, inspiring admiration in many.

"That's really impressive, this middle school student named Atobe."

In the control room on the other side, the three Coach watched Atobe's performance and began to discuss it.

"The middle school students have been improving rapidly lately, especially this guy named Atobe; his growth rate can only be described as abnormal."

"Speaking of anomalies, Akutsu, who Second Singles, is one of them. To this day, the Coach staff still hasn't collected all the information about him."

If we're talking about who's truly terrifying, that middle school student from Akutsu deserves more attention.

Hearing Takuetsu's evaluation of Atobe, Kurobe did not entirely agree with him.

"To be honest, I didn't expect the battle to be this intense. The junior high school students lately are really strong."

However, as I said before, it's probably too early for you to think you can reach the top.

"Tch, I'm sick of hearing that line from you."

On the court, Atobe was facing Irie.

When Irie heard that Irie still insisted on his own point of view, Atobe did not offer much rebuttal.

He then turned and walked towards the back of the field. Seeing Atobe's departing figure, Irie's expression turned sharp.

The match begins with Irie serving.

"It's terrifying, because I'm far too calm right now."

Watching Irie toss the tennis ball into the air, Atobe gripped his racket tighter.

After Irie hit the ball, Atobe immediately moved his feet.

Upon reaching the ball's landing point, Atobe swung his racket.

"It's a corner kick, isn't it?"

Seeing Atobe's swing, Irie immediately deduced that it was a diagonal shot, but Atobe smiled.

"Idiot, you moved too early."

After making a sarcastic remark about Irie, Atobe suddenly changed his swing and hit a straight shot.

"What? Hitting a straight shot with that kind of posture? His wrist shouldn't have that much power."

Seeing the ball suddenly change direction, Irie quickly took a small hop to stop himself.

After a quick recovery, he turned around to save the ball, and fortunately, he managed to return it at the last moment.

However, the hasty return gave Atobe an opportunity, because Irie returned Lob Shot.

"I'm constantly evolving every day, so don't underestimate me."

At that moment, Atobe's figure rushed out, and he leaped into the air with a push of his left foot.

"Smash Shot? No, it's a feint."

Seeing Atobe leap into the air, Irie didn't panic. Instead, he discerned Atobe's intentions from the way Atobe countered.

Having made up his mind, Irie quickly ran towards the net.

"That's why I said you were moving too fast."

Atobe's words startled the confident Irie, who looked up at Atobe again.

Atobe was originally in a backhand grip, suddenly spun around in the air and then smashed out with a powerful forehand.

The tennis ball hit Irie's racket directly, the powerful impact sending Irie's racket flying and the ball bouncing back to Atobe's half of the court.

Using the momentum from the impact of his landing, Atobe jumped up again and smashed the ball as it bounced back.

"Let me show you my evolution."

Bang!

"Court No. 5 scores, 15-0"

Smash Shot, and the tennis ball landed in front of Irie.

The ball, which should have bounced normally, slid along the ground until it hit the wall outside the court, and then continued to slide upwards along the wall.

This shot completely stunned Irie and also startled the people in Court No. 3 outside the wall.

"March Towards Despair Fugue."

Seeing Irie, Atobe named his move after this.

"Not bad. To hit Smash Shot so close to the ground like that, it takes more than just improved ball control."

Outside the stadium, seeing Atobe play March Towards Despair Fugue, Horio nodded.

The battles on Court No. 3 and Court No. 5 were so intense that even Tokugawa and Tanegashima, who were on Court No. 1, came.

The two were somewhat surprised by Atobe's March Towards Despair Fugue.

Atobe, displaying formidable strength, used his New Tennis Skill at the start of the game and then dominated Irie throughout.

The six games were quickly completed, with Irie winning only one of them.

The score is now 5-1, Atobe only needs to win one more game to secure the victory.

"How is this possible... How could I possibly be defeated by a middle school student!"

"Hmph, you were doomed the moment you started focusing on high school and junior high students."

In tennis, there are only differences in strength; there are no other distinctions.

You might have been quite strong at the beginning of this training camp, but that was a long time ago.

My evolution is accelerating every single day.

"How could evolution possibly accelerate indefinitely!"

The seventh game began, Irie was still being pressured by Atobe, appearing quite passive at this Irie.

Atobe's powerful performance made him appear somewhat frightened, while Atobe himself maintained his confident smile.

"It's already a critical moment, how long does he intend to keep up this act?"

Seeing the lifelike terror on Irie's face, Horio felt ashamed and also felt sorry for Atobe.

"A fatal blow! I'll use my keen insight to find every blind spot in your body and freeze it."

After several rounds of continuous fighting, Atobe unleashed his Ice World.

Countless icicles flew towards the Irie, eventually landing permanently in the Irie's half.

But as soon as the icicle was firmly planted, Atobe's expression changed.

The icicles that were originally nailed to the ground suddenly Shatter and disappeared completely.

"What!? No blind spots!?"

"Hmph, so, are you disappointed?"

After seeing that all the icicles had disappeared, Atobe looked at Irie.

At this moment, Irie had a secret smile on his face, which greatly annoyed Atobe.

"I have to say, it's a real shame Irie an actress. If she hadn't deliberately exposed herself, Atobe would still be smug about it."

Offstage, Horio saw Atobe's changed Atobe and couldn't help but admire Irie's acting skills.

Faced with Irie's perfectly positioned return shot, Atobe was caught off guard and couldn't adjust his mindset.

After returning a Lob Shot, Irie immediately followed up with a smash.

Seeing that Irie's speed and strength had increased compared to before, Atobe became wary.

Was everything just an act?

Bang!

"Score in Court No. 3, final score 2-5"

Irie kept hitting Smash Shot, prolonging the match that was already close to ending.