Your Right Foot Isn't Useless Anymore, Is It?

After lunch, Horio and the others were lying by the court, taking a break.

In the original story, the trio of Horio and his friends had been pretty likable. Now that Horio was making a name for himself, he wondered if the three of them might have to split up once he graduated and went off to play in the world championships. So he was trying to think of a way to keep their trio together.

"Katsuro, Katsuo, do you like tennis?"

"Of course! Horio, what made you ask that?"

Horio's sudden question left Katsuro and Katsuo puzzled.

"Have you ever thought about working in a tennis-related job after you graduate?"

"Maybe I'll take over my dad's tennis academy. But, of course, it'd be best if I could keep playing tennis."

After hearing Katsuro's answer, Katsuo thought for a moment before replying carefully.

"I can't say for sure what kind of job I'll have in the future. We're not as good as you, Horio, so we'll have to work even harder to pursue the tennis we love and reach our goals. All I can promise is that I'll do my best to work toward them."

"How about we practice together every weekend when we're free? We can improve together. And you were filming Ryoma's match just now, right? If I go pro one day, how about you help me gather information?"

"Really, Horio? If that day comes, I'll definitely help you."

Horio's sincere invitation filled Katsuro with excitement.

"Katsuo, you're so careful by nature. You could help me take care of things, too. You know I don't like dealing with troublesome stuff."

"Horio, I'd say yes if you asked me to help, but what made you bring all this up out of the blue?"

"I just don't want our trio to split up. The three of us are Seigaku's Invincible Iron Triangle, after all. Wouldn't it be a shame if we broke up after graduating?"

"Yeah! We're the Invincible Iron Triangle! Horio, we believe you'll become a world-class tennis player one day. When that happens, we'll be your strongest supporters!"

Seeing Katsuro and Katsuo fired up, Horio couldn't help getting swept up in their enthusiasm.

"That's right! I'll become a world-class tennis player one day, and the name of the Invincible Iron Triangle will ring throughout the world!"

"Long live the Invincible Iron Triangle!"

As the three cheered, afternoon match time arrived. The trio made their way to Court C.

Katsuro looked down as he adjusted the camera, determined to record Horio's match in the best possible quality.

When Horio entered the court, he saw that Momoshiro Takeshi had finished warming up. Momoshiro Takeshi kept his eyes fixed on him.

"Looks like you're excited, Senpai. I hope we can have a serious match this time."

"You sure have a lot of nerve. Just wait and see what I do to you."

Horio smiled, went over to the rest area, took off his jacket, and pulled out his purple racket. Then he turned and walked onto the court.

"Senpai, heads or tails?"

"Tails."

"Congrats, Senpai. It's tails. Good luck with the match."

"Tch... You little brat. I'll show you what I can do."

Back at the baseline, Momoshiro gripped the ball in his hand, his gaze sharpening.

He tossed the ball high. Before it began to fall, Momoshiro leaped and swung, sending it flying.

Thwack...

"An ace!"

Watching the ball bounce out of bounds, Horio smiled at Momoshiro.

"Senpai, if you don't give it your all, you'll get bageled. Let me see your hardest serve."

Momoshiro, on the other side of the court, felt like he was being underestimated. He took the same serving stance, and the instant his racket swung, tremendous power poured out as the ball shot toward Horio's side.

Having achieved his goal, Horio immediately activated Incomplete Deprivation. He strengthened the serve he'd taken and turned it into his own technique.

Using his Eye of Shattering Delusions to spot where the ball would land, Horio returned it cleanly. Momoshiro was stunned that Horio had returned his Bullet Serve on the first try, but he forced himself to keep rallying.

After a few exchanges, Horio deliberately sent Momoshiro a Lob Shot.

Momoshiro immediately charged forward and pushed off hard with his left foot.

Displaying incredible leaping ability, Momoshiro aimed for the open space beside Horio and unleashed a Vertical Smash.

The ball, which had been floating gently a moment earlier, suddenly shot toward the space beside Horio. The spectators gasped, and even the regulars hadn't expected Momoshiro to use his Vertical Smash so soon.

"Looks like Momo's taking this match seriously."

Fuji Syusuke said with a smile, as he always did.

"He must really want to keep his spot on the regulars."

Watching the ball drop quickly, Horio looked a little disappointed.

"Is that all your Vertical Smash can do? It's too weak."

Horio returned the falling ball with a backhand. Still in the air, Momoshiro saw his signature smash returned and couldn't quite accept it.

"Don't disappoint your junior, Senpai."

Momoshiro was hot-blooded, and Horio's words fired him up. He returned to the baseline and served another powerful ball, which Horio returned without fail.

After a few more exchanges, Horio sent Momoshiro another Lob Shot. Momoshiro seized the opportunity and put even more power into his Vertical Smash.

Horio felt the force through his racket. It was a little stronger than the last one.

But it still wasn't what he'd expected. He put a little more power into his return and sent the ball back into Momoshiro's court.

"Horio scores. 30–15."

After the ball landed, both Momoshiro and Horio fell silent. Momoshiro couldn't understand why his Vertical Smash had been returned, even though he'd put so much strength into it.

Horio, meanwhile, couldn't figure out why Momoshiro was still acting the same as before, even though his right foot had already recovered.

"Wait... His right foot. He jumped off his left foot for both Vertical Smashes. Could it be...?"

Horio looked up at Momoshiro.

"Senpai, let's keep going."

Coming back to himself, Momoshiro turned and walked to the baseline. This time, he served normally.

If the Bullet Serve wasn't working, he might as well conserve his strength.

From then on, Horio sent every return far away from Momoshiro. He wanted to confirm something.

After Momoshiro had been running back and forth across the court, Horio scored another point. Having confirmed what he suspected, he finally turned to Momoshiro, who was drenched in sweat, his expression serious.

"What's wrong, Senpai? Can't you use your right foot anymore? I thought it would've healed by now. What are you afraid of?"

Horio's words struck a nerve, and Momoshiro's expression grew strange.

Tezuka Kunimitsu, who had been watching the match closely from outside the court, seemed to have figured it out, too.

"Just as I thought. Your foot has healed, Momoshiro. Have you been protecting it because you're afraid of spraining it again?"