I'll Definitely Win Next Time

"Don't get distracted, Senpai. It's my serve now, so pay attention or you won't be able to return it."

Seeing Momoshiro still lost in thought after his secret had been exposed, Horio snapped him back to reality and restarted the match.

Horio's first serve was a Bullet Serve, an enhanced version of Momoshiro's Smash Serve. The moment it came flying, Momoshiro—who had just come to his senses—focused completely.

"That's my serve, isn't it? Hmph. Let's see how much power you can put behind it."

Momoshiro stared intently at Horio, who was winding up for a Smash Serve.

Horio swung his racket, but Momoshiro didn't see the ball coming toward him.

Thud!

The sound of the ball slamming into the ground and bouncing drew Momoshiro's attention. He saw a clear mark on the court.

"I told you that if you didn't pay attention, you wouldn't be able to return it, Senpai. Here comes the next one."

Horio served another Bullet Serve, this time using less power.

It was about the same level as when Momoshiro had faced Mukahi Gakuto after his special training. Only now, with his focus sharpened, could Momoshiro barely make out the ball's trajectory.

The muscles in his right hand tightened around the racket, and he returned the ball.

Horio immediately ran to where it would land and sent it to Momoshiro's right again, maintaining the same force he'd used on his serve.

Momoshiro had already run back to the center line to defend, but he dashed to the right again to return the ball. His cautious step with his right foot threw off the strength and angle of his swing, and he hit a Net Cord Shot.

Horio reacted in an instant and appeared at the net, where he played a short backhand. Momoshiro's mind was ready, but his legs couldn't keep up. His feet gave way, and he fell straight to the ground.

"Horio scores. The score is 1–0."

Seeing Momoshiro fall, Horio said nothing for once. He simply returned to the baseline, ready to serve.

After that, Horio kept sending the ball to Momoshiro's right or making him run from side to side and back and forth, increasing the strain on both his legs.

"Horio scores. 15–0."

By now, Horio had won five games. Once the referee announced the score, Horio looked at Momoshiro again. He hadn't said a word for the past four games.

"Your left leg's about done, isn't it, Senpai? It'd be embarrassing if you got a cramp."

Horio spoke as he turned to head back to the baseline.

"To protect your healed right leg from getting injured again, you've been relying too much on your left. You didn't realize that just as your right leg got better, your left was at risk of getting injured. What a great strategy."

At Horio's words, Momoshiro's eyes widened once more. Horio didn't even care whether Momoshiro could return the ball.

"Horio, 30–0. Momoshiro."

"Come on, Momo! Return the ball! What are you doing?"

"Hey, Momoshiro! Don't let a first-year kid look down on you!"

Seeing Momoshiro standing motionless, Oishi Shichirou and the other regulars called out to him from the sidelines.

But Horio didn't pause for a moment. He took a tennis ball from his pocket and casually dropped it, hitting an utterly ordinary Underhand Serve.

"Horio, 40–0. Match point for Horio."

"Is it over, Momoshiro? Have you really been beaten just like that?"

Tezuka watched Momoshiro lose the point to the serve, his expression unchanged. He had given up on him, too.

As for Momoshiro, the tennis ball rolled gently to his side. He watched it stop beside him.

Suddenly, the emptiness in his eyes gave way to a bright, clear gaze. A fierce fighting spirit burst out of him, and he gripped his racket tightly.

"Hey, kid. Try that serve you used at the beginning again."

"Sure, Senpai. But can you return it now?"

"Don't worry about that. Just serve."

Momoshiro looked at Horio with a feverish, excited gaze. Horio knew the unstoppable Momoshiro was back.

Horio tossed the ball into the air, jumped, and hit it.

"Tch. I can see it perfectly now."

Momoshiro stamped his right foot down hard, gripped his racket with both hands, and returned the ball with all his strength.

Feeling the ball fly back with even more power, Horio smiled.

He hit it back, and the dull sound echoed around the court.

"Let's finish this. I want to see the power of your Vertical Smash now that you've recovered."

Deciding it was about time to end things, Horio lifted his racket and sent Momoshiro a Lob Shot.

"If you want to see my Vertical Smash again, then I'll give you what you want."

Realizing what Horio was aiming for, Momoshiro didn't hesitate. He took a running start and pushed off hard with his right foot. His incredible leap carried him above the ball.

Then he swung his racket down with a mighty stroke, driving the ball into Horio's court like he was slamming a basketball.

The spectators on the sidelines were so tense that they didn't dare speak. Horio watched the ball fly toward him.

He hit a backhand Slice Shot with his right hand, and the heavy ball, empowered by the Vertical Smash, instantly lost its force and flew toward Momoshiro's backcourt.

"Game over. Horio wins, 6–0."

"Damn it, I can't believe I lost to you. Next time, I'll definitely win!"

Momoshiro said bitterly as he shook Horio's hand at the net.

"I hope you'll be stronger next time, Senpai. But don't run into me again, or you still won't win."

Horio didn't hold back either. After saying that, he returned to the sidelines to rest.

The regulars on the sidelines looked rather solemn after seeing Momoshiro lose.

If Ryoma's appearance had brought them a breath of fresh air, Horio's arrival brought a threat through and through.

Echizen Ryoma, who had watched the match from start to finish, gazed at Horio with a special gleam in his eyes. The words Horio had said to him after their match that day came back to him.

Katsuro and Katsuo ran over to Horio, thrilled by his victory.

"You beat a regular, Horio! If you win the next match against Senpai Kikumaru, you'll definitely make the team."

"Kikumaru-senpai, huh? That should be pretty interesting."

Thinking of Kikumaru Eiji and his exceptional athleticism, Horio wanted to see what was special about his Special Skill Shot.

...Half an hour later, Horio returned to Court C with his tennis bag on his back.

Seeing Kikumaru Eiji's focused gaze and the way he spun his racket in his right hand, Horio couldn't help but take notice.

"Kikumaru Eiji, who's usually all smiles and jokes, is already this focused before the match has even started. Looks like this one will be more interesting than the last."

"The match is about to begin. Players, please take the court."

At the referee's call, Horio walked over with his racket to Kikumaru Eiji, who was waiting at the net.

"You're taking this seriously, Senpai. Let's have a good match."

Horio teased Kikumaru Eiji, who had already gotten into the zone. Unusually, Kikumaru didn't answer with his usual jokes. Instead, he seriously declared that he would win.

"The match begins. Horio to serve."

"I won't drag this out. If you're suited to a fast-paced match, then I'll settle things quickly. I'm taking this point on my serve."