Next Time I Will Definitely Win

"Don't get distracted, senpai. It's my turn to serve. If you're not focused, you won't be able to return it."

Seeing Momoshiro still distracted after Horio had seen through his thoughts, Horio directly called out to him, urging him to restart the match.

Then, Horio's serve, a powered-up Bullet Serve from Momoshiro's Smash Serve, instantly refocused Momoshiro, who had just snapped out of his daze.

"Isn't that my serve? Hmph, then let me see how much power your serve really has."

As he watched Horio get into the stance for a Smash Serve, Momoshiro stared intently at the ball.

As Horio swung his racket, he didn't see the ball fly towards him.

Bang!

The sound of the ball hitting the ground hard and bouncing back drew the attention of the confused Momoshiro, who only saw a clear mark on the ground.

"I told you, senpai, if you're not focused enough, you won't be able to return it. The next ball is coming."

Horio served another Bullet Serve, this time with reduced power.

It was about the same level as when Momoshiro fought Mukahi Gakuto after his special training. With his focus restored, Momoshiro could barely see the trajectory of the ball.

The muscles in his right hand, gripping the racket, tensed instantly, and he returned the ball.

Horio immediately ran to where the ball would land and hit it back to Momoshiro's right side, maintaining the same power as his serve.

Momoshiro, who had been running back to the center line to defend, sprinted to the right again to return the ball. His cautious movement with his right foot caused him to misjudge the power and angle of his hand, resulting in a Net Cord Shot.

Horio, reacting swiftly, appeared at the net and placed a Drop Shot with his backhand. Momoshiro's mind had caught up, but his legs hadn't, and he missed the ball, falling directly to the ground.

"Horio scores, the score is 1-0."

Seeing Momoshiro fall, Horio, surprisingly, said nothing and returned to the baseline to prepare for his serve.

Afterward, Horio continuously hit the ball to Momoshiro's right or made him run left and right, front and back, increasing the burden on Momoshiro's legs.

"Horio scores, 15-0."

By this point, Horio had already won five games. After the referee announced the score, Horio, who had been silent for the past four games, looked at Momoshiro again.

"Senpai, your left leg must be in bad shape by now. It would be embarrassing if it cramped up."

Horio said as he turned around, preparing to return to the baseline.

"To protect your already healed right leg from re-injury, you've over-relied on your left leg. You didn't realize that while your right leg is fine, your left leg is now at risk of injury. You're playing a dangerous game."

Hearing Horio's words, Momoshiro's eyes widened again. Seeing Momoshiro's current state, Horio didn't even bother to see if he could return the ball.

"Horio 30-0 Momoshiro."

"Momo, catch it! What are you doing?"

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

Seeing Momoshiro's inaction, Oishi Shichirou and the other regular players on the sidelines couldn't help but remind him.

Horio's movements, however, did not pause. He took a tennis ball from his pocket, casually dropped it, and executed a very ordinary Underhand Serve.

"Horio 40-0 Momoshiro, Horio has match point."

"Is it over, Momoshiro? Have you been defeated just like this?"

Tezuka, his face devoid of any emotion, looked at Momoshiro, who had lost the point to the serve, and had lost all hope for him.

Meanwhile, Momoshiro watched the tennis ball gently land beside him, rolling towards his feet.

Suddenly, Momoshiro's vacant eyes gradually brightened, a fighting spirit erupted, 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?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Just hit it."

Momoshiro looked at Horio with burning excitement in his eyes. Horio knew that the fearless Momoshiro was back.

Horio tossed the ball into the air and leaped to hit it.

"Tch, but I saw it clearly."

Momoshiro stomped his right foot down hard, gripping his racket with both hands, and powerfully returned the ball.

Feeling the ball fly back with even greater force, Horio smiled.

He then hit the ball back, a slightly dull sound echoing in the court.

"It's time to end this. Let me see the power of your Vertical Smash now that you've recovered."

Feeling it was time to finish, Horio flicked the ball upwards with his forehand, giving Momoshiro a Lob Shot.

"Since you want to try my Vertical Smash again, I'll grant your wish."

Sensing Horio's intention, Momoshiro didn't hesitate. After a short run-up, he pushed off hard with his right foot. His incredible jumping power sent him above the ball.

Then, he swung his racket down fiercely, hitting the ball towards Horio's side of the court like a slam dunk.

The spectators outside the court held their breath, too nervous to speak. Horio watched the ball flying towards him.

With a slice shot off his backhand, the tennis ball, imbued with the heavy force of a vertical smash, was instantly weakened and then flew towards Momoshiro's backcourt.

"Match over, Horio 6:0 Momoshiro, Horio wins."

"Damn it, to think I lost to you. I'll definitely win next time."

Momoshiro, who came to the net to shake Horio's hand, said unwillingly.

"I hope you'll be stronger next time, senpai, but don't face me again, or you still won't win."

Horio was equally blunt, and then walked back to the sidelines to rest.

The regular players watching from outside the court saw Momoshiro lose, and the atmosphere was quite somber.

If Ryoma's appearance had brought them some novelty, Horio's presence brought a thorough threat.

Echizen Ryoma, who had been watching from the side the entire time, looked at Horio with a special glint in his eyes, and the words Horio had said to him after that match flashed through his mind.

Katsuro and Katsuo ran to Horio's side, also very excited about his victory.

"Horio, you beat a regular player! If you win against Kikumaru-senpai in the next match, you'll definitely make the team."

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

Thinking of the athletic Kikumaru Eiji, Horio also wanted to see what was special about his special skill shots.

... After resting for half an hour, Horio entered Court C again with his tennis bag.

Seeing Kikumaru Eiji, whose eyes were focused and who was spinning his racket with his right hand, Horio couldn't help but glance over.

"Kikumaru Eiji, who's usually all smiles and laughter, is this focused before the match even starts. It looks like this match will be more interesting than the last one."

"Match preparation begins, players please get ready on court."

Hearing the referee's voice, Horio walked towards Kikumaru Eiji, who was already waiting at the net, with his racket.

"You're quite serious, senpai. Please guide me."

Horio teased Kikumaru Eiji, who had already gotten into the zone, but Kikumaru, uncharacteristically, didn't reply with his usual cheerful demeanor. Instead, he said with a serious expression that he would definitely win.

"Match begins, Horio's serve."

"I won't waste time with you. Since you're suited for fast-paced matches, I'll finish this quickly. I'm taking this point on my serve."