Eiji's Habit
Having already realized the seriousness of the situation, Kuwahara frowned as he looked at Kane and Kaitou.
"We absolutely cannot lose, we are Rikkai Dai!"
He then tossed the ball and swung his racket.
Kane aimed his return shot precisely, Marui immediately moved to the net to intercept.
Seeing this, Kaitou defended and hit a short, serpentine shot from the frontcourt.
The tennis ball flew with an even more curved arc, passing Marui and leaving Kuwahara at the baseline unable to defend.
Bang...
"Seigaku score, 15:0"
"Don't underestimate me, Kaitou Kaoru."
Kaitou's deep voice came out, like a viper eyeing its prey.
"Kaitou, all we need to do now is maintain our rhythm; the opponent won't have a chance to turn the tide."
"He's Senpai, I won't give them any chance."
After they finished speaking, the two returned to their respective positions, waiting for Kuwahara to serve.
Bang...
"Seigaku scores, score 6-3, Seigaku wins."
Based on the accurate data and predictions, the two successfully won the Second Doubles match.
"Looks like everyone's been training hard while I was gone this past week. Maybe I won't even need to play."
Horio, watching from the spectator area, clearly smiled as he observed the relatively easy Second Doubles.
"Next up is the doubles match. Players, please prepare."
"It's finally our turn, Eiji."
"That's right, Oishi, we absolutely have to have a good fight this time."
Having missed two games together, this golden duo was already itching to get back together.
"Yanagi, don't embarrass yourself like Marui and the others later."
"You should worry about yourself, Niou. We've already lost Second Doubles. If we lose again, you should know Sanada's temper."
"What a spoilsport! Why did you have to bring up Sanada of all people?"
"I just want you to be serious during the match later. Seigaku is stronger this year, after all."
Rikkai Dai's doubles pair consisted of Niou Masaharu and Yagyu Hiroshi, the gentleman of Yanagi and the conman Niou.
At this time, tennis teams from various schools also came to watch the game. Fudomine, Hyotei, St. Rudolph, and Josei Shonan were all schools that had played against Seigaku.
"The match begins, with Seigaku's Oishi serving."
At the start of the match, the Seigaku Golden Pair immediately adopted the Australian Formation.
"It seems like Senpai Oishi and the others are taking it very seriously."
"We've dispatched Golden Pair with nationwide strength."
Seeing that the two used their special moves right from the start, the Seigaku members were somewhat excited, while Horio was a little worried.
"It's like this from the very beginning; it looks like this match is going to be very difficult."
On the court, Oishi patted the tennis ball in his hand and then served.
Bang...
"Seigaku score, 15:0"
The serve scored; due to training, Oishi's serve had become very powerful, Rikkai Dai showed no change in expression.
Oishi serves again, Yanagi returns the ball.
Kikumaru moved quickly, intercepted at the net, and scored again, seemingly disregarding the two Rikkai Dai players.
Bang...
"Seigaku's score: 40-0"
Kikumaru scored again with Special Skill Shot at the net, taking the first game point.
"I see, I understand now."
After Kikumaru's series of Special Skill Shot, Niou had almost seen everything.
After exchanging a few words with Yanagi at the bottom line, their positions changed.
Niou had been playing in the frontcourt, moved to the backcourt, forming a double parallel formation with Yanagi in the backcourt.
"Looks like they're preparing a counterattack. How will Seigaku's Golden Pair handle this?"
Seeing that the two Rikkai Dai had changed their formation, Horio also became interested.
In Horio's view, Niou Masaharu was an extraordinary person.
Many players can imitate others, but only he has reached the level of Niou Masaharu.
Just after Oishi served a ball, Niou saw Kikumaru's racket shift slightly to the left.
A smile appeared on his lips, and Yanagi, having received a signal, hit the ball to Kikumaru's right, and Kikumaru dove to the right to save it.
Lob Shot appeared, Niou jumped with all his might, smashing the ball to Kikumaru's left.
Rikkai Dai scores, 15:40.
"It's because of a small habit again. Although Kikumaru has overcome his physical limitations, this fatal habit hasn't changed."
Seeing how precisely Niou could target Kikumaru, Horio couldn't possibly be unaware.
"It's okay, Eiji, it's just one point. We'll end this set with the next point."
"Good!"
After saying that, Oishi returned to the baseline and served again, this time Kikumaru's racket was biased to the right.
Niou decisively returned the ball to Kikumaru's left. After Kikumaru made another save, Niou aimed at Kikumaru's right and launched a flat shot.
Although Kikumaru was caught off guard, he managed to save the ball on the right.
However, Niou wouldn't let the opportunity slip by, and hit the ball in another direction again.
This time, Kikumaru was willing but unable to do anything; although he received the call, he was caught off guard.
Rikkai Dai scores, 30:40.
Bang...
Rikkai Dai scores, 40:40.
Bang...
Rikkai Dai's advantages
Despite being outmaneuvered by Niou, Rikkai Dai and scored consecutive points, eventually reaching match point.
Bang...
"Rikkai Dai scores, 1-0"
"Eiji, are you alright?"
Oishi helped Kikumaru up, who had fallen after diving to save a ball.
"Damn it, no matter where I hit it, it can always be waiting at the landing point."
Kikumaru was completely unaware that he had been seen through and gradually became irritable.
"Those two from Rikkai Dai are really impressive; they can react quickly no matter where the attack takes place."
"Kikumaru must be feeling very uncomfortable, completely suppressed."
The Seigaku members watching from the sidelines also began to worry, but Horio remained calm.
"It's just an immature doubles team. Calling it a 'Golden Pair' is a complete failure."
Horio's words caught the attention of others, who also didn't understand why he would say that the Golden Pair Horio was an immature doubles team.
Sensing the questioning looks around him, Horio didn't offer an explanation as he usually did.
"Eiji, let's change our formation for the next game."
"Yes, sir."
The two players on the field did not realize that the problem was not with the formation.
Bang...
Rikkai Dai scores, 15:0
Bang...
Rikkai Dai scores, 30:0
"Why is it still like this even after changing the formation?"
Seeing that changing the formation still had no effect, Kikumaru's previously calm emotions turned irritable again.
"Eiji's net play has been mastered by the opponent; no matter what, they can predict the trajectory of the next shot."
At this point, Oishi finally discovered some problems, but the specific reasons were still unclear.
"Those two balls weren't given any signals, so how were they predicted?"
"Horio, you should know why, right?"
The Seigaku members finally couldn't help but ask, but Horio thought for a moment and just shook his head.