Eiji Loses Control

"I'm neither Kikumaru nor his Senpai. If they need an outsider to remind them of this, then why are they playing doubles?"

Horio didn't say what he had discovered, but only why he hadn't spoken up.

"Horio has a point. In doubles, the person who can help you the most is your partner. If neither you nor your partner can spot the problem, it only proves that your skill level is not high enough."

"No wonder Horio just said that Oishi and his team's doubles is completely immature."

"But if they can't figure out where their problems lie, they might lose this game."

Kawamura's concerns were not unfounded, but Horio didn't care.

"If they discover the problem, it will be a great help to them. If they don't, and it led to their loss, this lesson can still motivate them to improve. Either way, it's worthwhile. I think that's what Horio was considering."

Fuji understood some of Horio's intentions, but Horio preferred that they solve their own problems.

If the Golden Pair wants to go further in the National Tournament, they must reach a level of Synchronization beforehand.

To reach that level, they must resolve these issues on the tennis court themselves.

Bang...

"Rikkai Dai scores, score 2-0"

"Seigaku's Golden Pair was completely suppressed by Rikkai Dai."

"I didn't expect even Seigaku's Golden Pair to have such a tough time. Rikkai Dai is truly amazing."

Representatives from various universities watching from the sidelines found it hard to believe that the Golden Pair had been suppressed.

Bang...

Rikkai Dai scores, 15:0

Bang...

Rikkai Dai scores, 30:0

Bang...

Rikkai Dai scores, 3-0

"Damn it, why did this happen? I was so careful, why did they still score?"

Being constantly targeted and scored on, Kikumaru was becoming increasingly agitated.

Seeing Kikumaru's performance, Oishi's brows furrowed even more.

"Where exactly did things go wrong? Did they see any weakness in Eiji?"

"Hey Kikumaru, no matter where you hit the ball, we can hit it to a place you can't reach."

Seeing Kikumaru's helpless expression, Niou revealed a meaningful smile.

Upon hearing Niou's words, both Oishi and Kikumaru's expressions changed.

"Your little habits are really getting you killed."

Niou didn't mince words and directly pointed out Kikumaru's problem.

Kikumaru was taken aback when he heard it was because of his own little habit.

Oishi was also somewhat worried about Kikumaru, caught in a wave of self-doubt.

"It's okay, Eiji, just focus on playing."

"Ah... okay."

Hearing Oishi's words of comfort, Kikumaru became somewhat absent-minded.

"Have those two guys already figured out Eiji 'Senpai habitual movements?"

"So that's Kikumaru's habitual action. No wonder."

At this moment, the Seigaku members were somewhat skeptical, since they had never noticed any unusual movements from Kikumaru during their daily training sessions.

However, Horio had already addressed this issue, so everyone could only believe what Niou said.

"Don't joke around, I don't have any habitual actions."

Kikumaru clearly couldn't stand being told what his habitual movements were, and hit the ball away somewhat angrily.

"It's a pity, even though you say that, you still have it."

Niou was clearly not afraid of Kikumaru's stubborn argument and directly proved him wrong with his actions.

Bang...

Rikkai Dai scores, 15:0

"They really saw through us... No way."

Seeing the opponent score again, Kikumaru began to believe it too.

"He really saw through me. That Niou has a really good eye."

"That's what they say, but the fact that they could spot it within just a few balls is truly terrifying."

At this point, the Seigaku members also believed it, after all, facts speak louder than words.

"Horio, what exactly is that little habit that Niou mentioned?"

Katsuro and Katsuo, unable to contain their curiosity any longer, asked again.

"It's a racket. Watch closely later. Kikumaru- Senpai's racket shifts every time he moves."

"Whichever side the racket shifts in, he will move in the opposite direction of that shift."

Horio's voice wasn't loud; only a few people around him could hear it. Oishi and Kikumaru on the Coach's bench didn't hear it at all.

"Eiji, if you keep going like this, you'll really fall into their trap."

Oishi looked at Kikumaru, who had his back to him, with a worried expression, while Kikumaru was also unsure of what his habitual gesture was.

To be honest, I don't know what my habitual movements are either, and I don't know what to do now.

Kikumaru, already somewhat impatient, found Oishi's words rather grating. After uttering a retort, he grabbed his racket and went onto the court.

Bang...

"Rikkai Dai score, 30:0"

"It's exactly as Horio said!"

"It was such a tiny movement, yet the Rikkai Dai students noticed it so quickly."

"But even if you know, it would be very difficult to change it in a short time."

That last shot proved Horio, and Oishi on the field also discovered what Kikumaru meant by his "habitual move."

"Eiji, listen, I will do my best to cover you, don't worry."

Oishi stepped forward to comfort the emotionally unstable Kikumaru, but Kikumaru didn't seem to listen.

"It's infuriating. They know exactly where their problems lie, but they just can't seem to change them."

Kikumaru was completely flustered and had lost his usual composure.

Because of Kikumaru's loss of control, Oishi's defense became riddled with holes.

At this point, the roles of offense and defense between Niou and Yanagi had reversed.

"Yanagi, it's up to you now."

Niou turned to Yanagi and said something, while Yanagi watched Kikumaru's ball come flying at him, having lost his composure.

The racket was originally held with one hand, but now it's held with both hands, and the posture has changed to a downward grip.

"What kind of pose is that?"

"I've never seen this fighting style before. Could it be some kind of secret technique?"

With wide, sweeping motions, Yanagi swung his arms at the ball.

The tennis ball flew rapidly towards Seigaku's half of the court and scored a point directly.

"A good golf playing style, quite an idea."

"Eiji, why don't you listen to my orders?"

"Yes, it's all my fault. It's all my fault that things turned out this way, okay?"

"Eiji, do you even understand? We can't lose this game."

"Stop bothering me."

Because of Kikumaru's stubbornness, even the usually calm Oishi became somewhat irritable.

"What's the point of playing? Even kids in the park know to cooperate. If you like playing by yourself, go play one-on-one."

If you try to play singles in a doubles match, you're not qualified to play doubles or singles.

I'm not watching anymore, it's incredibly boring.