"Step... step, step..."
At the window on the second floor, at the front left of the tennis club, a middle-aged man in a wine-red suit with upright orange-red curls looked out at the courts and smiled faintly. "Wonderful talent. That should be the IAP breathing technique. It looks like a skill he was born with."
The IAP breathing technique was a unique way of regulating one's breathing and relieving fatigue. It was also the main reason Atobe excelled in prolonged matches.
His eyes were filled with intense admiration.
Such talent, combined with the insight to see through an opponent's weaknesses...
His achievements were no less impressive than those of the previous Hyotei captain.
Sakaki Taro.
The coach of the Hyotei tennis club.
As a coach, he had a keen sense for judging the situation. He was especially strict with his players and tolerated no sloppiness. It was precisely because of him that the Hyotei tennis club had grown so rapidly in just three years, becoming one of the Kanto region's most sought-after tennis schools.
If Gekko Ochi was a sharp blade drawn from its scabbard, then Sakaki Taro was the swordsman who wielded it.
A good coach's guidance could deeply influence the culture of an entire tennis club.
He had no objection to first-years becoming regular players. In other words, as long as someone had talent, broke through the ranks, and led Hyotei to new heights in its own way...
That was success.
"Things... are starting to get interesting."
Sakaki raised his wineglass and swirled it gently, taking a small sip.
"N-no way!"
"The seniors... they actually lost to him!"
"How is that possible..."
The entire tennis court was strewn with players lying on the ground, gasping for breath.
Atobe had faced seven of the tennis club's current regulars in succession. Every match had ended in a resounding 6–0 victory. He hadn't lost a single game, let alone a single point.
He had dominated his opponents the entire time. The round-robin matches had instead drained the Hyotei regulars of most of their stamina. Some of them could barely even stand.
"To be honest, seniors, you're really weak. Weaker than I expected."
"As I thought, Japanese tennis still can't measure up to other countries."
A trace of disappointment showed in Atobe's eyes. Was this really all the second- and third-years in the huge tennis club had to offer? Were they all just coasting by?
He had lofty ambitions, after all. He had returned from England to study at this school. If even a team that had reached the national semifinals was this weak...
Wouldn't the other schools be even worse?!
"If... if those seniors hadn't graduated, you'd never have gotten away with acting so high and mighty..." some second- and third-years in the crowd muttered through gritted teeth. They hadn't even managed to become regulars.
Right now, they missed Ochi's protection more than ever.
At least they wouldn't have to suffer this kind of humiliation at the hands of a first-year.
"What?"
Atobe's gaze swept over to the second-year who had spoken. Calmly, he said, "Do you want to spend your whole lives hiding behind them and acting as their lackeys?!"
"I don't care how good you were before, or how good you'll be later. Starting today, I'll be the Emperor of this tennis club."
"I'll lead you back to the national tournament and fight for the title of national champion!"
A unique aura rose from Atobe.
"Y-you're just talking big!"
"Exactly! Saying you'll lead everyone to the national title? That's hilarious!"
Atobe's smile gradually faded. Through the crowd, he spotted the two boys who had spoken. They looked about his age. Were they first-years who had just enrolled, too?
"Hey, you two. I heard you talking behind my back."
Atobe rolled his eyes and pointed his racket at the pair in the crowd.
Everyone parted to make a path, revealing the two boys.
"Those two are..."
In the crowd, Tezuka raised an eyebrow. He felt like he had seen them somewhere before.
The JR Tournament had been two or three months ago. Besides, Tezuka only remembered opponents who had made him take a match seriously. Mukahi had lost 6–0 to him with ease, so it was only natural that he didn't remember him.
"Mukahi and Shishido. They were our opponents at the JR Tournament."
Kamikawa nudged Tezuka with his elbow. "Want to go have a go? They're competing for the Hyotei captaincy, after all. The captain decides the match lineup and manages the club."
"Kamikawa, don't you want to compete for it?"
Tezuka looked at Kamikawa, puzzled.
If the captain's position was so desirable, why wasn't Kamikawa going for it? With Kamikawa's skill, Tezuka wouldn't have objected to him becoming captain.
After all, he had already lost to Kamikawa once.
In the two months since the JR Tournament, Tezuka had stepped up his training and improved quite a bit. Even so, he still didn't think he could beat him.
"Me?"
"I'll pass. I'm not interested in being captain or any of that. You know I just want to play tennis in peace."
"Just save me a spot among the regulars, and I'll be happy."
In response to Tezuka's confusion, Kamikawa casually explained that he really wasn't interested in the captain's position.
He also knew he wasn't cut out to be a captain.
Tezuka and Atobe were both good at managing things. Why should he stick his nose in?
"I see."
Tezuka seemed to understand and nodded quietly.
"Those two are going to lose."
Kamikawa pointed at Shishido and Mukahi on the court.
The two of them were talented players, but they were still far behind Atobe. Even as a doubles pair, they would have a hard time beating him two-on-one.
Still, they were two against one. Atobe's defense was a little slow in one or two games, allowing them to score. Shishido's quick rush to the net and Mukahi's bouncy style of play also caught the attention of quite a few people.
"Who are those two..."
Genko, who had recovered a little, opened his eyes and saw the two first-years on the court.
"Vice Captain."
A black-haired third-year wearing black-rimmed glasses quickly helped Genko up. His eyes flickered as he said, "They're the geniuses from Hyotei Elementary, two of the Three Musketeers: Mukahi Gakuto and Shishido Ryo."
"So they're new first-years from Hyotei Elementary."
Genko knew perfectly well that Atobe was already stronger than most of the new students.
Those two seemed to have some skill, but it still wasn't enough. The gap in ability was simply too large.
"Vice Captain, put an end to this farce. Yamabuki's regulars will be arriving soon. If this keeps going, it could damage Hyotei's reputation," the bespectacled third-year said hesitantly.
Genko couldn't help smiling bitterly. "The rest of us old students have already had our pride crushed. Do you think Hyotei's reputation still matters?!"
"Starting today, I'm officially stepping down as vice captain, and I won't get involved in the tennis club's affairs anymore. The person you need to find now is the one on the court."
Genko knew perfectly well that no matter how much he tried to imitate Ochi, he could never reach Ochi's level.
Whether in skill or in resolve, the only thing he could do now was step down.
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