Tokyo Metropolis,
The tennis center at Kido Park in Shinagawa, Jonan, was also where the Regional Tournament for the Jonan area was held. Every year, the top tennis schools from southern Tokyo gathered there to compete.
Seishun Academy, this year's top seed and last year's defending champion, was having a surprisingly hard time against Kakimoto Junior High, the second seed.
The grounds were packed with spectators. Most were tennis enthusiasts from the Jonan area, though there were also coaches from various tennis clubs watching the players from their own clubs.
"Kakimoto Junior High is actually stronger than Seigaku this year."
"Of course. Kakimoto has a talented first-year newcomer this year. I hear he was good enough to beat regulars from junior high school teams back when he was in elementary school."
"Really?!"
"Of course! Seigaku lost both of the first two doubles matches, and apparently Kakimoto is going to send that first-year out for Singles Three."
"..."
Outside the courts, everyone was quietly discussing the matches. Who would have thought that Seigaku, the perennial Regional Tournament champions, would have such a tough time this year? They'd been completely shut down in both doubles matches.
"How could this happen...? How could Seigaku lose both doubles matches?"
In the distance, a boy with burgundy hair couldn't help blurting out his thoughts among the first-year newcomers.
"Kikumaru, don't say that. We still have a chance."
The spiky-haired boy beside him hurriedly tugged at Kikumaru's sleeve, afraid the upperclassmen nearby might hear him.
Kikumaru glanced at Oishi, unconcerned. "Oishi, what's wrong with saying it?"
"Kikumaru... I think we still have a chance, too."
Kawamura, who looked honest and good-natured, quickly chimed in to reassure them.
Then he glanced around and asked, "By the way, have either of you seen Inui?"
"You mean Inui?"
The handsome boy with chestnut hair spoke softly, his eyes narrowed. "He went to the Six Central Wards. He heard Hyotei had a match there today and said he was going to collect information."
Kikumaru looked surprised. "Inui actually went to watch in person? I heard Hyotei has quite a few first-years as regulars this year."
Kawamura nodded, looking envious. "Yeah. Apparently, both the club president and vice president are first-year students."
"Yikes!"
Kikumaru sucked in a breath, then complained, "If I'd known, I would've gone to Hyotei. At Seigaku, we're not allowed to play in regular practice matches, let alone become regulars."
"Kikumaru, keep your voice down."
Oishi suddenly sensed something and pulled Kikumaru closer.
Sure enough, the second- and third-year players standing nearby were glaring at the first-years with displeasure. Putting on their senior act, one of them snapped, "Hey, you rookies! Why aren't you cheering on your upperclassmen? What are you whispering about?!"
"At Seigaku, you'll be picking up balls until next year. Don't even dream about playing practice matches. You'd better give up on that idea!"
Takei Kenshi, who had just come off the court after playing Doubles One, had overheard the first-years talking.
Takei Kenshi glared at them and snapped, "What are you making all that noise for? Stand quietly outside the court and cheer on your seniors. Besides, even if we lose this match, we've still made it to the Metropolitan Tournament."
"Takei! The match isn't over yet. If you stand here making defeatist remarks, I'll make sure Coach Ryuzaki hears about it!"
A third-year student with a jacket draped over his shoulders walked over and rebuked him.
It was Yamato Yudai, the captain of Seigaku's tennis club.
As captain, he had no authority to make club members leave, nor could he choose who played. All he could do was reprimand the players and stop them from acting out.
"Tch... What's the big deal?"
Because of Takei's usual behavior, he was often removed from the roster of regulars.
But Seigaku still had to rely on him. Takei was one of the few doubles players the school could be proud of, and he and another third-year had great chemistry.
Since moving up to ninth grade in April, Takei had done little besides scold the first-years. He hadn't trained seriously at all.
And now, when he faced Kakimoto's Doubles One, he'd been beaten with ease.
"Takei, you should say a little less," Kamata advised as he came down from the court with him.
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Takei waved impatiently and turned away from the match.
As far as he was concerned, it was enough for Seigaku to qualify for the Metropolitan Tournament. Did it really matter whether they came first or second?
"Everyone, don't worry. Seigaku hasn't lost yet."
Yamato Yudai smiled at the others, picked up his racket, and headed toward the court.
He'd originally planned to win the Regional Tournament championship just as they had the year before, relying on their two doubles matches and his own singles match to catch their opponents off guard.
Kakimoto Junior High had been caught off guard that way last year. There was no chance they'd fall for it again. They'd raised the level of their doubles, and even brought in a new first-year for singles.
Even with Coach Ryuzaki and Yamato doing their utmost to arrange the lineup, they couldn't win both doubles matches.
In the end, Yamato defeated Kakimoto Junior High's future star, Kuki Kiichi, 6–2. Then, Seigaku's Singles Two player was easily beaten by Kakimoto's captain.
Last year's defending champions, Seigaku, had only just scraped through to the next round in second place in their group. It was hard not to feel wistful.
Most of Seigaku's players had joy written all over their faces. They'd made it to the Metropolitan Tournament again.
In an unnoticed corner, Yamato gave a bitter smile.
He'd just had his bandages removed, then hurriedly led the team into the Regional Tournament.
And they'd only made it through in second place.
Was this really the result he'd wanted?
No!
Even if it cost him his tennis career, he would lead this rotten Seigaku all the way to Nationals!
Could he really do it all by himself?
Seigaku's younger generation already had quite a few talented players.
As captain, he'd naturally noticed them. More than once, he'd proposed changes to Coach Ryuzaki, but she always brushed him off.
Where, exactly, was the path that belonged to Seigaku?
The Regional Tournament was over, and there was still some time before the Metropolitan Tournament.
During that time, everyone at Hyotei was in high spirits. Regulars and non-regulars alike threw themselves into training. Even Jiro, who usually loved to slack off, had joined in for once.
Tezuka had even put together a special training program for him, mainly targeting his weakest area: stamina. Jiro, who usually ducked off to rest after three laps, had run ten straight today.
He looked ready to collapse, but his face still glowed with enthusiasm for training.
More accurately, he was excited at the prospect of playing against Marui.
"Jiro's been acting weird lately. He usually loves to slack off, but these past few days he's been training diligently—and even asking to do extra drills."
Oshitari glanced at Jiro, who looked utterly exhausted in the distance. What kind of magic had made the lazy guy train on his own and actually enjoy it?
"I don't know."
Mukahi shook his head, looking puzzled. "This is the first time I've ever seen Jiro like this."
"Maybe something got him fired up," Shishido analyzed reasonably.
After he'd lost a match, he'd also trained twice as hard because he refused to give up.
Jiro's current state reminded him of that time.
What could have gotten Jiro so fired up?
He'd swept his opponents with a perfect record at the Regional Tournament. Even losing 6–3 to Oshitari hadn't sparked his competitive spirit. He'd still spent all day finding somewhere to slack off.
Something had definitely happened to change Jiro—something no one knew about.
"Has the list of schools competing in the Metropolitan Tournament come in yet?"
Kamikawa leaned against the wire fence and turned to ask Tezuka.
"Yeah."
Tezuka nodded and handed Kamikawa the list.
He and Atobe had already seen it. As for Sakaki Taro...
Tezuka had gotten the list from Sakaki Taro himself. There was no way he hadn't looked at it.
Kamikawa scanned the list. Yamabuki, Ginkou, Akiyama Third Middle School, St. Rudolph... They were all regulars at the Metropolitan Tournament. Finally, Kamikawa's eyes settled on Seigaku.
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