The Frail Seigaku, the Majestic Hyotei!

Tokyo Metropolis, Shinagawa Ward, Kinoshita Park Tennis Center. This is also the venue for the regional qualifiers in the Jōnan area. Every year, the top tennis schools from the Jōnan region of Tokyo Metropolis gather at Kinoshita Park Tennis Center for competition.

This year, Seishun Academy, hailed as the number one seed and last year's defending champion, is finding it exceptionally difficult against the number two seed, Kakimoto Junior High.

Outside the courts, the area is packed with spectators. Most are tennis enthusiasts from the Jōnan region, and of course, there are also coaches from various tennis clubs watching the players under their wing.

"Kakimoto Junior High's strength this year is actually greater than Seigaku's."

"That's only natural. Kakimoto Junior High has a very talented first-year freshman this year. It's said that during his elementary school days, he was already strong enough to beat regular player teams from junior high schools."

"Really?!"

"Of course, it's true. Seigaku lost both of the first two doubles matches. For singles match number three, Kakimoto Junior High is reportedly sending that first-year student."

"..."

Outside the court, everyone is murmuring in hushed tones. Who would have thought that Seigaku, which has consistently taken first place in the regional qualifiers for years, would struggle so much this year? Both doubles teams have been perfectly suppressed.

"How can this be... How could Seigaku lose two doubles matches in a row?"

From a distance, among the first-year newcomers, a boy with wine-red hair couldn't help but speak.

"Kikumaru, don't talk nonsense. We still have hope."

Beside him, a boy with spiky hair quickly grabbed Kikumaru's collar, afraid his words would be overheard by the seniors nearby.

Kikumaru glanced at Oishi dismissively, "Oishi, what's so bad about saying that?"

"Kikumaru~ I think we still have a bit of hope too."

Beside them, Kawamura, who looked honest and dependable, quickly chimed in to persuade them.

He then subconsciously looked around and asked, "Speaking of which, have you guys seen A-gan?"

"You mean Gan?"

A handsome boy with chestnut hair narrowed his eyes and said softly, "He went to the Six Central Wards. I heard Hyotei's match is being held there today, and he said he wanted to go gather intelligence."

Kikumaru exclaimed in surprise, "Gan, he really went to the scene? I heard Hyotei has quite a few first-year students as regular players this year."

Kawamura nodded, looking envious. "Yeah, it's said that their tennis club's captain and vice-captain are both first-year freshmen."

"Hiss~"

Kikumaru took a sharp intake of breath, then grumbled with dissatisfaction, "If I had known, I would have gone to Hyotei. Forget about becoming a regular player at Seigaku; they don't even let us participate in regular practice matches."

"Kikumaru, keep your voice down."

Oishi suddenly felt something and pulled Kikumaru over.

As expected, the second and third-year members standing nearby were looking displeasedly at these first-year newcomers. Putting on an air of seniority, they said, "Hey! You group of freshmen, instead of cheering for your seniors, what are you mumbling about!!"

"At Seigaku, before the flowers bloom next year, you will honestly go and pick up balls. And as for dreaming of playing practice matches, I advise you to give up on that!"

At this moment, Takei Kenshi, who had just walked off the court as the number one doubles player, heard these first-year newcomers discussing.

Takei Kenshi stared intently at the first-year students, his tone displeased. "What are you noisy about! Stand outside the court and cheer for your seniors. Besides, even if we lose this match, we've still advanced to the Metropolitan Tournament."

"Takei! The match isn't over yet. If you stand here talking discouragingly, I will definitely find Coach Ryuzaki to settle this!"

At this moment, a third-year student wearing a jacket walked over slowly and reprimanded him.

The person who arrived was none other than the captain of the Seigaku tennis club, Yamato Yudai.

As the captain, he didn't have the authority to let club members leave the team or decide who plays. All he had was the power to reprimand members and stop their inappropriate behavior.

"Tch... What's so great about that."

Due to Takei's usual behavior, he was often kicked out of the regular player roster.

However, Seigaku had to rely on him. Takei was considered one of Seigaku's capable doubles players. He had great chemistry with another third-year student.

Since moving up to third year in April, Takei hadn't trained seriously, aside from yelling at the first-year newcomers.

And so, he was easily defeated when playing against Kakimoto Junior High's number one doubles team.

"Takei, say one less word," Kamata, who had come down with Takei, said, trying to persuade him.

"Got it... Got it." Takei waved his hand impatiently and didn't bother watching the rest of the match.

In his opinion, as long as Seigaku advanced to the Metropolitan Tournament, did the championship and runner-up titles matter?

"Everyone, relax. Seigaku hasn't lost yet."

Yamato Yudai smiled at everyone, then picked up his racket and walked towards the court.

He had originally planned to rely on the two doubles matches, plus one singles match from himself, to achieve a surprise victory and win the regional qualifier championship, just like last year.

Kakimoto Junior High, having been tricked like this last year, how could they fall for it again? Their doubles level had improved, and they had even brought in a new first-year student for singles.

Even with Coach Ryuzaki and Yamato deploying their strategies to the limit, they couldn't win both doubles matches.

Ultimately, Yamato defeated Kakimoto Junior High's rising star, Kuki Kiichi, with a score of 6-2. Then, the second singles player for Seigaku was easily defeated by Kakimoto Junior High's captain.

Seigaku, last year's defending champion, barely qualified this year as the second-place team in the group, which was quite a lamentable outcome.

The faces of most Seigaku members were filled with joy; they had advanced to the Metropolitan Tournament once again.

In a corner where no one was paying attention, Yamato let out a wry smile.

He had just removed his bandages and rushed to lead the team in the regional qualifiers.

Yet, they advanced as the second-place team in their group.

Was this truly the result he had yearned for?!

No!

Even if it meant sacrificing his tennis career, he would lead this decaying Seigaku to the nationals!

Could he really do it alone?

Seigaku's younger generation already had quite a few talented players.

As the captain, he naturally saw this. He had proposed changes to Coach Ryuzaki more than once, but his responses were always evasive.

Where exactly was the path unique to Seigaku!

The regional qualifiers ended, and there was still some time before the Metropolitan Tournament.

During this period, all of Hyotei's members were in high spirits. Both regular players and non-regular players actively threw themselves into training. Even Jiro, who usually liked to slack off, was uncharacteristically dedicated to training.

Tezuka had even custom-made a training program for him, focusing on Jiro's weakest point: endurance. Jiro, who usually hid to rest after running three laps, ran ten laps today.

He looked on the verge of collapse, but his face was still brimming with enthusiasm for training.

To be precise, it was enthusiasm for being able to compete with Marui.

"Jiro has been acting really strange lately. He usually slacks off, but these past few days he's been training diligently and even asked for extra training."

Oshitari looked at Jiro, who was looking weak nearby. What kind of magic was it that made this lazy guy train voluntarily and even enjoy it?

"I don't know."

Mukahi shook his head, a look of confusion on his face. "This is the first time I've seen Jiro like this."

"He's probably been provoked by something,"

Shishido analyzed rationally.

He himself had doubled his training after losing a match, refusing to accept defeat.

Jiro's current state was very similar to his back then.

What could have provoked Jiro?

In the regional qualifiers, he had swept through his opponents with an undefeated record. Even after losing to Oshitari 6-3 previously, it hadn't ignited his fighting spirit, and he'd spent his days slacking off.

Jiro's change definitely had some unknown secret behind it.

"The list of schools for this Metropolitan Tournament should have arrived by now, right?"

Kamikawa leaned against the net, tilting his head as he asked Tezuka beside him.

"Mm."

Tezuka nodded and handed the list to Kamikawa.

He and Atobe had already seen it. As for Sakaki Taro...

Tezuka had obtained this list from Sakaki Taro. It would be a lie to say he hadn't looked at it.

Kamikawa glanced at the list. Yamabuki, Ginkawa, Akishiyama Third Middle School, St. Rudolph... all were regulars at the Metropolitan Tournament. Kamikawa's gaze finally settled on Seigaku.