"This is the Metropolitan Tournament? The players are weaker than I expected."
At a pavilion, Kamikawa leaned against a pillar, holding an ice-cold soda as he spoke to Tezuka beside him.
From where they were, they had a clear view of Seigaku's ongoing match.
That practice match had certainly brought about quite a few changes at Seigaku.
Inui Sadaharu and Fuji had both relied on their formidable skills to defeat the regulars from the original tennis team. After the practice match against Hyotei, Takei had been kicked off the team and become a social outcast.
Besides, promising players like Oishi and Kikumaru hadn't earned a place among the regulars. They were still too green, especially Kawamura. He had astonishing strength, but could only hit home runs that sailed over the net.
Seigaku seemed to be moving steadily in the right direction.
"Yeah."
Tezuka nodded, a glimmer of light passing through his eyes.
Seigaku had made some changes, but it still wasn't enough. Not nearly enough.
Judging from the two doubles matches that had just taken place, the second- and third-years had performed as poorly as ever. The first doubles player, a first-year named Inui Sadaharu, had shown impressive skill, though.
Kamikawa glanced toward the court. Fuji had entered as the third singles player. Even though he had lost a game in doubles, the point he'd earned there, along with two singles points, had been enough to carry Seigaku into the quarterfinals.
"Tezuka, do you remember the two players we faced at the JR Tournament?" Kamikawa asked suddenly.
"I do."
Tezuka thought back to the opponent he'd faced in the semifinals. He'd been fairly skilled. Tezuka had beaten him easily, 6–0, but the other player's fighting spirit had still left a deep impression.
Kamikawa nodded slightly and took a sip of