Thump!!
"Game, Kamikawa, 5–0!"
"Change ends!"
The umpire in the high chair called out.
"Phew... Hah..."
Akutsu sat in his chair, panting heavily.
In just fifteen minutes, his own service games had been grueling, while Kamikawa had mercilessly taken points with Dancing Golden Snake whenever he served.
"What was that...?"
Akutsu clenched his teeth. The weariness in his mind was even worse than the exhaustion in his body.
Someone like him!
Could Akutsu really beat him?!
Could he really do it?
Akutsu, who had always been absolutely confident in his own abilities, had begun to doubt his talent and question the effort he'd put in lately. He trained until he was utterly exhausted every single day, treating each one like his last...
"Akutsu!"
Banda's voice reached Akutsu's ears.
"What do you want, old man?"
Akutsu's thoughts were interrupted. He raised his head and looked at the smiling old man in front of him.
"Don't bother me, or I'll smack you!"
Akutsu spoke without restraint, his gaze unconsciously flicking toward the scoreboard nearby.
He hadn't scored a single point against that man. He was being utterly dominated in every way.
"Kamikawa's strong, isn't he?"
Banda said quietly, turning to look at Kamikawa, who was resting in the coach's chair. Kamikawa was only lightly sweating. His long training had given him an edge over Akutsu in stamina, strength, and speed.
Not to mention Kamikawa's incredible ball control. Nearly every shot landed where Akutsu could barely reach it, while Akutsu's returns were rough and completely lacking in control.
"Old man, what are you getting at?!"
Akutsu was growing impatient. Did he really need to be told whether that guy was strong?!
"Akutsu!"
Banda clasped his hands behind his back and turned to face Akutsu, who was sitting in the coach's chair. Smiling, he