"Next group."
"Challengers: Tosaka Yutaka and Inui Sadaharu."
About ten minutes later, the referee announced the names of the next challengers.
Soon after, a tanned, short-haired boy with brown hair and a spiky-haired boy wearing opaque white glasses stepped onto the court.
Both stood over 180 cm tall, giving off a slightly imposing vibe compared to Ishikawa, who was only 165 cm.
"So, you're Mr. X, huh?" Tosaka, the tanned boy, smirked. "I heard you're the strongest player at this street tennis court. Let's see how good you really are!"
"This guy's got a big mouth. Does he not know how badly the last person who talked like that lost?"
"I know Tosaka Yutaka. He's a regular at Akagawa Middle School. I heard their team qualified for the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament last week!"
The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament?
At those words, the spectators around the court visibly reacted. Even Izumi and Furukawa, the street tennis players who had once defeated Seigaku's doubles pair, were visibly shaken.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament was on a completely different level from the regional qualifiers.
After all, out of all the districts in Tokyo, only the top two teams from each region could advance to the Metropolitan Tournament.
Even Gyokurin Middle School, which had made it to the semifinals in their regional tournament, couldn't compare to Tosaka's school.
"Sure," Ishikawa responded to Tosaka's挑衅 with a calm smile. "I'll be looking forward to your guidance."
However, while he appeared to be addressing Tosaka, his attention was actually focused on the boy standing behind him—the one with the opaque glasses.
"This is interesting."
"To think I'd run into someone from Seigaku here."
"It seems my presence has indeed altered the original course of events."
Ishikawa pondered silently.
In fact, ever since arriving at the street tennis court today, he had overheard others discussing the regional qualifiers from last weekend.
Izumi and Furukawa from Gyokurin Middle School had unexpectedly defeated Seigaku's doubles pair, becoming the talk of the street tennis scene.
And now, Inui, Seigaku's strategist, had shown up. Ishikawa guessed that he was here to gather intel.
Meanwhile, Inui was also observing Ishikawa.
At such close proximity, he could clearly sense the confidence and composure radiating from the other boy.
As a data tennis player who had encountered all sorts of opponents, Inui knew that such a demeanor couldn't be faked.
This person in front of him was definitely no ordinary street tennis player.
"Match begins," the referee announced after determining the serve. "Tosaka to serve. One-set match!"
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
*Thud!*
As soon as the referee finished speaking, Tosaka, a muscular boy with clearly defined muscles, pulled out a tennis ball and began bouncing it forcefully.
"Some random guy thinks he can dominate this street tennis court? I'll show you what real tennis is all about!"
*Bang!*
With that, Tosaka unleashed his signature power serve.
"Heh heh!"
Watching Ishikawa prepare to return the serve, Tosaka's eyes gleamed with mockery. "You dare to face my serve head-on? You're asking for it!"
Even among the regulars at Akagawa Middle School, none of his peers would dare to attempt such a thing.
In his mind, this so-called Mr. X would surely have his racket knocked out of his hand.
*Thwack!*
However, Ishikawa simply swung his racket, and the ball instantly reversed direction, shooting back at an astonishing speed.
"So fast!!"
Tosaka, who could barely catch a glimpse of the ball's trajectory, broke out in a cold sweat.
Too fast!
How could anyone return a ball that was practically invisible?!
*Whoosh!*
To his relief, the ball suddenly curved mid-flight, veering away from him and toward the opposite side of the court.
"Phew..."
Tosaka let out a sigh of relief.
But then, his brow furrowed again. "Can that spiky-haired guy with the glasses even return this?"
It's human nature to project one's own limitations onto others when faced with the unknown.
Tosaka believed he couldn't possibly return such a shot, let alone his oddly-glasses-wearing partner.
*Thwack!*
However, to his surprise, the bespectacled boy simply glanced at the ball and effortlessly returned it.
"This guy's actually skilled?"
Tosaka was taken aback but then nodded in satisfaction. "If that's the case, then we might actually have a chance to win this match!"
After that first exchange, he knew that Mr. X was a formidable opponent and that he likely stood no chance against him alone.
But now, with the help of this glasses-wearing guy, their chances of winning had significantly improved.
*Thwack!*
Ishikawa returned the ball again, this time aiming it toward Inui. The latter seemed to anticipate his move and quickly adjusted his position to volley the ball back.
*Thwack!*
Ishikawa countered.
*Thwack!*
Inui responded in kind.
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
In the blink of an eye, what was supposed to be a doubles match had turned into a one-on-one showdown between the two.
"Are these two just ignoring me?"
Feeling utterly disregarded, Tosaka clenched his racket tightly, his expression growing increasingly agitated.
*Thwack!*
At that moment, Ishikawa returned the ball once more, sending it straight toward Inui's side of the court.
"Perfect opportunity!"
Sensing that he could intercept the ball at this distance and launch a surprise attack, Tosaka sprang into action.
*Tap! Tap!*
Standing over 180 cm tall, Tosaka had impressive short-distance burst speed. In an instant, he positioned himself between the ball and Inui.
"Now!"
As he closed in on the ball, Tosaka raised his racket, ready to smash it with all his might.
*Whoosh!*
However, just as his racket swung forward, the ball suddenly veered to the side, narrowly missing his racket.
"How is this possible?!"
Tosaka froze, his eyes wide with disbelief.
*Tap! Tap!*
Meanwhile, Inui, positioned at the baseline, seemed to have predicted the ball's trajectory all along. He sprinted toward the spot where the ball was about to land.
*Thwack!*
As soon as the ball bounced, Inui sent it flying back.
Ishikawa, in turn, chased it down and returned it once more.
*Thwack!*
*Thwack!*
The two continued their duel, the ball repeatedly whizzing past Tosaka. Each time he tried to intercept it, the ball would curve just out of his reach.
In contrast, his partner, Inui Sadaharu, seemed to accurately predict the ball's path every single time.
Gradually, Tosaka couldn't even keep track of the ball's movements. Against the backdrop of the two players' relentless rally, he felt utterly useless.
*Thud!*
Finally, under the bewildered gazes of the onlookers, Tosaka's spirit completely broke. He collapsed to his knees.
*Whoosh!*
*Whoosh!*
*Whoosh!*
The ball continued to fly over his head, but all he could do was let out a bitter smile.
By now, even someone as dense as him had realized that these two were on a completely different level. This match had never been about him from the very beginning.
(End of Chapter)