"Hyotei... actually lost?"
Inui stared in shock as Kurokawa and Kano, exhausted, walked off the court. The reigning champions of last year's Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament had lost their very first match?
Even if it was just their second-string players, this was still unbelievable!
"Fudomine, huh?"
Outside the court, Atobe, with his arms crossed, narrowed his eyes. "To go from an unknown third-rate team to the quarterfinals of the Metropolitan Tournament, Fudomine certainly has some skill."
"Mm, true."
Shishido nodded beside him.
In the past, with his personality, he would have immediately blamed Kurokawa and Kano for not being strong enough.
But in this match, both sides had given their all in terms of fundamentals and technique. Hyotei's loss came down to a lack of mental fortitude.
Even so, Kurokawa and Kano's skills were undoubtedly at the level of regular players in most other Metropolitan Tournament teams, aside from a few exceptional ones.
"Atobe, we..."
Kurokawa and Kano, having left the court, hung their heads low, their spirits dampened.
"Go back and train harder."
Atobe spoke calmly.
He didn't blame them. After all, no amount of scolding would change the outcome of the match. More importantly, this match was likely Kurokawa and Kano's last in the national tournament during their middle school years.
Revoking their second-string status would only humiliate them further, serving no real purpose.
However, if it were the strict and uncompromising Coach Sakaki, the two would undoubtedly have faced a stern reprimand.
"Don't worry, Kurokawa, Kano. We'll make up for your mistakes!"
At that moment, two more boys stepped forward from Hyotei's lineup.
One was tall and burly, with a buzz cut and fierce eyes, while the other had long orange hair and a sharp gaze.
"Next up, the Doubles 1 match."
As the two appeared, the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium. "Hyotei's Tsukisame Yuuki and Kondou Takuma versus Fudomine's Kamio Akira and Ibu Shinji!"
"Another pair of second-years?"
Seeing Fudomine's lineup, the Hyotei players frowned.
But this time, having learned their lesson, they didn't dare underestimate their opponents.
"Just as expected, Hyotei's second-string again."
On Fudomine's side, Kamio and Ibu exchanged glances, a smile forming in their eyes.
"Just as Tachibana-senpai planned."
Kamio glanced at the two opponents across the net and sneered. "Shinji, let's finish these guys off as quickly as possible!"
"Mm."
Ibu nodded lightly.
"Finish us off?"
Kondou, the tall one, snorted. "You think you've got us figured out just because you won one match?"
"Enough talk."
Tsukisame said coldly. "They're just a pair of second-years. Let's wrap this up in fifteen minutes!"
Both sides exchanged bold declarations, and the atmosphere on the court instantly became charged with tension.
"Heh."
Meanwhile, on Fudomine's side, their captain, Tachibana, wore a faint smile. "Just as planned, Atobe..."
His gaze shifted toward the Hyotei side, landing on Atobe.
"You're too careless!"
*Thud!*
Fifteen minutes later.
As Kamio sped up and delivered a sharp volley, the ball skimmed the sideline and shot out of reach.
"Game over."
The referee confirmed the landing and announced loudly, "Fudomine's Kamio and Ibu win, 6-2!"
*Whoosh!!!*
In an instant, the entire stadium erupted like a pot of boiling oil!
"How is this possible? Hyotei lost two matches in a row?"
"Fudomine is so strong. Did they really not even make it past the regional preliminaries last year?"
"This is a huge upset! If Hyotei loses the third match, they're out of the Metropolitan Tournament's top four!"
Hyotei, failing to make the top four?
Just the thought of it was shocking.
"Fudomine has gotten stronger!"
Outside the court, Inui glanced at the data he had recorded about Kamio and Ibu in his notebook, silently marveling.
"Also..."
His thoughts shifted, and he looked at the two Fudomine players, who were clearly enjoying their victory. His brow furrowed slightly. "These two were placed in the Doubles 1 position, which means..."
*Whoosh!*
At this thought, Inui's gaze quickly turned toward the Fudomine side, where a buzz-cut boy with a red mark between his eyebrows stood calmly.
"Tachibana's plan, huh?"
"That's right."
"A team like Fudomine, which flew under the radar, wouldn't even be on Hyotei's radar. It's highly likely that Hyotei would still field their second-string players in the group finals."
"Tachibana seized this opportunity and caught Hyotei off guard!"
"Hyotei... is in trouble!"
Having pieced everything together, Inui couldn't help but shake his head as he looked toward the Hyotei side.
If Hyotei mishandled this, the defending champions might truly suffer an embarrassing defeat in this group final!
Meanwhile, after losing two matches in a row, the Hyotei side, which had initially outnumbered their opponents, was now eerily quiet.
The atmosphere within the team had become extremely tense.
Everyone knew that they had no room for error left. If they lost this match, they would become the biggest joke of the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament!
"Hmph!"
At that moment, a displeased voice rang out.
On the Hyotei side, Shishido, wearing his blue-gray cap backward, picked up his racket and prepared to step onto the court.
Losing two matches in a row wasn't just a failure on Kurokawa and Kondou's part—it was also a stain on Shishido Ryoh's pride.
At this point, no amount of explanation would mean anything.
Only a decisive victory could wash away the shame that had tainted Hyotei's name.
"It's Shishido!"
Seeing Hyotei's choice for the next match, the surrounding spectators perked up.
Last season, Shishido had already represented Hyotei in competitions. His image as an experienced player skilled in fast-paced attacks left a deep impression.
Now, with his long hair cut short, he looked even more spirited.
"However..."
Both Inui and Shishido turned their gazes toward the Fudomine side.
*Thud!*
Sure enough, the tall, buzz-cut boy with the red mark between his eyebrows stepped onto the court with calm composure.
Tachibana Kippei!
Fudomine's captain was indeed positioned as their Singles 3 player!
Everything had unfolded exactly as Inui had predicted.
From the very beginning, this match had fallen into Tachibana's calculations. If nothing unexpected happened, the defending champions, Hyotei, might very well become the stepping stone for Fudomine's Cinderella story.
Because even Shishido might not be able to stop this man's advance!
"Next up, the Singles 3 match."
"Hyotei Gakuen's Ishikawa Shin versus Fudomine Middle School's Tachibana Kippei."
"Both players, please prepare."
*Whoosh!*
As the announcement echoed, the spectators' faces filled with confusion and surprise.
"Ishikawa Shin?"
"Who's that?"
Non-Hyotei spectators were completely baffled.
Meanwhile, the Hyotei players, who had been feeling the weight of the tense atmosphere, suddenly lit up with excitement upon hearing Ishikawa's name.
"Shishido-senpai."
"Let me handle this match."
*Thud!*
With that, a handsome black-haired boy from Hyotei's side confidently stepped onto the court, racket in hand.
---
(End of Chapter)