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"Akutsu and Ryoma? Seriously?"
Outside the court, Inoue glanced toward the Seigaku team with surprise after hearing the announcement.
Sure enough, a young boy wearing a white tennis cap walked to the edge of the court, racket in hand.
On the other side, from the Hyotei team, Akutsu—tall, with his ash-gray hair spiked up—walked over with a cold expression, his racket resting on his shoulder.
"Ryoma," Coach Ryuzaki said earnestly from her seat. "This opponent isn't ordinary. According to Inui's data, he won his last match 6-1 against the captain of Rokkaku."
"I know," Ryoma nodded.
The more he learned about Hyotei, the more he realized he couldn't underestimate them. Even someone as skilled as Oshitari had been placed in doubles. It showed just how fierce the competition was for singles spots on Hyotei's team.
"Akutsu," Coach Sakaki said calmly from the Hyotei side. "Just play according to your instincts."
"Hn," Akutsu gave a slight nod.
Since joining Hyotei, his temper had mellowed somewhat. Of course, a big part of that was Coach Sakaki's respect for him. The coach wasn't the type to nag, and Akutsu, while not exactly respectful, didn't show him any attitude either.
With that, Akutsu walked onto the court, racket still resting on his shoulder.
At the net, the two players faced each other—one tall with gray hair, the other shorter with a blue cap.
"Senpai," Ryoma adjusted his cap and looked up with a smile. "I heard you used to play for Yamabuki?"
The Seigaku team tensed up immediately.
"Ryoma's being reckless," Kikumaru muttered, shaking his head. "Akutsu's got a short temper. If he gets provoked, the consequences could be bad."
"It's fine, Kikumaru-senpai," Momoshiro said with a grin. "This is a tennis match. It'll come down to skill. No matter how angry Akutsu gets, he won't do anything to Ryoma."
But before Momoshiro could finish, Akutsu grabbed Ryoma by the collar and lifted him off the ground.
"Ryoma!" Momoshiro and Kaidoh's faces turned pale.
"Hey, Hyotei!" Momoshiro shouted angrily toward their side. "Are you trying to start a fight here?!"
"Relax," Mukahi said with a smirk. "Your first-year started it. Don't act all innocent now."
"Exactly," Shishido added, crossing his arms. "That brat knew exactly what he was doing. He's getting what he deserves."
"You—" Momoshiro started, but Oishi placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down, Momoshiro, Kaidoh," Oishi said. "Akutsu won't do anything reckless."
Inui and Fuji nodded in agreement. If Akutsu did anything outside the match, he'd be disqualified. Hyotei wasn't foolish enough to let that happen.
"Heh," Ryoma, still dangling in the air, chuckled. "I was disappointed I didn't get to play you during the match against Yamabuki. Guess this makes up for it!"
He locked eyes with Akutsu, unfazed by the cold glare. His smile didn't waver.
Outside the court, even the usually calm Inui and Oishi were sweating bullets. Even Coach Sakaki looked uneasy. He hadn't expected Seigaku's first-year to be so bold. If Akutsu lost his temper, things could get ugly.
But to everyone's surprise, Akutsu set Ryoma down.
"Brat," Akutsu said calmly. "You're as arrogant as they say. Don't disappoint me in this match."
With that, he turned and walked to the baseline.
"Huh?" Ryoma was stunned.
He hadn't expected Akutsu, known for his fiery temper, to be so composed. He'd even prepared a backup plan in case Akutsu lashed out.
"That guy…" Ryoma glanced toward the Hyotei side, his gaze settling on a black-haired boy.
Taking a deep breath, Ryoma walked to the baseline, ready to serve.
"Phew," Inoue sighed in relief.
He couldn't imagine what would've happened if things had escalated. Hyotei could've been disqualified.
"But," Inoue said, looking at the calm, gray-haired boy at the baseline, "Akutsu's changed a lot since his Yamabuki days."
"Yeah," Saori nodded.
She remembered the Tokyo Metropolitan semifinals, when Akutsu had been provoked into a rage by Ishikawa. The memory still sent shivers down her spine.
Ryoma had been reckless, but Akutsu seemed like a different person now.
"Why?" Saori wondered, her eyes drifting to Ishikawa. "Is it because of him?"
The Seigaku team had their own theories. They remembered the bet Ishikawa and Akutsu had made during the Tokyo Metropolitan finals—the loser had to fulfill a condition.
Akutsu joining Hyotei was likely the result of that bet.
"Akutsu-senpai…" On the spectator stands, Tan Taiichi, wearing a green headband, looked conflicted. "So he really did join Hyotei…"
"It's fine, Taiichi," Sengoku said, patting his shoulder. "Akutsu has his own path. And honestly, he's become more composed since joining Hyotei."
"Yeah," Taiichi nodded, feeling a bit better.
Everyone had the right to choose their own path. Leaving Yamabuki and joining Hyotei might've been the right move for Akutsu.
Clenching his fist, Taiichi silently vowed to become a top player like Ishikawa and Ryoma.
"Game set, one match. Seigaku Ryoma to serve."
The referee's voice brought everyone's attention back to the court.
Ryoma pulled out a tennis ball and began bouncing it. After gauging Akutsu's position, he tossed the ball into the air, leaped, and swung his racket with a sharp motion.
"That's…" The Seigaku trio's eyes lit up. "Ryoma's Twist Serve!"
*Thwack!*
The ball shot forward, curving sharply and landing just inside the service line.
*Ssshh…*
The ball spun fiercely.
On Hyotei's side, Shishido raised an eyebrow. "That's the serve that jumps at your face, right?"
During the Tokyo Metropolitan finals, Ryoma had used this serve against Akutsu. Back then, even the agile Kabaji had nearly been hit.
Akutsu, who'd joined Hyotei after that match, hadn't seen it before. And given his pride, even if he knew about the serve, he might not handle it conventionally.
There was a real chance he'd lose the point.
"This first-year…" Momoshiro glanced at Ryoma. "Is he trying to provoke Akutsu?"
The pre-match taunt, the aggressive serve—Ryoma didn't seem interested in a straightforward match.
*Whoosh!*
The ball, spinning close to the ground, suddenly kicked up. But instead of shooting toward Akutsu's face, it curved toward his right.
"Wait!" Everyone's eyes widened.
Even Inui was shocked. "That's… Ishikawa's Twist Serve?!"
This was the same serve Ishikawa had used against Fuji during the Tokyo Metropolitan finals. No one expected Ryoma to have mastered it.
"Haha!" Kachiro laughed. "Ryoma's definitely going to score with this serve—"
*Thwack!*
Before he could finish, Akutsu's racket connected with the ball.
"He hit it?!" Inui stared in disbelief.
Akutsu had not only returned the serve but sent it straight toward Ryoma's backhand.
*Thud!*
Fortunately, Ryoma's quick reflexes and single-footed split step allowed him to reach the ball in time.
*Thwack!*
Ryoma countered, aiming for Akutsu's far backhand corner.
"This first-year!" Most of Hyotei's players were impressed.
Ryoma's reaction time and control had improved significantly since the Tokyo Metropolitan finals.
"As expected of someone Tezuka has his eye on," Atobe mused. "This first-year's match experience is impressive. His strategies and movements are better than most third-years."
Atobe had a lot of respect for Ryoma. After all, even among third-years, few could defeat Kabaji.
"But," Atobe's gaze shifted to Akutsu, "his potential was unlocked this morning. And before the match, Ishikawa spoke to him. This is going to be interesting."
Atobe wasn't bothered by Akutsu following Ishikawa's lead—after all, Kabaji only listened to him. What intrigued Atobe was what Ishikawa had said to Akutsu before the match.
Since then, Akutsu had been noticeably calmer.
*Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!*
On the court, the two players exchanged shots at the baseline.
Ryoma's quick reflexes and precise control kept the ball deep, but Akutsu's explosive power made it clear he wasn't struggling.
In fact, as the match progressed, Ryoma began to feel the pressure.
"If that's the case…" Knowing he couldn't outlast Akutsu in a stamina battle, Ryoma decided to mix things up. He played a drop shot, luring Akutsu to the net.
*Thud!*
At the same time, Ryoma rushed forward. As Akutsu returned the drop shot, Ryoma slid into position, leaped, and smashed the ball with a powerful topspin.
"It's here!" The Seigaku trio cheered. "Ryoma's Drive B!"
*Whoosh!*
But before they could finish, Akutsu shot backward like a bullet, caught up to the ball, and slammed it down with a thunderous smash.
*Boom!*
The ball shot past Ryoma and landed with a resounding thud.
"0-15!"
The court fell silent.
Akutsu landed smoothly, gave Ryoma a brief glance, and walked back to the baseline.
"Tch."
Facing Akutsu's silent disdain, Ryoma's expression shifted.
Then, to everyone's surprise, he adjusted his cap and switched his racket from his right hand to his left.
**(End of Chapter)**