As the umpire announced the end of the match, the final champion was clear. The crowd in the stands erupted in cheers. Everyone was both shocked and excited by the match.
Tezuka, meanwhile, had gradually calmed down. Though losing still stung, he wasn't someone who couldn't accept defeat. More importantly, this match had been a rare and valuable experience. It showed him what it meant to always have someone stronger ahead. Until now, he'd always beaten others his age with ease. That had unavoidably fostered a bit of pride, just like Yukimura.
"Akashi-kun, I lost this match. Thank you for showing me where I'm lacking. But next time, I won't lose again!" Tezuka spoke earnestly to Akashi as they shook hands.
"Against me, your defeat is absolute." Akashi responded without any formality, keeping his tone firm.
Tezuka frowned slightly. His upbringing told him that Akashi's words were a bit offensive. But as the one who lost, he had no right to refute it—unless he one day beat Akashi.
Ding! Side mission completed. Reward granted: Ultra-Wide Defense Range (dramatically expands defensive coverage, creates a massive spherical defense zone centered on the user, allowing interception of all balls hit to their half). Side mission refreshing. Please stay tuned for prompts.
The system's voice echoed in Akashi's mind. Hearing the reward, he couldn't help but smile faintly.
Elsewhere, Yukimura and Sanada stood in the audience, watching the handshake between the two players with a strange feeling. Deep inside, they felt that these boys might be insurmountable opponents in the future.
"Genichirō, the match is over. We should head back. My gut tells me that when we move on to middle school, Akashi Seijūrō and Tezuka Kunimitsu will be massive obstacles in our path."
"Yukimura, even so, are we supposed to just give up? No! I believe we can defeat them and make our dream come true!"
"You really are as serious as ever~ Sanada. Let's head outside. After the award ceremony, we'll say goodbye to Akashi-kun and Tezuka-kun, then go."
With that, Yukimura and Sanada turned and left the gym. Even though Sanada had already told the organizers he wouldn't compete with Yukimura for third place, Yukimura, as the official third-place winner, still didn't stay for the ceremony. After all, to Yukimura, not becoming champion was already the greatest failure.
Back in the waiting area, Akashi was rehydrating as he waited for the awards. Just then, the Akashi family's butler approached and quietly whispered:
"Young master, the acquisition project you instructed has been completed. Starting now, Fudomine Middle School is part of the Akashi family's holdings. You are officially a board member. However… forgive my boldness, but with your abilities, you could've entered a prestigious academy like Hyōtei, or even gone abroad. Was it really necessary to acquire an ordinary middle school just to attend?"
"Butler Tanaka, remember your place. You only need to carry out my orders. My commands are absolute. I can see all futures."
"Yes, young master. I overstepped!" the butler immediately bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
Soon, the award ceremony began. But with only the champion and runner-up on stage, the hosts felt a little awkward and annoyed. Still, they had no choice. Whether or not to attend the awards was each player's decision. They couldn't force anyone, though it was rare for a third-place winner to skip.
Once the ceremony ended and most of the spectators had filed out, Akashi noticed Tezuka packing up. He walked over and said:
"Tezuka-kun, how about we leave together? I can have my driver take you. There's something I'd like to discuss with you too."
Tezuka paused for a moment, thought about it, then nodded. He hoisted his tennis bag over his shoulder and said:
"Then I'll be in your care, Akashi-kun."
"It's nothing. Butler, lead the way."
"Yes, young master. Tezuka-kun, this way please."
As Akashi's group left, the once lively gym returned to its usual quiet. Awaiting the next great event to come.
At that moment, Yukimura and Sanada, waiting outside the gym entrance, saw Akashi and Tezuka emerge. They stepped forward, ready to say their final farewells.
"Akashi-kun, Tezuka-kun, congratulations on winning first and second place. Sanada and I are heading back soon. We just wanted to say goodbye before we leave," Yukimura said with his usual smile. Sanada, standing beside him, simply nodded silently.
"Yukimura-kun, Sanada-kun, you're too polite. I hope we'll have a chance to face off again next time. But I imagine the result will still be the same," Akashi responded with a calm smile.
"Safe travels. I look forward to our next match. Let's both go all out," Tezuka said, his face calm.
Seeing Sanada faintly clenching his fists at Akashi's words, Yukimura gently shook his head at him, signaling him to stay calm. Then he turned to Akashi with a serious expression and said:
"That's not certain, Akashi-kun. You might be surprised next time. But let's not talk about that now. Sanada and I have decided to enroll at Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku. Are either of you interested in joining us? With the four of us, I'm sure we could dominate the nation."
"Thank you for the invitation, Yukimura-kun, but I must decline. I already have plans for where I'll go," Tezuka replied directly without any pretense.
"I see. That's a shame. What about you, Akashi-kun?" Yukimura turned his gaze to Akashi.
"Heh, Rikkai the King, huh? It's a decent school. But it won't be the king anymore. The only school fit to be king is the one I attend," Akashi said, making his answer clear without needing to say more.
Yukimura sighed and shrugged with a helpless look. "Then I suppose we'll have to look forward to our matches in the future."
With that, he said goodbye once more, and prepared to leave with Sanada.
Just before leaving, Sanada couldn't hold back and spoke up to Tezuka:
"Tezuka Kunimitsu! You won today, but that doesn't mean you'll always win. I'll be waiting in the middle school tennis world. Next time, I'll be the one who wins. Don't let your guard down!"
Then he left with Yukimura.
Watching them walk away, Akashi smiled faintly. Then he and Tezuka got into the car. After the butler took the front passenger seat, Tezuka gave the driver his home address. The car began to move slowly, and the driver smartly raised the privacy partition so the two could talk alone.
"Tezuka, I heard you say earlier that you already have plans. Mind telling me which middle school you'll be attending?" Akashi asked, though he already knew the answer.
"I've decided on Seishun Academy. I went to Seishun Daiichi Elementary, and it's close to home, so I plan to go straight into their middle school division," Tezuka replied calmly.
Hearing the expected answer, Akashi nodded, then paused in thought. In the original story, Tezuka's misfortunes were entirely caused by Seigaku. From Ryūzaki Sumire's rigid traditions and tolerance of the seniors, to Yamato Yūdai's negligence and so-called guidance—they all slowly wore down Tezuka's natural talent. Thinking this, Akashi didn't hesitate and said directly:
"From what I know, the Seigaku tennis club isn't a great choice. Their stubborn coach insists on strict seniority. First-years spend a whole year just picking up balls. Only in the second year can they try out for the regulars, no matter who they are or how talented. Tezuka, if you really intend to go there, then be ready to waste a year and be left far behind by us."
"What? That's impossible. Isn't Seigaku a famous tennis school? They even produced someone like Echizen Nanjirō. And yet they have such rules that ignore talent for the sake of age?" Tezuka's face showed rare surprise.
"Heh. Echizen Nanjirō is indeed amazing. But his success has nothing to do with Seigaku. With his talent, he could've made a name for himself anywhere. In fact, Seigaku's tennis results in recent years don't live up to their reputation at all. They can't even reliably qualify for the Kanto Regional Tournament, let alone nationals," Akashi said with disdain.
Tezuka fell silent and began thinking. He didn't argue or ask questions immediately. Seeing Tezuka deep in thought, Akashi's lips curled slightly, and he finally revealed his true purpose.
"Tezuka, why not come with me to Fudomine Middle School?"