Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Rousen Tennis Center.
Since all the morning matches had gone the distance, the finals were rescheduled for the afternoon. After the morning matches concluded, the crowd had thinned out quite a bit. It wasn't until three in the afternoon that the previously quiet Rousen Tennis Center buzzed with activity once more.
"Mukahi, hurry... hurry up, I can't squeeze through!" The long-haired brown-haired boy kept pushing through the crowd, almost out of breath. Behind him, the burgundy-haired boy also strained to push his way out, trying to secure the best viewing spot.
Originally, Shishido and Mukahi hadn't planned on watching the match. But thinking about how Tezuka and Kamikawa were playing, they couldn't help but come. Anyway, they had nothing else to do. Even if they didn't watch the match, they'd just go back to training, so they might as well squeeze in and watch. Who knows, they might even pick up a few more techniques.
"Hey, brat, stop pushing!" "Honestly, this kid doesn't look big, but he's got quite a lot of strength." "Looks like he's a tennis player too. He was one of the top eight at the Junior Rally tournament earlier, so let them through." "Seriously, why didn't they come earlier?"
[First published on 101kan.com, providing you with error-free, unsequenced chapter reading experience]
The surrounding spectators grumbled, but still made way for Shishido and Mukahi. Seeing this, the two wasted no time, quickly squeezing to the very front, finally getting a full view of the court.
"Thanks, uncles!" Shishido called out to the group of middle-aged men behind him.
"What do you mean 'uncles,' you little brat? I'm only eighteen!" "No common sense at all. I just graduated high school this year." "..."
Who would've thought that Shishido's words would cause such dissatisfaction among the people behind him? They weren't old; even those in their twenties disliked being called "uncles." However, considering Shishido's young age, most didn't dwell on it and quietly turned their attention to the court. The Junior Rally tournament's elementary school division finals were about to begin. It was unprecedented this time, with both finalists being tennis players from Tokyo. And both were players no one had expected to reach the finals before the tournament started.
"Tezuka, this must be our first official match against each other, right?" Kamikawa said, gripping his racket as he walked to the center of the court, a smile on his face. He was different from Tezuka. Kamikawa had rejected previous tournaments held in Tokyo because he found them too troublesome; after all, there were only a few truly skilled tennis players in Tokyo. Besides, he hadn't planned on facing Tezuka early in an official match. Friendly matches are friendly matches, and official matches are official matches. Tezuka would never hold back in an official match, even if it was against his close friend and childhood pal. Likewise, Kamikawa wouldn't hold back either. But the time wasn't right yet, so Kamikawa wouldn't easily make his move. Now, however, was the time to act. Kamikawa couldn't bear to see Tezuka go to Seigaku; even if he did, Kamikawa would personally pave the way for Tezuka.
"Yes," Tezuka nodded. "For this match, let's both go all out."
"Alright!" Kamikawa nodded, placing his racket on the ground, standing it upright.
"Which?"
"Smooth!"
The racket spun a few times, then clunked as it fell to the ground.
"It's smooth. What's your choice?"
"I'll serve."
"Alright, then I'll take this side."
After a brief exchange, both players returned to their respective baselines. The umpire took a deep breath, feeling a sense of awe at the arrival of a new era. In the morning, he had personally witnessed the match between Kamikawa and Yukimura – it was truly stunning. And that boy named Tezuka, perhaps his skill was even greater. He had perfectly defeated that talented boy from Kanagawa Prefecture with a 6-0 victory. Back in his own day, it was precisely his lack of talent that led him to be an umpire for the Junior Rally tournament now. This world is very realistic; some people train for five or ten years in tennis, yet might not be as good as someone who has studied for a year, or even three months. Effort, in the face of talent, might truly be worthless.
"Match start! One set to decide the winner!" Seeing both players ready, the umpire loudly announced, "Kunimitsu Tezuka to serve! Game!"
Bang!
Bang!!
"The finals have finally begun!" Shishido watched the two on the court, his face full of excitement.
"I think Tezuka's stronger," Mukahi offered his opinion. After all, Mukahi had lost to Tezuka, while Shishido had lost to Kamikawa. If Tezuka won, it would be as if he had beaten Shishido.
Shishido heard him and shook his head. "Kamikawa is stronger... I just feel... Tezuka is like Yukimura from this morning."
"Tsk," Mukahi pouted. Indeed, Yukimura was very strong. But was Shishido so impressed by Kamikawa's skill that he was praising him so much? Still, he had to admit, Kamikawa's backhand and slice shots were truly exceptional. If it were him, he probably would have ended up with a 6-0 score too, just like Shishido.
"Huff..."
"Here I go." Facing his childhood friend, Tezuka surprisingly showed a rare hint of a smile.
"Come on, Kunimitsu Tezuka!" Kamikawa said with a serious, calm expression.
Hearing that, Tezuka tossed the ball, raised his arm, and swung.
Bang!!
With a loud crack, the tennis ball left a faint yellow afterimage, accurately aiming for the very edge of the service line.
"So fast!"
"So precise!!"
Most of the spectators had watched Kamikawa and Yukimura's match. They had assumed Tezuka's opponent was just too weak, which was why he won 6-0. Now, it was clear that this level of serving already demonstrated his true skill.
"His level isn't weak," Yukimura couldn't help but be surprised. "Although it's just a simple straight serve, the speed and precision are both excellent. Sanada, you didn't lose for nothing."
Sanada didn't reply, his eyes intently fixed on the two players on the court. That serve was indeed excellent, but he could return it. The truly powerful aspect of that man wasn't his serve, but his control, and his spectacular Domain Skill!
Almost at the same time, Kamikawa appeared at the ball's landing spot. Without hesitation, he hit a backhand drive. Feeling the special spin on the ball, Kamikawa's eyebrow slightly raised. Before anyone could think, Tezuka had already caught up to the ball and driven it back again.
Whoosh!!
A pale yellow trajectory swiftly cut through the air.
"Tsk..." The moment Kamikawa received the ball, he felt that familiar spin again. Without hesitation, he negated a bit of it in reverse, then drove it cross-court again. Others might not know Tezuka well, but Kamikawa knew him better than anyone.
"Huff..."
The reaction time and judgment of these two were astounding; almost every ball was forced into the opponent's dead corner. Any other player would have lost the point by now, but they remained locked in a stalemate. And everyone knew that, at this moment, neither side was using their full strength.
Bang!
Bang!!
Kamikawa and Tezuka's return movements continued to accelerate, and fewer and fewer spectators could keep up with their rhythm.
Slap~
Kamikawa suddenly lowered his racket, hitting a high-quality net slice. Tezuka immediately stopped his feet, then burst forward.
Whack!
Before the ball could even land, he flicked it with a backhand, sending the ball flying high into the air. At that moment, Kamikawa had already rushed to the net, leaped mid-air, suspended there, and then slammed it down.
Tezuka reacted instantly, raising his racket to block! The moment the racket connected with the ball, he felt the strange force transmitted from it, and his racket flew straight out of his hand.
Clang!
The racket clattered to the ground, and the tennis ball landed right beside Tezuka.
"Zero-fifteen!"