Opening Scene: The Storm Within and Without
The rain hadn't let up for days, and by the time the semi-final day arrived, Tokyo felt drowned in it.
The storm had become a living thing, hammering against the tournament hall with fists of water and wind, the roar of thunder shaking the steel beams above.
Lightning flashed through the gray windows, briefly illuminating the crowd's tense, anxious faces.
Inside, Akio Mune stood alone near the far court, his hands gripping his racket so tightly his knuckles had gone white.
His emerald-green eyes stared at the polished wooden floor beneath him, his reflection trembling in the shallow puddles of condensation that had seeped inside through the leaky ceiling.
The roar of the storm outside blended with the deafening hum of the crowd until it became nothing but white noise in his mind.
This is it, he thought. There's no one left between me and the truth except the players standing in my way. Ukio... brother... whatever you really are... I'm coming for you.
He remembered Ukio's haunting words, the ones that had been etched into his soul since that night on the rainy street.
"The truth shall be prevailed... if you win."
Ukio's face flashed in his mind—the hollow, dead eyes that seemed to reflect every ounce of Akio's own pain, the faint smirk that had sent chills down his spine.
The thought of confronting him again made Akio's heart tighten, but he forced himself to take a deep, steadying breath.
This was no longer just about winning.
It was about proving himself, not only to Ukio but to the broken version of himself he used to be.
The Semi-Final Match Begins
The announcer's voice boomed across the hall, cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Attention everyone here! The semi-final match will now commence!
Representing Tokyo South High School—Akio Mune!
And representing Kyushu Academy—Daiki Morimoto!"
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
Akio glanced across the net at Daiki, who stood tall and calm, his stocky frame radiating quiet strength.
Unlike Renji, whose fury had consumed him earlier, Daiki's amber-brown eyes held only determination.
He bowed respectfully before the match, and Akio did the same.
"Good luck," Daiki said simply, his voice steady but carrying a weight of emotion.
Akio nodded. "You too."
The whistle blew.
The shuttle soared high into the air, and the match began.
Rally of Titans
From the very first exchange, it was clear this match would be unlike any other.
Daiki's defense was legendary—every time Akio thought he had an opening, Daiki's racket was there, blocking, redirecting, neutralizing.
The rhythm of the game became a fierce dance, every step and strike echoing through the hall like drumbeats in a war.
Akio lunged forward, smashing the shuttle down with all his strength.
Daiki slid effortlessly across the court, returning it with a swift backhand.
Akio barely had time to react, his shoes squealing against the wet floor as he leaped, twisting midair to counter.
He's reading me, Akio realized, sweat flying from his brow. Every move I make, he's already there.
Yukiko, watching from the sidelines, gripped the edge of his seat.
"C'mon, Akio!" he shouted, his voice raw. "You've got this, Akio! Don't let him control the pace!"
But Daiki wasn't just controlling the pace—he was testing Akio's heart.
Daiki's Past: The Calm Before His Storm
As the match raged on, glimpses of Daiki's inner world flickered through his mind like lightning strikes.
His calm exterior hid years of pain.
A younger Daiki, standing alone in an empty gym, gripping a battered racket while his teammates mocked him for being "too slow" and "too boring."
The relentless training sessions, the sacrifices, the loneliness of being the one who always played defense while others took the glory.
The quiet tears shed in locker rooms after losses, when no one was there to see.
I've always been the wall others smash themselves against, Daiki thought, his jaw tightening as he returned another of Akio's brutal smashes.
But today... I'll show them I'm more than just a wall. Today, I'll stand tall as a champion.
Akio's Resolve Shines
Akio felt the weight of Daiki's determination pressing down on him like a physical force.
But instead of crumbling, it ignited something deep within his soul.
I know this feeling, Akio thought, his emerald eyes blazing. The loneliness, the struggle... I've been there too. But I won't let it break me. Not now. Not ever.
With a roar, Akio unleashed a fierce combination of smashes, his body moving with instinctive precision born from countless hours of grueling practice.
The crowd gasped as the shuttle blurred back and forth at blinding speed, neither player giving an inch.
Yukiko jumped to his feet, fists pumping.
"That's it, Akio! Show him who you are!"
The Turning Point
Midway through the match, Daiki managed to seize control.
With a perfectly timed feint, he sent Akio lunging in the wrong direction before slamming the shuttle down for a decisive point.
The scoreboard lit up: 18-15, Daiki's lead.
The crowd roared, but Akio's heart sank.
His breathing grew ragged, his vision blurring from exhaustion.
For a moment, he saw Sora's mocking grin in his mind, the ghost of their previous battle haunting him.
I can't lose... not here. Not when Ukio's watching.
Across the court, Daiki's expression softened slightly.
"You're strong," he said between breaths. "But strength alone won't save you. What are you really fighting for, Akio?"
The question struck Akio like a lightning bolt.
Images flashed through his mind: Sora chained to the wall, Yukiko's unwavering support, the cruel beatings of his past life, Ukio's cryptic smile.
"I'm fighting..." Akio whispered, tears mingling with sweat, "...for everyone who ever believed in me.
And for myself."
Final Rally: Heart Versus Wall
The final rally was a blur of motion and emotion.
Every muscle in Akio's body screamed in agony, but he refused to give up.
He poured every ounce of his spirit into his shots, his movements becoming almost otherworldly.
Daiki matched him step for step, his calm resolve unshaken.
The shuttle flew faster and faster, until even the crowd could barely follow its path.
Finally, in a moment of pure instinct, Akio executed a reverse smash he'd only ever dreamed of performing.
The shuttle streaked past Daiki's racket and slammed into the floor with a resounding thud.
The whistle blew.
The scoreboard lit up: 21-19, Akio's victory.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then the hall erupted in cheers so loud they drowned out even the storm outside.
Aftermath of the Match
Daiki collapsed to his knees, panting heavily.
Akio staggered forward, offering his hand.
Daiki looked up, his amber-brown eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and took it.
"You're incredible," Daiki said quietly.
"No," Akio replied, shaking his head. "You are. You pushed me to my limit. Thank you."
The two bowed to each other, a mutual respect forged in the crucible of battle.
From the sidelines, Yukiko was crying openly, shouting,
"Alright, that was beautiful! You two are legends!"
The Storm's Eye: Ukio Appears
As Akio caught his breath, a chill ran through the hall.
The lights flickered again, and the storm outside seemed to grow louder, almost as if it were roaring in unison with something unseen.
Akio turned—and there he was.
Ukio, standing in the center of the walkway, his black hoodie dripping with rain, his emerald-green eyes glowing eerily under the harsh lights.
He looked exactly as he had that night on the rainy street, but this time, his presence was even more suffocating.
The crowd fell silent, as though instinctively sensing the danger radiating from him.
Ukio's voice cut through the silence, soft but razor-sharp.
"The truth shall be prevailed... if you win."
The exact same words.
But hearing them in person, here, now, sent a surge of dread through Akio's veins.
"Ukio..." Akio breathed, his voice trembling.
"What are you planning? Why are you doing this?!"
Ukio tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"Win the final match," he said coldly.
"Then... you'll understand."
Before Akio could respond, Ukio turned and walked away, vanishing into the storm as suddenly as he had appeared.
Cliffhanger Ending
Akio fell to his knees, clutching his stomach.
His breath came in ragged gasps, his mind spinning with questions and fear.
The storm outside reached a fever pitch, thunder shaking the very walls of the tournament hall.
Yukiko rushed to his side, gripping his shoulders.
"Akio! Hey, Akio, what's going on? Who was that guy?!"
Akio's emerald eyes burned with determination and terror.
His voice was barely more than a whisper as he replied:
"He's my brother...
And the next match will decide everything."
The screen faded to black as Ukio's haunting words echoed one last time:
"The truth shall be prevailed... if you win."