(Author's Note: I swear some of you are messing with me—the Rokkaku twins have been attributed to Yamabuki, Mokushi Fuji, AND Rikkai across different sources. Unless fanfics count as canon now, where's the consistency?)
---
### Post-Semifinals – Scouting the Enemy
At Yamato's suggestion, Yoru led Seigaku to observe Rikkai vs. Hyotei in the adjacent court.
The match had just concluded its first doubles:
Doubles 2: Hyotei won 7-5.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Seigaku arrived:
"Seigaku's here? Did their match already end?"
"Must've crushed it—their games never last 30 minutes."
"Maybe they'll finally break Rikkai's 12-year streak."
"Doubt it. Every year someone says that."
Coach Sakaki's eyes narrowed. "So they've reached the semifinals."
Hyotei's players exchanged weary glances. Their bracket had been brutal:
- Quarterfinals: A grueling 5-match war against Yamabuki.
- Semifinals: Now Rikkai.
- If they advanced, they'd face Seigaku in the finals.
Moonlight, avoiding eye contact, silently cursed his own "curse of the god-tier bad draw."
---
### Rikkai's War Room
Mitsuya Akuto watched Seigaku's arrival with a smirk. "As expected."
Utanii Gakuto scoffed. "You're overconfident. We haven't even beaten Hyotei yet—why stick to the same lineup?"
Since the tournament began, Rikkai had never adjusted their formation:
- Doubles 2: Weakest pair (sacrificial loss).
- Doubles 1: Rokkaku twins.
- Singles 3: Utanii.
- Singles 2: Akiyo Koutei.
- Singles 1: Mitsuya himself.
Akiyo frowned. "Throwing matches risks exposing our singles' strength prematurely."
Even the Rokkaku twins shot disapproving looks.
Mitsuya steepled his fingers. "Let me ask: If a team never adapts, even at the cost of losing, what impression does that give?"
Akiyo: "...Arrogance? Complacency?"
"Bingo." Mitsuya's grin turned razor-sharp. "I want them to think we're cocky. All of this—every 'mistake'—is bait for the real trap: Seigaku."
Utanii blinked. "All this… for Seigaku?"
"Not just 'Seigaku.'" Mitsuya dropped his voice.
- Yoru: 6-0'd Hyotei's captain.
- QP: Obliterated Yamabuki's ace.
- Kirihara: Flawless 6-0 record all season.
- Yamato: Dominant before shifting to doubles.
"This isn't just another team," he hissed. "They're a hydra. Cut one head, two grow back. My only shot is to lure Kirihara into Singles 3—where my data guarantees victory."
A stunned silence fell.
Mitsuya had been planning this since before the tournament.
"Today's 'exposed strength'?" He shrugged. "Controlled burns. We've already booked Yamabuki for secret practice matches to stay sharp."
The team stared at him with newfound reverence.
---
### The Match Unfolds
Doubles 1: The Rokkaku twins steamrolled Hyotei in 15 minutes.
Singles 3: Moonlight's psychic serves overwhelmed Utanii early—until the latter's half-baked "Right Court Dominion" nearly clawed back the match.
A last-second Mental Assassination sealed Hyotei's win.
But Rikkai's singles dominance proved insurmountable:
- Akiyo (Singles 2) and Mitsuya (Singles 1) won effortlessly.
Final score: 3-2, Rikkai advances.
---
### The Calm Before the Storm
As the crowd dispersed, Yoru lingered, eyes locked with Mitsuya across the court.
The message was clear:
Your gambit's noted. See you in hell.
---