Chapter 26: Intense Battle, Strategic Duel

  "Game!"

  "Ishikawa, 1-0. Switch sides!"

  The first game ended.

  The referee announced the result. The audience, as if realizing it only after the fact, once again showed shocked expressions on their faces.

  Before the match began—

  No one had expected that the first game would end with Ishikawa winning through four consecutive ace serves.

  "That serve... is really something!"

  Outside the court—

  Chotarou, Shishido, and the others had cautious expressions.

  Hiyoshi wasn’t weak—his reaction speed was quite fast. But Ishikawa’s serve was simply too quick. If they were in Hiyoshi’s pce, they wouldn’t dare say they could return it 100% of the time.

  Compared to the others' shock, Atobe and Oshitari remained retively calm.

  Especially Atobe.

  When Ishikawa and Hiyoshi exchanged words before the match, he had already predicted the outcome of this game. Sure enough, Hiyoshi had underestimated his opponent and fell into the trap set by this first-year newcomer.

  "Developing such a serve... no wonder Atobe values him."

  Not far away—

  On the fourth floor of the school building, in the office of the Hyotei music department, Sakaki, dressed in a burgundy suit, quietly analyzed the match.

  Then—

  His gaze shifted to Hiyoshi.

  Losing the first game without even touching the ball was a humiliating defeat. As he switched courts, he kept his head down the entire time.

  Even from a distance, Sakaki could easily imagine the ugly expression on Hiyoshi’s face.

  "He remains calm and composed against seniors, but against juniors, he is overconfident and arrogant."

  With that thought, Sakaki narrowed his eyes.

  "Perhaps... this match will be a wake-up call for you, Hiyoshi!"

  In reality—

  Sakaki’s perspective differed from Atobe's.

  Atobe favored the steady and obedient Chotarou. But Sakaki paid more attention to Hiyoshi. He understood that if it came down to a real one-on-one fight, Hiyoshi had a higher chance of winning.

  More importantly—

  Hiyoshi was ambitious. His desire to win was strong. And that—was a necessary trait for a great team leader.

  "So..."

  "You better not disappoint me!"

  To Sakaki, this match was like Hiyoshi’s midterm exam.

  Even if he won, if his performance wasn’t outstanding, the results would not satisfy someone like Sakaki, who upheld the philosophy of 'respecting strength and never tolerating failure'.

  "Second game."

  "Hiyoshi to serve."

  After switching sides, the umpire turned to Hiyoshi.

  Hiyoshi—

  Pulled a tennis ball from his pocket and lightly bounced it.

  Pa!Pa!Pa!

  He wasn't in a rush. He was adjusting his emotions and strategizing for the next phase of the match.

  "This guy's serve is strong. Until his stamina drops, there's no point in trying to break his serve. So, I must secure my own service games."

  "Based on what I know, his speed and stamina aren't his strengths. Normally, attacking his endurance would be the best approach."

  "But forget a prolonged battle—I'll go for a fast-paced attack!"

  With that thought—

  Hiyoshi tossed the ball into the air.

  Bang!

  A crisp sound rang out. The tennis ball shot forward, nding precisely near Ishikawa's right service box.

  "A fast serve!"

  "And to the outside corner!"

  The crowd instantly became excited. This was not an easy shot to return—most pyers wouldn’t even have time to react.

  Whoosh!

  However—

  Just as the ball bounced up, a figure had already appeared at the nding spot.

  "His speed is fast too?"

  Chotarou excimed in surprise.

  "Wasn't he supposed to struggle with short-distance movements?"

  "People improve."

  Oshitari shook his head.

  "Besides, he started moving the moment Hiyoshi served."

  "The moment the serve was hit?"

  Shishido frowned.

  "That’s an exaggeration. A first-year can’t react that fast, can they?"

  He didn't say it aloud, but even he wasn’t confident he could predict the shot so quickly. Since he couldn't, how could a first-year?

  "Maybe."

  Oshitari didn’t expin further.

  Meanwhile, on the court, Ishikawa swiftly swung his racket and returned the ball.

  Step!Step!

  Hiyoshi reacted quickly. Sticking to his strategy of fast attacks, he crouched down and chased after the ball. Catching up, he aimed a cross-court shot at Ishikawa's backhand.

  Bang!

  The shot was sharp and precise.

  Even Shishido and Chotarou found it tricky to handle.

  Mukahi raised an eyebrow. "Hiyoshi’s skills have improved without us realizing."

  Shishido stayed silent, but his wariness toward Hiyoshi grew stronger.

  Step!Step!

  However—

  Just as everyone thought the point was won, Ishikawa once again appeared at the right spot.

  "When did he get there?!"

  Faces changed all around.

  Ishikawa had just completed a return. Even with fast reactions, he shouldn't have reached that position so quickly. Chotarou, watching closely, was shocked.

  "It’s true!"

  "Chotarou." Shishido turned to him.

  "Did you notice something?"

  "Yeah."

  Chotarou nodded repeatedly.

  "Just like Oshitari-senpai said—Ishikawa starts moving the moment Hiyoshi hits the ball."

  Instant reaction? Shishido and Chotarou exchanged looks, seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.

  "Exactly."

  Atobe spoke up.

  "That kind of reaction speed is at least half a step to a full step ahead of normal pyers. It makes up for his ck of pure speed."

  "That... that's insane!"

  Even the third-year regurs couldn’t hide their astonishment.

  However—

  Shishido and Chotarou knew it wasn’t that simple.

  They understood that reacting early was easy.

  But if you predicted wrong, you’d lose more than just a step—you’d lose the entire point.

  Bang!Bang!Bang!

  Yet—

  As the rally continued—

  Ishikawa kept predicting Hiyoshi's shots with pinpoint accuracy, time and time again. Nearly ten consecutive rallies followed the same pattern.

  Oshitari clicked his tongue.

  "This kid's prediction skills are ridiculous!"

  "Hmm."

  Shishido grew serious.

  It wasn’t just about reading the game—it took courage to step forward and trust his judgment.

  Clearly—

  This first-year named Ishikawa was far more dangerous than they had thought.

  Even Shishido and Oshitari, experienced third-year regurs, began to sense the threat he posed.

  Bang!Bang!Bang!

  On the court—

  What was supposed to be a fast-paced attack turned into a prolonged rally. Hiyoshi grew more frustrated with each shot.

  "This guy is impossible!"

  "How is he predicting everything right?!"

  "I need to change tactics... Wait, I got it!"

  Suddenly—

  As the ball flew toward him, Hiyoshi changed his usual powerful shot to a soft slice.

  Pa!

  The ball floated lightly forward.

  "A drop shot?"

  "No! Hiyoshi's rushing the net!"

  "Damn, he’s fast!"

  The crowd gasped. Hiyoshi smirked.

  "A sudden change in rhythm—most pyers can't adapt and will make mistakes."

  As he ran, he deliberately left an open space to his right.

  A tempting target—but a trap.

  Hiyoshi’s explosive speed meant he could cover the gap instantly.

  "Come on! Take the bait!"

  He locked eyes with Ishikawa—

  And then—

  Pa!

  A clean shot.

  Hiyoshi suddenly froze mid-sprint.

  Whoosh!

  His eyes widened as he watched the ball sail over his head.

  "A lob?!"

  (End of Chapter 23)