Michael bent down slowly to pick up his racket, his sharp eyes fixed on Atobe and Sanada across the net, as if trying to see right through them. That stare gave Atobe a strange sense of familiarity.
"Looks like your observation skills aren't bad either. Let ore-sama see what you've got!" Atobe said quietly.
Billy hit another flat shot, but this one was clearly faster and stronger than before. Unfortunately, to Atobe, it was still nothing special. He moved to the drop point and countered with a backhand Jack Knife.
The ball rocketed across the net with immense force. Michael intercepted it at the front court, but Atobe's Jack Knife wasn't something easy to handle. The moment Michael made contact, he could feel the heavy impact.
Still, he managed to return it. The ball arced back high into the air. Atobe was clearly forcing them into lobbing. He moved forward again, leapt high, and smashed the ball down toward Michael's right side.
Just then, Billy suddenly rushed forward and jumped. When the ball reached his waist, he swung hard.
"Wild Goose Intercept!"
The ball, spinning fiercely, shot back across the net. Atobe hadn't expected that, and it flew past him. But Sanada was ready in the back. He spun his body and smashed it with full force.
The tennis ball turned into a pillar of fire, blasting toward the other side. Billy hadn't landed yet, and Michael rushed in to block it. But the moment it hit his racket, it knocked it into the air. The ball scorched the ground and flew out of bounds.
"Swift as fire!"
"0-30!"
Billy stared at the two opponents. For the first time, he doubted Coach Richard's orders. Their opponents clearly weren't weak—should they really be throwing a few games just for show?
He glanced toward Richard at the sideline, asking with his eyes if he should go all out. But Richard firmly shook his head. Billy had no choice but to send out another flat shot.
Atobe, clearly irritated by Billy's earlier Wild Goose Intercept, returned fire with another backhand Jack Knife—this time targeting Billy in the backcourt. The ball screamed past Michael.
Billy charged with both hands on the racket and returned the shot, but the weight behind it forced him into another lob.
Atobe had already anticipated this. He was waiting at the net, eyes scanning the opponents' positions. He jumped, and with a sharp gaze, smashed the ball down hard.
Billy couldn't make it to the net in time after returning the last Jack Knife. Michael stood ready, eyes locked on the ball.
But instead of striking his racket like before, the ball came straight down, just like a normal smash. Michael adjusted his stance and prepared to return it.
But the ball didn't bounce. Instead, it began spinning violently on the court. Michael had a bad feeling—he had just seen this pattern.
Sure enough, after a slight bounce, the ball skimmed across the surface and shot out of bounds.
"Rondo Towards Despair!"
"0-40!"
Michael looked up, eyes sharper than before. From the last few exchanges, he knew now—these two weren't what they had expected. If they didn't get serious, they'd be crushed.
But he also knew Billy wouldn't defy Richard. After all, when Billy was at his lowest, Richard had pulled him out and helped him start over. He even helped him meet the girl he loved.
Billy sent out another basic flat shot. Atobe was getting impatient. Why hadn't they shown their true strength yet? Were they looking down on them? What gave them that right?
As Atobe moved to intercept, countless ice shards shot from his eyes and pierced the court around Billy and Michael. He locked onto one near Billy's feet and swung.
The ball flew with insane speed and slammed right beside Billy. Billy tried to react, but suddenly he couldn't move at all. Amid the scattered ice, the ball bounced out of bounds.
"If you're not going to go all out, then let ore-sama freeze you in place!" Atobe said coldly after scoring.
"Game! Atobe and Sanada lead, 2-0!"
Michael turned to Billy with a questioning look. That last shot—Billy should've been able to return it easily, yet he didn't even move. To Michael, it looked staged.
But Billy was just as confused. He had followed Richard's orders not to go full power, but that last shot—he really couldn't move. And with Michael's stare, he grew even more frustrated.
The third game was Sanada's serve. He walked to the baseline, looking dead serious. It wasn't because the opponents were strong—it was because, so far, he hadn't done much. That Atobe guy kept hogging the spotlight.
Thinking this, Sanada decided to stop holding back. He tossed the ball high. His right arm blurred, and the ball turned into a streak of green light, blasting into the baseline and flying out of bounds.
"Swift as the wind!"
"Ace! 15-0!"
Michael was beginning to doubt if this was really Japan. He hadn't even seen Sanada's swing—there was no way to read the trajectory. And with that insane speed, he didn't even have time to move.
Hearing the score, Sanada picked up another ball and tossed it again without giving his opponents a moment to breathe. He unleashed the same invisible backswing and Swift-as-the-Wind combo.
But Michael still couldn't see Sanada's swing. All he saw was a blur of motion, and the next thing he knew, a blue streak of light had smashed down at his feet before flying out of bounds.
"Ace! 30-0!"
At this point, Richard on the sidelines was starting to get annoyed. Sure, he'd told Billy and Michael to throw a few games at the start, but not like this. If the sponsors started suspecting match-fixing, everything would fall apart.
So he immediately shot Michael a look, signaling him to at least return the ball. What Richard didn't know was—Michael was struggling. He wanted to return Sanada's serve, but how could he if he couldn't even see it?
As Sanada prepared to serve the third time, Michael focused all his attention on Sanada's right hand. This time, he barely managed to follow the motion.
But since most of his concentration was spent reading Sanada's form, by the time he registered the ball's trajectory, it had already shot past him and bounced out of bounds.
"Ace! 40-0!"
On the fourth Swift-as-the-Wind serve, Michael finally adapted to Sanada's swing. With a quick sidestep, he barely reached the ball after it landed, managing only to make contact.
The rebound soared high across the net. Atobe, waiting at the front court, leapt up toward it. But Billy jumped too, clearly trying to intercept.
"Still trying that same trick? Too bad—there are blind spots even in midair!" Atobe sneered in the air.
From Atobe's view, several floating ice crystals surrounded Billy. Atobe targeted one and slammed the ball toward it.
The shot zoomed straight toward Billy and shattered one of the ice shards. Billy wanted to pull off another Wild Goose Intercept, but just like before—his body wouldn't move. The ball whizzed past him, hit the center line, and bounced out.
"Game! Atobe and Sanada lead, 3-0! Break for rest!"
As Atobe claimed the point, the crowd erupted once more in synchronized cheers. Amid cries of "Atobe!", he shot a proud glance at the American duo, then turned to walk toward the team bench.
This match's courtside coach was Hanamura Aoi. Maybe she was picked because of her flower-vase reputation, but she had little advice to offer. After giving Atobe and Sanada a few encouraging words, she quietly stepped aside.
On the American side, Richard was fuming. He was tearing into Billy and Michael, making both of them hang their heads in shame.
"What's wrong with you two?! I told you to give up three games, not to completely fall apart! How are we supposed to impress sponsors like this?! From now on, go all out and win this match! Got it?!"
"Yes, BOSS!" Billy and Michael answered in unison.
The break ended quickly. Since this was a friendly exhibition match, there were no side switches—just a short rest every three games.
The four players returned to the court to resume. The fourth game was Michael's serve. During the break, he had analyzed his opponents thoroughly—he'd picked up on a lot of subtle habits and tendencies.
As he got ready to serve, Sanada suddenly turned to Atobe and said, "Atobe, you've had enough spotlight, haven't you? Mind if I take the next one?"
"Hmph~ Do as you like. Ore-sama's already bored anyway," Atobe replied, indifferent.
Michael tossed the ball high and slammed it toward Sanada. The speed and power showed he was serious this time.
But Sanada dashed to the landing spot and returned it with a backhand. Then he rushed to the net. Michael mirrored the move, hitting a running return as he approached the front.
At the net, Sanada stopped the incoming ball with his racket, neutralizing its spin, then tapped a soft drop shot.
"Immovable like the forest!"
But Michael had already closed the distance. He bent low, slipped his racket under the ball, and flicked it up with a sudden topspin lob.
The two clashed fiercely at the net, exchanging shots so fast the spectators couldn't even see their swings—just a blur as the ball zipped back and forth like a shadow.
To be fair, Michael had learned some martial arts from the Longguo region, and his strength was real. He could barely keep up with Sanada's pace.
But soon, one would have to break. Michael read Sanada's movement and used a feint to lure him right. Then he slammed a line drive to Sanada's left.
Sanada didn't react in time—the ball flew past and was about to bounce out of bounds…
When suddenly, a racket blocked it.
Atobe smashed a powerful backhand down the right sideline. Billy sprinted toward it, but he was a step too late. The ball hit the line and shot out of play.
"0-15!"
"Seriously? I have to cover for you now? Sanada, can you even handle this?! Hah~" Atobe said with a mocking tone.
Sanada's expression instantly darkened. Not just his face—black aura began to swirl around him, making his form seem almost ghostly.
"Unpredictable like the shadow!"
When Michael stepped to the baseline to serve again, he suddenly realized—he couldn't read Sanada at all anymore. It was like countless ghostly shadows were flickering around him.
'What... what the hell?! This guy... he can do that?!' Michael's thoughts were in turmoil.
But there was no time to think. Michael forced down his shock and served again, sending the ball straight at Sanada.
Under the effect of "Difficult to Read like the Shadow," Sanada's every move became impossible to predict. After returning the serve, he rushed the net again—he needed to give Michael a proper showdown. Atobe's earlier taunt had filled Sanada with burning frustration.
Michael and Sanada clashed fiercely at the net once more. But this time, Michael couldn't hold on. Every move Sanada made was a feint, and Michael couldn't read the trajectory at all. His proudest techniques were being used against him with even more power.
The ball zipped past Michael. Billy managed to cover from the back and return it, but Sanada shut it down at the net with ease. He went into a one-versus-two mode, forcing both Billy and Michael into complete disarray.
Finally, Sanada spotted an opening and didn't hesitate. He launched a Swift-as-the-Wind. The ball pierced through both players, smashed the baseline, and flew out.
"0-30!"
Sanada completely unleashed in the next two points. Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain—all came out in rapid succession. Billy and Michael barely held on, but "Difficult to Read like the Shadow" clouded their judgment. They couldn't keep up and lost the points.
"0-40!"
"Game! Atobe and Sanada lead, 4-0!"
Richard was fuming on the sidelines but had no options left. He could only glare furiously at Billy and Michael.
The fifth game was Atobe's serve. Billy had composed himself, fully focused now. He couldn't afford to lose—not with his beloved sitting in the stands, watching.
'No way I'm letting the girl I like see me in such a pathetic state! I have to win this match! Just wait for me, Siteni!' Billy's eyes burned with determination.
Atobe immediately sensed Billy's fighting spirit and smirked. 'You're fired up now? Isn't that a little too late?'
"Looks like your spirit's lit. Guess I'll cool you down a bit," Atobe sneered.
He tossed the ball high and slammed it with full force, wrist snapping to add an intense spin.
The ball flew straight over the net toward Billy. Billy was ready, tracking it hard and getting into position for a low return. But then the ball split in two—one shot along the left, one the right. At the baseline, the left one vanished, and the right zipped out of bounds.
"Ace! 15-0!"
"Now that's the real Tōwaiseru Serve! Ore-sama's technique shines brighter than the sun!" Atobe struck a proud pose—one hand holding his racket, the other on his hip, arrogant as ever.
But Billy didn't freeze this time. He crouched down again, eyes sharp, waiting for Atobe's next serve. All he could think of now was winning—for Siteni to see it.
"Oh? Still not giving up? Interesting," Atobe chuckled.
He hit another full-power Tōwaiseru Serve. This time, Billy didn't wait for the illusion to kick in. He struck as the ball landed. But the moment the ball touched his racket, it popped straight into the air and dropped back into play.
"30-0!"
The next two serves were no different. Billy kept trying to scoop the ball, but each time it made contact, it bounced way up, leaving him with no chance to return it.
"40-0!"
"Game! Atobe and Sanada lead, 5-0!"
The sixth game was Billy's serve—their last chance. If they lost this, the Doubles Two match was over.
"Win! I have to win! I must win!" Billy stood at the baseline, muttering nonstop.
Hearing him, Michael felt a surge of determination too. His Chinese-American father had taught him never to give up. That same man had clawed his way to success in America's cutthroat business world—he was the real deal.
Billy tossed the ball up and twisted his wrist. He whipped his racket like a lasso, sending the ball into a tight inward spin.
"Lasso Serve!"
The ball spun through the air in a tight curve. But Atobe read the shot from the start. He moved to intercept at the landing point. As expected, the ball arced toward him, and he blocked it with ease.
Just then, icy spikes appeared in Atobe's vision, locking onto both opponents. He targeted the one by Michael and slammed the ball that way.
Michael tried to move but couldn't. His body froze. He could only watch as the ball zipped past. Billy dove after it with all his strength but still missed.
"0-15!"
Atobe's Ice World froze the pair in place again. They could only stand and watch the ball sail by.
"0-30!"
"0-40!"
It was match point. Billy still didn't give up and fired another Lasso Serve. Atobe returned it with ease and froze Michael again. The ball flew right past him.
Billy let out a fierce yell and dashed after it. He barely reached it and popped it high over the net. Then he sprinted forward.
Atobe jumped for a finishing blow—but the ball slipped past his racket.
Right behind him, Sanada suddenly sparked with lightning. In a flash, he appeared before the ball, raised his racket above his head, and chopped downward with force.
The ball transformed into a bolt of lightning, shooting straight through. Neither Billy nor Michael had time to react. The ball scorched the court, leaving a charred mark, and shot out of bounds.
"Move like Thunder!"
"Game! 6-0! Match over! Winners: Atobe and Sanada!"