In Tokyo, specifically the Shinagawa Ward in the Jōnan district, the Kito Park Tennis Center was the venue for the area's preliminary tournament. Every year, renowned tennis schools from the Jōnan region of Tokyo would gather here to compete.
This year, Seigaku, hailed as the number one seed and last year's reigning champion, was struggling exceptionally hard against the number two seed, Kakunoki Middle School.
Outside the court, spectators crowded around. Most were tennis enthusiasts from the Jōnan area, but there were also coaches from various tennis clubs watching their own players.
"Kakunoki Middle School's actually stronger than Seigaku this year."
"Of course! Kakunoki Middle School has a pretty talented first-year student this year. I heard he was good enough to beat regular middle school team members back in elementary school!"
"Really?!"
"Absolutely! Seigaku lost both doubles matches. And I heard Kakunoki Middle School is sending that first-year out for Singles 3."
"..."
Outside the court, everyone was whispering. Who would've thought that Seigaku, who had consistently ranked first in the preliminary tournament for years, would struggle so much this year? Both doubles teams were completely suppressed.
"How... How could Seigaku lose two doubles matches in a row?" In the distance, among the first-year recruits, a boy with wine-red hair couldn't help but blurt out.
"Kikumaru, don't say that! We still have hope!" Beside him, a boy with spiky hair quickly tugged on Kikumaru's shirt, afraid that their seniors might overhear him.
Kikumaru looked indifferently at Oishi. "Oishi, what's so bad about saying it?"
"Kikumaru~ I think we still have a bit of hope too." Kawamura, who looked honest and earnest, also quickly tried to persuade him. He then instinctively glanced around and asked, "Speaking of which, have any of you seen Inui?"
"You mean Inui?" A handsome boy with chestnut hair next to them squinted slightly and said softly, "He went to the central Tokyo area. I heard Hyotei's matches are happening there today, and he said he wanted to go collect data."
Kikumaru exclaimed in surprise, "Inui actually went there? I heard Hyotei has a lot of first-years as regulars this year!"
Kawamura nodded, his face full of envy. "Yeah, I heard their tennis club's captain and vice-captain are both first-year freshmen."
Gasp!
Kikumaru gasped, then grumbled, "I knew it! I should've gone to Hyotei. At Seigaku, forget becoming a regular; we're not even allowed to participate in regular practice matches."
"Kikumaru, keep your voice down." Oishi suddenly sensed something and pulled Kikumaru closer.
Sure enough, the second and third-year members standing nearby looked displeased at the first-year freshmen. One senior chimed in, "Hey! You freshmen! Instead of cheering for your seniors, what are you mumbling about?!"
"At Seigaku, until next spring, you'll just be picking up balls! Dreaming about playing practice matches? I suggest you give up on that idea now!"
At this moment, Takeshi Takei, who had just walked off the court after playing Doubles 1, overheard the first-year freshmen discussing things. Takeshi Takei glared at the first-years, his tone annoyed. "What's all the noise about?! Just stand quietly outside and cheer for your seniors on the court. Besides, even if we lose this match, we've still made it to the Prefectural Tournament."
"Takei! The match isn't over yet! If you keep spouting such defeatist talk, I'll definitely have a serious talk with Coach Ryuzaki about it!" At that moment, a third-year student wearing a jacket slowly walked over, scolding him. The newcomer was none other than Yamato Yuudai, the captain of the Seigaku Tennis Club. As captain, he didn't have the right to dismiss club members or decide who played, only to reprimand players and stop their inappropriate behavior.
"Tch... What's the big deal?" Due to Takei's usual behavior, he was often removed from the regular lineup. However, Seigaku couldn't help but rely on him. Takei was one of Seigaku's most presentable doubles players; he and another third-year had great synergy. Since being promoted to third-year in April, Takei had mostly just scolded the first-year freshmen and hadn't trained seriously himself. As a result, he was easily defeated in his Doubles 1 match against Kakunoki Middle School.
"Takei, say less," Kamata, who had walked off with Takei, tried to advise him.
"Alright, alright..." Takei impatiently waved his hand, completely ignoring the rest of the match. In his eyes, as long as Seigaku made it to the Prefectural Tournament, was winning first place really that important?
"Everyone, relax! Seigaku hasn't lost yet!" Yamato Yuudai smiled at everyone, then took his racket and walked towards the court. He had originally planned to rely on the two doubles matches plus his own singles match to win by surprise, just like last year, and take the preliminary tournament championship. But Kakunoki Middle School had been burned by that tactic last year, so how could they fall for it again this year? Their doubles standards had improved, and they even brought in a new first-year for singles.
Even with Coach Ryuzaki and Yamato strategizing to their limits, they couldn't secure wins in both doubles matches.
Ultimately, Yamato defeated Kakunoki Middle School's rising star, Kuki Kiichi, with a score of 6-2. However, Seigaku's Singles 2 player, who came out next, was easily defeated by Kakunoki Middle School's captain. Seigaku, last year's reigning champion, barely scraped through to the main tournament as the second-place team in their group, which made many people sigh with regret.
Most of Seigaku's members had joy plastered on their faces; they had made it to the Prefectural Tournament again.
In a forgotten corner, Yamato forced a bitter smile. He had rushed to lead the team to the preliminary tournament right after getting his bandages off. Yet, they only managed to advance as the second-place team in their group. Was this really the result he yearned for?! No! Even if it cost him his tennis career, he would lead this decaying Seigaku to the Nationals!
But could he really do it all by himself? Seigaku's younger generation already had many talented players. As captain, he naturally saw this. More than once, he had suggested changes to Coach Ryuzaki, but her response was always an excuse. Where exactly was the path unique to Seigaku?!
The preliminary tournament concluded, and there was still some time until the Prefectural Tournament. During this period, all the members of Hyotei were in high spirits. Both regulars and non-regulars alike actively threw themselves into training. Even Jiro, who usually loved to slack off, was uncharacteristically dedicated to training. Tezuka even created a customized training regimen for him, mainly targeting Jiro's weakest point: stamina. Jiro, who would usually hide and rest after running three laps, ran ten laps today! He looked completely exhausted, but his face still radiated enthusiasm for training. To be precise, it should be enthusiasm for being able to play matches with Marui.
"Jiro's been really unusual lately. He usually likes to slack off, but these past few days he's been training diligently and even actively asking for extra training." Oshitari looked at the visibly weakened Jiro not far away. What kind of magic had made this lazy guy actively train and even enjoy it?
"I don't know," Mukahi shook his head, looking puzzled. "This is the first time I've seen Jiro like this."
"He's probably been provoked by something," Shishido analyzed rationally. After he lost his own match, he too had trained doubly hard, refusing to give up. Jiro's current state was very similar to his back then. What could have provoked Jiro? In the preliminary tournament, he had swept his opponents with a perfect win record. Even his 6-3 loss to Oshitari hadn't ignited his fighting spirit; he'd just spent his days looking for places to slack off. Jiro's change must have been caused by some unknown secret.
"The list of schools for the Prefectural Tournament should be out by now, right?" Kamikawa leaned against the wire fence, tilting his head to ask Tezuka beside him.
"Yes," Tezuka nodded, handing the list to Kamikawa. He and Atobe had already seen it. As for Sakaki Tarō... Tezuka had gotten this list from Sakaki Tarō, so he definitely wasn't saying he hadn't seen it. Kamikawa quickly scanned the list: Yamabuki, Ginka, Akiyama Third Middle School, St. Rudolph... all regular participants in the Prefectural Tournament. Kamikawa's gaze finally settled on Seigaku.
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