The crowd didn't breathe. Thousands of eyes locked on the two figures across the net.
Ryuji bounced the ball once, twice, his posture perfect—nothing wasted, nothing extra. Ren's HUD jittered:
[Opponent Serve: Estimated Speed — 198 km/h]
[Stat Gap: Extreme]
[Warning: Probability of Return < 5%]
Ren's knuckles whitened around his Vortex racket. Five percent... that's still not zero.
The serve blurred like lightning. Ren swung late—too late. The ball cracked against the glass, rebounded clean past him.
"Fifteen–Love," the priest intoned.
The crowd roared. Sponsors glowed brighter. Shizuka's lips pressed thin in the bench seat. Maria's brows arched—half amusement, half concern.
I didn't even see it. Not just speed... intent. His whole body moves as one.
Second serve. Another blur, this time to his body. Ren flinched, racket frame ringing as the ball ricocheted off, useless.
"Thirty–Love."
Ryuji's voice carried calmly across the net. "Your stance is too open. Even a child could read it."
Heat rose in Ren's face. He's not wrong. But I can't just... fold here.
Third serve. Ren crouched lower, focused on seams, just like Daigo taught. Hear the bounce... listen through the blur.
The ball kissed the line. Ren's arm moved on instinct. Now!
—THWACK.
The racket sang once, perfect contact. The ball cleared the net.
The crowd gasped.
Ryuji stepped forward casually and crushed a volley winner at Ren's feet.
"Forty–Love."
Cheers erupted, but there was a ripple—surprise that the Substitute even touched the serve.
Ren's HUD pulsed faintly:
[Weak Spot Vision Lv.1 → Flicker Stable.]
[Resolve +1.]
One point stolen... one breath longer alive. That's enough for now.
Ryuji spun the ball in his palm. His eyes narrowed—not mockery this time, but interest.
"...So you can return at least one."
The fourth serve blazed out. Ren lunged, air slicing past—too far, too late.
"Game, Kazama."
The scoreboard blinked: 1–0.
The Dragon walked to the baseline as if nothing had happened. The crowd chanted his name in waves:
"Kaza–ma! Kaza–ma!"
Ren's lungs burned already. But when he raised his head, a faint grin tugged his lips.
I returned one. And I'll return another. Even if I lose a hundred more, I'll keep stealing breaths until the Dragon sees me.
Ren holds serve next chapter—or gets broken instantly. Tension stays high.