"Marui and Jackal, huh?"
Outside the court.
After hearing the announcement.
Inoue nodded and said, "By placing this pair in Doubles 2, it seems Rikkai is aiming to sweep the first three matches in one go."
"Huh?"
But then, Shiba noticed something and exclaimed in surprise, "Senpai, what are those two doing before the match?"
Hmm?
Inoue focused his gaze.
He saw Marui unwrapping a piece of bubble gum, popping it into his mouth and chewing. Meanwhile, Jackal pulled out an electric razor from his tennis bag and started running it over his bald head.
"Well," Inoue thought for a moment and explained, "Everyone has their own way of boosting their focus. Chewing gum or shaving their head—it's probably just their personal pre-match routine."
Human attention is easily distracted.
And the more crucial the match, the more likely it is for nerves to kick in. Many professional players have their own methods to relieve pressure or enhance concentration before a match.
It's clear.
Rikkai's pair is definitely the professional type.
"Look at Hyotei's side. They're doing the same."
Inoue pointed toward Hyotei's team.
Shishido was jumping repeatedly, rotating his joints, and warming up his body. Meanwhile, Otori had his eyes closed, taking deep breaths.
"Otori's arm has finally recovered."
Shiba, however, focused on something different. She watched Otori flexing his wrist and sighed, "After a week-long break, we can finally see his cannon serve again!"
"Yeah."
Inoue nodded.
Hyotei's doubles pair was strong. Shishido excelled in fast attacks with explosive power, while Otori's reliable serve could secure a game. Both were crucial.
In their match against Seigaku last week, Hyotei had lost a critical game. Otherwise, they could have ended the match in the first three rounds.
"Senpai," Shiba asked curiously, "What do you think are Hyotei's chances of winning this first match?"
"About 20 to 30 percent," Inoue thought for a moment and shook his head. "Even though Hyotei's pair is strong, Rikkai's duo is known as the nation's top doubles team!"
"T-the nation's top doubles?"
Shiba's eyes widened in shock. "No way! Are they really that good?"
"It's true," Inoue said seriously. "From last year's season to this year's regional qualifiers and the Kanto Tournament, Marui and Jackal haven't lost a single match."
"Whoa!"
Shiba's expression changed drastically.
Not a single loss?!
That's insane!
Even players like Kyushu's "Twin Stars" or Seigaku's geniuses like Fuji and Tezuka have suffered defeats.
You can imagine how impressive an undefeated record is!
"To field such a pair in Doubles 2…"
At this point, Shiba finally understood why Inoue had made that earlier comment.
Indeed.
A pair that would be the absolute Doubles 1 in any other team was placed in Doubles 2. It's clear that Rikkai is determined to win this match decisively!
---
**pat-reon: belamy20**
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At the net.
The four players faced each other.
Shishido's gaze locked onto Jackal, while Marui looked at Otori with interest.
"Marui-senpai, I've heard about you," Otori said shyly, scratching his head. "Akutagawa-senpai told me you're his idol. Your skills must be amazing. I'll give it my all!"
"Akutagawa… Jirou, right?" Marui nodded thoughtfully. "I remember him. His volleys are impressive. But he hasn't been playing much recently, has he?"
"Yeah," Otori nodded. "He's been training hard, but Akutagawa-senpai lost to Atobe-senpai in the last challenge match."
"I see."
Marui studied Otori's earnest expression and couldn't help but smile inwardly. This second-year from Hyotei was too pure. With Jirou included, Hyotei seemed to have quite a few straightforward players.
"In that case, as long as we can contain this guy…"
Marui's gaze shifted to Shishido.
Compared to a year ago, Shishido had cut his long hair and now wore a baseball cap. He seemed less carefree and more composed.
Meanwhile.
Shishido's eyes were firmly locked on Jackal.
"Long time no see, Shishido," Jackal said with a grin, his tanned, bald head reflecting the sunlight. "I didn't expect you to cut your hair. If you'd done that earlier, you might not have lost last year."
Whoosh!
As he spoke, he rubbed his head, the sunlight glinting off it.
"Don't worry," Shishido replied calmly, surprising Jackal. "We're definitely winning this match."
"Oh?"
Marui and Jackal exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
"Shishido has changed a lot," Yanagi from Rikkai's team observed, his eyes lightly closed. "After losing to Ishikawa in the intra-school rankings, he cut his hair. It seems like a symbol of his determination."
"Hmm."
In the coach's seat, Sanada nodded.
"In that case, as long as we suppress Shishido, this doubles match should be under control."
He glanced at his watch, the hands ticking by. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the players on the court who had finished the coin toss and said firmly, "Let's hope they don't drag this out."
Before the match, Sanada had instructed the team to wrap up the first three matches quickly.
They had promised Yukimura they would finish the match before his surgery!
"Game start, best of one set."
After confirming both teams' readiness and positions, the referee announced, "Hyotei's Shishido to serve, first game!"
"The nation's top doubles team, huh?"
Gripping the tennis ball, Shishido's eyes gleamed with determination. "Let's see if we can break your undefeated record!"
Bam!
He served the ball.
Whoosh!
The ball shot out like a blazing fire, heading straight for Jackal's right front.
"Oh?"
Jackal was slightly surprised. "I didn't expect his serve to improve this much in a year. But I'm not the same as I was back then either!"
Bam!
Jackal quickly moved to intercept, returning the serve with ease.
Shishido reacted swiftly.
Seeing the direction of the return, he dashed forward, meeting the ball just as it bounced and hitting it back with a sharp half-volley.
The exchange was so fast that it left the audience in awe.
"Impressive half-volley technique," Yanagi remarked, his eyes still closed. "Shishido's timing and skill have reached a frightening level."
The ball shot back with incredible speed.
Most players wouldn't even have time to react, let alone return it. Shishido's half-volley was truly formidable.
But on Rikkai's side, a dark figure darted across the baseline—Jackal.
"Not bad," Jackal said, clearly impressed. "Your volley skills have improved a lot. As Yanagi said, we can't let a player like you stay at the net."
Bam!
He sent the ball deep to the far corner, as far from Shishido as possible.
"He's fast," Hyotei's Hiyoshi muttered in surprise. "That bald guy kept up with Shishido-senpai's moves?"
"Not surprising," Mukahi replied, shaking his head. "Jackal's baseline defense is top-notch. It's hard to break through. For Rikkai's pair, as long as he holds the baseline, they're solid."
"Also," he added, watching Jackal consistently hit deep baseline shots, "it looks like they're trying to keep Shishido pinned to the baseline."
"No doubt, this is Yanagi's strategy," Atobe said, glancing at the closed-eyed figure standing behind Sanada. "With him around, it's hard to hide any data."
"So…" Hiyoshi looked at Ishikawa thoughtfully. "That's why the vice-captain insisted on that intensive training camp, huh?"
Even though it was only three days, everyone in Hyotei knew their skills had improved significantly.
Bam! Bam!
On the court.
Shishido and Jackal continued their intense rally.
Meanwhile, at the net, Marui and Otori were locked in their own standoff.
However.
While Marui looked calm and collected, Otori seemed more anxious. Seeing Shishido struggling to break through, Otori decided to take action.
Bam!
He stepped forward, leaving his left side open and hitting the ball to Marui's backhand.
"This shot…"
Everyone watching narrowed their eyes.
"Is Otori setting up a play?" Seigaku's Inui wondered aloud. "Not bad. Hitting to Marui's backhand forces him to create space to return it."
"But…" Horio frowned. "Doesn't that leave Otori's side exposed?"
"That's exactly the point," Fuji chimed in. "By creating an opening, Otori lures Marui into attacking. Meanwhile, Shishido can move up to the net and break free from Jackal's control!"
Step, step!
Just as they predicted.
Seeing Otori's signal, Shishido quickly advanced to the net.
His speed was remarkable.
He closed the distance in an instant.
"Otori's got some tricks up his sleeve," Hiyoshi said with a smirk. "With Shishido-senpai at the net, his volley skills will make it hard for Jackal to defend like before."
No doubt.
Compared to the regional tournament, Otori's tactical awareness had improved significantly.
At the same time.
This once-impromptu doubles pair was becoming more and more in sync.
However.
Just as everyone thought Hyotei was about to take control, Marui, still chewing his gum, gave the ball a light tap.
Tap!
A soft sound.
To everyone's astonishment.
The ball hit the top of the net, then rolled along the edge before dropping onto Hyotei's side.
Plop, plop…
The ball landed.
Swish! Pop!
On the other side.
Marui, still in his follow-through pose, blew a bubble with his gum and smirked. "How's that? Genius, right?"
He flashed a peace sign.
"Uh…"
Otori was stunned.
Shishido, who had been charging forward, froze mid-step.
The spectators stared at Marui in disbelief.
Who even plays like that?!
(End of Chapter)