I hope you can become the pillar that sustains Evergreen.

"What a rare sight—so this is the aura of dominance that comes naturally to the club president. It's truly terrifying!" Naruyoshi Matsubara watched the look of displeasure that crossed Akutsu's face. He had thought Akutsu would put up a fight against Tezuka, but unexpectedly, the guy obediently went off to run laps.

It seemed that someone like Tezuka was indeed the perfect remedy for all kinds of rebellion.

"I never thought that Evergreen Academy, which has no reputation at all, could shut out Fuzaki Middle School's doubles pair. That Akutsu Jin and Shishido Ryo are really impressive," said Sugiyama, one of the third-year regulars from Seigaku, in a low voice.

"Yeah, even though they're only first-years, their skills are far beyond what we had in our first year..." Kawai, another third-year regular, wholeheartedly agreed.

"Why do I get the feeling you two are boosting the confidence of outsiders and putting ourselves down? No matter how strong Evergreen is, it's still a third-rate school. How can they compare to us?" Otaki, also a third-year regular, was displeased to see the others in such agreement.

"Alright, settle down, everyone. Instead of arguing here, why not go warm up for the match?" Yamato Yudai said gently, an elusive smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, sir!"

...

While Seigaku's regulars were warming up outside the court, Kawamura had already slipped away, searching for someone.

Spotting Akutsu cooling down after his punishment run, Kawamura happily walked over to greet him. "Akutsu!"

"Huh? Who are you?" Akutsu looked at the shorter boy in front of him and asked.

"Don't you remember me? I live near your house—"

"Oh, Kawamura." Akutsu recalled the boy who always wore a vest.

"Congratulations on winning the doubles match..." Kawamura said shyly.

"Tennis is actually pretty fun, right? It's great to see you playing again..." Kawamura continued.

Akutsu looked at him coolly, then gazed off into the distance. "It's just as boring as ever."

Kawamura opened his mouth but didn't know how to continue the conversation. He then asked curiously, "By the way, Akutsu, why did you do your hair like that?"

"Oh, this? It's the latest lightweight style that's trending."

Looking at his own faintly silver hair reflected in the glass advertisement board, Akutsu remembered the first time he met Renji Yanagi. The very next day, he had dyed his hair and used a ton of wax to spike it up. Akutsu wasn't obsessive, but he simply couldn't stand anyone having the same hairstyle as him, whether they were a teammate or anyone else. Of course, Renji Yanagi wasn't obsessive either: unable to stand anyone resembling his own hairstyle, he had his bob cut trimmed to close-cropped layers the next day. This was their unspoken understanding.

"A trending lightweight style?" Kawamura seemed bewildered. Was that really the latest trend?

"The second doubles match is about to begin: representing Evergreen Academy are Sadaharu Inui and Renji Yanagi; their opponents from Fuzaki Middle School are Toru Urushihara and Yoshio Mito," blared the loudspeaker.

"Oh no, the match is starting! Come on, Akutsu!" Kawamura called and hurried off, leaving Akutsu to quietly stroll toward the courts.

While the spectators outside assumed the first doubles match would take a while, Inui and Yanagi snatched victory at a stunning pace.

Thwack! With a cunning shot that landed precisely where neither opponent could reach, Yanagi scored, and the umpire shouted, "Game, set, and match! Evergreen wins, 6–0!"

"Another 6–0—that's the true strength of Evergreen's doubles," Yanagi said softly, letting his arms slowly drop to his sides as a gentle breeze lifted his hair.

"Our timing was exactly as predicted," Inui smiled, pushing up his glasses.

"Wow, Evergreen's first doubles pair finished so quickly!"

"This data tennis—predicting opponents' habits and play styles precisely... I've never heard of such a thing!"

"Are you kidding me—another 6–0? Is Fuzaki destined for total annihilation?"

Spectators were left in awe at Inui and Yanagi's doubles techniques. Fuzaki's pair failed to take even a single game and, no matter how hard they tried, were led by the nose throughout the match. It was simply unbelievable.

More than the score, however, the spectators were stunned by Inui and Yanagi's data tennis. To think tennis could be analyzed and calculated like data, overturning many people's understanding of the sport and opening a new world to them.

"Inui Sadaharu is... incredible," Yamasugi exclaimed, jaw dropping.

"Data tennis... it's terrifying," sweat poured down Kawai's face. "If they can investigate and analyze, no one can hide from data tennis..."

"Don't tell me that kid's collected data on us, too?" Otaki said nervously.

Yamato Yudai maintained his usual inscrutable expression. Though his face revealed nothing, inwardly he felt sorrow over Inui Sadaharu's departure, for Seigaku had lost not just one future pillar of the tennis club.

"Damn it, they predicted everything we did!" Yoshio Mito flung his racket down in frustration as he returned to Fuzaki's bench.

Urushihara Toru followed behind him, his face twisted in a silent, terrifying expression.

"It's alright. It's a best-of-five, and Evergreen isn't a seeded team. We can still hope for the singles!" said Naruto Uzumaki, the Fuzaki tennis club president, clapping Mito on the shoulder in comfort.

"It's okay, Toru," Naruto said, gripping Urushihara's arms and giving his back a reassuring slap. Gradually, the wild look on Urushihara's face faded, and he nodded lightly.

"It's your turn next, Ryuya," said Nobi Rikiya, the vice-captain, nodding at Sakaki Ryuya, who sported a short cut of gradient gold hair.

"Go... Good luck, Matsubara!" Kumakiri Shibayama, the eighth regular of Evergreen's tennis club, nervously cheered for the soon-to-play Matsubara Naruyoshi.

"Don't be so anxious, Shibayama. You don't even have to play this match," Matsubara said with a smile, noticing his friend's shaking legs.

"I know, but I can't help feeling nervous—it's like I can barely breathe," Shibayama admitted, scratching his head in embarrassment.

"You're our senpai, Shibayama. A senior should set an example. As the future hope of Evergreen's boys' tennis club, I hope you'll keep working hard and become our backbone," Matsubara said sincerely, as if entrusting him with a great responsibility.

"The backbone... of Evergreen..." Shibayama repeated softly, as if inspired by some newfound strength.