55. The Transformation of Two People

"That really is an astonishing display of strength..." Shisaori watched as Akutsu scored his second point, and now, gradually, she began to believe what Mamoru Inoue had told her.

"He truly is a formidable opponent," Fuyuka Oda thought quietly, observing the intimidating figure of Akutsu.

"I can't believe it—someone actually has the strength to match Aron..." Oishi shook his head in disbelief.

"Yo, burning drive!" Kawamura tossed the ball high and slammed it, the serve blazing into the corner as if wrapped in flames.

"Beautiful! If it hits the corner like that, with Akutsu's current position, there's no way he can reach it!" Kikumaru saw the yellow-green streak flash past Akutsu, clenched his fists, and exclaimed excitedly.

Akutsu's gaze sharpened; his body bent forward for an instant, then he sprang backward with explosive force, appearing behind the swiftly moving tennis ball.

His arms contracted elastically, and then, gathering his strength, Akutsu swung his racket. "Ha!"

"He actually caught up with Kawamura's burning serve!"

"How is that possible?!"

Everyone watched in shock as Akutsu, using just a backward jump, caught up to Kawamura's burning serve and returned it effortlessly. They leaned forward, unable to contain their astonishment.

"Among the evergreens, there's an athlete whose talent rivals Kikumaru's..." Yamato Yudai's sunglasses reflected Akutsu's image. To chase down the burning serve with a backward jump and return it with a standard stroke—just what kind of school is this?

Kawamura seemed to have anticipated Akutsu would return the ball and ran to the predicted spot, calling out, "Burning!"

He shouted, his enthusiasm high, and struck back. Akutsu stretched out his arm; Kawamura seemed to realize something. "Left side?"

Akutsu's lips curled into a cold smile. Just as his racket was about to hit the ball, he suddenly pulled his arm in the opposite direction. When he extended again, the yellow-green tennis ball shot straight toward Kawamura's right!

The ball slammed onto the court and bounced out of bounds. Kawamura stood frozen in place.

"Forty–love!"

"Is this even a human move? He was clearly preparing to hit to the left, but suddenly switched to the right!" Fuyuka Oda couldn't believe what she was witnessing. Shisaori, who was taking photos, kept her camera raised, her polished fingers resting on the shutter without pressing.

"Quick reflexes..." Yuna Iwamura, rarely serious, commented, though her tone still carried an air of absent-mindedness.

"Kawamura, don't delude yourself into thinking you know me well." Akutsu pointed his racket at Kawamura and spoke coldly.

At that moment, Akutsu recalled the time Kawamura had secretly followed him on the street, only to greet him as if they were old friends when discovered, expressing concern for him—who did he think he was talking to?

"I... never thought I understood you well," Kawamura's words pulled Akutsu from his memories. The latter looked at Kawamura's faintly sorrowful expression and sneered.

"But... if I had to say what I want to know about you, it's how to become as strong as you. Perhaps, in this match, I'll find the answer." Kawamura forced a smile. Seeing this, Akutsu suddenly remembered something Kawamura had said on the street.

"I actually just think you're amazing. Though I've practiced karate for a while, I'm still at a beginner's level. Honestly, I want to be like you, Akutsu!"

Back then, Kawamura wore the same strained smile as now. Once, Akutsu had seen that smile as a sign of weakness and timidity, but now, he felt something different. At the same time, Taichi Dan's image appeared before him, gradually overlapping with Kawamura's.

"In that case, try to beat me. But... I will never lose." With those words, Akutsu slowly turned away.

"Akutsu..." Kawamura called softly, then his face lit up with determination and a smile. "Excellent! Let's go again! Burning!"

He tossed the ball, gripping it tightly, and launched another burning serve. This time, when the racket struck the ball, even the air seemed to tremble imperceptibly. Akutsu chose to receive single-handedly, but this time he felt the weight transmitted through the racket, his expression shifting slightly as his forearm veins bulged and he swung out!

"Ahhh!" Kawamura's strength seemed endless. Faced with Akutsu's return, he met it head-on, his arm trembling violently. With a roar, the tennis ball shattered the fallen leaves from the tree above and scored before Akutsu could even prepare his swing!

"Forty–fifteen!"

Kawamura was slightly out of breath, while Akutsu's expression grew more animated. Kawamura wiped his chin and smiled. "Nice shot!"

After a moment, Akutsu closed his eyes and revealed a rare gentle smile, then let out a hearty laugh. Gripping his racket with both hands, he said slowly, "Come at me again, Kawamura. Let me see... the answer you're searching for."

At this point, Kawamura was unwavering, like a ship lost on stormy seas that had finally found a lighthouse shining its guiding light. Relying on his powerful advantage, Kawamura continued to use his signature burning serve!

Even though Kawamura's strength had increased considerably, he still struggled before Akutsu. The forceful swing left his body sluggish for an instant, and Akutsu used this to once again strike a ball in the direction opposite Kawamura's prediction!

"One–love! Evergreen leads! Change sides!"

"How can this be? Kawamura is clearly more spirited and stronger than before, but he still doesn't seem to be Akutsu's match..."

On Seigaku's side, Otaki was deeply surprised.

"This Akutsu really isn't a suitable opponent for Aron..." Kikumaru commented.

"That's right. Not only does he match Aron in strength, but his athleticism far surpasses him. Eiji, did you notice his two feints earlier? He changed his shot direction almost at the very moment the racket and ball were about to meet," Oishi replied thoughtfully.

"Of course. Even I can't easily pull off a move like that..." Kikumaru nodded. If it were just a premeditated feint to confuse the opponent, that would be one thing, but Akutsu was genuinely intending to hit one way, only changing direction after noticing Kawamura's movement.

This means that as long as Kawamura reveals his intentions to Akutsu, Akutsu can always send the ball where Kawamura can't reach!

"Hey, Aron, since he can read your intentions and change direction, don't show him your purpose!" Kikumaru shouted loudly.

"Seigaku, do not shout instructions to players from the sidelines!" The umpire, seeing Kikumaru openly coaching from the sideline, sternly admonished him.

Kikumaru shrank his neck like a guilty kitten and quickly pressed his hands together in apology. "Ah... Sorry, sorry!"

"Seigaku seems to be getting flustered..." Inoue Mamoru was drawn by Kikumaru's voice and noticed the starters' tense expressions, murmuring to himself.

"It's not that simple, Eiji... Akutsu's athletic talent isn't something I can overcome just by changing a few moves," Kawamura responded inwardly to Kikumaru. At that moment, Akutsu, ready to serve, furrowed his brows and said coolly, "Already thinking of giving up, Kawamura?"

"Huh...?" Kawamura looked up at his opponent. Akutsu gripped the tennis ball fiercely. "The match has only just begun."

Hearing this, Kawamura's tense expression eased unwittingly. Akutsu continued, "Never underestimate yourself, no matter what."

Watching Akutsu's explosive serve, Kawamura suddenly felt resolute inside. "That's right, the match has only just begun. What am I doing thinking such defeatist thoughts? I've already resolved to fight Akutsu head-on... And I'm the crucial Singles Three that will determine Seigaku's advance. No matter what, I cannot lose this battle!"

"Attack with all your resolve, Kawamura!" Akutsu watched Kawamura's return and urged him inwardly.