Chapter 63: Evergreen Academy, Now and Then

Within the tennis courts reserved for official players, Tezuka, as the club president, naturally paid no heed to the students and reporters gathered outside, their faces pressed to the chain-link fence. Ignoring their presence, he called out to Mei Matsubara and the others, “Let’s move on to the next training session. There are only a few days left before the National Tournament—we must make the most of our time!”

“Yes, sir!” came the unified response from Mei Matsubara and her teammates.

“Everyone looks so focused,” Yuna Iwamura remarked with admiration. “It’s as if the noise outside doesn’t affect them at all…”

“Alright, it’s about time we started our own training,” said Fuyuka Oda, gently tugging Yuna’s sleeve.

With a sharp smack, Ryo Shishido strode quickly to the net, racquet in hand. Before his opponent could even lower his racquet after serving, Shishido intercepted the ball mid-air, volleying it back with lightning speed.

“That’s the ultra-fast half-volley!” a reporter among the onlookers exclaimed, mouth agape. He’d heard that Ryo Shishido had used this move in the regional preliminaries, but seeing it in person made him appreciate just how formidable it was.

“Hey, that determined-looking guy with the high ponytail—that’s Ryo Shishido, isn’t it? The one who unleashed the ultra-fast half-volley against Hozaki Middle School!”

The spectators quickly recognized the move and its user.

“Did you know? Apparently, Ryo Shishido transferred here from Hyotei Academy.”

“No way—someone from Hyotei transferring to Evergreen Academy? Hyotei is a top-tier private school for the elite, but Evergreen…”

“You shouldn’t talk like that. The current Evergreen isn’t what you think. In yesterday’s matches, they pulled a stunning upset over the top seed Seigaku, then went on to eliminate Blackburn, the second seed right after Seigaku!”

“Look, there’s Vice Captain Syusuke Fuji!”

At those words, all eyes turned toward the boy with tousled chestnut hair and perpetually smiling eyes.

“I heard Syusuke Fuji is only a first-year, yet he’s already created three astonishing counter techniques. He’s a true prodigy!”

“I’m not sure about three, but in the regional preliminaries, his Swallow Return and Bear Drop were incredible. One counters topspin, the other counters smashes—those are two of the most common shots in the game, and Fuji’s techniques neutralize them for most opponents!”

“I’ve heard the third move is called ‘White Whale.’ Supposedly, it uses the wind—but who knows if that’s true…”

“Using the wind? That’s pushing it. Tennis balls are too heavy; you’d need a typhoon to affect their trajectory!”

“Exactly!”

“Oh, enough already. Syusuke Fuji is called a genius for a reason. He’s only a first-year and already inventing his own techniques. And you? What have you created?”

“Hey, isn’t that Jin Akutsu over there?”

Someone’s exclamation drew everyone’s attention again.

“Rumor has it that Jin Akutsu’s body changes based on how loose or tense he is while playing, resulting in some strange postures. But those odd stances allow him to return even the most difficult shots. He’s truly an all-around offensive powerhouse!”

Jin Akutsu launched himself into the air, his limbs limp during ascent. Suddenly, his right arm tensed, and his fierce, half-shadowed face snapped upward, as if he were about to hunt down everyone watching from beyond the court.

“Hah!”

A collective shiver ran through the crowd at the sight of his terrifying gaze and pallid complexion. Evergreen Academy’s team was formidable indeed—no wonder they’d upset the top two seeds as the tournament’s dark horse.

“Tezuka.”

Amid the training, Kunimitsu Tezuka heard familiar voices and looked over—it was Sadaharu Inui and Renji Yanagi.

“The roster for the National Tournament is out,” Inui announced. “Hyotei Academy is there, of course. There’s also Yamabuki Middle School, whose ace, Kiyomasa Sengoku, is said to be incredibly strong and played in the junior championships two years ago. And then there’s Blackburn, the second seed we defeated—they have the talented singles player Akimitsu Kiritsugi.”

Inui adjusted his glasses. “But besides Yamabuki and Blackburn, we need to pay special attention to Hyotei this year. Like us, their captain is a first-year—Keigo Atobe. In fact, all their official players are first-years.”

Tezuka’s usually impassive expression wavered, while Renji Yanagi stepped forward. “Hyotei recently brought in a new tennis coach, who operated on a ‘strength above all’ philosophy. Every one of their first-years, including Keigo Atobe, earned their spots by defeating the upperclassmen. That’s why the entire regular lineup is made up of first-years.”

“What’s more, Hyotei’s biggest backer is the Atobe Foundation, run by Keigo Atobe’s family. While they’re not quite as powerful as the Suzuki Foundation, their financial capability is nothing to scoff at,” Inui added, flipping through his notebook.

“Keigo Atobe…”

Tezuka’s face returned to its former sternness as he silently repeated the name in his heart.

“No wonder Evergreen Academy is so strong—they’re fielding an all-first-year lineup. That Matsubara Mei is impressive too!”

“Of course. He may be short, but he single-handedly forced Seigaku’s singles two to forfeit. His strength is truly formidable!”

…

As afternoon faded and the last people had left the courts, Tezuka remained, practicing alone. After nearly two hours, the court was littered with hundreds of tennis balls, and Tezuka stood in their midst, breathing heavily.

“We especially need to watch out for Hyotei this year. Their captain is a first-year—Keigo Atobe… their captain is Keigo Atobe…”

The echoes of Inui’s words replayed in Tezuka’s mind. Keigo Atobe, last year’s junior championship bronze medalist—so he’d gone to Hyotei.

The thought fueled Tezuka’s determination. His eyes grew sharper, and in the hostile darkness of his pupils, the images of Seiichi Yukimura and Keigo Atobe flickered.

He picked up another ball. Raising his racquet with his right hand, he tossed the ball high and swung with all his might.

A sharp crack echoed across the empty court.

Meanwhile, Inui and Renji Yanagi were walking home together. While waiting for their bus, Renji was startled by Inui’s sudden motion—he’d been staring intently at his notebook.

“What’s wrong, Inui?”

“You go on ahead, Renji. I just remembered something I need to do,” Inui replied, closing his notebook and grabbing the strap of his tennis bag.

“Did you forget something at school?” Renji asked.

“No, it’s something else. Just go ahead.”

With a wave, Inui turned and left the station.

“Inui…” Renji murmured, not knowing where his friend was headed. As the roar of engines grew louder, Renji was jostled onto a crowded bus.

Inui soon arrived at an open field. Glancing at the sketch in his notebook, he murmured, “If I remember correctly, there should be lots of insects around here.”

He spread his notebook out on a cement pipe and took a magnifying glass from his bag, searching the grass nearby. On the open page, above his sketch, were the neatly written words: “Inui’s Special Formula Drink” and “Super Comprehensive,” followed by a list detailing the quantities of each ingredient required.