The Prince of Tennis: The Quincy of Rikkai University.

Chapter 78: One Beats, One Silent, Yuuki Kirihara Appears

Outside the stadium, the members of the Ice Emperor's 100-member team's support group were now silent.

"I lost..."

"Hinami still has Oshitari, but still can't do it..."

"There's nothing we can do. After all, the opponent is the champion Rikkai University. They have tried their best."

There were whispers among the support group. Apart from their excited shouting during the first inning, they became so nervous that they were speechless after the second inning began.

Until the end, when they saw their players lose the game without any suspense, they revealed expressions of despair and helplessness.

In the coaching booth of Hyotei, Taro Sakaki, dressed in a suit, sat there elegantly, with his hands overlapped in front of him, his right hand on top, his index finger gently tapping the back of his hand below.

Seeing Hyotei's second doubles team lose, Taro Sakaki did not show any emotion.

"Coach Sakaki's quick attack tactics failed. As expected, Hiashi's energy reserves are still a big sieve."

Atobe Keigo looked at Taro Sakaki, who remained expressionless, and knew that the other party was also aware that once his tactics were discovered, there would be basically no chance of winning.

"If Hyotei wants to go further, he still needs to find a way to solve Xiangri's problem..."

Atobe Keigo thought to himself that if Hyotei's doubles team wanted to be competitive in the national tournament, their current level was far from enough.

A comparison of the situations of both sides on the field will make the situation clear at a glance. Putting aside Mukai Gakuto, Oshitari's performance was not outstanding when facing Rikkai University's doubles combination.

In contrast, the doubles team from Rikkai University only had some sweat on their faces after the game, and even the backs of their uniforms were not soaked with sweat.

On the court, after the referee announced the end of the game, the tense nerves of Takehito Mukai and Yuushi Oshizuka relaxed.

And after relaxation, what follows is endless tiredness.

After the breath that had sustained them throughout the entire battle was lost, under the double pressure of physical and mental fatigue, even Oshitari Yuushi, who still had some strength left, was shaking and on the verge of collapse.

After supporting Mukai Gakuto to the front of the net and shaking hands with Niou Masaharu and Yagyu Hiroshi, the latter walked out of the court without looking back and returned to the Rikkai University team.

"It took you too long. It could have been finished quickly." Genichirō Sanada had a stern face, not very satisfied with the performance of Nioh and the others.

"Hmm, it's not my fault. It was Niou's idea. He deliberately wanted to play a protracted war with the opponent. He said he wanted to see how long Hyotei's jumping player could last."

Yagyu Hiroshi immediately distanced himself from the matter and put the blame on Niou Masaharu.

"But Yagyu didn't object to my plan." Niou Masaharu said slowly.

"Forget it, Sanada, it's just Nioh's bad taste." Yuuki Mayo stood up and walked to their side to comfort them.

Seeing Maya Yuki speak, Genichirō Sanada didn't pursue the matter any further. It was indeed just some small matters and he wouldn't hold on to it.

The reason I mentioned this was because I felt that Niou and the others were fighting too laxly, so I said it out of instinct.

"Hehe, next it's my and Yuuki-senpai's turn."

Behind Yuuki Maya, Kirihara Akaya, who was already prepared, said in a good mood.

"Kirhara, in the game later, you must follow Yuki's instructions on the court." Yanagi Renji reminded.

"Know it."

Kirihara Akaya nodded in agreement, but in his heart he felt that Yanagi Renji's words were unnecessary.

How dare he disobey Yuuki Maya's words? He considered himself the person who respected Yuuki the most in the entire Rikkai University tennis club!

"The first doubles match will begin now. Please invite both players to come on court."

Without giving either team much time, just a few minutes, the referee urged the next game to begin.

"Coach Sakaki, let's go." In Hyotei's team, Jiro Akutagawa and Hochotaro were ready and approached the court.

"According to Coach Sakaki's prediction, the next doubles team sent by Rikkai University should be the combination of Marui Bunta and Mori Jusaburo. Don't you think so, Atobe?" Taki Oginosuke asked as he looked at the two people leaving.

"Well, Rikkai University's first match is against Niou Yagyu, which means their lineup today should be a regular lineup."

Atobe Keigo nodded helplessly. He had also specifically studied Rikkai University's lineups for all of its games this year, so he naturally knew that the opponent's doubles lineup would not change much most of the time.

However, just as Keigo Atobe finished his words, Yuushi Oshitari, who had just rested for a while, suddenly said in surprise: "Atobe, look--"

"Uh?"

Hearing the voice, Atobe Keigo turned his head and looked towards the court, and saw Yuuki Maya and Kirihara Akaya slowly walking into the court on the opposite half.

"I didn't expect that we were tricked." After showing a look of astonishment, Taro Sakaki closed his eyes slightly and shook his head.

If it is really the combination of Marui Bunta and Mori Jusaburo as they guessed, Hyotei's first doubles team still has a theoretical chance of winning.

But when Maya Yuuki showed up in the second doubles, the game was over.

"Tsk, are you still playing tricks like this, Yanagi Renji?" Atobe Keigo frowned.

His first reaction was to think that this doubles team was the work of Rikkai University's "military advisor", Yanagi Renji.

When the players from both sides arrived at the net, Jiro Akutagawa took a look at the two players from Rikkai University, revealed a disappointed expression and muttered, "What's going on? I thought I could play against idols..."

Akutagawa Jiro heard Coach Sakaki's arrangement and thought that Marui Bunta would appear in the first doubles position, so he exchanged with Taki Oginosuke and gave up the second singles position.

But now it turns out that Marui Bunta did not appear in Rikkai University's doubles lineup.

"Senior, we are in a competition now."

Feng Changtaro reminded quietly from the side with some embarrassment. He felt that Akutagawa Jiro's words were a bit offensive to his opponent.

Maya Yuuki looked at the other person and he didn't feel uncomfortable, not to mention that he knew that Jiro Akutagawa was a fan of Bunta Marui.

What's more, he doesn't care about any thoughts or actions of those he is not interested in.

"The match begins, Rikkai Dai Yuuki and Kirihara versus Hyotei Akutagawa and Feng"

"End of set, Hyotei serves."

Hyotei seemed to have good luck, as they guessed the heads and tails correctly in two consecutive games.

Both sides take their positions and wait for the referee's instructions.

Soon, the referee announced the official start of the game, and Hyotei's Houchotaro stood at the baseline ready to serve.

After he took a deep breath, his eyes became extremely focused.

I saw Feng Changtaro throwing the tennis ball high up, and then after the tennis ball started to fall back, he jumped up and smashed it.

"One ball - into the soul!"

The tennis ball was fired like a cannonball and reached Rikkai University's half in the blink of an eye.

"The serve has a decent speed." Maya Yuuki silently commented on the serve.

For a player of Kanto's level, it is outstanding to be able to serve at this speed.

However, he looked at the flying tennis ball and did not take any action, because the first serve was not received by him, but by Kirihara Akaya.

(End of this chapter)