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"The match is over."

"Game, Yamabuki Middle School Kitahara Akira, 6-0!"

The referee's voice came through the loudspeaker to the entire venue. Seigaku's morale was low, while the Yamabuki camp cheered loudly on the other side.

"hateful!"

Kaidou stood there stunned for a long time, then suddenly slammed his racket into his knee—how foolish!

He thought it was a war of attrition, trying to wear down Kitahara Akira's stamina.

Unexpectedly, he was outmaneuvered by his opponent, who used a ball pressed close to the baseline to force him to constantly crouch down and hit the ball. As a result, he was the one whose stamina was exhausted first.

Regret and anger were reflected in Kaidou's eyes.

To lose to Kitahara Akira in his strongest area was a disgrace to him, given his extremely strong sense of pride.

In front of the net.

Kaoru Kaidou's face was gloomy as he stared intently at Akira Kitahara.

"Next time, I will definitely win."

"absolute!"

Kitahara Akira tugged at his collar, sweating profusely. The wind blowing into his chest felt cool and comfortable.

Upon hearing Kaidou's declaration of defeat, he tilted his head and glanced at it.

"Oh...good luck!"

Hearing Kitahara Akira's nonchalant tone, Kaidou suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth to swallow the humiliation.

He is very clear.

The loser has no voice.

However, he will remember this day and one day he will repay this humiliation.

Kaido staggered out of the stadium, his aura frighteningly low.

Arai, who had originally intended to step forward to help, immediately stopped in his tracks, knowing that going over there now would definitely bring bad luck.

Daishi and the others didn't try to comfort or console Kaido. They knew Kaido's personality well, and it would be better to let him be alone and quiet at this time.

only......

Daishi turned to look at the figure who had returned to Yamabuki.

did not expect.

Besides his super-fast serve, Akira Kitahara is also outstanding in other aspects.

His judgment of the game situation was particularly accurate; even Agan did not expect that the opponent would use this method to deal with Kaido's protracted tactics.

And that last ball, that should be...

It's a snake ball, isn't it?

A look of shock appeared in Da Shi's eyes.

Judging from his still somewhat clumsy movements, this should be Kitahara Akira's first time playing Snakeball.

In other words.

The other person learned Kaido's signature move just by watching.

It's no wonder that Kaido was so frustrated. Not only did he lose the endurance battle where he was caught off guard, but even his prized Snake Ball became the fatal blow to him.

Kitahara Akira defeated Kaido in terms of technique, tactics, and even mentality.

Ryuzaki Sumire frowned.

Yamabuki's singles deficiencies have been filled by Sengoku and Kitahara Akira, so next year's tournament will likely be a tough battle.

Thinking about this, she felt a surge of irritation.

"That old man Banlao... he really hit the jackpot! After getting a thousand koku, he still managed to find Kitahara Akira!"

People are always hypocritical.

When Sumire Ryuzaki was cursing her partner for having such bad luck, she clearly forgot how badly she herself had stepped in dog poop last year.

Tezuka calmly pushed up his glasses, his gaze falling on Kitahara Akira not far away through the lenses: "Yamabuki has another player who needs special attention."

Fuji smiled silently, his eyes narrowed.

"Competing against heavy artillerymen sounds like it would be quite interesting..."

Inui Sadaharu silently closed the notebook filled with match data, stroked his chin and recalled Kitahara Akira's serve, feeling... should he also improve his serve?

......

Kitahara Akira returned to Yamabuki's team not long before Muromachi Juji's match ended.

His opponent was Sho Ota from Shonan Josei, the shorter one in a duo of two players, wearing strange sunglasses and sports goggles. He was agile and played an aggressive style.

The two players have very similar playing styles; both are net-rushing interceptors.

The match was therefore very intense, with both players launching fierce serve-and-volley attacks in their service games, neither giving an inch.

The score was tied at 4-4 when Sho Ota's stamina began to wane.

Seeing this, Muromachi Juji immediately changed his tactics, using the same protracted battle that Kaido Kaoru had failed to achieve against Ota Sho, hitting multiple shots in succession and wearing Ota Sho down.

They won the game 6-4 in the end.

He became the second person from Yamabuki to advance to the top eight of the rookie tournament.

In the end, only Kita Kazuma was left.

After waiting for a long time without seeing any results, the group went directly to the stadium where Kita Kazuma was playing.

Bang!

Kita Kazuma ran along the baseline and swung his racket to hit a high ball to the backcourt.

Across from the stadium.

"drink!"

Kabaji Takahiro, a tall man, also started running along the baseline, making a special shout, and then swung his racket to hit a high lob at a wide angle.

Thud! ...Thud! ...

The two players kept running and hitting high balls.

The tennis ball flies high and back and forth in the air above the court, with a slow speed and a long flight distance.

Kitahara Akira and Muromachi Juji both wore strange expressions.

Kita Kazuma's best shot is the high ball, earning him the nickname "Yamabuki's Master of Torture." If you can't defeat him in one shot, you have to endure endless high balls.

Because of this, few people were willing to play practice matches with him, but unexpectedly, Takahiro Kabaji of Hyotei was also a master of this skill, and the two happened to meet in the rookie tournament.

These two players, who both enjoy a slow and drawn-out style of play, have come together, truly a match made in heaven.

No wonder they could fight for so long...

Sengoku, who was assigned to look after Kita Kazuma, yawned, tears welling in his eyes.

Seeing Kitahara Akira and the others, he waved happily: "How did it go? Did you two both advance?"

"Easy to get it!"

As he walked up to Sengoku, Kitahara Akira smiled and handed him a can of orange-flavored soda.

Sengoku took the soda and said helplessly, "I really don't know how long those two are going to keep fighting?"

呲!

Pull the tab and take a sip of soda.

"Cool!"

After training together for a period of time, the two got along well and there was no formality between senior and junior colleagues.

Watching Kita Kazuma fight with such gusto.

Kitahara Akira took a sip of his soda: "Who knows?"

Seeing that the game showed no signs of ending, he found a patch of grass and sat down casually.

Kazuma Kita and Takahiro Kabaji each hit a high lob.

When faced with a difficult shot, they would lob the ball high, and neither side would be willing to attack first, so they would just hang on to each other at the baseline.

Such matches are long, boring, and utterly unwatchable.

The audience outside had long since left, leaving only a few reporters who persisted for firsthand information, their faces etched with pain and torment.

At that moment, a group of gray-white figures walked out of the stadium.

Seeing the scene unfolding on the field, Atobe Keigo frowned and immediately ordered, "Kabaji, finish him off quickly!"

The sound reached the field.

Kabaji Takahiro, who had been striking the same pose as Kita Kazuma, suddenly changed his stance and mumbled, "Yes."

next second.

Kabaji Takahiro stomped his foot hard and leaped into the air.

"How can you jump so lightly!?"

Looking at the enormous figure in the air, Kita Kazuma froze, an incredulous look flashing across his face.

Bang!

The racket covers the tennis ball, and a powerful smash comes crashing down from the sky.

"Game, Hyotei Academy, Kabaji Takahiro, 3-1!"

Seeing that the game was finally taking a turn for the better, the referee raised his voice.

Sengoku and Kitahara Akira exchanged a glance.

"What an amazing smash!"

......

pat!

Kita Kazuma lunged forward and extended his racket to receive the ball, but the heavy smash sent his racket flying from his hand.

It spun around a few times before falling to the ground.

"Game, Hyotei Academy, Kabaji Takahiro, 6-1!"

Kita Kazuma was defeated.

He failed to advance to the quarterfinals along with Kitahara Akira and Muromachi Juji.

soon.

The organizing committee has announced the top eight teams from the Kanto region for this competition.

Yamabuki Middle School: Kitahara Akira and Muromachi ten times.

Hyotei Academy: Hiyoshi Wakashi, Kabaji Takahiro.

Seishun Academy: Takeshi Momoshiro.

Rikkai University Affiliated High School: Kirihara Akaya.

Rokkaku Middle School: Tiangenguang.

The city became Shonan: the land of Tongshan.

......

On the way back.

The bus ride was lively, and everyone was very excited.

In the singles competition, Yamabuki actually secured two quarterfinal spots, which is incredibly impressive!

Moreover, Kitahara Akira's momentum is still so strong.

Tokyo's top heavy gunner?

I reckon he'll become the top heavy hitter in Kanto after this rookie tournament!

Morimura asked with a smile, "Kitahara, when did you become the number one rookie?"

He started the commotion, and the others joined in, laughing and shouting.

"Kitahara! Kitahara! First place in the Kanto Rookie Tournament!!—"

"Awooo! Awooo!!"

They shouted all the way on the bus.

Everyone is looking forward to tomorrow's game.

......

laugh.....

The bus stopped at an intersection not far from Kitahara Akira's home.

"Bye-Bye!"

Kitahara Meichi waved goodbye to the Yamabuki crew member on the bus, and only after watching the bus disappear around the corner did he breathe a sigh of relief. Boys in their chuunibyou phase are just too much trouble.

If it weren't on a bus.

I figured I was going to be grabbed by this group and thrown into the sky.

He shook his head, trying to banish the unpleasant image from his mind.

The rookie competition is not over yet.

As the saying goes, "He who travels a hundred miles is only halfway there at ninety," meaning that the closer one gets to success, the greater the difficulties one encounters, and the more seriously one needs to take them.

Kitahara Akira thought of Kabaji Takahiro, who knocked Kita Ichima's racket away at the end, Hyotei's Hiyoshi Wakasa, Rikkai's Daikirihara Akaya, who had not yet lost a point, and Amane Hikaru, who was rumored to have defeated 100 Hyotei players.

These people are all formidable opponents, so tomorrow's match will likely be very intense. We cannot afford to be careless.

His gaze regained its composure, but at the same time, he thought of Seigaku again.

"Oh, right, and Momoshiro Takeshi too," Kitahara Akira thought to himself.

Although he defeated Kaido very easily today, in theory, he shouldn't have needed much effort to beat Momoshiro either.

However, Kitahara Akira remained vigilant.

After all, the main characters never play by the rules, and Momoshiro Takeshi even defeated Sengoku in the future, so they can't be underestimated.

I went through the entire list of the top eight teams.

Adjust the state.

Only then did he start walking towards home.

The third alleyway at the street corner, the second to last house at the end, that's the Kitahara family home.

Kitahara Akira walked under the streetlights, the evening breeze blowing through the alley, making it a bit chilly.

At this time of year, the days are noticeably shorter, and the sky darkens early, especially under the lights of modern cities, making some street corners appear even darker.

He walked to the alley entrance and had just turned the corner when a pink figure came into view.

The girl stood there by the streetlight, wearing a light green knitted cardigan with a neatly tied bow at the neckline. Her skirt reached just to her knees, revealing a section of her smooth calves.

Her pink hair was tied into a ponytail and hung down her back. She held a pink notebook in her hand. The light from the street lamp shone on her face from the side, outlining her clear jawline and slightly pursed lips.

After watching Kitahara Akira's match, Momoi Satsuki went home first.

She reviewed all the intelligence she had gathered that day, then waited for Kitahara Akira to return home, intending to hand over the notebook containing the information to him.

But after waiting for a while and seeing no one, she became a little anxious and walked a little further outside. After a while, still seeing no one, she walked a little further outside.

As a result, I don't know when, I ended up at the entrance of the alley.

Kitahara Akira asked, "Are you waiting for someone?"

When Momoi Satsuki heard the sound, she turned around and saw Kitahara Akira. Her eyes lit up immediately, and the corners of her mouth turned up in delight under the streetlights.

"I've been waiting for you!"

......

"I'm back!"

"I won today, and I've made it to the quarterfinals!"

Kitahara Akira opened the door and found himself holding a pink notebook.

The dining table in the living room was laden with dishes, but Kitahara Misae was still busy in the kitchen. Hearing Kitahara Akira's voice, she excitedly poked half her body out from the kitchen: "We've made it to the quarterfinals!"

"That's amazing, Amin!"

Kitahara Misae's voice was full of surprise and joy, "Go wash your hands first, there's still one more dish, it'll be ready soon!"

Kitahara Akira leaned closer to the table and saw that these were all his usual favorite foods.

I picked up a piece with my chopsticks.

"Um......"

The flavor was much milder than usual.

Kitahara Misae came out of the kitchen, holding a steaming plate of stir-fried vegetables in one hand, and using the other hand to make room in the plates and dishes on the table, then squeezed the stir-fried vegetables into it.

"Aren't you overpreparing?"

Kitahara Akira picked up another piece of beef and put it in his mouth. His eyes lit up. The flavor was a bit bland, but the meat was very tender. He took a bite and the juices overflowed between his teeth. It was delicious!

Seeing this, Kitahara Misae took the chopsticks from Kitahara Akira's hand: "Go wash your hands first!"

"Okay, I got it!"

As Kitahara Akira agreed, he immediately grabbed a piece of beef and stuffed it into his mouth. Before Kitahara Misae could tap him on the head, he quickly ran to the bathroom.

When I returned, there was another dish on the table.

Kitahara Misae filled the bowl with white rice until it bulged outwards and handed it to Kitahara Akira.

"Tomorrow is the last day of the rookie tournament, so eat well! You'll need the energy to win!"

As he spoke, he continued to put more food into the bowl.

Before long, the already raised top of the rice was piled with layers of meat and vegetables.

Kitahara Akira finished his food faster than Kitahara Misae could eat it.

Watching Kitahara Akira engrossed in his meal, Kitahara Misae's eyes were filled with joy. She never imagined that one day her child would make a name for himself in tennis.

Not only did he represent Yamabuki in the rookie tournament, but he also made it all the way to the quarterfinals.

Although Kitahara Misae doesn't play tennis and doesn't know what level of competition the rookie tournament is, she can understand numbers. There are tens of thousands of participants in the entire Kanto region, and Kitahara Akira is one of the top eight players in a competition with tens of thousands of participants.

That's absolutely amazing!

Thinking back to this period since the start of summer vacation, I saw Kitahara Akira go out to train every day in the early morning and not return until very late, his clothes covered in sweat and dust.

Kitahara Misae felt a pang of sadness.

I feel both sorry for Kitahara Akira and proud that he has found his direction in life and is working hard for it.

This is what it's like to be a parent.

After dinner, Kitahara Misae made an overseas call, a smirk playing on her lips, and said mysteriously, "Honey, I have some good news for you. Can you guess what it is?"

"It's related to Amin..."

The person on the other end of the phone guessed several times, but Kitahara Misae said they were all wrong. Then she told them that Kitahara Akira had made it into the top eight of the Kanto region rookie tournament.

"You're not kidding me, are you? The quarterfinals! Ah Ming?! That kid actually made it to the quarterfinals?!"

Hearing the surprised voice rising an octave from the microphone, Kitahara Misae smiled even more brightly, and then told Kitahara Hiroshi, who was far away in the United States, about the recent changes in Kitahara Akira.

The two chatted for a long time.

Hiroshi Kitahara was surprised that his child had grown up so much while he was away from home, and he couldn't help but feel emotional.

He then spoke with some hesitation.

"Misa... there's been new progress in the company's business in Saikaido, so I probably won't be able to go back for New Year's again this year. I'm sorry..."

Hearing the apologetic voice on the other end of the line, Kitahara Misae was taken aback at first, then quickly smiled and said, "It's okay, I'm coming to America with Akira this year!"

"Misa...!"

......