Chapter 6: Ishikawa’s Insight

  Bang!

  On the tennis court.

  A streak of pale yellow light suddenly exploded in front of Shinohara, yet he remained frozen in pce like a statue.

  "30-0!"

  After announcing the score, Oshitari took a deep look at Ishikawa.

  "Another direct point?!"

  Outside the court.

  The Hyotei team members were stunned!

  Two consecutive ace serves—this could no longer be dismissed as mere luck. This freshman’s serve was seriously strong!

  So strong it was almost unbelievable! No one would have expected that Shinohara, known for his agility, wouldn’t even be able to touch the ball!

  [Ding!]

  Meanwhile.

  A game notification sounded in Ishikawa’s mind.

  [Pyer executed an ace serve. Basic Serve EXP +4]

  "The experience gain isn't fixed?"

  Ishikawa frowned slightly but quickly let it go.

  Most games worked this way—it was likely a pre-set fluctuation in the program. He didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he shifted positions, adjusted his stance, and tossed the ball up again.

  Bang!

  "40-0!"

  [Ding!]

  [Pyer executed an ace serve. Basic Serve EXP +5]

  [Basic Serve skill level increased! Current level: LV1 (4/20)]

  Buzz!

  Suddenly.

  A surge of special information flowed into Ishikawa’s mind. Techniques he had never consciously learned surfaced like memories.

  "I see now."

  Opening his eyes again, Ishikawa smirked at himself. So his previous serves had so many fws.

  The spectators might not have noticed, but that regur team member sitting in the umpire's chair surely had.

  "I guess it’s time to wrap up this game."

  His gaze nded on Shinohara, a sharp glint fshing in his eyes.

  Whoosh!

  He tossed the ball up once more. At the same time, he lifted onto his toes, extended his arms, and leaned forward. His racket, firmly gripped, swung down from above in a powerful motion.

  Bang!

  Yet another explosive serve. Feeling the gust of wind whooshing past his side, Shinohara instinctively shuddered.

  "Game!"

  "Ishikawa, 1-0!"

  "Switch sides!"

  The moment the announcement fell, the entire court fell silent. Four ace serves. One whole game.

  Even those who thought Ishikawa might have a chance had never expected things to unfold like this. A first-year against a third-year. And the tter hadn’t even touched the ball.

  "Am I imagining things?"

  Up in the umpire's chair, Oshitari furrowed his brows. For some reason, he felt like Ishikawa’s final serve had been on a completely different level from the previous ones.

  "Maybe I’m overthinking it."

  He shook the thought away. It was probably just that Ishikawa's swing speed was too fast, making it seem like his level had suddenly improved. Even Oshitari himself—after staring at the serves for so long—felt his eyes straining.

  "His swing speed is insane… If I’m not wrong, he must have serious kendo experience!"

  That alone made Oshitari feel that refereeing this match was worth it.

  Even though Ishikawa was still under 170 cm, he was only a first-year. With Hyotei’s elite training facilities, he would easily grow past 185 cm in the next two years.

  At that point, with just his serving ability, he could hold his own even at the National Tournament!

  As the first game ended, the two sides switched pces. Holding the serve now, Shinohara gripped the tennis ball tightly.

  "That damn brat…"

  He stared at Ishikawa with a dark expression. At this moment, his heart was burning with both rage and apprehension.

  Four ace serves!

  Even if he was an idiot, he knew now—this opponent was no ordinary freshman. At this rate, unless he could break Ishikawa’s serve, the kid could win just by serving alone.

  So…

  If he wanted to win, he had to break his opponent’s serve first. And before that, he had to hold his own serve. On that point, Shinohara was confident.

  "You've had your moment."

  "Now it’s time for you to see what real tennis looks like!"

  With that thought in mind, Shinohara tossed the ball up swiftly.

  Bang!

  He smashed his serve over the net.

  Tap! Tap!

  At the same time.

  He sprinted forward at full speed toward the net.

  "Here it comes!"

  "It's Shinohara’s Serve-and-Volley!"

  "Damn, he's even faster than a month ago!"

  "Ugh… Could he be pnning to challenge the Second Team?"

  Seeing Shinohara glide across the court, many Hyotei team members looked shocked. Hearing their discussions, a small smirk appeared on Shinohara’s lips.

  "That's right."

  "I've been in this tennis club for over two years—I refuse to graduate without pying in an official match!"

  "At the very least, I want to make it onto the team before the Tokyo Finals!"

  That was Shinohara’s ambition.

  He knew he had no chance at making the main lineup, but the Second Team was still within reach. That’s why, ever since the end of his second year’s third semester, he had been training extra hard.

  His goal? To shock everyone in the upcoming intramural selection matches.

  But now…

  He had been pushed to the edge by a newcomer who had just joined. To him, using Serve-and-Volley against Ishikawa was like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

  But there was no choice. Ishikawa’s serve was too problematic. He had to go all out.

  "Hmm?"

  Meanwhile.

  Ishikawa’s eyes locked onto the rapidly approaching tennis ball. The serve was fast.

  But with 3 points in the Mental stat—and his Go-based secondary profession having enhanced his brain’s analytical ability—his insight was on a different level.

  And just now, he had watched most of Shinohara’s match against Suzuki, studying the older pyer's habits and patterns. With just one gnce, he predicted the exact nding spot of the ball.

  Then.

  His gaze shifted to Shinohara himself.

  "Serve-and-Volley."

  A cssic move favored by net-attack pyers. In the original series, Shishido, Jirou, and Tachibana were masters of this style.

  Having watched the anime, Ishikawa knew exactly how to counter it. The best strategy was to hit the ball right in front of the opponent's movement path.

  Ideally, it should nd just half a step away from them. And based on his observations, he could predict Shinohara’s movement.

  The only thing left…

  Was control.

  Whoosh!

  His grip tightened around his racket.

  Applying his kendo expertise and using his 2 points in Strength, he swung with unmatched precision. A faint afterimage followed the racket's motion.

  BANG!

  Shinohara, dashing at full speed, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Looking up, he saw a blinding streak of yellow expanding rapidly in his vision.

  "Wait—no!!"

  It was too fast. With his momentum carrying him forward, he couldn’t adjust in time.

  Completely losing bance, he tripped over himself—

  Crashing face-first into the ground!

  Cng!

  Meanwhile.

  Ishikawa’s shot smmed against the fence once again.

  "0-15!"

  Oshitari announced. His gaze deepened as he looked at Ishikawa.

  That st shot was too clean. The timing, the angle, the pcement…

  Everything was perfect. It was hard not to suspect—

  Had this first-year been hiding his true strength all along?!

  (End of Chapter 6)