The August sky stretched overhead like a dazzling, ever-changing canvas, breathtaking in its beauty.
The long-awaited finals of the National Tennis Championship were about to commence!
This climactic showdown had been forged through relentless battles—starting from the district preliminaries, then the city tournaments, the regional qualifiers, and finally the fierce competition of the Nationals. Now, only two powerhouse schools remained: Fudomine and Seigaku.
They would give their all to claim the ultimate prize—the championship crown!
Though the match hadn't even started, the atmosphere was already electric.
The stands were packed to the brim, buzzing with excitement. The lower tiers were crowded with reporters, their cameras poised and ready, waiting for the players to make their grand entrance.
The spectators were in a frenzy—not just the die-hard supporters from both schools, but also players from other eliminated teams who had come to witness the battle.
Amid the lively crowd, one particularly striking figure stood out—a tall, rugged-looking man leading a group of children. They made their way straight to the seating area behind Seigaku's team bench.
The kids were full of energy, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Wow, there are so many people!" they squealed excitedly, huddling together as they chattered nonstop.
A little girl asked eagerly, "Is Yoru-niichan playing here today?"
Another boy chimed in, "The National Finals feel even bigger than when Oni-niichan played! There are so many people!"
"Yeah, I remember the last time Oni-niichan was in the finals, it wasn't at this stadium!"
"Playing in a place this amazing… Yoru-niichan and the others are incredible!"
"I heard this is where the pros play! So cool!"
"When are the cool big brothers coming out?"
The kids fidgeted impatiently, their excitement bubbling over.
This lively bunch was none other than the kids from the Nukumori Orphanage, and the man with them was Oni Juujirou.
A few days before the finals, Echizen Yoru had personally asked Ryuzaki Sumire to reserve seats for the children. Since the area behind the team benches was reserved for school supporters, Ryuzaki had gladly agreed to the request from Seigaku's star player.
Right now, the match hadn't even started, but the cheering squads from both schools were already fired up, trying to outdo each other.
"Seigaku, fight!"
"Fudomine, back-to-back champions!"
"Seigaku, fight!"
"Fudomine, back-to-back champions!"
The kids, naturally drawn to the excitement, immediately joined in, waving their arms and shouting at the top of their lungs. Their laughter and cheers echoed through the stadium.
Meanwhile, in the spectator sections reserved for other schools…
Nearly every team that had competed in the Nationals was present—Hyoutei, Yamabuki, Rikkai Dai, Shitenhouji, Maizono, Shishigaku, and more.
"Why are there so many kids in Seigaku's cheering section?" Mukahi Gakuto muttered, drawing everyone's attention to the area.
Sharp-eyed Shiraishi Kuranosuke quickly zeroed in on Oni Juujirou. "That guy…"
Inui Sadaharu rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "He looks familiar."
"To think it's him!"
Holding his notebook like a keeper of secrets, Momoshiro Takeshi recited: "Oni Juujirou—a first-year who single-handedly led his team to a National Championship, only to disappear soon after."
The moment these words were spoken, recognition flashed across everyone's faces. Their gazes toward Oni now carried a mix of awe and respect.
For these third-years, Oni Juujirou was nothing short of a legend.
A first-year leading a team to victory? That was the stuff of dreams.
Back when they were first-years, some hadn't even made the regular lineup, while others hadn't even joined their tennis clubs yet. Yet here was a player their age who had taken an unknown school all the way to Nationals—and won.
Oshitari Yuushi frowned slightly. "If he's sitting there, he must have some connection to Seigaku."
"To think we'd see him here."
Given Oni's achievements, calling him a legend was no exaggeration.
But there were also whispers that the competition back then hadn't been as strong, casting some doubt on the significance of his victory.
In any case, his school had faded into obscurity afterward—so much so that no one even remembered its name.
"Now, please welcome Seigaku Middle School!"
The moment the announcement rang out, the stadium erupted like a bomb had gone off.
Every eye turned toward the player tunnel as Seigaku emerged, led by Echizen Yoru.
Dressed in their iconic blue-and-white uniforms, the team strode forward—especially Yoru, whose habit of draping his jacket over his shoulders sent the girls in the audience into a frenzy. Some were so overwhelmed they might've started washing their seats (metaphorically speaking).
"The finals… we're here!"
The roar of the crowd was louder than ever, sending Seigaku's players' hearts racing. Their faces flushed with excitement and nerves.
This was it.
Countless days of grueling practice, sweat, and determination—all leading to this moment.
"Let's go!"
"We're taking that championship trophy!"
With Yoru at the helm, the team marched confidently to the net, ready to face their opponents.
Then came the next announcement:
"Now, please welcome Fudomine Middle School!"
Another deafening wave of cheers crashed through the stadium as Atobe Keigo led Fudomine onto the court.
As the reigning National Champions, every member of Fudomine carried themselves with unshakable confidence.
The two teams now stood at the center of the court, waiting for the referee's signal.
But when Yoru's eyes locked onto Atobe Keigo, the data that flashed before him made him freeze in place.
[Name: Atobe Keigo]
...