After over an hour of extra practice, both Oishi and Kawamura showed significant improvement.
Both could now sustain rallies for over three minutes—sometimes even four—before making an error.
"Th-thank you, everyone. Sorry for troubling you all..."
"Sorry, Oishi. I held you back."
Without a racket in hand, Kawamura reverted to his shy demeanor, recalling Inui's words. He knew he was the reason Oishi's progress had slowed.
"Don't say that, Ryoma! It's my fault for not handling my returns better." Oishi quickly waved his hands.
Inui adjusted his glasses, scribbling in his notebook. "Ryoma, you need to learn to control your emotions. This kind of volatility isn't helpful in matches."
Kikumaru popped up between them, grinning. "Ryoma, you're like a totally different person with and without a racket!"
"I... I don't know why," Kawamura admitted, looking troubled. "The moment I hold a racket, it's like a volcano erupts inside me."
Then, Fuji's gentle voice chimed in: "I'll practice with Ryoma from now on. Honestly, it's not a bad thing—it gives him an extra spark, doesn't it?"
"I'll practice with him too," Tezuka added flatly.
"If you're both helping Ryoma, then I'll pair up with Oishi!" Kikumaru declared, hopping onto Oishi's back. "We've got great chemistry!"
"Ah, right." Tezuka suddenly remembered something. "The captain asked me to tell you two—you should consider specializing in doubles."
Doubles?
Everyone blinked in surprise.
Why would the untouchable Captain Yoru take notice of Kikumaru and Oishi?
Tezuka explained, "The captain has the ability to see someone's potential. His judgment is never wrong. Kikumaru mentioning chemistry just now reminded me."
"So cool~!" The group marveled—their captain truly seemed omnipotent.
Oishi and Kikumaru exchanged a glance, smiling. Their decision was already made.
---
The train station echoed with their laughter—until Kikumaru's stomach growled loudly.
"Ugh, we're so late today… I hope there's still food at home. Why is the train taking forever?!"
"Everyone!" Kawamura suddenly perked up. "Let me treat you to sushi! There's a place nearby—Kawamura Sushi!"
Kawamura Sushi?
Even Fuji's eyes flickered open in surprise.
"Wait—the super-popular Kawamura Sushi with the crazy lines?! That's YOUR family's place?!" Kikumaru shrieked.
"YEAH!!"
The group stormed the restaurant like a pack of wolves.
And there, they finally understood why Kawamura transformed with a racket in hand.
Inside the kitchen, watching Kawamura wield a giant cleaver with terrifying intensity—slicing through fish like a man possessed—Kikumaru and the others huddled in a corner, trembling.
"S-scary…!"
Despite the fear, the food was unbelievably delicious. They devoured it like starving animals.
---
Weeks later.
Training flew by.
Following Tezuka's suggestion, Yoru grouped him, Fuji, and Kawamura together—since no other first-year could handle Kawamura's raw power in rallies.
Yamato was paired with Kikumaru.
(Hannah had initially handled groupings without knowing Kawamura's… unique situation. The adjustments gave both proper training environments.)
By the time selections began, the first-years had levelled up dramatically:
- Tezuka: Peak 7-star
- Fuji: Crossed into 7-star
- Inui: 6-star (could reach upper 6-star with complete data)
- Kikumaru: 5-star
- Oishi & Kawamura: 4-star (though Kawamura's raw stats were 6-star—held back by basic technique and lack of formal skills)
They were now legitimate contenders for regular spots.
---
Pre-Selections Drama:
Under Yoru's direction, Tezuka challenged Yamato—and crushed him 6-1.
(Yamato, having grown stronger than in canon at upper 8-star, was still outplayed. Tezuka knew his weaknesses and refused to drop points unnecessarily.)
Hyakuren Jitoku no Ryouiki (百錬自得の領域), Zankokuna Shouryaku (残酷な焦慮), Muga no Kyouchi (無我の境地)—Tezuka unleashed everything short of Reverse Tezuka Zone.
He even gave Yamato a pity game to avoid a shutout.
Thus, Tezuka secured a regular spot pre-selections, forcing Yamato to fight for one.
The match lit a fire under the others—especially Fuji, who now eyed Tezuka with unmistakable fighting spirit.
---
Selections Begin.
Thanks to Yoru's influence, the canon bullying incident never happened. The seniors recognized Tezuka as Seigaku's future pillar and treated him fairly.
With the Nationals victory unifying the team, Seigaku was more cohesive than under Ryuzaki.
Five courts hosted matches, competing for six remaining spots (three already secured by Yoru, QP, and Tezuka).
Court 1-4: 1 spot each.
Court 5: 2 spots.
---
Results:
1️⃣ Fuji dominated Court 1, claiming the fastest regular position.
5️⃣ Inui and Kawamura emerged from Court 5—though Inui nearly lost to Kawamura's unexpected power. (Lack of data almost cost him, but spin techniques saved him 6-3.)
🏆 Oishi, Kikumaru, and Yamato secured the last spots.
---
QP, reviewing the list, deadpanned: "Your 'random' groupings were very… random."
"Ahem." Yoru coughed, grinning. "Fair, just, and transparent—that's my principle!"
---
Post-Match Challenge:
Fuji approached Tezuka, eyes sharp.
"Tezuka… let's play a match."
---