Youthful Days (Book 1)

28. Collapse

True to Fuji's prediction, the game tilted in Seigaku's favor.

Tezuka played on the extreme offensive from the start and executed his attacks in rapid succession. He and Atobe were rallying at breakneck speed, racing against each other for every single point.

The onlooking crowd grew denser as the game went on. Soon, the elites of the region had arrived on site. This included Rokkaku High from the Chiba prefecture and Rikkai University-Affiliated School of Kanagawa. Both were first-class teams that previously dominated the championship, and both recognized Tezuka and Atobe as their greatest threats.

Half-way through the second game, Fuji Yuuta also joined Seigaku to support captain Tezuka. It was the first time Ayuna formally met Fuji's younger brother. They quickly exchanged greetings before refocusing on the game, all of them too consumed to engage in a lengthy introduction.

"You seem like you're in an awful hurry to win," Atobe's voice suddenly cut through the spectators' prattling. When Ayuna looked across the court, she noticed a sly smile on his lips. "Something bothering you, Tezuka?"

To this provocation, Tezuka remained expressionless and whipped another perfect drive to mid-court. Atobe returned it with ease and aimed the counterattack squarely at Tezuka's racket grip. The return was so strong that the captain's racket was blown out of his hand and the ball's rebound was at an ideal height for Atobe to carry out a smash.

"Point, Hyotei!" announced the referee. "15-0!"

In response to startled gasps, Inui adjusted his glasses with a somber expression. "Of course, it's about time for Atobe to use that to regain control: Rondo Towards Destruction."

"Rondo what?" Momoshiro sputtered, struggling to make out the incomprehensible words.

"It's Atobe's signature move: with his perfect aim, he knocks away his opponent's racket while simultaneously providing himself with a convenient set-up for a smash. In other words, it's a planned suicide move."

Everyone's eyes returned to the court again, watching Tezuka examine his fallen racket for a second before picking it back up.

To his opponent's back view, Atobe smirked. "Looks like not all's well with your arm yet, am I right, Tezuka?"

Ayuna's head snapped up, her fingers dug deep into her palms as those words ricocheted. When her eyes moved to Atobe again, she realized he was looking directly at her. Catching her disturbed expressions, Atobe's smile widened, as if he'd just received a much-needed affirmation. In a swift exchange of glances, Ayuna knew Atobe had seen through the captain.

"No way! Tezuka's already fully healed!" exclaimed Oishi, his hands balled into fists.

"Oishi-senpai, what the hell did Atobe mean by that?" Momoshiro demanded, "What's wrong with our captain's arm? Is he just bluffing?"

"I doubt that," Inui interjected before Oishi could answer. Notebook in hand, he went on, "According to my data, Atobe has an uncanny ability to read other players and to pinpoint their fatal shortcomings. This so-called 'insight' has been attested to again and again throughout his previous games, where he used his opponents' weakness to his benefit."

"So there's really something wrong with Tezuka's arm, neh?" asked Eiji apprehensively. Turning to Oishi, he urged, "What do you know? Now's the time to tell us everything!"

Suddenly, all eyes were on the vice-captain. With a labored exhale, Oishi relented and slowly recounted his early days in the tennis club.

***

Three years ago, Tezuka and Oishi joined the tennis club together as freshmen.

They became friends very early on and often played matches after school and on the weekends. Though Oishi always knew that Tezuka was a gifted player with preternatural tennis skills and techniques. Despite his young age, Tezuka excelled above most senior players, and Oishi knew his friend played in an entirely different realm. Many other upperclassmen recognized his talent and would often ask to play against Tezuka, even though most would invariably lose.