Youthful Days (Book 1)

60. Repeated Injury

The match started according to everybody's expectations of the prodigy: Fuji took on a ruthless offense from the very start, easily earning an ace game with his Disappearing Serve. According to the regulars, Kirihara claimed he'd end the match in thirteen minutes before starting. However, by the second game, he was scrambling to keep up as time ticked away. Fuji wasn't allowing him to win even a single point.

While others cheered Fuji on, Ayuna turned to Inui, who seemed abnormally concerned. "Inui-senpai, doesn't Fuji seem a little odd to you? It seems to me that he's trying to beat Kirihara instead of just winning the game."

Having watched a number of his matches, Ayuna knew they were nothing but harmless entertainment for Fuji. He never made flashy victories that injured his opponent's image on court. Because of this, he was always tactical without being aggressive—except for today.

Inui glanced at her, a hint of awe in his voice when he spoke. "I'm surprised at how much you've learned about Fuji in a few months. It certainly beats my years of trying to fish data from him." Looking down at his notes, he said, "Your observations are correct: Fuji's the type of player who adjusts himself accordingly to play at an equivalent skill level as his opponent. This gives him just enough room to win without fragmenting the other person's pride."

"Yet he's showing Kirihara no mercy."

"That's probably because of what happened with Tachibana Kippei."

"Ann's older brother?"

"Yes. Fudomine was up against Rikkai right before us, and Kippei had played against Kirihara. That game ended in fourteen minutes, after which Kippei had to be hospitalized. After visiting Kippei a few days ago, Fuji's become reserved and drastically increased the intensity of his training regimen."

"What happened between them?"

Inui shook his head. "I'm not too clear on the details—Fuji's not the type to talk. But I suspect Kirihara did something unspeakable to Kippei during their match. Considering Tachibana and Fuji are fairly close friends, I suppose Kirihara stepped on a nerve."

"By something unspeakable, you mean Kirihara hurt Tachibana-senpai on purpose during their game?"

"That would be the most probable reason."

"That means, what happened to Tachibana-senpai might also happen to Fuji?"

Inui looked at her grimly. "No promises."

Ayuna flicked her gaze back onto the court, catching Kirihara in the middle of initiating a smash and Fuji angling himself to counter with the Bear Drop.

"Here it comes!" Momoshiro exclaimed with a smug grin. "He should know better than trying to smash with Fuji-senpai! The guy's in for a beating!"

Kirihara scrambled for the baseline as the ball was lobbed back and flew high in the air. He shuffled backward deftly like a crab moving in reverse. Still, his feet were no match for the return shot's speed, and Kirihara ended up tripping over himself, collapsing solidly against the ground with his face down.

"That doesn't look so good," muttered Ryoma with a frown.

Ayuna kept her eyes locked on Kirihara. She watched the referee walk onto the court to check on him, asking if he'd be okay to proceed. When Kirihara pushed himself off the ground again, his eyes were bloodshot.

"Whoa—what the hell is up with that guy's eyes!?" Momoshiro paled.

The game spun quickly in motion before anybody could reply. It was as if Kirihara became possessed: he moved across the court with sonic speed, catching Fuji's Disappearing Serve in one easy swoop.