Chapter 37: Shaped Return

Borrowing the power brought about by Sanada's smash, Takahashi successfully executed this move.

Because the tennis ball's path first flew toward the opponent in an arc, it made an emergency turn to the left in mid-air, presenting a 90-degree change in direction.

The entire trajectory of the tennis ball resembled the number "7," so Takahashi decided to use "7" to name this move.

"Shaped Return!"

……

The others on the court were also dumbfounded.

"I've finally seen it for myself—a tennis ball can actually fly like that!"

"I really can't imagine that this was actually hit by a first-year student."

"It's too terrifying!"

"How is one supposed to return this move? It doesn't follow common sense at all."

"It's match point again; the Vice Captain is in danger, it's about to be 3-0."

"He won't get shut out by Takahashi, will he!"

……

On the other side.

Yanagi Renji, shedding his previous calm demeanor, was uncharacteristically flustered.

"This ball trajectory... how is it possible..."

"Unheard of, unseen!"

Beside him, Yukimura's expression grew increasingly serious, and he said: "Takahashi is even more terrifying than we imagined!"

"It's a good thing he is a student at Rikkai, and not from another school!"

Otherwise, Rikkai would be in danger at this year's National Tournament.

Without a doubt, this is someone who can change the landscape of the middle school tennis world!

As the Captain of the Tennis Club, Yukimura silently added in his heart.

This growth rate is simply too fast, so fast that it makes Yukimura feel very dangerous.

One month ago, the strength Takahashi displayed during his match with Kirihara was far lower than it is now.

From Yukimura's perspective, the Takahashi of that time was definitely no match for Sanada.

However, now, Takahashi's endless stream of moves has left Sanada with no power to parry.

Even he, the number one person in the Rikkaidai Tennis Club, felt very troubled and under immense pressure while watching this match!

"Alright, the match is over!"

Yukimura stepped out to stop the two from battling.

Sanada showed dissatisfaction; he still wanted to continue the match, as he still had moves he hadn't used yet.

Yukimura grabbed his shoulder and persuaded him: "Even if you continue, you won't be able to win!"

"Even with those two moves you have sealed away."

Then, Yukimura announced loudly: "Takahashi Yanichi is the winner of this match!"

"Continue with the matches on the other courts, don't crowd around here."

As the Vice Captain of Rikkai and a third-year student, if Sanada were truly shut out by a first-year, he wouldn't be able to save face.

That is why Yukimura stepped out in time to stop the match.

Although the match was suspended, anyone could see that even if it continued, it would be impossible for Sanada to turn the tide.

……

"I didn't expect Takahashi to be this amazing, amazing to the point of being a freak!"

"Even the Vice Captain can't get the upper hand against him."

"How did he do it? I see him never coming to training. Even when he does come, he's just slacking off!"

"Do you know? There is a type of top student who acts in front of others every day, while practicing and studying desperately in private!"

"I know, that kind of person is so annoying; the study committee member in my class is just like that."

"Are you saying Takahashi is that kind of person too?"

"Doesn't seem like it; I feel like he is truly enjoying it, not acting!"

"Looking at his eyes, he doesn't seem to have that much ambition."

"Then how do you explain his progress over this past month."

"……"

"Your explanation is reasonable."

"Yeah, our training volume isn't enough. If our talent isn't enough, we must make up for it with hard work!"

"Hurry up, go back to training. Now that a first-year has emerged, if we slack off and let other first-years step all over us, where will we put our old faces!"

"Time is money. Everyone, I have decided to reduce this kind of meaningless chatting; improving our strength is the only way!"

"Me too!"

"Let's go!"

The crowd seemed as if they had been injected with adrenaline, throwing themselves wholeheartedly into training.

Takahashi is a very good example.

If you have strength, you can make people look at you with new eyes.

Didn't you see, the Vice Captain even allowed him to skip training for a month.

Although, he might have been training even harder in private!

But, in front of all the regular team members, what a great honor that is!

Furthermore, if one's strength improves, one can even challenge the Vice Captain!

This is an even greater honor!

In the past, in the hearts of these ordinary members, the status of the Vice Captain was so lofty that they could not even muster the thought of challenging him.

Except for that Kirihara Akaya, whose head wasn't quite right.

But Takahashi set a very good example for them.

As long as one practices enough, the Vice Captain is not an invincible existence either.

Takahashi Yanichi had no idea that today's match had inspired numerous members, causing the Wind of internal competition in the Tennis Club to rise to a new level!

Everyone, by unspoken consensus, increased their practice volume and practice time, truly reaching the point of competing themselves to death.

……

7:00 PM.

The Tennis Club Internal Selection Tournament ended.

After going through round after round of matches.

Except for Takahashi Yanichi, that unexpected challenger who appeared halfway through and eliminated Sanada.

The other Regular Members did not change.

It was still those same people.

Marui Bunta, Jackal Kuwahara, Niou Masaharu, Yagyu Hiroshi, Kirihara Akaya, Yukimura Seiichi, and Yanagi Renji.

However, as the Selection Tournament was about to end.

Sanada took the initiative to challenge Kirihara Akaya.

The poor little seaweed, focused entirely on matches with others, had not seen the duel between Sanada and Takahashi at all.

Although Kirihara had won all his other matches, he encountered Sanada.

In his match against Takahashi in the afternoon, Sanada played three games, lost three games, and was finally called to a stop by the Captain, Yukimura Seiichi.

This made Sanada feel extremely stifled inside.

And so, in the match against Kirihara, Sanada changed his usual style and unleashed his strongest strength.

6-0, he shut out Kirihara.

One must know that in the past, when Kirihara went to challenge Sanada, Sanada, out of a desire to cherish his junior, would never fully unleash his true strength.

The matches were also primarily for encouragement and instruction.

But Sanada, having been severely stimulated by Takahashi today, vented all his resentment onto Kirihara.

Kirihara suffered a crushing defeat!

Captain Yukimura changed Kirihara's name to Sanada, and with a wave of his pen, added Kirihara's name to the substitute list.

Therefore, the final list of Regular Members was: Yukimura Seiichi, Takahashi Yanichi, Yanagi Renji, Marui Bunta, Jackal Kuwahara, Niou Masaharu, Yagyu Hiroshi, Sanada Genichiro, and Kirihara Akaya (substitute).

Since the final list had been determined, Captain Yukimura proposed a group dinner that night, both to welcome the newly joined member Takahashi Yanichi and to rally for the upcoming Regional Tournament.

……

At night, in a barbecue restaurant.

Takahashi Yanichi was standing by the seasoning station, mixing a dipping sauce.

"Did you really defeat Vice Captain Sanada?"

Behind him, Kirihara's voice suddenly popped up.

"It doesn't count as defeating him; to be precise, it was temporarily gaining the advantage!"

Takahashi said.

He had long heard that Kirihara's competitive spirit was very strong.

Ever since losing to Sanada once, he would go to challenge Sanada every month.

Once a month, persistent and unremitting, never stopping!

Although the result was always the same: loss!

Takahashi did not want to be pestered by such a Kirihara.

"What a pity, I was busy with matches against others this afternoon and didn't get to see it; I heard it was a very spectacular match." Kirihara said with great regret.

"Hmm!" Takahashi replied indifferently.