Chapter 80: Kirihara the Errand Boy

At the side of the court.

Yanagi Renji said, "Sanada, do you still remember that move of Atobe's from the youth selection tournament last year?"

Sanada said, "Hmm, it's strange, why isn't Atobe using that move?"

Kirihara was confused again and said, "Which move?"

Takahashi spoke up, "Is it the Waltz of Destruction?"

Yanagi Renji and Sanada were both surprised and said, "How do you know that?"

Kirihara said, "What waltz? The one from music class?"

Takahashi said, "I personally don't think he will use that move so soon; Atobe's goal is clearly more than just that."

Yanagi Renji said, "Goal?"

Takahashi said, "Look closely at Atobe's gaze."

Kirihara said, "Atobe's eyes are so sharp!"

Sanada couldn't help but say, "Kirihara, shut up."

"Atobe's gaze is fixed tightly on Tezuka's shoulder."

Yanagi Renji said.

"You mean to say that Atobe's target is Tezuka's shoulder?"

Sanada said.

"But, why would Atobe set his target on the shoulder? How strange."

Kirihara couldn't help but interject again.

Takahashi couldn't bear it any longer and said, "Kirihara, since you are so unwilling to use your brain, then go run some errands!"

"Help me buy a bottle of iced cola."

Sanada said, "Bring me a bottle of oolong tea."

Yanagi Renji also followed up and said, "I want a bottle of oolong tea as well."

Kirihara was dissatisfied and said, "Hey, don't you all treat me like an errand boy one after another."

Takahashi's eyes narrowed, and he said, "Do you have an opinion? Hurry up and go."

Kirihara's momentum vanished instantly, and he said, "Fine!"

Once Kirihara left, the noisy chatter disappeared, and it was finally quiet.

At this moment on the court, Atobe and Tezuka began a series of intense rallies.

Both sides were trading shots, evenly matched.

Yanagi Renji spoke up, "I understand now, Atobe wants to drag out the time; his goal is to wear down Tezuka's shoulder."

Sanada spoke up, "It might not necessarily be to wear down Tezuka's shoulder; Atobe's insight is astonishing."

"Since Tezuka's weakness has been discovered by him, he has no reason not to exploit this weakness."

"After all, this is a match; the losing side will have no chance at the upcoming Kanto Tournament."

Takahashi nodded and said, "Hmm!"

"That is the reason why Atobe is not using that move of his."

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

The match on the court gradually became more intense.

One could see Tezuka standing there firmly, swinging his tennis racket with force.

His gaze was resolute, as if he had already made a firm decision.

Even though the hand holding the tennis racket was gradually trembling a little, it could not change his conviction.

That is.

The resolve to never give up the match, even if it meant risking this arm.

Yanagi Renji spoke up, "Tezuka Kunimitsu is truly an amazing Captain. Between his own arm and Seigaku's victory, he resolutely chose the latter."

Sanada was also filled with deep emotion and said, "Although Atobe's strength is quite good, if he wants to deal with Tezuka, I'm afraid he can only strike from this weakness of Tezuka's."

"With Tezuka's arm being targeted like this by Atobe, I'm afraid it won't last long."

The two had just finished speaking.

Only a "clatter" sound was heard.

Tezuka's tennis racket fell to the ground.

Tezuka clutched his left shoulder tightly and knelt to the ground in pain.

"Ah!"

"Tezuka's arm is finished."

Sanada exclaimed.

"It would be better for Tezuka to forfeit this match; if he continues to play, he has no chance of winning."

Yanagi Renji said.

However.

Inside the court.

Tezuka refused the concern of his other teammates and continued to walk toward his match with steady steps.

……

"Bang!"

……

"Hyotei scores, the score is 6-6!"

"We now enter the tie-break!"

……

"1-0! Seigaku scores!"

……

"1-1! Hyotei scores!"

……

"35-36! Hyotei scores!"

……

"I'm back. Huh, the match isn't over yet?"

Kirihara walked toward Takahashi and the others, carrying a bag of drinks.

"It's entered the tie-break."

"Tezuka is truly a respectable opponent, persisting until the very last moment without giving up."

Yanagi Renji spoke up.

"I originally thought Tezuka Kunimitsu was a calm person; I never expected to see such a passionate side of him."

"He views the victory of this match and the honor of Seigaku as more important than his own arm and his own future."

Sanada said.

"What a pity!"

Takahashi said.

As Takahashi's voice fell.

On the court, the yellow tennis ball hit the net and rolled onto the ground.

"The score is 7-6! Hyotei wins!"

The umpire announced loudly.

"As expected, Hyotei is still more powerful!"

Kirihara said excitedly.

However, the three people around him were not as excited as Kirihara had imagined.

Kirihara's mood suddenly seemed out of place.

"I didn't expect Tezuka to lose like this."

Yanagi Renji said.

"Defeated, but still glorious!"

Takahashi said.

"So, that means Hyotei won?"

Kirihara continued.

"Seigaku has 2 wins, 2 losses, and one draw; next, it's time for the substitutes to take the court!"

Yanagi Renji spoke up.

……

On the court.

Hyotei's Hiyoshi Wakashi walked to the center of the court.

The spectators wearing Hyotei uniforms on the side also began to discuss.

"I didn't expect Hiyoshi Wakashi to be the one to play; we are sure to win this match."

"The Coach is truly witty, actually arranging for Hiyoshi to be a substitute."

"Yes, he is a strong candidate for the next Captain of Hyotei."

"Great, with Hiyoshi on the court, the final winner of this match will still be us, Hyotei."

……

Yanagi Renji turned to Kirihara and said: "Is this the Hiyoshi who fought to a draw with you at the Newcomer Tournament?"

Kirihara scratched his head and said: "Is that so? How come I don't remember?"

Sanada spoke up: "It's him, Hiyoshi Wakashi."

Hearing Sanada's words, Takahashi raised his head and glanced at the court.

Echizen Ryoma, wearing a blue and white team uniform, was walking onto the court.

"Kirihara, if you go out and tell people you fought to a draw with someone like Hiyoshi Wakashi, don't you dare say you're my apprentice; it's too embarrassing."

Takahashi teased.

"Uh..."

Kirihara felt awkward.

"That was Kirihara when he had just entered Rikkai; now that a year has passed, our Kirihara's strength has also greatly increased. Dealing with Hiyoshi Wakashi will definitely be a piece of cake, right?"

Yanagi Renji spoke up.

"That goes without saying; those were all my dark history."

"Master, my level now is very impressive; I will definitely not embarrass you."

Kirihara said loudly.

"Do not underestimate Hiyoshi Wakashi; he is Hyotei's most powerful second-year player. Barring any surprises, after Atobe leaves next year, he will be the new Captain of Hyotei."

Sanada spoke up.

"That is exactly it; someone who can fight on equal footing with me is no ordinary person, and he is likewise a candidate for Hyotei's Captain."

"If Seigaku goes up against Hiyoshi Wakashi, they definitely won't win."

Kirihara said.

"That is not necessarily true."

Takahashi spoke up.

Then Takahashi turned to Yanagi Renji and asked: "Have you collected data on Echizen Ryoma?"

Yanagi Renji felt very surprised and said: "No, for Seigaku, I have only collected data on Tezuka Kunimitsu and Fuji Shusuke."

Not only Yanagi Renji, but Sanada and Kirihara also felt very puzzled.

Takahashi actually placed such importance on this unheard-of person, Echizen Ryoma.

He even stated outright that Hyotei's next successor, Hiyoshi Wakashi, was no match for this Echizen Ryoma.

How could this be possible?

If these words had come out of the mouth of an ordinary person, Sanada and the others certainly would not have believed them.

But these words had come out of Takahashi's mouth.

Takahashi's strength was so profound that even they could not see through it.

Therefore, Echizen Ryoma, who was so highly regarded by Takahashi, must have some extraordinary qualities.

Because even though Takahashi knew Hiyoshi Wakashi was the next Hyotei Captain, he still believed Hiyoshi Wakashi had no chance of winning.