Chapter 143 Tennis 31
The match between Tezuka Kunimitsu and Atobe Keigo was undoubtedly the highest level match in the entire Kanto tournament.
As the strongest captains of the two teams, the match between the two was back and forth from the beginning, evenly matched and exciting to watch.
From the very beginning, Tezuka Kunimitsu used his unique skill "Tezuka Domain". By giving a powerful spin, every ball hit back by the opponent would fly back to him. He could make the opponent run around without taking a step forward, which left Kurikawa Sana stunned.
What kind of skill is this? To be fair, even Federer can't do this kind of magical operation of making the ball return to him automatically.
But the next second, Tezuka Kunimitsu used the "Zero Slice" and Kurikawa Sana realized that she was too surprised. This Zero short shot could actually make the ball retract after landing!
What does that mean? If you don't hit the ball back with a volley before it hits the ground, the theoretically only way to break this Zero Slice is to use a shovel instead of a racket. Literally, you have to use a shovel to get the ball back.
But gradually, Kurikawa Sana found that she could no longer complain happily in her heart, because the atmosphere and direction of the game became increasingly heavy.
Tezuka Kunimitsu was undoubtedly formidable, but Atobe Keigo was no pushover either. His stamina seemed bottomless, and even against Tezuka's domain, he showed no signs of fatigue.
Every time Keigo Atobe returns the ball with solid basic skills, it seems to be telling the opponent that it is not so easy to defeat him quickly.
When she saw Keigo Atobe doing his classic move, with one hand on the bridge of his nose, two fingers pointing between his eyes, and a determined smile on his lips - Kurikawa Sana knew that he was about to start.
When she first met Tezuka Kunimitsu, she knew that Tezuka had an old elbow injury, but she only found out about it through the system's attribute bar. However, Atobe Keigo's insight was amazing, and he could see through this information through his eyes without any external help.
By now, Atobe must have seen through Tezuka's injury. He realized that although Tezuka seemed to have recovered on the surface, he could not withstand high-intensity and intense competition.
The score was now in Seigaku's lead, but Atobe Keigo didn't seem anxious at all, nor did he use his special move, "Waltz Toward Destruction," to speed up the scoring. Atobe Keigo simply smiled and hit the ball back one after another, while Tezuka Kunimitsu also accepted the challenge calmly.
Tezuka Kunimitsu's left hand and shoulder kept rising to return the ball, then rising again, returning the ball, over and over again.
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment.
So that's how it is.
They chose a protracted war.
It is very normal for Atobe to choose a protracted war, but Sana Kurikawa can't understand why Tezuka also chose a protracted war?
He knew very well the condition of his arm, and if he continued to fight like this, there would definitely be problems, which might be even more serious than the match with Kawamura just now.
As the game went on longer and longer, the score remained at 1-1. It was equivalent to only two rounds in the time that usually took four or five rounds. Even if one was a little slow, it was obvious that something was wrong.
"Something's wrong... Atobe asked what happened to Captain Tezuka's hand?!"
There was a sudden commotion from Seigaku. Vice-captain Oishi Shuichiro seemed to be explaining to the other team members the cause of Tezuka's arm injury. The expressions of everyone in Seigaku were full of surprise and heartache.
Kurikawa Sana recalled that when she asked Tezuka about the injury on his arm, he said, "I was hit by a racket from a senior when I first joined the club." When she asked in shock why, Tezuka simply said, "The reason is no longer important."
But how could it not be important? The injury he suffered still torments Tezuka to this day, and the location of the arm injury is so fatal for a tennis player, making him play every game as if he is carrying a time bomb.
After learning about the pain their captain had experienced, it seemed as if a layer of haze was hanging over the heads of the Seigaku players. Every time they saw Tezuka Kunimitsu return the ball on the field, they felt a tremor in their hearts.
Because, at this moment, every ball that Tezuka Kunimitsu hit with all his strength was causing him pain that others could not imagine.
The game was still going on. After another half hour, a member of the Seigaku non-starter uniform and green headscarf angrily shouted at Atobe Keigo, "You're deliberately trying to destroy our Captain Tezuka by protracted battle! What a despicable fellow!"
The other team members also echoed indignantly and excitedly: "Right! That's right, can't we just end this quickly? Knowing that Captain Tezuka is injured and taking advantage of it, damn it!"
As soon as these words were spoken, an uproar broke out among both the Seigaku and Hyotei teams and the spectators. This was indeed a very severe accusation.
Keigo Atobe, who had been walking briskly on the field, paused for a moment. He frowned and subconsciously looked in the direction of the black-haired girl.
After realizing his almost subconscious action, Atobe Keigo couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
What is he doing?
Are you afraid that she will hate you because of this?
The black-haired girl, wearing Hyotei's khaki school uniform, stood quietly and elegantly on the sidelines. She was so beautiful that she seemed to be shining, and people couldn't take their eyes off her at first sight.
She had definitely heard what the Seigaku guys had just said, but she wasn't looking at him. Instead, she was looking in Tezuka Kunimitsu's direction. Her brows were furrowed in obvious worry.
“……!”
Atobe Keigo gripped the racket tightly, withdrew his gaze from Kurikawa Sana, and turned his attention back to his opponent.
No matter what, focusing on the game at hand is the top priority.
Hyotei's support team couldn't stand such accusations and shouted back towards Seigaku, "What are you talking about? Your captain's injury wasn't caused by our Captain Ji! This is a competition, are you really going to give in?!"
"That's right! If it can be a quick victory, why not? It's because our Captain Akizuki is strong! That's why Tezuka can't achieve a quick victory!"
"What are you talking about, asshole?!"
"Just the facts!"
"Quiet--!"
Emotions on both sides were at a high point, and the noise and quarreling even drowned out the referee's voice announcing the score. It was not until Taro Sakaki and Coach Ryuzaki of Seigaku stood up at the same time and asked their students to be quiet that the situation returned to controllable condition.
Oishi Shuichiro also pulled over Arai, who had first shouted the first sentence in his team, and said, "Calm down, Arai, this has nothing to do with Atobe. Tezuka...also took the initiative to choose a protracted war."
Arai looked incredulous, "What? How is that possible?!"
Fuji Shusuke kept his eyes open the entire time, his ice-blue eyes filled with admiration. "Yes, that's what a person would look like when he's seriously trying to win."
Momoshiro Takeshi was so shocked that he couldn't even speak. "What? Captain Tezuka is also deliberately trying to protract the war..."
Echizen Ryoma remained silent, but his expression remained equally startled, then shifted to a serious expression. The young man's amber cat-like eyes were fixed on the match, not wanting to miss a single second.
Facing the most respected Captain Tezuka, the boy, who had always been arrogant, put away all his rebelliousness and tried his best to understand the captain's good intentions.
…
On the other side, Kurikawa Sana withdrew her gaze from the direction of Seigaku, feeling complicated.
I see.
She seemed to understand why Tezuka did this.
Tezuka was practicing what he preached, setting an example. He was showing the Seigaku team members, especially Echizen Ryoma, what the attitude of someone supporting Seigaku should be like.
Tezuka is like the pillar of Seigaku, a pillar-like existence both spiritually and objectively.
If it were not long ago, she would not understand such behavior of disregarding one's own health for the team. But after seeing Kawamura Takashi's game, her thoughts have changed.
Her eyes, which had just cried because of Kawamura Takashi's game, seemed to be sore and painful again.
Human emotions are universal, and the unyielding perseverance shown by Tezuka reminded her of herself who persevered alone while receiving treatment again and again in the hospital.
Although the two seem to be completely opposite on the surface, one disregards his own body in pursuit of victory, and the other endures unimaginable pain in order to regain his life and health, the pain they experience and the spirit of perseverance are similar.
"This round is won by Qingxue, the score is 6 to 5!"
The referee's raised voice brought Kurikawa Sana back to her senses. When she came to her senses, she suddenly realized that the game had been going on for more than an hour and a half.
What does an hour and a half mean for Tezuka's injured arm?
If he's unlucky, his tennis career will be ruined.
Kurikawa Sana was completely stunned and deeply shocked by Tezuka's perseverance and determination.
On the court, Keigo Atobe finally performed the Waltz Towards Destruction, but Kunimitsu Tezuka pressed the racket down. Not only did this attack fail to knock Tezuka's racket away, the ball even flew to Tezuka's side again!
"GAME TEZUKA! The score is 6 to 5!"
The game had already progressed to this point, but he was still able to use Tezuka's field to score and win another round. What amazing perseverance and strength.
Victory seemed to be just around the corner, and the atmosphere on Seigaku's side was ignited again, "Come on, Captain Tezuka!"
"Last round! One more ball—"
A hint of excitement seemed to flash across Tezuka Kunimitsu's stern face. He clenched his right fist, pulled a ball from his shorts pocket, tossed it high into the air, and prepared to swing his racket.
Just at this moment.
With a "click".
It was the sound of the racket in his hand falling to the ground.
The whole audience was unable to breathe, and everyone's expression was filled with shock and astonishment.
Tezuka Kunimitsu's expression suddenly changed, and his usually calm face was instantly filled with pain. He pressed his left shoulder hard with his right hand, and the muscles in his arm trembled in intense pain.
“……!!!”
"Tezuka!"
"team leader!--"
The tension in the Seigaku group was about to burst out. They all rushed towards Tezuka Kunimitsu at top speed, but he shouted back, "Go back! The game isn't over yet!"
“…”
Kurikawa Sana found it difficult to describe her current mood. The sense of substitution was too strong. She nervously grasped the net on the side of the court, and her ten fingers were deeply embedded in the wire mesh.
Is it worth it? Is it really worth it?
It's just a Kanto tournament. Maybe Tezuka, as the captain, made some kind of agreement with everyone, such as he must lead Seigaku to the national tournament this year.
She knew they were already in their third year, and if they didn't win this year, they would never have another chance...but was this really more important than her future sports career?
Besides, even if we take a step back, Seigaku has two wins and one loss, while Hyotei has two losses and one win, so both matches are invalid. Even if Tezuka loses this match, the organizers will probably order overtime. Tezuka doesn't need to put so much pressure on himself, right?
But when she saw Kawamura Takashi returning from the hospital, Kurikawa Sana suddenly understood why Tezuka was giving his all.
With his equally wounded arm, Kawamura Takashi lifted the heavy banner of Seigaku. Despite the effort, Kawamura maintained his simple smile. He laughed and shouted, cheering for his captain.
Kurikawa Sana suddenly felt like crying.
Everyone in this world is a very sincere and wonderful person.
And she already understood why Tezuka had to do this.
Tezuka took the entire burden of Seigaku on himself, not wanting to let down Kawamura and everyone else's efforts. Kawamura himself risked losing an arm, only to have his fight go awry.
It was because of everyone's hard work that Seigaku was able to maintain its current state of control. As the captain of Seigaku, with the other players already working so hard, Tezuka Kunimitsu would surely give it his all.
Given Tezuka Kunimitsu's personality, he would never relax just because he guessed there might be overtime, and pass the responsibility and pressure of victory or defeat to the younger generation who came on as a substitute.
Kurikawa Sana's eyes were already sore and blurry, and she felt ashamed of her idea that Tezuka should give up.
She was completely impressed.
Through the barbed wire fence on the side of the field, she saw that the players from other schools who were watching the game were also shocked. She also saw several familiar figures wearing Rikkai University uniforms, Kirihara Akaya, Yanagi Renji, Sanada Genichirō... They also rushed to Tokyo from Kanagawa specifically to watch this game.
But Yukimura Seiichi, he didn't come.
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, and suddenly realized that she seemed to have not thought of Yukimura Seiichi, the conquest target of Rikkai University, for a long time.
The referee announced loudly: "The score is 6-6, entering the tie-break!"
"It's unbelievable. Is this level of competition really going to happen in junior high school?"
“It’s amazing…”
"Tezuka is amazing, his arms and shoulders hurt just looking at them!"
Along with the discussions in the crowd, echoing in the field was the sound of Atobe Keigo and Tezuka Kunimitsu hitting the ball continuously.
"Bang", "Bang", "Bang"...
"10 to 9!"
Twenty points had already passed in the tie-break, almost the equivalent of two more rounds. The match had lasted a full two hours, becoming a test of willpower between the two players.
Tezuka Kunimitsu's shoulders and left arm kept rising and swinging, rising and swinging.
Every time his arm was pulled and tugged, he could almost hear the silent cry of his torn muscles.
"Click."
Kurikawa Sana heard the sound of water drops falling to the ground again.
She reached out and touched her cheek, and found that she was crying again.
"36 to 35!"
In a tie-break, they had already played 71 more balls.
Kurikawa Sana felt that counting to 71 seconds would take a long time, but Tezuka, with his arm that was in unimaginable pain, persisted for a full 71 balls.
The students in Hyotei's audience were all speechless, dumbfounded and filled with spontaneous respect for Tezuka.
Keigo Atobe has also used 100% of his strength and played every ball with the utmost respect. The souls of the two people on the court are constantly colliding and communicating through tennis.
"36 to 35!"
Sudden.
"The ball flew back to Tezuka, it's Tezuka's territory!"
"It's unbelievable that he can still perform at this level at this time. This must be the last ball, right?!"
When the little yellow ball flew back to Tezuka Kunimitsu as if it was sucked in by the tide, and he also made an obvious Zero-style slice move, everyone in the audience's heart was in their throat.
Is it finally over?!
However, perhaps due to his shoulder injury, the Zero-style slice shot was not retracted. Atobe Keigo flew to save the ball, and it flew back into Tezuka's territory.
There was a muffled sound.
It was the sound of the ball hitting the net. Tezuka Kunimitsu's shot had failed to clear the net.
The whole audience was silent.
Tezuka Kunimitsu's left arm finally dropped, shaking weakly. He closed his eyes and raised his head, sweat dripping from the tip of his nose.
"37 to 35, Hyotei wins!"
Kurikawa Sana also raised her hand to cover her chest, feeling her heart beating violently.
Thank you for your hard work, Tezuka-kun.
She muttered to herself.
You can finally rest.
…
*
As expected, the final match was forced into overtime. Hyotei sent second-year player Hiyoshi Wakaba, while Seigaku sent Echizen Ryoma, who won the overtime match with an overwhelming advantage, ultimately securing Seigaku's victory.
After the last overtime game, everyone left one after another, and the field was empty, seemingly deserted.
Kurikawa Sana walked to the highest point of the audience seats, found a seat and sat down, overlooking the stadium that had witnessed several fierce matches today.
After the match, she didn't look for Tezuka, nor did she look for anyone else from Seigaku. They all needed space to process everything and share their joy, and she didn't intend to disrupt their precious moment with her own strategy.
In today's long game, it was not so much that she was trying to make a breakthrough, but rather that she was counter-strategized by the passionate and pure hearts of these young people. She is still in shock until now.
It was very quiet around her and she thought she was the only one left, but she suddenly heard suppressed breathing coming from the side.
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, looked in the direction of the voice, and saw a boy wearing the Hyotei team uniform sitting in a seat not far from her with one knee bent.
A sports towel covered his head, obscuring his face and expression. Only a few strands of purple-gray hair could be seen, and sweat dripped onto the ground.
"…Atobe-kun?"
So he hadn't left yet? And judging by the sweat and rapid breathing, it looked like he hadn't just stayed put. After such an intense match, he'd even put in an incredible amount of training.
"Yeah." He responded softly, pulling the towel off his head, "Kurikawa."
Atobe Keigo suddenly called her.
"Um?"
"Do you think I'm despicable today?"
“…Huh?”
"I knew Tezuka's arm was injured, but I still chose to fight a protracted battle, deliberately trying to destroy his shoulder. Just like what those guys on the field shouted today, don't you think I'm despicable?"
Ah, Atobe-kun, once again stopped referring to himself as "this master" and changed it to "I".
Kurikawa Sana shook her head slightly.
Atobe Keigo turned his head and stared at her closely, "Don't say things against your will just to take care of my feelings or to prevent me from getting angry."
Kurikawa Sana still shook her head. "No, actually, Atobe-kun, you can see it yourself. In fact, today's match was not the result of your control. It was Tezuka-kun who chose to fight a protracted war."
“……!”
Atobe Keigo's pupils constricted instantly.
"I think Tezuka-kun deliberately led the match to such a passionate and shocking state, just to show it to Seigaku... No, to be more precise, to show it to Echizen-kun. Tezuka-kun intends to train Echizen-kun to be Seigaku's next ace. Everything he does is to show Echizen-kun what the pillars of Seigaku should be like."
Kurikawa Sana said softly, "So, whether you deliberately prolonged the game or not, the situation would be the same in the end."
"Furthermore, in the final match, Atobe-kun was gradually won over by Tezuka-kun's unyielding perseverance, personality, and sportsmanship. You displayed your full strength, giving your all on every shot, and demonstrating your utmost respect. This was a match between two top-level players, each fighting for their own team. There was no right or wrong."
The girl's voice was gentle and soft, and she spoke a very long speech in one breath.
Atobe Keigo did not interrupt her, he just fell into a long silence, and the only sound in the empty stadium was his heavy breathing.
Ah, it’s so quiet.
Until Kurikawa Sana heard a "ding" sound.
[Atobe Keigo, Favorability +10. ]
Kurikawa Sana: "...!"
Atobe's favorability is already - 70!
She was not trying to be ingratiating or saying nice things to please him; what she said just now was all from the heart.
Everyone, including those in Seigaku, should have noticed that it was indeed Tezuka who chose to extend the game. No matter what Atobe chose, the result would be the same. She was just stating the facts.
"But you see, no matter what, I did have the idea of deliberately fighting a protracted war and destroying Tezuka's arm at the beginning. Don't you think I'm scary like this?!" The boy's voice suddenly rose.
Kurikawa Sana just stared at him quietly. "If Tezuka-kun were here, I think his answer would be this: My old arm injury has nothing to do with you, Atobe. Fighting a protracted battle is just one of the many tactics in the game. No matter what strategy the opponent chooses, there is nothing wrong with it. My body is my own and has nothing to do with anyone else."
Atobe Keigo was suddenly stunned.
…That certainly sounds like something a stern guy like Kunimitsu Tezuka would say.
Atobe Keigo couldn't help but clench his fists.
…She actually knew Kunimitsu Tezuka to this extent.
Moreover, she had already confessed to Tezuka, and after watching today's game, she would probably like Tezuka even more.
Even he had to admit that Kunimitsu Tezuka was indeed an amazing guy.
"Your eyes are swollen. Are you crying because of Tezuka?" asked Atobe Keigo in a hoarse voice.
"Eh? Is it swollen now?" Kurikawa Sana wiped the corner of her eye nervously. "Well, I started crying since the match with Kawamura-kun. Oops, it's swollen already..."
Coming from the professionalism of a former beautiful star in the previous world, her first reaction was that it was bad, her swollen eyes would affect the filming -
Seeing the girl nervously taking out her phone to use as a mirror to check the condition of her eyes, Atobe Keigo twitched his lips and said, "No need to look."
Because even when she's swollen, she's still gorgeous.
"Really? You lied to me like a puppy!"
“…I wasn’t lying.”
Atobe Keigo paused, and realized belatedly that the somewhat depressed and heavy atmosphere just now gradually became light and bright with her few words.
Just like what she said to comfort Taketo Mukai today, she comforted him now. Keigo Atobe finally understood Taketo Mukai's feelings and suddenly understood why he cared about her so much.
Kurikawa Sana, she can always output warm energy like a little sun, and comfort the hearts of people who are in self-doubt.
But a person's emotional output is ultimately limited. She is always transmitting energy outwards, but what about herself?
Won’t she ever feel sad? Who will comfort her when she is sad?
Ten thousand questions flashed through his mind. Atobe Keigo stared at her for a long time and suddenly said, "Kurikawa Sana."
Kurikawa Sana: “Huh?!!”
What happened? Why did you suddenly call her by her full name?
"Anyway, thanks." Atobe Keigo stood up.
When he stood up again, the boy's handsome face was once again covered with his usual confident smile. "I will remember your comfort."
Kurikawa Sana: "Ah, you're welcome."
Ah, he has returned to his old state, it seems that he is fine now.
"As a reward," Atobe Keigo raised his chin towards her, "next time you're sad, I'll reciprocate and provide you with the most beautiful harbor."
Kurikawa Sana: "..."
A cold wind blew across the court, and there was a long silence.
Kurikawa Sana showed a pair of wise and absent-minded eyes.
"Oh, yes, thank you."
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