King of Tennis (POT)

"Breaking the *Bear Counter*?" Oshitari, holding the tennis ball, gave Ishikawa a deep, scrutinizing look.

Unlike Mukahi and the others, Oshitari could sense that Ishikawa wasn't bluffing. The first-year genuinely seemed to have figured something out.

Deep down, a thought instinctively crossed Oshitari's mind: *Don't hit a lob!*

*Thud!*

With that in mind, he sent the ball flying.

"It's starting!"

As the rally began, the spectators perked up, eager to see how Ishikawa planned to break through the *Bear Counter*.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

However, despite multiple exchanges, Oshitari refused to take the bait. Even when Ishikawa deliberately gave him opportunities, Oshitari showed no intention of hitting a lob.

"What's going on?" one of the third-years muttered in confusion. "Is Oshitari scared of him?"

Scared? The others almost scoffed at the idea. But as they watched Oshitari avoid hitting any lobs, they couldn't help but fall silent.

It did seem like Oshitari was hesitating, as if Ishikawa's words had gotten to him.

"These idiots don't understand a thing," Mukahi snapped, overhearing the murmurs. "They're not even regulars. How would they know what's going through Oshitari's mind?"

"Uh…" Ryoh blinked, taken aback. While he agreed that Oshitari shouldn't blindly follow Ishikawa's provocations, Mukahi's reaction seemed a bit too defensive.

"The court isn't a place for emotional decisions," Atobe interjected, his arms crossed. "If Oshitari fell for such a simple taunt, he wouldn't deserve the title of Hyotei's genius."

Genius ≠ reckless powerhouse.

A true tennis player remains steadfast in their strategy, unswayed by their opponent's words. Only then can they be considered a true master of the game.

However, as time passed, the match seemed to reach a stalemate, and Oshitari still showed no signs of hitting a lob.

"This…" Ootori was equally puzzled. With the advantage of serving, why was Oshitari dragging the match into a war of attrition?

But Ootori knew that Ishikawa's stamina, while not exceptional, was far from weak. Combined with his sharp insight, anticipation, and technical skills, prolonging the match would only work against Oshitari.

"Could it be…" Ootori's expression shifted as he recalled the earlier discussions.

*Thud!*

Returning the ball, Ishikawa, now sweating slightly, looked up and smiled. "Senior, there's no need to be so tense. Dragging this out won't do you any good."

In terms of stamina, Ishikawa might not match Oshitari, but this was Oshitari's service game. Moreover, Ishikawa also knew the *Bear Counter* and could easily lure Oshitari to the net with a drop shot.

"Hmph!" Oshitari, breathing heavily as he chased the ball, narrowed his eyes.

He knew time wasn't on his side.

The longer the match went on, the more data Ishikawa would gather, while Oshitari himself gained little. The deeper they went, the more his advantage diminished.

Yet, Oshitari remained cautious. His instincts told him Ishikawa was up to something, and the unease only grew stronger as the match progressed.

"Heh." Seeing Oshitari's reaction, Ishikawa chuckled. "If you won't take the initiative, then I'll take control of the match."

*Swish!*

As he spoke, Ishikawa raised his racket, preparing for a powerful stroke. Seeing this, Oshitari instinctively tensed, ready to move to either side.

But then, Ishikawa's swing slowed abruptly. He lowered his racket and gently sliced the ball.

"A slice?"

"No, it's a drop shot!"

"What a brilliant feint!"

Ishikawa's sudden change in tactics drew gasps from the crowd.

At the baseline, Oshitari's expression shifted as he realized the finesse of Ishikawa's drop shot. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the net.

However, the drop shot was even more precise than he expected—low, fast, and landing dangerously close to the net.

Gritting his teeth, Oshitari pushed himself to the limit, stretching his racket to barely lift the ball back into the air.

"Phew…"

Seeing Oshitari save the point, Mukahi and the others let out a sigh of relief.

That was too close!

Just a little slower, and he wouldn't have made it!

*Swish!*

But before they could relax, their attention was drawn to the figure leaping into the air on the other side of the court.

"It's Ishikawa!"

"A smash! He planned this all along!"

"Incredible! He actually forced Oshitari to hit a lob?"

As Ishikawa soared into the air, the crowd erupted in astonishment.

Meanwhile, the regulars—Mukahi, Ryoh, and Ootori—wore complicated expressions.

Who would've thought that Oshitari, who had been so reluctant to hit a lob earlier, was now scrambling to do just that?

The stark contrast was striking, and it left them in awe of Ishikawa's skill.

But there was no time to dwell on it.

All eyes were now on Ishikawa, mid-air, and Oshitari, crouched below, ready to counter with the *Bear Counter*.

"The *Bear Counter* minimizes movement time by turning away from the net. The extended arm covers a wide range," Ishikawa thought, recalling the technique's mechanics. Only by understanding its principles could he find its weakness.

"With enough skill and feel, you can overcome the inability to see the smash's trajectory."

"However…"

"This move has one fatal flaw!"

*Swish!*

With that realization, a sharp glint flashed in Ishikawa's eyes.

He twisted his racket, treating the handle as a sword hilt and the frame as a blade. With a swift, decisive motion, he brought it down on the ball.

*Bang!!!*

A thunderous crack echoed across the court.

Below, Oshitari, having anticipated the smash's path, turned his back, crouched low, and crossed his arms in front of him.

*Thud!*

In the next moment, his racket met the descending ball.

"He got it!"

Many in the crowd cheered, especially Mukahi, who was rooting for his doubles partner.

But Oshitari, still in his receiving stance, was far from relieved.

The moment the ball connected with his racket, his expression darkened.

It was heavy—unbelievably heavy!

It felt less like a tennis ball and more like a lead weight. The sheer force pressed down on his racket, causing the high-quality frame to creak and groan under the strain.

Beads of sweat dripped from Oshitari's forehead.

*Snap!*

Finally, to the shock of everyone watching, Oshitari's grip failed, and his racket slipped from his hand.

As the racket clattered to the ground, the entire court fell silent.

---

(End of Chapter)