Chapter 200: Hachiman's Original Technique
The final round unfolded, tension thick in the air as Yumiko and Hayama geared up for their last push. Their singular objective: secure a point from Hachiman.
With a determined serve, Yumiko sent the ball soaring towards the court's dead corner.
Hachiman, however, anticipated the trajectory, executing a precise backhand Tsubame Gaeshi before the ball landed. Unfazed, Hayama swiftly moved forward, revealing a well-thought-out countermeasure.
Exploiting the fact that Tsubame Gaeshi doesn't bounce upon landing, he intercepted it with a net approach, redirecting the ball to another corner.
Caught off guard, Hachiman failed to react, and the ball headed straight for the opposite dead corner. If it went out of bounds, victory would belong to Yumiko.
Apologies, Hikigaya-kun, you shouldn't have been so overconfident.
A wry smile appeared on Hayama's face, signaling his satisfaction. Even onlookers like Tobe and the others couldn't help but express admiration.
"Hayato, cracking the Tsubame Gaeshi – impressive."
"Indeed, it looks like we've secured the win. Perhaps some sparring practice later?"
In Hayama's eyes, victory today seemed inevitable.
Their triumph momentarily halted, a figure with flowing hair dashed forward, effortlessly returning the ball.
The court fell silent as the ball bounced out, and Saika, the referee, declared, "15-0!"
Hachiman, unable to contain his smile, reminded them, "Did you forget this is a doubles match?"
The culprit behind the swift return was Yukino, who had quietly restored her stamina during the two rounds of rest, fully recovering her combat capabilities.
"Recovered your stamina?" Hachiman inquired as Yukino approached.
"Thanks to you holding out, my stamina is fully restored now," she acknowledged.
"But even without me, you should have been able to win easily."
Hachiman replied with a smile,"Don't say that. This is a doubles match. It's more meaningful for both of us to win together."
Yukino, initially silent, looked at him and then smiled faintly. "In that case, let's win this game together!"
"Yes."
In this moment, she had learned to trust others, and Hayama, seeing Yukino fully recover her stamina, wore a wry smile.
Dealing with just Hachiman was challenging enough, and now, with Yukino back at full strength, the chances of scoring a point seemed almost negligible.
Refusing to concede defeat, Hayama, known for his good temper, couldn't accept their scoreless outcome. Just one point— that's all they needed.
Taking the ball from Yumiko, it was now Hayama's turn to serve. Opting for a high toss and a jump serve, he aimed to maximize their chances, but Hachiman effortlessly returned the ball.
With Yukino joining the game, Hachiman chose not to continue solo and instead coordinated with the girl, covering unreachable balls and allowing her to take swings. Though their communication was minimal, their understanding was evident.
Observing the seamless collaboration, Yui couldn't help but mumble, "Why... Hikki... Yukino-chan... they seem so in sync."
But the game continued on the court, and despite Hachiman and Yukino's synchronized efforts, Hayama and Yumiko still couldn't score.
Yukino served, Yumiko returned, and Hachiman forcefully hit the ball towards the dead corner. "It's not over yet!" Hayama swung his racket forcefully to return it.
"Such power," he marveled, directing the ball into the sky. "A perfect opportunity!"
Seeing this, Hachiman smiled, approached the net, leaped, and executed a smash in one fluid motion.
"Thud!"
The tennis ball slammed onto the ground, bouncing out of bounds. "40-0," Saika announced as the match reached match point.
Now it's Hachiman's turn to serve.
Standing at the service line, he began striking the tennis ball against the ground.
"Thud—Thud—Thud—!"
The continuous sound of the ball hitting the ground echoed in the hearts of Hayama and Yumiko.
After picking up the ball, Hachiman was about to serve when he suddenly stopped.
"Hey, Yumiko."
"What now!"
Hearing him call her name, Yumiko couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"For the next ball, don't try to return it, okay? You might get hurt," Hachiman kindly advised.
However, this statement sounded somewhat perplexing to Yumiko.
"Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Because, you see, this ball will end the match!"
Gripping the tennis ball, Hachiman closed his eyes and tossed it high into the air.
Suddenly opening his eyes, he exerted full force, leaped high into the air, and swung his racket fiercely towards the centerline on Yumiko's side.
"Tora-Raketsu!"
With a serve speed exceeding 300 km/h, in the gaze of Hayama and Yumiko, this ball seemed to transform into a vibrant tiger pouncing towards them.
The king of all beasts exuded an imposing aura, chilling both of them, rendering them unable to make a single move.
Boom!
The tennis ball forcefully landed on the centerline, creating a not-too-deep but significant crater in the sturdy ground, showcasing the substantial force even in Hachiman's restrained shot.
"Wha... what is this..."
The tennis racket dropped from Yumiko's hand, and she muttered with an incredulous expression on her face.
"Well, this move is called 'Tora-Raketsu,' a technique I developed myself," Hachiman explained with a smile.
As his words echoed, Saika, who was also stunned, regained composure and announced the match result.
"5-0, the match is over! Team Yukinoshita-Hikigaya wins!"
"Oohhh!"
"Is he even human?"
"Did you see that 'One Strike Shura' moment? His 'Tora-Raketsu' was insane! I wish I had my camera; that move needs to be shared. He's not just good; he's on a whole different level in tennis. So glad I didn't miss this match – it's pure excitement from start to finish!"
"Yeah, I feel like I'm seeing him dominate again, just like in the kendo tournament."
"Absolutely mesmerizing! The elegance of that final serve was akin to poetry in motion. 'One Strike Shura,' a fitting descriptor for his incredible display. His tennis prowess seems almost otherworldly, reminiscent of the skills he emulated from the 'Prince of Tennis' manga. Should we dub him the Shura Tennis Prince? Hahahaha."
"And I'm still in disbelief that I almost passed up on watching this match. Thankfully, I stayed – experiencing this caliber of play is a rare and delightful treat, a decision I won't regret."