Kunimitsu Tezuka VS Reiji Kamio (Breakthrough)

"Love-30!"

When Kamishiro returned this shot, he was completely unaware of the unnatural distortion in his form, however negligible the margin might have been.

"Love-40!"

Following this return, Kamishiro could clearly feel that his previously unyielding posture had been compromised. Without making slight adjustments, it would be impossible to return this ball without Tezuka reaching it.

"This is bad... Captain Tezuka's serve isn't having any effect on that guy at all..."

Akazawa Yoshiro clenched his fists.

"No... it is having an effect, though it's not very obvious yet..."

Inui Sadaharu leaned forward slightly. He seemed to notice that Reiji Kamishiro's signature unchanging posture had begun to distort, and this distortion had started from the second point.

"Hmph, it's nothing more than self-deception. If it were working, Kamishiro wouldn't have just won two consecutive points."

Hearing Inui's words, Kajimoto closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Tezuka, is this truly the extent of your abilities? Knowing full well that such a serve cannot possibly have any impact on Kamishiro, yet you stubbornly persist. This hardly befitting the demeanor of a captain."

Wakato Aoi had not expected Tezuka to be so obstinate. One had to realize that if a serve could work against Kamishiro, someone would have cracked the Mirage long ago.

At this moment, Tezuka was unaware of everyone's thoughts. He knew only the voice within his own heart. He tossed the ball, bent his waist, swung his racket with full force, and unleashed a tennis ball filled with raw power and speed!

"Hah!"

This time, Tezuka let out a sharp cry. Upon receiving the ball, Reiji Kamishiro felt he had to alter his form even further just to return it. Instantly, he twisted his torso and batted the ball back!

Thwack!

Upon receiving the return, Tezuka's gaze shifted. Just as he suspected, starting from the second serve, Kamishiro's returns were no longer elusive. One could judge the strength of his attack simply by observing his posture. This time, Kamishiro's power was even weaker than the last. Without the slightest effort, Tezuka drove the ball straight to the baseline on Kamishiro's right-hand side!

"15-40!"

"Whoa!"

"He scored!"

"Incredible!"

The students from Seishun Academy burst into cheers. Seeing Tezuka's dominant shot, the repressed emotions in their hearts erupted into excitement. This reversal was genuinely blood-pumping!

"What a fantastic shot! To be able to hit the ball all the way to the edge of the opponent's right baseline from that diagonal stance—Captain Tezuka's ball control is phenomenal!"

Shishido Ryo yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Yes, that is a magnificent curving shot."

Inui Sadaharu nodded.

"Could it be... he's seen through Kamishiro's Mirage? No, that's impossible. After losing two games in a row, he's been trailing ever since. How could he remain calm under such immense psychological pressure to observe his opponent's flaws and seize the opportunity to break through? Tezuka Kunimitsu... just what kind of man are you?"

Wakato Aoi first shook her head to dismiss Tezuka's approach, but as she analyzed the situation, she was forced to admit that only someone who had truly seen through Kamishiro's playstyle could score points like this. This left the woman deeply impressed by Tezuka's formidable mental strength.

"You guys know nothing about true power."

Matsubara Naruie looked at the dumbfounded members of Josei Shonan and a smile curved the corner of his mouth.

"It's that same serve again!"

With his exceptional eyesight, Kitajima Kaede saw the ball in Tezuka's hand spinning clockwise once more.

"Kamishiro's form is warping even worse now!"

Oda Toyoka exclaimed in shock.

"Tezuka is actually coming to the net!"

This was the first time Shiba Saori had seen Tezuka take the offensive in this match. What would happen next?!

Thump!

"30-40!"

"Brilliant, a smashing point!"

Shiba Saori said excitedly.

"Deuce!"

"How can this be... It's as if Kamishiro's advantage vanished in an instant..."

Tanaka Yohei furrowed his brow slightly, looking at his younger brother in utter confusion as he asked.

"I have no idea..."

Tanaka Kohei was equally clueless.

"Game, Seishun! 3-4!"

On this point, Reiji Kamishiro's form remained in a state of distortion. Unable to control the weighting of his shots, he was breached by Tezuka yet again!

"Why has the momentum suddenly shifted in our favor..."

Over on the Seishun side, many students were ecstatic over Tezuka's successful comeback, yet some still felt the turnaround came a bit too abruptly, prompting them to speak up.

"I don't know what happened, but it certainly feels awesome!"

A Seishun student said.

"Why overthink it? Just cheer him on! Let's go!"

Another Seishun student couldn't be bothered to delve into the mechanics. As long as Tezuka could win, anything went!

The sides switched and the match resumed, with Kamishiro serving. Upon receiving the ball, Tezuka noticed that the ball's weight once again showed signs of fluctuating based on the opponent's posture control. Immediately, he used the same pressure as his serve to force Kamishiro to alter his receiving stance. Receiving the ball, Kamishiro felt deeply displeased, because compared to the serves, his posture required yet another adjustment in order to execute a return!

"I see, so that's how it is."

Kajimoto Takahisa noticed the unnatural expression on Reiji Kamishiro's face and comprehension dawned on him.

"Just what is going on, Kajimoto?"

Tanaka Yohei couldn't help asking.

"Kamishiro's form has undergone subtle changes, and the magnitude of these adjustments has escalated from negligible to drastic. Pay close attention to his movements; he is indeed struggling mightily to maintain his original posture, but as Tezuka's shots fly over, his once-identical form can no longer be sustained."

Kajimoto Takahisa pointed toward Reiji Kamishiro.

"Could it be that Tezuka is putting more power into his shots?"

Tanaka Kohei asked, seemingly realizing something.

"That's only half right. To be precise, Tezuka is imparting a heavier spin onto the ball. You should all know very well when playing tennis that receiving a flat shot versus a spinning shot requires major adjustments to one's posture. Because the ball carries spin, maintaining a natural stance is impossible; one must use corresponding force to neutralize that rotation."

Kajimoto Takahisa explained.

"That Tezuka Kunimitsu... seems exceptionally skilled at spin shots."

Kiryu Kōmi narrowed his eyes.

"Yes. Because of the spin, Kamishiro's unyielding posture has lost its equilibrium. Right now, he is practically riddled with flaws, cough, cough."

Honda Toshinaki said softly.

"The spin embedded within Tezuka's serves and returns is not something an ordinary player can replicate. Against a ball with such intense rotation, any opponent will subconsciously alter their form to return it. Even Kamishiro, who strives for absolute consistency in his posture, is no exception. Once his form distorts, a great deal of meaningless, redundant force creeps in. Tezuka may not possess extraordinary dynamic vision, but the moment his opponent makes the slightest modification, his eyes—endowed with an insight far surpassing ordinary people—are able to capture it."

Inui Sadaharu explained in a calm tone. Shishido Ryo and the others directed their gazes toward him, listening quietly like students paying rapt attention in class.

"I see... It was the heavy spin that caused Kamishiro's form to distort."

Shishido Ryo's mind suddenly cleared.

"The so-called illusion is merely a veil draped over reality. Shattering that illusion means your defeat follows close behind. This is gradually becoming my reality."

Tezuka looked at Reiji Kamishiro and said calmly.