Chapter 8

At this critical moment, Fuji used all his power to dash forward and bounced. He just managed to catch the ball before it hit the ground. Seeing that, Tezuka ran to the net as well, jumped a little bit and smashed.

"Oh..." The crowd's sight followed the ball as it dropped violently downwards.

Just then, Fuji switched his back to Tezuka, lowered his body, reached out his racquet and returned the ball just before it landed. His action was extremely quick. Then the scene took place in the game with Momoshiro seemed to be rewound and played again. Higuma Otoshi.

"40:15!"
"Not so soon, Tezuka," Fuji stood up and faced Tezuka, closing his eyes for a moment and smiled gently, "Before you have tried my Triple Counter, I won't let the game end. You will not be disappointed then."

"Higuma Otoshi!"
"Awesome counter, Fuji-senpai!"
"Aniki..." Yuuta swallowed in order to moist his dried up mouth.
"Hei... That's quite a nice hit." Ryoma smiled satisfyingly.

There was a enormous uproar came from the audiences, cheering loudly. They might look as if they were cheering for Fuji, but the reason behind most people's heart should be the relief and gladness for the fact that the game was not over yet. Without knowing about it themselves, the crowd seemed to have been attracted by the eye-catching match so much that they got somehow got overly involved.

"... Finally... I have been waiting for this moment. Come on then, Fuji, Show me yourself!" Taking a deep breath, Tezuka cried out. Fuji responded with a sure smile.

"40:30!"
"Deuce!"
"Game to Fuji, 5:5!"

After the tenth set, the match has become extremely tough. The time between each serve began to be longer and longer. In addition, neither Fuji nor Tezuka was letting each other to get two marks from themselves continuously. On the other hand, those who were watching just kept holding their breath to observe each and every moment of the game. Not a single pair of eyes was left for Inui when he finally reached the tennis court. As he checked the schedule after getting changed, he couldn't help noticing the abnormal tension in Court D. He was very much tempted to join the crowd to get to know what the center of attraction was. No matter who was playing, he wouldn't hesitate to obtain data from them. Moreover, when he eventually persuaded himself to put down his notebook and pencil and grab his racquet instead, Momoshiro came to drag him away impatiently.

"Oh, come on, Inui-senpai! How late you are! I can wait no more, can wait no more!"
"Okay, I am coming! Release me first, would you? I want to fetch my bottle with my new production first. You like to try some?" Flashing his glasses, Inui smirked. And frightened by the drink, Momoshiro could only let Inui go reluctantly.

Meanwhile, in court D, Tezuka has just won a set. The result was 6:5. It was either going to be a tie, or Tezuka would gain the triumph.

Fuji served. Disappearing Serve again. As Tezuka has encountered that for a few times already, he could catch the ball accurately and returned with little difficulty at that moment. But Fuji didn't allow his advantage to slip away from him. He returned perfectly, avoid making any mistake. Both of them sweated a lot, and their sweat scattered on the ground like raindrops.

"Nya, the atmosphere seems to have changed," said Kikumaru.
"Uh!" nodded Oishi, smiling. Instead of tension, he could feel joy and excitement between the two people in the court. Although they were focusing very hard on every coming ball, they were actually enjoying every moment in the game. Oishi could tell that.
"Buchou and Fuji-senpai... They seem to be very happy," uttered Ryoma, smiling.
"So it seems... At least I know that Aniki is!" Yuuta's eyesight never left his brother, the goal he has set for himself to reach. "Aniki, I swear that I will use my own method to get over you one day!" Holding up his fist, he made the pledge once again in his heart.

"It's where Tezuka's passion hide behind his cool appearance. I can finally experience it myself."
"Playing tennis is not a just kind of sports. It can be a kind of art as well. Fuji's move is the best evident to explain that. In the perspective of art, it's not victory that counts. Is that why that you never admit yourself to be toppest, and be humble to stay in the second position? No wonder why everybody calls you Tensai, Fuji."
"Let's have a unregretful game!" The idea appeared in both of their mind at the same time.

"30:30!"
"It's Tezuka Zone again!"

Once again, all the returned balls were attracted to Tezuka's side. Without much effort, he countered fifteen times already.

"Ahhh... It seems to be so hard to get a breakthrough here, with both side putting up such marvelous defenses," sighed Kawamura.
"It's almost time." Suddenly, a voice came from the court. Fuji twisted his racquet to a certain angle and made a cut. The ball was countered to another side of the net. After hitting the ground, however, instead of bouncing up, it stayed closely on the ground, moving swiftly, making a turn, and halted beside Tezuka's shoes.

"Here it comes! Tsubame Gaeshi!"
"Good idea, indeed. In this case, even though the ball reached Tezuka, he is not able to counter it," exclaimed Ryoma.
"Not only so. It's an improved Tsubame Gaeshi as well. The speed has increased 30% and the power has increased 15%. What a good piece of data!" Scribbling like mad in their notebook, two figures emerged suddenly in front of the gate besides the Regulars. Due to their sudden appearance, the Regulars all jumped in horror.
"Inui! When has you come back?" asked Oishi, when he managed to speak again.
"You want to scare us to death?" shouted Kikumaru furiously.
"Haha... Gomen, Eiji."
"Eh? Aren't you Yanagi-san from Rikkai Dai?" Kawamura was surprised.
"Yeah. I met Renji in the Mathematics competition. He gets a free day off from practice today and we plan to go for tea after my game."
"Greetings. I hope that I haven't caused any inconvenience to you all," greeted Yanagi politely, his pen not leaving the notebook.
"... Of course not! You are welcome here." Replied Oishi.
"How horrible it is to have two data monsters here. Also," Ryoma winked to Yuuta, " what a coincidence for us to have two outsiders visiting our school today."

"Match point!"
"Deuce!"
"Advantage to Tezuka!"
"Deuce!"
"Advantage to Fuji!"
.....................

History repeated itself so many times just like this rally. Both Tezuka and Fuji has been using their special techniques for some time, but it was still hard to find a breakthrough between the two people.

"Advantage to Fuji!"

Just then, a refreshing breeze blew gently into Fuji's face, cooling down the instantly enthusiastic youth.

"The wind arrives just in time." He smiled again.

Jogging forward and gripping his racquet, he made his counter. Initially, the ball just flew to Tezuka as every ball did. Nevertheless, as it reached Tezuka, it raised abruptly. Crossing Tezuka, it landed on the baseline and made its way back to the other side of the net automatically, finally settled back in the counterman's own hand.

"Hakugei!"
"Game to Fuji, 6:6! Tiebreak!"
"Just as Fuji mentioned, it's really a prompt breeze for him to return with the last skill of Triple Counter, Hakugei. The probability of this happening in the match point of the game was 78.9%. In addition to the abnormal situation today, the percentage has increased 12.7%. Comparing to the previous Hakugei, the speed has increased... Ah, I almost forgot that Renji is here. Sorry, guys, I cannot disclose any more data to you today, as there is a super computer beside me," analyzed Inui.
"Haha... You are teasing me again, Sadaharu. You are a super computer yourself, aren't you?" answered Yanagi.
"You know that I won't refuse to admit that. Nonetheless.... What a pity that I cannot watch the game from the very beginning! I will be able to collect so much data from this match! Aww..." yelled and moaned Inui, and he put his hand on his head.
"Just a second! Judge!" demanded Oishi suddenly, shouting from the enormous crowd, approaching to the surface of it, "I think that the game should end here."
"Huh?"
"What a pity. That should be the limit for the current Buchou and Fuji-senpai," muttered Ryoma.
"What do you mean, O'Chibi?" asked Kikumaru.
"Tezuka's elbow has just been healed, and Fuji has not recovered from... the accident very soon. Moreover," Oishi glanced at Inui, "judging from the previous sets, the tiebreak is not going to be finished in a short period of time. We shouldn't put too much burden on them. Therefore, as the vice captain, and considering the health condition of both of them, I request the game to end here. What do you think, Tezuka? And Fuji?"

They didn't speak for a while. Then, it was Tezuka who reply first.

"I don't have any opinion."
"I guess you are right, Oishi. What a pity, but my body is already complaining to me," responded Fuji mildly.

Both of them approached the net and shook hands. Fuji has been recalling so many memories in the past that he grew dizzier and dizzier. Finally, no longer being able to hide his illness and support his body, he collapsed into Tezuka's arm and fainted. Not until then did Tezuka noticed how pale his opponent was.

"Fuji!" cried Tezuka and the Regulars.
"Fuji-senpai!" yelled Ryoma.
"Aniki!" Yuuta, panic-striken, was the second to react after Tezuka grabbing the falling body. He pushed his way forward and entered the court, to where the two people were standing.

"I will bring Fuji to the school nurse. Take over the matches for me, Oishi. I will be back soon," announced Tezuka.
"Hai... Tezuka!" Oishi shouted before Tezuka left, "Don't need to rush. Please make sure that Fuji is alright before coming back."
"Uh..."
"Let me come with you, Tezuka-san," called Yuuta.