Kaidoh had gotten serious at the beginning of the match and used his technique against Ryoma. The ball bounced off in the opposite direction from Ryoma, leaving him stunned.
"What is that abnormal spin?" Horio was astounded by Kaidoh's Snake.
"It's Kaidoh's Snake." Takeshi told Horio.
"Snake? It's the name of Kaidoh-senpai's technique?"
"Yes. Starting from his right leg, he shifts his weight to his left side and hits the ball with an abnormal spin. His appearance is like a snake and he even stands like a snake… That Viper…" Takeshi explained.
"Momo-senpai, how do you know such details about Kaidoh-senpai?" Horio teased Takeshi.
"U…urusai na! It's only natural that I know my rival inside out…"
Kaidoh used his Snake in his subsequent attacks but Ryoma did not get intimidated by Kaidoh's Snake and instead, had managed to return his attack.
"Ryoma has managed to return Kaidoh-senpai's Snake!" the first-years became very excited.
"What does Kaidoh-senpai intends to do now that his Snake does not have effect no Ryoma?" Horio expressed his concerns.
"Kaidoh's real intention of using Snake is not just simply letting the ball bounce off in the opposite direction his opponent reacts in…"
"Eh?! What do you mean, Momo-senpai?"
"Ryoma has fallen into Kaidoh's trap…" Dentai said.
"Hey, why does it seem that Ryoma is perspiring a lot when the match has not proceeded for long?" Tomoko was worried when she realized that Ryoma looked exhausted.
"His real intention of Snake is actually to make his opponent run about and lose his energy." Takeshi explained the real use of Snake.
---
Ryoma had realized Kaidoh's trap and in counter, set the same trap for Kaidoh.
"Kaidoh-senpai, you seem to be sweating a lot." Ryoma told Kaidoh in the midst of the game.
"The one who sets the trap has fallen into the trap himself…" Ruki mocked Kaidoh.
"Ryoma keeps hitting deep and low balls and Kaidoh always has to bend down in order to return them. It takes up 2-3 times of his usual energy every time he returns that kind of ball." Ruki continued.
'The one who fell into a trap is… me? It's true that I am getting more exhausted… How can I, Kaidoh Kaoru, lose to a first-year?! I must not lose my concentration then!' Kaidoh thought to himself and got back his fighting spirit.
"So the match has turned into an endurance one afterall…" Shou remarked.
Just as Kaidoh had become determined to win the match, Ryoma surprised him by hitting Snake towards him. Anyone who had practiced his technique for so long only to be returned the very same attack by someone who had just seen it for the first time would be shocked naturally. The same went for Kaidoh and not just him but the entire crowd were bewildered as well.
"How is Ryoma-kun able to use the Snake when it's his first time seeing it?"
"It looks like the Snake but it's not exactly the same…"
"Kaidoh-senpai, gomen ne… I happened to see an article on the Buggy Whip Shot in a magazine earlier and your Snake is actually a derivation from it right?"
"Buggy Whip Shot?" Many were puzzled about this technique.
"Using a centrifugal force, you put a high spin on the ball by starting a loop from bottom to top. Kaidoh's Snake is an example of it." Ruki cleared everyone's doubt.
"Game won by Tezuka Ryoma. 3 games all." The umpire announced.
Kaidoh had been drained of his energy by the time he realized Ryoma's trap and lost his subsequent games.
"Match point for Tezuka Ryoma!"
Kaidoh was still not about to give up even when Ryoma just had to score once more. He hit Ryoma's ball with all his might and even fell but unfortunately, the ball did not go over the net. Ryoma won.
"Game and match won by Tezuka Ryoma. 6 games to 3."
Having lost the match to a first-year, Kaidoh started hitting his right knee with his racket repeatedly until he bled.
"He's hitting his own knee with the racket?" the first-years were shocked at Kaidoh's action.
"He's the same as always…" Syuichiroh commented.
"Handshake…" Ryoma held out his hand but Kaidoh ignored him and just walked out of the court.
"It's too bad, Kaidoh." Dentai tried to console Kaidoh.
"I'll never give up my spot. NEVER!" Kaidoh shouted in a fit of anger and stormed off.