**Chapter 102: Singles 2, Ishikawa vs. Shinjou (Part 3)**  

"Wakato... Wakato..." 

The players from Jouhou Shonan stared at the figure hanging on the wire mesh fence. Everyone, including Shinjou, who had always maintained a cold demeanor, was now visibly shocked. 

"Tch." 

On the other side of the court, Akutsu, who had sent Wakato Hiro flying with a straight-line shot, snorted disdainfully and turned to leave. 

"Wait!!" 

Kajimoto immediately called out. "You think you can just walk away like that?" 

*Whoosh!* 

Akutsu abruptly turned around. 

His eyes locked onto Kajimoto with an icy, emotionless glare. "Oh? Are you trying to tell me what to do?" 

"T-tell you what to do?" 

Kajimoto's heart instinctively raced. 

Looking into Akutsu's cold, lifeless eyes, he suddenly felt an indescribable sense of fear. 

"W-was Wakato treated like that because he... tried to boss this guy around?" 

At that moment, it seemed he finally understood why his teammate had been dealt with so brutally. 

By the time he processed this, Akutsu had already turned and walked away. 

"Kiriyama, Oota." 

At that moment, Hanamura, seated in the coach's position, spoke up. 

She glanced at Wakato Hiro, still hanging on the fence. As a graduate student in sports science with a deep understanding of human anatomy, she estimated that his injuries weren't life-threatening. She then said calmly, "Take Wakato to the nearby medical room for a check-up." 

"R-right." 

The two nodded repeatedly. 

Soon after, Kiriyama Daichi, with his towering frame, carefully took Wakato down from the fence. After confirming that there were no broken bones, he carried him off the court. 

"Coach Tōru." 

Once things settled, Hanamura turned to Sakaki. "Don't you think you should say something about your student's actions?" 

She was clearly angry, and understandably so. Wakato Hiro had merely been imitating tennis stars, putting on a show and acting cool. He hadn't done anything out of line, yet he ended up in such a miserable state. 

"Well..." 

Sakaki was momentarily at a loss for words. 

He hadn't expected Akutsu to act so violently. However, Akutsu had always been a lone wolf, someone who did as he pleased and rarely listened to authority. 

In all of Hyotei, if there was anyone who could somewhat control Akutsu, it was probably Ishikawa alone. 

Thinking this, he turned to the black-haired boy. 

"Sorry, Coach." 

Ishikawa nodded, then glanced at Hanamura and said, "I apologize for my teammate's behavior. However, as long as he didn't directly attack his opponent with the tennis ball, it doesn't seem like he violated any rules, right?" 

"Uh!" 

This response left Hanamura and the rest of the Jouhou Shonan team stunned. 

They hadn't expected the Hyotei first-year to say something like that. 

But upon reflection, the player named Akutsu had indeed never directly attacked Wakato Hiro with the tennis ball. 

The reason Wakato was sent flying was largely due to his own recklessness. In his desperation to win, he had lost his composure and recklessly tried to return Akutsu's violent shot. 

As a result, he not only missed the ball but was also sent flying. 

"So..." 

At that moment, a cold voice rang out from the Jouhou Shonan camp. "Are you saying that as long as the rules aren't broken, anything goes?" 

*Step!* 

With those words, a tall, upright figure with a gear-like buzz cut walked onto the court, racket in hand. 

It was none other than Shinjou Reiji, Jouhou Shonan's ace player! 

"Next up, the Singles 2 match will begin." 

"Jouhou Shonan Middle School's Shinjou Reiji versus Hyotei Academy's Ishikawa Shin." 

"Both players, please prepare." 

The announcement over the loudspeaker caused a stir among the spectators. 

"Wait, isn't the match already over?" 

"Yeah, Hyotei won three straight matches. Shouldn't they advance to the next round automatically?" 

The crowd buzzed with confusion. 

"Shishi." 

Inoue turned to the girl beside him with a smile. "Do you know why?" 

"Of course." 

Shishido Shizuka nodded confidently. By now, she was no longer a complete novice. She explained with a smile, "Because this is the first round of the Kanto Tournament. Even if the match is decided, both teams have to complete all five matches." 

"Exactly." 

Inoue nodded approvingly. 

This time, she hadn't asked any basic questions, which made him feel that she had indeed improved. 

"However," 

Shishi paused, watching Shinjou stride onto the court with a fierce expression. "Judging by his demeanor, it doesn't seem like he plans to end things simply." 

"Right." 

Inoue nodded solemnly. 

The way Shinjou had phrased his question earlier didn't sound like he was looking for a peaceful resolution. If Hyotei had sent anyone else to play, Inoue might have been worried. 

But this was Ishikawa. 

The strongest newcomer in Hyotei, who had consecutively defeated Tachibana, Akutsu, and Fuji during the Tokyo Metropolitan Tournament. His skills were on another level. 

Even someone as fierce as Akutsu seemed to pale in comparison when facing Ishikawa. 

While anyone else in Hyotei might struggle in this position, Ishikawa definitely wouldn't! 

*Step!* 

At that moment, the Hyotei player walked onto the court, racket in hand, a faint smile on his face. 

"This kid..." 

The Tanaka brothers frowned slightly. The older brother, Tanaka Youhei, muttered, "Why do I feel like he's completely ignoring Shinjou?" 

"Not just ignoring," 

the younger brother, Tanaka Kouhei, shook his head. "It's more like Hyotei has never taken us seriously to begin with." 

But as they spoke, they couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness. 

After all, if their opponents had lost three straight matches right off the bat, they probably wouldn't have paid much attention either. 

"However..." 

After a pause, Tanaka Kouhei's face broke into a mischievous grin. "This kid has no idea he's caught Shinjou's attention. The upcoming match... is going to be quite a show!" 

"Right." 

Tanaka Youhei also smiled. 

Both of them were eagerly anticipating the moment when the Hyotei first-year would be thoroughly taught a lesson by Shinjou. 

"Hey, you're Ishikawa, right?" 

At the net, Shinjou, standing at 180 cm tall, looked down at the boy in front of him. "I heard you're Hyotei's strongest newcomer. I wonder how long you'll last against me." 

As he spoke, his eyes bore into Ishikawa like sharp knives. 

"You'll find out soon enough," 

Ishikawa replied with a smile, not bothering with formalities. "By the way, I'm also curious to see how impressive your coach's so-called 'perfect creation' really is." 

"You know quite a bit, huh?" 

Shinjou gave him a cold look, then said sternly, "Here's a piece of advice: try not to get hurt during the match!" 

With that, he turned and walked away. 

"This..." 

The Hyotei players exchanged glances, all seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. 

"Interesting." 

Outside the court, Inui remarked with a hint of amazement. "This is the first time I've seen someone voluntarily give Ishikawa the serve in an official match." 

"Shinjou Reiji, Jouhou Shonan's ace player."

**Next to Yanagi, he explained:** "He's really strong. He was already a key player for Seigaku last year. It's just that this year, the prefectural tournament ended before he could even play."

"I see."

Hearing his friend's explanation, Inui nodded to himself. "No wonder he's so confident in his abilities."

However.

Deep down, Inui didn't believe that this guy, Kamishiro, could defeat Ishikawa. After all, Ishikawa was the kind of person who could even tame someone as unruly as Akutsu!

"The match will begin, one set to decide the winner."

After confirming the serve, the referee nodded and announced, "Hyotei's Ishikawa to serve, first game!"

*Bam!*

As soon as the words were spoken.

Ishikawa wasted no time and sent the tennis ball flying across the court.

*Bam!*

Kamishiro's return was shallow and posed no real threat. Ishikawa seized the opportunity, targeting Kamishiro's backhand and scoring the point effortlessly.

"15-0!"

"Huh?"

Seeing this, the Hyotei team members looked stunned. "I thought he was supposed to be strong. Is this... it?"

Oshitari, Shishido, and the others frowned slightly.

Kamishiro's performance was far from impressive. His reactions were slow, his returns lacked power, and most importantly, he couldn't even hold his ground for a few rallies before Ishikawa scored. Even someone like Hiyoshi could at least trade a few shots with Ishikawa in this state.

*Bam!*

Soon.

Ishikawa continued his serve.

But Kamishiro's performance remained lackluster. In no time, Ishikawa secured his service game.

And.

Even Kamishiro's own service game was easily broken.

"Talk about overhyped!"

Mukahi couldn't help but shake his head. "Seigaku's level is at best Tokyo Prefectural Tournament quarterfinal material."

"Quarterfinals?"

Hiyoshi sneered. "That's giving them too much credit. They're not even on par with St. Rudolph."

"Hmph."

The Hyotei team's mocking comments didn't go unnoticed by the Seigaku players. However, none of them retaliated.

The twin brothers just exchanged a cold smile.

In their eyes.

Hyotei's first-year had already fallen into Kamishiro's trap without even realizing it.

*Bam!*

At this moment.

Third game.

Ishikawa served again.

*Tap tap.*

On the other side, Kamishiro moved to the ball's landing spot and once again raised his racket, preparing to hit.

*Bam!*

A soft sound echoed as the ball was sent flying.

"A light shot?"

Seeing this, Shishido shook his head. "When you're behind, you should be attacking. But he's not even trying to step up his game?"

However.

Given Kamishiro's poor performance in the first two games, Shishido had every reason to believe this was his actual skill level.

*Bam!*

At this moment.

Ishikawa swung his racket and hit the ball. But contrary to expectations, the ball didn't fly out of control. Instead, it carried a powerful impact.

Thanks to Ishikawa's exceptional touch and top-tier technique.

The moment he sensed the change in the ball's trajectory, he subtly adjusted his wrist, using a deft technique to neutralize the hidden threat.

"Hmph!"

From Kamishiro's perspective.

The moment Ishikawa returned the ball, a smirk crept onto his face. "Sorry, but you've fallen into my trap!"

This was his secret move—the Phantom Style.

In the first two games, he had subtly ingrained his playing habits and posture into his opponent's subconscious through repeated patterns.

Now.

By using his exceptional balance, he disguised a heavy shot as a light one.

Kamishiro was confident.

Ishikawa's racket would falter under the unexpected force, leading to a mistake.

*Bam!*

However.

To his shock.

Ishikawa's return landed powerfully at his feet. The faint yellow glow of the ball left Kamishiro with an absurd feeling.

"He... returned it?!"

"What's going on? Did Kamishiro not use his move?"

The Tanaka brothers' expressions changed.

They initially thought Kamishiro hadn't executed his technique. But seeing his stunned and confused expression, they were equally baffled.

"Again!"

Gritting his teeth, Kamishiro prepared to receive the next shot.

*Bam!*

Ishikawa served.

This time, Kamishiro chose to replicate his earlier posture, delivering what appeared to be another light shot.

He hoped Ishikawa would overhit and send the ball out of bounds.

*Bam!*

However.

Ishikawa not only returned the ball but also executed a precise shot that curved sharply, landing at Kamishiro's right corner.

"H-how is this possible?"

Kamishiro was startled but quickly chased after the ball.

"Surprised?"

At this moment, a faint smile appeared on Ishikawa's face. "You're probably wondering why your light and heavy shots didn't work... right?"

*Whoosh!*

These words.

Sent shockwaves through the Seigaku team, Coach Hanamura, and Kamishiro, who was now scrambling to reach the ball.

Especially Kamishiro.

He couldn't figure out how he'd been exposed or how Ishikawa had seen through his nearly identical light and heavy shots.

"This guy... huh?!"

At that moment.

As Kamishiro swung his racket to hit the ball, his expression suddenly changed. "This... this force..."

*Sizzle...*

The ball spun rapidly on his racket.

But what should have been an easy return now felt unbearably heavy.

It was as if he wasn't hitting a tennis ball but a lead weight.

*Clatter!*

In the next moment.

To everyone's astonishment, Kamishiro's racket slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

"30-0!"

"What the..."

The Seigaku team stared in disbelief.

"H-how did you..."

Clutching his wrist, Kamishiro looked at Ishikawa with a mix of shock and fear.

"You're wondering how I used the same posture to deliver two different types of shots, right?"

Seeing Kamishiro's bewildered expression, Ishikawa smiled. "It's simple. Just deceive your opponent visually. Like... that last shot!"

"Hmm."

He made it sound easy.

But to the Seigaku team, Coach Hanamura, and Kamishiro, who had mastered the Phantom Style, Ishikawa seemed like a monster.

That technique... was simple?!

(End of Chapter)