Chapter 212: Singles 2, Atobe vs. Yanagi (3rd Update) 

"Sorry, Shishido-senpai." 

After the match ended, Ootori bowed slightly to Shishido. "Please forgive me for acting on my own." 

"Long太郎, you don't need to apologize to me." 

Seeing Ootori's gesture, Shishido shook his head with a complicated expression. "On the contrary, I should be thanking you for that last shot." 

In that moment, a strange connection had formed between Shishido and Ootori. It was as if they could read each other's thoughts and understand each other's conditions perfectly. 

Because of this, Ootori had realized that Shishido had reached his limit. If they had continued, Shishido's knee would have been completely ruined. Not only would it have affected his tennis career, but it would have also impacted his daily life. As his partner, Ootori couldn't allow that to happen. 

"Don't worry," Shishido patted Ootori's shoulder and shook his head. "I'll take responsibility for the loss." 

If he hadn't been injured by Yanagi's "Kamaitachi," they might have had a chance to turn the match around. 

However, when the two of them walked over to Coach Tōru, the usually strict coach simply nodded and said, "Go rest. You've done enough." 

"Wait!" 

Just as they were about to leave, Coach Tōru called them back. Shishido braced himself for a scolding, but instead, the coach turned to the others and said, "Kurokawa, Kano, you two go with Ootori and take Shishido to the nearby hospital to get his injuries treated." 

"Understood." 

The two named players stepped forward, and Ootori practically dragged Shishido off the court. 

"Shishido's really changed, hasn't he?" 

Watching them leave, Mukahi couldn't help but laugh. "In the past, he would've given up much earlier. But if he hadn't pushed himself, that incredible reaction at the end wouldn't have happened... Oh, right!" 

He turned to Ishikawa and asked, "Vice-captain, what was that ability they awakened at the end? It was amazing!" 

The rest of the Ice Imperial team also turned to Ishikawa, their curiosity piqued. Ootori's final shot had been so fast and powerful that even Yanagi and Yagyuu hadn't been able to react. It was clearly no ordinary ability. 

"Synchro," Ishikawa explained calmly. "It's known as the 'Miracle of Doubles.' It allows partners to predict each other's movements and thoughts, enabling perfect coordination. It also enhances their power and speed. Typically, this ability only manifests in desperate situations." 

"Synchro? The Miracle of Doubles?" 

The Ice Imperial players' eyes widened with even greater curiosity. 

"Is that really what it was?" 

On the Rikkai side, Yanagi's expression shifted slightly when he overheard the conversation. 

"What's wrong, Yanagi-senpai?" Marui asked, noticing his change in demeanor. 

"That's the ultimate technique in doubles," Yanagi said seriously. "Even in professional doubles, it's considered an incredibly powerful move." 

Hearing this, the Rikkai players couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. They were glad Shishido had been injured. Otherwise, with that doubles miracle, the outcome of the match might have been very different. 

Of course, some of them also thought that if Ice Imperial hadn't been pushed to the brink, they might not have awakened that ability. But regardless, Rikkai had won the doubles match, tying the overall score at 1-1. If they could secure one more victory, they'd advance to the finals. 

"By the way," someone asked curiously, "who's playing in Singles 2? Is it Kirihara?" 

"Uh..." 

Kirihara's face darkened at the question. He had hoped to secure a singles spot, but with the return of Yukimura, the three singles positions were firmly held by the "Big Three." Even though Yanagi had switched to doubles, Kirihara had been relegated to the substitute match—a position that would only come into play if the first five matches ended in a tie. Kirihara knew there was no chance he'd get to play. 

Still, he tried to stay optimistic. Once they defeated Ice Imperial and reached the finals, Yukimura and Sanada would surely give him a chance to play. 

"Does it even matter who's playing?" someone else chimed in. "Ice Imperial's Singles 2 is definitely their captain, Atobe. He defeated Yanagi in the Kanto finals. Aside from Yukimura, who else on our team can beat him?" 

"Yeah," another voice agreed. "If it were Kirihara, he'd probably lose too." 

Crack. 

Kirihara clenched his fists, his knuckles popping. But in the end, he let out a sigh of defeat. As much as he hated to admit it, they were right. After being humbled by Akutsu and witnessing Atobe's overwhelming victory over Yanagi, he knew he was no match for the Ice Imperial captain. 

In a way, Rikkai's Singles 2 position had become a sacrificial one—a calculated move to concede a match they couldn't win. 

Thud. 

But just then, a figure walked past Kirihara. Sanada's stern voice rang out, "Kirihara, is this how you act when you're not playing? So undisciplined!" 

Kirihara immediately straightened up, not daring to breathe too loudly as he tried to look as serious as possible. 

"Huh?" 

But the figure walking past him wasn't Sanada. It was Yanagi, holding a racket and heading toward the court. 

"Wait, is that... Yanagi-senpai?" Kirihara blinked in confusion. 

"The Singles 2 match is about to begin," the announcer's voice echoed through the stadium. "Ice Imperial's Atobe Keigo vs. Rikkai Dai's Yanagi Renji. Both players, please prepare." 

As the announcement ended, all eyes turned to the Ice Imperial side, where a confident figure with a smirk on his face strode onto the court. 

"Victory belongs to Ice Imperial! The winner is Atobe!" 

"Victory belongs to Ice Imperial! The winner is Atobe!" 

"Victory belongs to Ice Imperial! The winner is Atobe!" 

The Ice Imperial supporters erupted into cheers, chanting Atobe's name with such intensity that even some of the spectators felt a shiver run down their spines. 

Snap! 

Atobe raised his left hand, preparing to snap his fingers—a signature move that always silenced the crowd. 

But before he could complete the gesture, a crisp snap echoed from the other side of the net. 

The entire stadium fell silent. 

"Huh?" 

The Ice Imperial players stared in disbelief at the silver-haired boy standing at the net. 

"Yanagi?" 

Atobe frowned, clearly annoyed that his usual ritual had been interrupted. But as the team captain, he maintained his composure, though his gaze turned icy as he stared at Yanagi. 

"Yanagi's playing?" 

Outside the court, representatives from other schools were equally surprised. No one had expected Yanagi to replace Kirihara as Rikkai's Singles 2 player. 

"Hmm," Zaizen from Shitenhouji muttered, "it feels like Rikkai's deliberately throwing this match. Like they're using their weakest player to face Ice Imperial's stronger one." 

"That makes sense," Shiraishi nodded, glancing at Rikkai's bench. Most of their players looked just as confused, but Yukimura, Sanada, and Yanagi remained calm. 

"Wait," Shiraishi's eyes narrowed as he noticed the faint smile on Yukimura's face. "This match... might not be as simple as it seems." 

"Exactly," Kintarō, standing nearby, suddenly spoke up. "I've studied all of Rikkai's players, and there's only one person whose data I've never been able to obtain—Yanagi Renji." 

"What?" 

The Shitenhouji players were stunned. Kintarō, with his 200 IQ, was a genius in data tennis. If even he couldn't gather information on Yanagi, that meant the boy was a complete enigma. 

"Interesting," Shiraishi, Chitose, and Tachibana exchanged glances. They were certain that Rikkai's "Child of God" and their strategist had something up their sleeves. 

"Yanagi," Atobe said coolly, "if I'm not mistaken, your strength isn't inferior to Yanagi's, is it?" 

"Perhaps," Yanagi replied with a faint smile, giving nothing away. 

Atobe's frown deepened. "Interesting. Ishikawa said you're the most dangerous player on Rikkai's team. It seems you've been hiding something." 

At the mention of Ishikawa's name, Yanagi's expression shifted slightly. He glanced toward the Ice Imperial bench, where the calm, black-haired boy stood. If there was anyone on Ice Imperial that Yanagi feared, it was Ishikawa. Not because of his strength, but because of those piercing eyes. Every time Yanagi met Ishikawa's gaze, he felt an inexplicable sense of dread. 

Taking a deep breath, Yanagi nodded, his demeanor becoming more serious. 

"I see," Atobe's eyes narrowed. Ishikawa had been right—Yanagi was indeed a hidden powerhouse on Rikkai's team. The aura he was emitting now was on par with some of the top national-level players. 

"But—" 

Just as Atobe was about to speak, he felt Yanagi's presence shift dramatically. 

"What is this?!" 

Atobe's pupils contracted as he watched Yanagi's form blur and transform into a boy with a black cap and sharp, piercing eyes. 

"Atobe Keigo, let's see how much you've improved since we last met." 

(End of Chapter)