"Haikyuu: A Twin's Choice"

9- Tennis Domination (Part 1)

Sora's POV

1st ROUND

The day had finally arrived for the 'Miyagi Inter-Junior High Tournament' tennis competition, and I was geared up to take part in the singles category.

Just like last time, my goal was crystal clear: clinch victory and secure a spot in the Nationals. The prospect of facing tougher opponents there didn't deter me; it only fueled my determination.

I found myself engaged in a warm-up session with a player from Shiratorizawa Middle School. This warm-up, known as a 'Rally Warm-up,' involved hitting the ball back and forth. It's a common practice in tennis that not only gets the blood flowing but also helps in getting a feel for the game.

Earlier, we had tossed a coin to decide who would serve first. The result was in favor of my opponent, thanks to the coin landing on tails. It was a simple twist of fate, but it only added to the excitement of the upcoming match.

"Play!" The umpire's voice resonated across the court, signaling the commencement of the match.

"Go Sora-san!" A chorus of voices rang out simultaneously from the stands, a spirited encouragement that filled the air with energy.

I glanced towards the stands and was met with the heartwarming sight of numerous students and teachers rallying behind me. Among them were familiar faces – Shoyo, Koji, and Izumi – my brother and friends who had always been by my side.

Through my victories in various tennis tournaments, it had become evident that I had garnered quite a following. The support of these fans was a testament to the hard work and dedication I had poured into the sport.

With a swift and precise motion, my opponent's serve sliced through the air, the ball hurtling towards me with speed and spin.

Reacting instinctively, I adjusted my stance and timing, making contact with the ball just as it reached the peak of its bounce. My racket met the ball with a satisfying thud, and I sent it back across the net with a controlled topspin shot.

The ball cleared the net and dipped just inside the baseline on my opponent's side, leaving them momentarily caught off guard and allowing me to take the point with a successful return.

...

In the midst of an intense rally, my opponent's shot came hurtling toward me. The ball was quick and well-placed, and I moved to intercept it.

However, their shot had a wicked curve, veering sharply towards the singles sideline. Despite my best effort to reach it, the ball sailed past me, landing just inches from the sideline and earning my opponent the point.

The crowd's gasps and cheers added to the electric atmosphere as I acknowledged the point and mentally regrouped for the next exchange.

...

Amidst the rapid back-and-forth, my opponent's shot pushed me to the limit. With a burst of energy, I managed to return the ball, but it landed on the service box, an area that was precarious due to its proximity to the net.

Seeing the opportunity, my opponent pounced on the situation. With expert timing and precision, they unleashed a powerful shot that skimmed the net and landed just beyond my reach, deep within my court.

I lunged, but the ball sped past me, untouched, before bouncing twice on my side. The crowd erupted in awe as my opponent's aggressive play paid off, resulting in a perfectly executed winner.

The moment was a testament to the fine margins of the game, where split-second decisions and inch-perfect shots could determine the course of a match. As the cheers and applause echoed around me, I reset my focus, determined to turn the momentum back in my favor.