A radiant light shimmered, eventually enveloping Tezuka's upper body in a multicolored glow.
The Pinnacle of Brilliance!
"One ball."
His cool voice echoed across the court.
Suddenly, Tezuka shifted his attack, driving the ball toward the wide outer corner—his shot speed increasing by a notch. The adjustment completely threw off Fuji's anticipation.
BANG—!
The sharp sound of the strike reverberated through the air.
The tennis ball shot like a straight golden line, landing and rebounding before smashing into the wire fence.
Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! 15-0.
"The Pinnacle of Brilliance, huh..."
Fuji took a deep breath as he observed Tezuka's state.
Unlike the Perfect Harmony of Power and Skill or the pure Muga no Kyōchi (Selfless State), the Pinnacle of Brilliance consumed mental energy—but not excessively. Under normal circumstances, it could be sustained for an entire match.
By rapidly activating his brainpower, Tezuka could simulate the match in an instant, analyzing all existing data to predict the exact point he would score.
Then, he'd issue an absolute proclamation.
After their many encounters, Tezuka already had near-complete data on Fuji.
But this technique wasn't invincible.
If something outside the predicted data occurred, the proclamation would fail.
"So strong..."
Fuji tightened his grip on his racket.
Tezuka spoke calmly, "I foresaw that you had the ability to return that shot. But I also foresaw that you wouldn't chase after it."
Yoru had once pointed out Fuji's fatal flaw:
Despite his immense talent, Fuji lacked true obsession with tennis. He could easily abandon points, often not giving his all to return difficult shots.
"Fuji, I can sense your fighting spirit... but not your hunger for victory."
Tezuka's voice remained icy. "The captain said that if you changed your mindset, your future potential could even open the door to the pros."
Fuji's grip on his racket tightened further.
Just as Tezuka said, he could have chased the ball—but chose not to.
"If you keep this attitude... today, I will shut you out. You won't win a single game."
Tezuka raised his racket, shifting into a defensive stance.
"...Understood."
The last trace of softness faded from Fuji's expression, replaced by sharp focus.
"Tezuka... you're overconfident."
His blue eyes gleamed with a cold light.
Tezuka narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing the shift in Fuji's aura.
BANG—!
Another serve ripped through the air—this time, not a spin serve, but a blazing fastball.
Tezuka barely had time to react before a streak of light shot past him.
The speed was impressive, but even more terrifying was the extreme topspin after the bounce—forcing the ball to land a second time before Tezuka could reach it.
Fuji Syusuke scores! 15-15.
"Finally getting serious, huh?"
Tezuka turned his head calmly, watching the ball roll against the fence.
He was surprised.
He'd always known Fuji had masterful spin control—but this level of precision, combined with such speed, was beyond his expectations.
Since Fuji had never used this serve before, it wasn't part of Brilliance's calculations.
A mistake. One he wouldn't repeat.
If he promised Yoru a shutout, he'd deliver.
"Tezuka-kun, your Pinnacle of Brilliance didn't account for this serve, did it?"
Fuji's teasing voice rang out.
"..."
Tezuka ignored him, resetting his stance.
Fuji bounced the ball, preparing his next serve.
His blue eyes sharpened as he swung—
Another lightning-fast, spin-heavy serve shot across the court.
This time, Tezuka saw it clearly. His feet moved preemptively.
"The same serve won't work on me twice!"
A single step—racket flashing—
The ball was returned the moment it bounced, landing deep in the outer corner. Fuji had no chance to reach it.
Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! 30-15.
Even if an unrecorded technique could break Brilliance...
It would only work once. After that, the data would be absorbed into the predictions.
"The Pinnacle of Brilliance is terrifying... but I'll break it."
Fuji's icy blue eyes locked onto Tezuka's glowing form.
BANG—!
The Disappearing Serve!
The ball bounced—then vanished mid-trajectory, slipping past Tezuka's swing.
But before it could go out—
Tezuka spun 360 degrees, using the momentum to lunge forward—his racket cutting through empty air.
THOK!
The vanished ball reappeared, caught perfectly in his strings.
"Point." Tezuka murmured.
His racket whipped forward—the ball streaking in a straight line, landing just inside the corner.
Tezuka scores! 40-15.
Break point!
BANG—!
Tezuka Kunimitsu wins the game! 1-0!
---
### Second Game – Tezuka's Serve
Since this wasn't an official match, there was no need to switch sides.
"Fuji, from now on... I won't hold back."
"...I wouldn't have it any other way."
A faint glimmer flickered in Fuji's eyes.
Bounce… bounce… bounce…
Tezuka tapped the ball, steadying himself.
He hadn't forgotten Yoru's task.
Fuji was strong—to shut him out, absolute focus was necessary.
Among Seigaku's new generation, only Fuji was worth this level of effort.
The ball soared into the air—
Knees bending, body extending, racket slicing downward—
At the perfect moment, the strings met the ball.
A graceful arc flew over the net, landing right on the centerline.
Fuji recognized it instantly.
Zero-Shiki Serve (Zero-Type Serve).
He dashed forward, stomping his right foot the instant the ball touched down—
But...
SCREECH—!
The ground screeched under the friction—
Yet the ball rolled back untouched, never bouncing.
Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! 15-0.
"Too difficult..." Fuji muttered.
Before this match, he'd studied ways to counter the Zero-Shiki.
Aside from Yoru's stomp technique, there were no reliable methods—using wind from a racket swing counted as interference (a foul).
But the stomp... was insanely precise.
"Stomping is indeed the best counter to the Zero-Shiki... but not everyone can execute it."
Tezuka tossed the ball again—
Another golden arc streaked across the court, landing perfectly.
Zero-Shiki, once more.
Fuji's attempt failed again.
Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! 30-0.
---
BANG—!
Tezuka Kunimitsu scores! 40-0.
---
BANG—!
Tezuka Kunimitsu wins the game! 2-0!
Four straight Zero-Shiki serves secured the second game effortlessly.
Fuji exhaled deeply, picking up the ball with growing pressure.
He knew Tezuka couldn't maintain Zero-Shiki forever—but the sheer oppression of losing points so easily was suffocating.
And the worst was yet to come.
Another radiant light erupted across the court—
---
(^_−)☆