Chapter 86: Pressure from Lion Music
Two days later.
The third round of the national competition officially begins.
As long as they can successfully advance, they will be able to advance to the top four in the country, which is a great honor for many schools.
However, this year's strong schools were too strong, except for the unlucky Makino Teng who met Hyotei in the round of 16. Shishile, Rikkai University, Shitenhoji and other schools that crushed their way up did not meet before the semi-finals.
Most schools may already know the outcome. Although they are unwilling to accept the outcome, they still want to try harder in their hearts.
When Liuqiu faced Hyotei, he was quite tenacious. But the difference in strength was still there, and even if Hyotei lost a few games in each game, it still did not change the final outcome.
Boom!
With Shinobi's final blow, the battle for the quarterfinals came to an end.
"The game is over. Hyotei Academy's Oshitari Yuushi won with a total score of 3-0."
Hyotei secured a spot in the semi-finals, tying the result achieved by Ochi Gekko in the national competition last year.
"Thanks for your hard work."
Looking at Oshina walking down from the field, Atobe nodded slightly, with a proud smile on his face.
From now on, under his leadership, every step forward for Hyotei will create new history. Of course, his goal has never changed, and it is still the top champion.
"How's the situation at Lion Music?"
Oshitari took the towel handed to him by Karaji, wiped the sweat from his temples and asked.
There was not much excitement on his face. Today's singles No. 3's appearance was just for warming up. The upcoming semi-finals were the key, and Hyotei could not afford to be careless.
"Uesugi and Shishido have gone there, they should be back soon."
Atobe smiled. The opponent of Shishigaku in the quarterfinals was Yamabuki Junior High School, which they had met before. If nothing unexpected happened, it should be over soon.
As soon as Atobe finished speaking, Uesugi Yuu and Shishido Ryo slowly walked towards them from a distance.
"How's it going?"
Looking at the serious expressions on the two people's faces, Atobe raised his eyebrows and asked with a serious expression.
"Same result as ours, Lions beat Yamabuki 3-0."
Shishido Ryo showed a wry smile on his face. The only doubles team that Shishiraku played was too strong.
Higashima Masami and Minami Kentaro, who had beaten him and Xiangri in doubles, didn't win a single game against the first-year players in Shishile's group.
The golden-haired boy's roar like a lion made him tremble in his heart. He subconsciously thought of the silver-gray-haired boy he met at the baseball field.
Atobe and Oshitari's hearts sank. Just by looking at Shishido Ryo's expression, they knew that he was not sure at all. They turned to look at Uesugami Yuu. After all, Uesugami Yuu should be able to see more than Shishido Ryo.
"Let's talk about it when we get back..."
Shangshanyou smiled and said, it’s not good to say these things here when we have just entered the semi-finals.
Looking at the other members who were still excited, the two nodded slightly.
Hyotei Academy…Inside the indoor meeting room.
Uesugi Yuu once again put on the rimless glasses he had worn during their first training camp and stood in front of a white board, writing and drawing.
"Lion's number one doubles player did not play this time, so we will leave it aside for now.
The two first-years in the second doubles team were both as strong as Oshitari, and they worked well together. The doubles they formed were at the national level. Even Rikkai University could not guarantee a win against their doubles.
In terms of singles, the strength of their No. 3 and No. 2 singles players this time is acceptable, similar to the Sasabe I met before, and probably the best in Kanto.
Their ministers are top notch at the national level.”
After writing down the approximate members of Lion Music, Uesugi Yuu started to point at the whiteboard with a small teaching stick.
His analysis made everyone in the audience gasp. If they didn't think about it carefully, they wouldn't have known that Shizile's strength was so exaggerated.
"As for the group that we didn't mention at the beginning Doubles 1, we must tentatively classify them as a national-level doubles team that will be coordinated."
Ignoring everyone's surprise, Uesugi Yu added again.
If Mu Zhiteng contributed more singles players to U17, then Shizile provided U17 with a lot of synchronized doubles.
The first team of players fell silent for a moment. This situation seemed to be even worse than when they encountered Rikkai University in Kanto.
"Then...then do we still have a chance to win?"
The first to break the silence was senior student Nobuyuki Kaida. As this was his last year, he didn't want to stop here like he did last year.
"Ahem... I have discussed this with Atobe and Coach Sakaki."
Giving Kaida Shin an approving look, Shangshan You sneered in his heart. If no one spoke up, he would be unable to continue.
"We will focus on singles this time, and we must first ensure victory in the three singles matches."
"Me, Atobe, and Oshitari, the three of us will take charge of the singles match, and Oshitari just needs to avoid Shishigaku's captain among the three positions."
Uesugi Yuu was full of confidence, and his powerful words made the atmosphere better. However, Kaida Nobuyuki and Sakamoto Yuji had an indescribable look in their eyes.
"Unconsciously, have we become the weak link of the team?"
It's very realistic and cruel, but as a teammate, Uesugi Yuu didn't say it so bluntly.
The two felt bitter in their hearts, but with their talents, being able to get to where they are today was already the result of hard training.
"Of course, I don't mean to give up doubles directly. On the contrary, if we can win the next doubles match, then we can definitely replicate our victory in the Kanto finals."
Seeing that everyone was silent for a while, Shangshanyou said something to calm the self-esteem of others.
"Everyone, cheer up. What are you doing now? Do you still have any questions about this plan?"
Seeing that still no one spoke, Atobe raised his eyebrows, raised his voice slightly, and a powerful aura emanated from him.
"No problem!" After being yelled at by Tezuka, this time the people below responded loudly.
"Very good, you don't need to think too much about the tactical arrangements. You have the next few days to train well."
"Victory will belong to Hyotei!"
Atobe's final encouragement lifted everyone's spirits. Yes, instead of worrying about the outcome in a few days, it is better to work harder to improve your own strength.
"Okay, meeting adjourned!"
Seeing that morale had risen again, Atobe waved his hand and dissolved the meeting.
"You... We've already agreed on this before, why..."
After everyone left, Atobe came up and stopped Uesugami Yu from speaking before he could even start. Uesugami Yu shouldn't have told other people about the tactical arrangement.
"I was a little impatient..."
Shang Shanyou smiled bitterly and did not make any excuses. He really wanted to use the pressure from Shizile to stimulate everyone. He did not expect that it almost made those guys doubt themselves.
"Don't worry, you're just worried that we can't keep up with you, but I won't fall behind."
Looking at the expression on Uesugi Yuu's face, a flash of understanding came into Totoro's mind. He crossed his arms across his chest and said proudly.
"Yes, yes...you are right."
Uesugi Yuu was amused by what Atobe said. However, he did not expect Atobe to stand up for him in the end. After all, the tactical arrangement he deliberately mentioned in the end was just his impromptu idea.
…
"Okay, now you understand. Let's go train..."
Oshitari pushed up his glasses, there was no smile on his face and his expression looked extremely serious.
The few people who had left earlier did not leave immediately, but stood silently at the door of the conference room until the conversation inside died down...
Several people looked at each other and saw the burning fighting spirit in each other's eyes.
They were all holding back a grudge, not because they were dissatisfied with the tactical arrangement, but because they were dissatisfied with their own slow improvement in strength. The different actions of the two people just now were actually for them.
They now truly understood what Coach Sakaki had said to them. Strength is supreme, not just within the school, they also need to set their sights on strong people outside the school.
…
Watching everyone leave, Oshitari curled up the corners of his mouth into a smile. This should be enough.
"Those two guys in there are really messing around..."
He gently pushed his glasses and felt helpless. He, who was helping to clean up the mess, had the hardest job.
