It’s normal to have skills in Wangwang, right?

On the day of the Japan-US Junior Tennis Exchange Tournament, the sky was a clear, almost transparent blue, with a few wisps of clouds drifting lazily by, as if making way for this highly anticipated event. The air was filled with the unique scent of summer, a blend of grass and synthetic surfaces, and an invisible current of excitement that only exists in major tournaments.

Liu Lingyin arrived at the competition venue with Sakaki Taro by car; it was a modern indoor tennis center. The huge arched dome gleamed metallically in the sunlight, and the entrance was already crowded with people. Various flags, banners, and support items were waving, and the noise could be faintly heard through the car window.

"Are you sure you don't want to come to the lounge with me?"

Before getting off the bus, Sakaki Taro asked a question, turning his head to look at the girl next to him who was wearing a refreshing summer outfit.

Today, Liu Lingyin chose a light blue cotton dress with a simple and elegant style. The hem of the dress just reached her knees. She wore white canvas shoes, and her cute bob haircut was fluffy. She carried a slightly casual black backpack and looked like an ordinary female student who came to watch the game, completely out of place with the strong formal and commercial atmosphere around her.

Liu Lingyin shook her head, a relaxed smile on her face.

"No! I'm here to watch the game, so I won't trouble you, Mr. Sakaki. You have a lot of responsibilities today!"

As the head coach of the Japanese coaching team, Taro Sakaki will certainly not have an easy time today.

Sakaki Taro nodded almost imperceptibly, saying nothing more. He got out of the car first, and staff immediately came to greet him, leading him to the athletes' and coaches' passage. Liu Lingyin was politely led by another staff member to the audience seats that Sakaki Taro had already arranged.

Her seat did indeed offer a "superb view," just as expected.

Located directly behind the Japanese coaching bench, in the front row, slightly to the left of the center, this position offers a perfect view of the entire central court, allowing you to even get a general idea of ​​the expressions on the faces of the opposing players in their rest area.

The seats were comfortable cushioned chairs, and there was even a bottle of unopened mineral water and a brief introduction to today's match schedule placed by the armrest.

However, when she sat down and looked around, she realized that the "special" aspect of her position was not only the view.

There was still some time before the competition officially started, but the front row was already quite full. Her row, however, was completely empty.

The rows opposite her, as well as the rows to her side and behind, were almost entirely filled with men and women dressed in well-tailored suits and ties, exuding an air of shrewdness and competence. They were either talking in hushed tones or flipping through tablets of documents in their hands, and the air was filled with the unique, slightly aloof aura of business elites.

Liu Lingyin, dressed in a refreshing student outfit, stood out conspicuously among the crowd, occupying a whole row of the best viewing seats.

She could feel many gazes sweeping over her, seemingly casually, carrying curiosity, inquiry, and perhaps even a subtle hint of "who is this girl?"

However, Liu Lingyin didn't care at all. She sat down calmly, placed her backpack on the empty seat next to her, and took out her phone. The stares of others? To her, the messages popping up on her phone were far more interesting.

On the screen, the name of Niou Masaharu is flashing.

Nioh: Ohoyo~ Rin-chan (^_?)☆

Liu Lingyin raised an eyebrow and replied quickly with her fingers flying across the keyboard.

Liu Lingyin: Speak properly, don't shout nonsense.

(｀Δ′)!

Nioh: Hi, hi! Has Rinne arrived yet? Puri~

Liu Lingyin: Yes, I'm here. I'm already sitting in the audience. Have you guys arrived yet?

Niou: We've arrived at the arena entrance. Wow, there are so many people! I almost got squashed like a pancake!

Liu Lingyin couldn't help but laugh, able to imagine Renwang's exaggerated manner.

Liu Lingyin: Then hurry up and come in. As soon as you exit, turn right. There are more good seats here. I'm in the front row on the right too. Come on over, I'm saving you seats... well, although it seems like you don't really need to. She glanced at the empty row of seats next to her.

Nioh: Okay~ I'll be right there!

Sure enough, not long after, a group of striking figures in matching school uniforms and exuding a powerful aura appeared at the entrance.

Even amidst the bustling crowd, the upright posture and composed demeanor cultivated through rigorous training of Rikkai University's tennis team members attracted the attention of those around them like magnets.

Especially Yukimura Seiichi, who was walking at the very front and wearing a coat, had a gentle yet very noticeable smile that seemed to have a built-in soft-focus filter.

They barely had to lift a finger; a quick glance around the arena was enough to pinpoint Liu Lingyin's location. There was no way around it; surrounded by men in suits and ties, the girl sitting alone in the best seats was like a beacon in the darkness, or, as Ren-ou would say later, "a laughingstock."

"Rinne!" Marui Bunta waved first and blew a bubble.

Renji Yanagi adjusted his glasses and nodded slightly to her. Seiichi Yukimura, on the other hand, gave an even more gentle smile and led the group toward them.

"Wow~" (° ? °)??°

Niou Masaharu took the lead, nimbly navigating around several seats to reach Liu Lingyin. His silver-blue braid swayed with his movements. He glanced around the empty "territory" beside Liu Lingyin, his fox-like eyes filled with a mischievous smile.

"Rinne, sitting all alone in a row? Truly befitting the leader of our Rikkai University's Class 3-F, that's quite the spectacle! Puri~"

Liu Lingyin was speechless. What did he mean by "big sister"? And "imposing"? She was being given "special treatment" by Sakaki's father!

She immediately put on a wronged expression and turned to Yukimura Seiichi, who had already gracefully taken his seat in the empty seat to her left, and Yanagi Renji, who had sat down to her right and taken out his data book to take notes.

"Yukimura-kun, Yanagi-kun, you two be the judges!"

Liu Lingyin accused Renwang, pointing at him, "Renwang, he's wronged me! I'm clearly a quiet, beautiful girl sitting here because... well, because of connections. How did he turn me into a mountain-clan boss? Liu-kun, you're also in Class 3-F. Tell me the truth. Am I that kind of person?"

Renji Liu looked up from the data book, a slight smile playing on his lips, but his tone remained calm and even: "The data shows that Rin's probability of initiating disputes in class is less than 3%, and her probability of being described by classmates as 'gentle and a good listener' is 87%. Niou's statement just now contained 92% exaggeration."

After saying that, he glanced at Niou and added, "In addition, the probability of social rudeness in calling a woman 'boss' in public is 78%."

"See!" Liu Lingyin immediately gestured triumphantly towards King Ren, as if she had received a royal decree.

Yukimura Seiichi listened with a smile, then spoke gently, his voice like a spring breeze, yet it sent a chill down Niou's spine:

"Yaji, it seems you have a rather unique understanding of 'grandeur.' Perhaps after the match, we can have a... friendly exchange on the topic of 'how to properly express greetings to teammates'?"

Nioh: "..." (?Д?)ノ

He immediately raised his hands in surrender, "Minister, I was wrong! Rin is a lovely, kind, and helpful classmate. It was my fault, I used the wrong words! puri~"

The speed at which they changed their expressions was astonishing.

Watching from the side, the jackals Kuwabara and Yagyu couldn't help but chuckle, while Marui Bunta, not wanting to miss out on the fun, blew a big bubble, which popped with a "pop" and burst into laughter.

Amidst lighthearted banter and laughter, the Rikkai members gradually took their seats in the empty seats around Liu Lingyin, instantly filling an entire row.

Yukimura's youthful and outstanding appearance, coupled with his gentle yet assertive demeanor, made him stand out and attracted many curious glances. However, the boys were clearly already used to being the center of attention, each adjusting themselves to a comfortable spectator position and waiting for the match to begin.

Soon, the stadium's announcement system came on, declaring that the Japan-US Junior Tennis Exchange Tournament was about to begin. The noisy stands gradually quieted down, and all eyes focused on the center court.

The first match was the second doubles (D2).

When the names of the two players were announced over the loudspeaker, Liu Lingyin clearly felt that the Rikkai University members around her, especially Yukimura, Liu Renji, and herself, all paused subtly for a moment.

"Japan's representative team, D2 players: Keigo Atobe and Genichiro Sanada!"

"The American team, D2 players: Billy Katie and Mike Leigh!"

As expected, it was this combination. Liu Lingyin and Yukimura exchanged a knowing glance, both of them hiding a smile and an anticipation of watching a good show.

For a period of time after the match started, the scene was indeed... very "watchable".

Keigo Atobe and Genichiro Sanada, two singles players who were considered emperors in their respective schools and even in the entire Kanto region, were forced into the doubles team, and the "miserable" situation of their initial adjustment was almost visible to the naked eye.

They initially scored some points using one-on-one tactics, but the two frequently clashed over the ball, overlapped in their positioning, and even nearly tripped each other due to their different rhythms. The American players, Billy and Mike, clearly capitalized on this, scoring frequently with their excellent teamwork.

Discussing arose in the audience, and the business elites in the front row whispered among themselves, probably assessing this "unusual" Japanese doubles pair.

On Rikkai's side, Marui couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Vice-Captain Sanada and Atobe from Hyotei... this doubles match is so nerve-wracking to watch."

Jackal Sang's principle is quite practical: "They are all very capable individually, but they just don't cooperate at all."

Renji Yanagi quickly jotted down the notes: "The initial coordination error rate was as high as 65%, far exceeding that of regular doubles combinations. However, the individual recovery success rate was also exceptionally high, reaching 48%." This data is very telling—individual ability is strong enough to compensate for poor coordination to a certain extent.

Yukimura Seiichi watched with a smile the whole time, showing no sign of worry.

Liu Lingyin rested her chin on her hand, watching with great interest.

The turning point came in the latter part of the second game. A brilliant net play by the American player produced a seemingly certain winning passing shot. Atobe and Sanada started their attacks almost simultaneously, their figures clashing as if about to collide again. But this time, Atobe abruptly stopped at the last moment, leaning back to completely open up the hitting space, while simultaneously shouting, "Left!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Sanada stepped forward and swung his arm in a sharp arc—"Swift as the wind!" The tennis ball, like a green lightning bolt, passed through the gap that Atobe had deliberately left open and slammed heavily onto the opponent's baseline.

Score!

For a moment, both of them seemed to be stunned. Then, Atobe's lips curled into a proud and satisfied smile, while Sanada nodded at him almost imperceptibly.

A crack appeared in the solid ice.

In the following matches, the dynamics shifted at an astonishing pace. While some awkwardness and occasional hesitation remained, simple eye contact and brief shouts began to circulate between the two. Atobe stopped trying to completely dominate Sanada's territory, and Sanada began to trust Atobe's sometimes "brilliant" judgments.

Then came that classic moment that made Liu Lingyin exclaim, "Wow!"

The American players unleashed their combined attack, the "Big Bang," a powerful serve hurtling towards Atobe. Atobe focused, a glint in his eyes, and swung his racket to meet it—"Waltz Towards Destruction!"

The first spike was barely received by the opponent, but the ball flew high into the air.

Almost instinctively, or perhaps with some strange tacit understanding, Sanada's figure appeared in front of the net like a ghost, bent his knees, jumped, and swung his racket—his movements were so fluid as if he had practiced them a thousand times, and his timing was perfect.

"Snapped!"

The second smash precisely followed the trajectory of the tennis ball, which had not yet completely dissipated after Atobe's first shot, completing the final leap of this deadly duet, as if stepping to the beat of the previous step!

"A Waltz to Destruction!"

The tennis ball crashed to the ground like a meteorite, leaving a clear mark.

The entire stadium fell silent for a moment, then erupted in deafening cheers!

Liu Lingyin stared in disbelief, then couldn't help but burst out laughing, shaking her head repeatedly.

This...this actually works? Using the rhythm of music and dance to find doubles synergy? This imagination, this improvisation, this...this is so typical of the Prince of Tennis world!

In the end, this doubles match, which started with a nail-biter, was won by the Japanese side in a thrilling and spectacular fashion with a score of 5:7.

"Truly..." Yukimura murmured in admiration, his eyes filled with genuine appreciation.

Liu Lianji closed the data book: "The teamwork efficiency improved by 40% in the last three games. Although the basic chemistry is still far below that of standard doubles, top-notch individual skills and bursts of inspiration on the spot are enough to make up for it." His assessment was as rational as ever.

Next, in the first doubles (D1), Eiji Kikumaru and Yushi Oshitari faced the American Griffith brothers, narrowly losing 6-7. In the third singles (S3), Kiyosumi Sengoku and Bobby Max battled to a 6-6 tie, ultimately agreeing to forgo a tiebreaker. In the second singles (S2), Syusuke Fuji defeated Andrew Igorljev 6-4.

At this point, the overall score is: Japan has two wins (D2, S2), one draw (S3), and one loss (D1).

The atmosphere in the stands had reached its peak. For an exchange match, the current score already ensured that the Japanese team wouldn't lose (at most, a draw). But for the American team, who were determined to win and had invested heavily in publicity and promotion, this was undoubtedly a heavy blow. The tense atmosphere in the American coaching area could be felt even across the court.

Everyone understood that the US's last hope rested entirely on their soon-to-be-act prodigy, Kevin Smith. Meanwhile, Japan's final S1 player would undoubtedly be the center of attention. Almost everyone assumed it would be Echizen Ryoma, son of the "Samurai" Echizen Nanjiro. This would be a duel brimming with a sense of destiny and commercial hype.

The broadcast started again, accompanied by rousing music.

"Next up is the first singles match (S1)!"

The stands fell silent instantly, and countless eyes focused on the exit of the players' tunnel.

"US team representative, S1 player: Kevin Smith!"

The blond boy, carrying a racket, walked out with eyes as sharp as an eagle, exuding undisguised fighting spirit and arrogance, immediately eliciting huge cheers from the American audience.

Then, after a brief pause, the broadcast continued:

"Japan's representative, S1 player: Kirihara Akaya!"

……

……

A deathly silence enveloped the venue for several seconds.

The American coach's face instantly turned extremely ugly. Kevin Smith's eyes widened in disbelief and anger; he felt he had been fooled, and his long-awaited showdown had fallen through!

The Japanese audience was in an uproar, but it was also mixed with excited shouts from Rikkai University supporters and others who knew Kirihara's strength.

On Rikkai University's side, the boys around Liu Lingyin reacted in various ways.

Marui Bunta popped a bubble: "Akaya... the grand finale, Season 1?!"

Jackal Kuwabara gaped, "The coaching staff... is truly unexpected."

Niou Masaharu whistled, his fox-like eyes narrowing: "Puri~ This is getting interesting."

Yukimura Seiichi's smile deepened slightly, but his eyes sharpened. He looked towards the Japanese coaching bench and muttered to himself, "It seems they're planning to give the American team a 'surprise,' and also give Akaya... the best stage."

Liu Lingyin looked toward the players' tunnel.

There, a boy with seaweed-like black hair was carrying a tennis racket and walking out step by step.

His face no longer held its usual playfulness or recklessness; instead, it was filled with a focused and sharp gaze, his eyes burning as if two flames were burning within them.

He surveyed the stadium, which was now in an uproar because of his appearance, and a wild, fearless, and even excited smile slowly spread across his face.