Prince of Tennis: Shocking! Hyotei's Demon King is a Yukimura fangirl!

That's too blunt.

The members of Hyotei were somewhat embarrassed by Mochizuki Ryo's straightforward statement that "they are the people he cares about."

When Mukahi thought about how he had secretly run away from the hospital, and then thought about how disappointed Kawamura's father looked just now, he felt a little uneasy.

Kabaji lowered his head slightly, his fingers twitched, and his voice was muffled, "Yes, there won't be a next time."

He was referring to the time he fought Kawamura's powerful spike in the singles match. At the time, he was only thinking about not losing and didn't think about anything else. Looking back now, if he had really been seriously injured, both Ryo-senpai and Atobe-sama would definitely have been worried.

Xiang Ri's cheeks were flushed. She raised her hand to touch the bandage on her head, then quickly nodded and raised her hand to promise, "I...I won't do it again! I'll definitely listen to the doctor from now on and never run around again!"

His voice was a little hurried, and after he finished speaking, he secretly glanced at Wang Yueling, afraid that the other party would not believe him.

Shishido snorted, blushing and turning her head away. Feng quickly nodded in agreement, her eyes serious. "We'll be careful, Senior Ling."

Jiro clung to Atobe's arm, tilted his head up, and said earnestly, "I'll sleep well, train hard, and stop staying up late reading comics!"

Atobe, being held by him, glanced at him sideways without saying a word. Only the tips of her ears turned slightly red; she turned her face away and let out a soft hum.

He knew, of course, that Mochizuki Ryou meant well. It was just that hearing those words from her mouth made him feel a little uncomfortable.

Jiro pressed his face against Atobe's arm, his curly hair falling down to cover half his face. He stared at the stands for a long time without moving, then suddenly spoke slowly: "Ryo, do you think Kawamura's father will ever forgive Kawamura?"

Wang Yueling glanced at him sideways: "Why are you asking that?"

Jiro didn't look up, his voice muffled: "I just feel that his father must have been incredibly heartbroken to leave so quickly. Kawamura must have been incredibly heartbroken too. I... if I were to hurt myself someday, my parents would definitely be even angrier than Kawamura's father."

He paused, then continued, "Last time I sprained my knee, my mom nagged me for three days, saying I was reckless while playing basketball. Actually, I wasn't reckless; I just ran too fast and couldn't stop in time."

Mochizuki Ryou reached out and ruffled Jiro's hair, the soft curls brushing against her palm like petting a fluffy lamb: "So just don't get hurt. And... Kawamura's father will forgive his child."

"Hey, don't you guys think it's a little eeriely quiet in the stands right now?" Xiang Ri leaned on the railing, looked around, and suddenly spoke up. "Wasn't it lively just now? Now... it's kind of depressing."

His words made the Hyotei team belatedly realize that the atmosphere in the stands was indeed a bit off. The enthusiastic shouts, arguments, and cheers that had filled the stands during the previous match were now completely silent.

It is indeed a bit strange.

The reflection in Shinobu's glasses showed the silent stands around him. "Most of the people who came to watch the game today are your age and mine. If anyone were in Kawamura's position, they might not have done any better. Who hasn't had their parents say, 'Don't play so hard'? We usually don't take it seriously, but after seeing how Kawamura's dad acted just now, everyone's mentally identifying with him. With that on their minds, naturally they're quiet."

Atobe didn't say anything, but he subconsciously touched his left wrist, the movement was very light, as if checking something.

Wang Yueling nodded in agreement, her gaze sweeping over the silent stands: "Yes! Some silences are more suffocating than scolding or beating."

He spoke these words softly, yet they silenced everyone around him for a moment.

He withdrew his gaze, brushed a stray hair from his forehead, took half a step forward, and scanned the crowd with a serious look. "So in the future, when faced with choices, think more carefully. Don't rush in with just a burst of enthusiasm. Think more about the people around you, and think more about your own health."

As he spoke, his voice gradually faded, carrying a dangerous undertone, like a cat revealing the tips of its claws.

The conversation suddenly shifted.

"Of course, if someone insists on learning this method despite my advice, that's fine too. I have many other ways to teach you what prioritization means..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his eyes curved into a gentle smile. The fingers hanging at his sides lifted slightly, as if he were about to do something.

The members of Hyotei, who were just immersed in a sentimental atmosphere, almost simultaneously took a big step back.

Even Atobe subtly shifted his feet, moving back an inch without making a sound.

What a joke.

Looking at Wang Yueling's smile, they knew each other too well.

Whenever she makes that face, nothing good ever comes of it.

Last time, when Jiro secretly ate three ice creams and got a stomachache, he was punished with a week of vegetable salads, a different kind every day, just like that. And last time, when Mukahi secretly climbed over the wall to buy a cake, he was also punished with three days of doubled training, just like that, until he was so tired that he lay down for a day before he could get his arms and legs back to normal.

Sensing danger, the two little animals, Jiro and Mukahi, quickly huddled together behind Kabaji, only their two furry heads peeking out as they warily watched Mochizuki Ryo's raised hand.

Their eyes were filled with the message, "We absolutely dare not."

Shishido's lips twitched, but she didn't say anything, only silently tightening her arms around herself. Feng took a small step back, then felt embarrassed and stopped in place, the tips of her ears turning red.

Shinobu pushed up his glasses, concealing the helplessness in his eyes.

Even Atobe subtly shifted his body slightly, but then, feeling it wasn't glamorous enough, he immediately tightened his chin, pretending not to care, though the tips of his ears quietly twitched.

He was not afraid, of course, but he felt that there was no need to take on such a childish threat.

"Enough with the chit-chat. I know what I'm doing."

That's what they say, but their bodies tell a different story.

Wang Yueling was very satisfied with the effect, a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.

Very good, the deterrent effect is still there.

He stopped teasing his teammates, turned around, faced the Rikkai Grandstand, and slowly raised his eyes. His gaze remained indifferent, yet carried an invisible pressure as he swept over everyone's faces.

The Rikkai students, who had been watching the commotion, suddenly froze when they met his gaze.

Caught off guard by the stare, Kirihara reacted faster than he thought, instantly raising his hand to cover the back of his head and shrinking behind Niou. Last time, he secretly went to the Tokyo arcade and stayed out until midnight, only to be caught by Mochizuki Ryo, who gave him three solid taps on the forehead, leaving him in pain for days.

And that time during the doubles match.

"Ouch... I didn't say anything wrong... Why are you hitting me again...?"

Marui instinctively raised his hand to cover his head, forgetting to chew his gum. Last time, he had stolen the limited edition cake that Mochizuki Ryo had brought for Yukimura and was also hit. Although it wasn't hard, the trauma was still quite significant.

Kuwahara raised his hand in unison with him, their movements perfectly synchronized, their bald heads shining like light bulbs in the sunlight.

Marui muttered, hiding behind Kuwabara, "Ryo's eyes are terrifying... I feel like I'm about to get hit on the head. Jack, come closer and block me out completely."

Sanada, who had been standing ramrod straight, felt a familiar dull pain in the back of his head when that gaze swept over him, as if the spot where he had been hit earlier was starting to ache again. He subconsciously raised his hand and lightly touched the back of his head, only to realize what he was doing when he touched his hat. He quickly lowered his hand again, his face darkening, as if someone owed him millions.

Liu raised the pen halfway up before realizing what was happening, and awkwardly lowered it, shifting her body slightly to the side, taking a half-step behind Sanada. She kept her eyes open, her gaze lowered half an inch, avoiding direct eye contact with Mochizuki Ryo.

Niou was about to laugh at Sanada for being spineless when he realized his hand had already risen first. His smile froze for a moment, then abruptly changed direction. He smoothed his braids, still trying to sound tough, and said, "Hey, hey, it can't be that bad... how could you get hit from this far away?"

That's what she said, but she secretly took a step back and stepped on the edge of Liu Sheng's shoe.

Yagyu's eyes flickered behind his glasses, and his fingers, resting on his knees, curled slightly. He coughed lightly, pretending to straighten his collar, to hide his unease.

He resumed his upright sitting posture, but his breathing slowed down slightly.

Even Irie Kanata and Tokugawa Kazuya, who were on the east side of the stands, couldn't escape it.

Irie was watching the commotion with her chin propped up when she was suddenly caught in Mochizuki Ryo's gaze. Her hands moved faster than her brain, and she instinctively reached up to cover her head. But she realized what she was doing halfway through and coughed awkwardly, pretending to adjust her sunglasses.

"...What's wrong with me? He's not my coach, why am I acting on it like this?"

His lips twitched as he recalled how Mori had mocked Taneshima at the training camp for obediently listening to the instructions in front of middle school students, and how he had even joined in the mockery.

In the end, I wasn't much better off myself.

Tokugawa stood sideways next to him, his jawline tightening slightly, and he took a small step back, a barely perceptible hint of unease flashing in his cold eyes.

That aura is indeed a bit intimidating.

The entire scene seemed to be slowed down; each person in the row was stiff and nervous.

Yukimura was looking down and rubbing Luna's paws when he heard something amiss and looked up.

One by one, his own teammates covered their heads and retreated, like elementary school students caught red-handed by their teacher. Looking at Irie and Tokugawa next to him, they hadn't escaped either. Finally, they looked at the culprit on the sidelines and gave him a serious "killer look."

He was taken aback at first, but eventually couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle softly.

The laughter was soft, yet it was particularly noticeable in the slightly tense atmosphere.

Luna in his arms seemed startled by his laughter, and she looked up, bewildered, at her surroundings. She followed suit, raising her two little paws and pressing them against her two pointed ears, looking as if to say, "I'm afraid of being hit too."

The little black fur ball was curled up in a ball, with its paw pads covering its ears, looking silly and cute.

That little adorable face made Yukimura laugh even harder, his shoulders trembling slightly and his breathing becoming a bit erratic. He tapped the kitten's head with his fingertip, "Why are you joining in the fun?"

Luna tilted her head, meowed, and kept her paws around her head.

Standing below, Mochizuki Ryou vaguely heard Yukimura's laughter and saw the little cat covering its ears in a silly way. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. She quickly composed herself and returned to her usual gentle and refined demeanor.

Forget it.

Just a little scare is fine. If you really frighten someone, Seiichi will be heartbroken.

The Rikkai members breathed a sigh of relief and put their hands down. They looked at each other, feeling a little awkward.

Niou touched his nose and muttered to himself, "Ryo's gaze is even scarier than Vice-Captain Sanada's outburst."

Sanada coughed, pulled his hat brim down, and didn't refute.

Just then, the referee in the center of the field picked up a megaphone, and the crackling sound of the microphone clearly echoed throughout the entire stadium.

"Pfft pfft~~"

The sound of the sound test echoed throughout the stadium, a bit jarring, instantly breaking the monotony that permeated the entire arena.

Everyone looked up and gazed at the center of the field.

The referee cleared his throat, and his voice, carried clearly through the loudspeaker, reached every corner.

"The next match is between Seishun Academy and Hyotei Academy's singles number one. Both players, please prepare to enter the arena. The match will officially begin in ten minutes."

The broadcast was repeated twice, the last notes fading into the wind.

The audience in the stands, who had been immersed in the emotions of the previous moment, had their attention drawn back. Instantly, they became lively again, with discussions rising and falling, buzzing like a swarm of bees exploding.

The decisive game is coming.

"Finally, it's time for singles!"

"That's right, the first four games were full of surprises, more exciting than a TV series."

"Speaking of which, Seigaku's singles match is against Fuji Syusuke, right? And Hyotei's is against Oshitari Yuushi? Two geniuses facing off, what a coincidence. But... just thinking about it is exciting!"

"It's exciting as it is, but it's a bit tiring on the arms. Even Seigaku's captain, Tezuka Kunimitsu, lost. Can Fuji turn the tide by himself? That's unlikely."

"That's not necessarily true. Fuji Syusuke is a genius; there are examples of him turning the tide in matches during the Metropolitan Tournament. Besides, aren't the Seigaku members all good at bursting onto the scene in desperate situations?"

"What's with the 'explosion'? Didn't you see the previous two ended up in the hospital after their outbursts? If this continues, Fuji might lose his hand too!"

"Sigh... injuries are inevitable in competitive sports. It's better to give it your all than to just give up."

"You have to know when to go all out. This is just the Kanto Tournament qualifiers, not the national finals. If you ruin your arm, who will play in the later matches? Oh well, the Seigaku guys are the most willing to go all out. Who knows, they might ruin another arm in the next match. Anyway, for them, winning is more important than their health."

"Pah, pah, pah, please don't. In the first two singles matches, one suffered a ruptured tendon, and the other aggravated an old injury and had to be carried out. If another one gets injured in this last match, what's the point of playing this match?"

"Sigh... Speaking of which, where's Coach Ryuzaki? Hasn't she come over from the medical building yet? I didn't see her when Kawamura came over, and she didn't show up when Tezuka was carried away. She's having such an easy time as a coach. To be honest... I felt embarrassed for them when Kawamura's dad came over earlier."

"Who can argue with that? Tezuka was carried away for so long, and the Seigaku guys didn't even ask him a few questions. They were just busy cheering him on for the next match. No other team would act like that."

"You shouldn't say that... don't let those Seigaku guys hear you."

"So what if I heard that? I'm not lying. You know, when you're risking your life in a match, winning is heroic, losing is just stupid. After these two singles matches, I just feel it wasn't worth it."

"Perhaps the Seigaku people firmly believe that Fuji will win the final match."

"A sure win is hard to say. I've heard that Yuushi Oshitari from Hyotei is pretty good too. He's a genius from Kansai, and his playing style is incredibly slippery. Hyotei has been in such good form in the previous matches today, so Oshitari probably won't be any worse."

"Whether someone is a genius or not, we'll know who the real genius is after this match."

"I'm betting on Hyotei to win. Hyotei's coach has one tactic after another, even Tezuka can't handle it. Oshitari must have been adjusted to a near-complete state as well. Of course, he himself is no pushover either, being a descendant of a Kansai legend, his thousand unique skills are no joke."

"I still have faith in Fuji. Although Seigaku has some issues with its style, Fuji's strength is truly formidable. His genius-level techniques are no joke."

……