Yes!
15-love.
Coach Miura!
Nat-chan's winning, huh?
Yeah, by a long shot.
Nakajo-san is the one she had a hard time with before, right?
Yeah. Early on, people were saying that if Natsu lost at Kanto,
Takasaki Natsu Nakajo Megumi
Nakajo would be the one to win,
but it's been a one-sided match from the start.
I'd heard she was in top form,
but this is amazing.
30-love.
The power of love certainly is amazing.
Huh?!
You said it.
Wh-What does that mean?!
Oh, I'm being completely serious.
Since she announced that she was dating you,
Natsu's strength has been unreal.
But Mike said romance mode and combat mode are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
If that's true, it just means that kind of logic doesn't apply to Natsu.
Actually, Mike did say that she had ingenious mental fortitude, too.
I won!
It's fun striving for the same goal in the sport she likes, with the guy she likes.
Thus, she plays well.
From Natsu's perspective, it must be only natural.
But somehow, when it comes to us men,
we think of them as two separate things.
Even though we'd be better off making it work for us...
We could learn a lot from Natsu.
That's true.
She really has the ability to make your very existence her strength.
So come watch her matches whenever you have time, okay?
O-Okay.
Maybe I'm not one to talk, but...
You two are a good match. You have a good influence on each other.
R-Really?
If I have something to do with that strength,
then maybe it's true.
And if that's the case, then she's been inspiring me since the day we met.
The strength in her eyes and her vibrant expressions
changed everything I'd ever believed in.
I think I was already drawn to her then,
and I've been pursuing her all this time.
If that's making Nat-chan strong now,
then I can give her all the strength she needs.
I want to live a life of the tennis I like with the person I like, too.
If I could turn these feelings into my strength on the court,
I bet I'd be amazing.
Game, set, and match.
Winner: Takasaki. Score: 6-2, 6-1.
Takasaki Natsu Nakajo Megumi
Existence is the Driving Force
Ei-chan!
Great game.
We both made it to the semifinal!
It's amazing that you beat so many seeded players!
Y-Yeah, I managed.
Mine were all down to the wire, though.
That's fine!
Watching your match today...
I was thinking that I want to be like you.
You already are like me.
Huh?
Because I'm already more like you!
H-How so?
Well, like... I'm more humble?
You are not!
I'm kidding. I meant my tennis.
Okay, I'm heading to the main office.
Okay...
Is that really true?
Did you see that?
Wow, I didn't know Takasaki-san had a boyfriend.
Takasaki Natsu and... Who's the plain-looking kid?
They were so lovey-dovey!
That's Maruo.
That's what you get for showing off.
W-We weren't showing off!
This concludes today's matches.
Event staff, please meet at the main office.
Nabae-kun...
It looks like Nabae-kun is practicing.
I'll catch up after I watch for a bit.
Okay.
How are his movements so fluid and efficient?
Nabae-kun!
I brought a racket for you.
A racket? Who's that guy?
He has all those rackets already.
Does he need another one?
Hey.
Way to go, Maruo. I heard you made the top four.
Thanks. Same to you.
Studying for your match against Nabae? You never quit, huh?
I wouldn't call it studying.
I've hardly been able to watch him play since the tournament started, is all.
But it looks like he's talking to someone about rackets.
Oh, he'll be at it for a while, then.
Huh? Why?
That guy is from the company that makes the rackets Nabae uses.
Nabae's unbelievably particular about rackets, you know.
Oh...
When you get to be a veteran at nationals,
manufacturers will sometimes lend you their rackets,
under the condition that you agree to give feedback
that they can use toward development of their product.
Really?
Nabae gives really detailed feedback about the weight, balance, and string tension.
The manufacturers say his feedback is really interesting and useful for their development.
So apparently, most of the rackets he uses
were essentially engineered specifically for him.
Wow...
It was a long time ago,
but when he and I went to the national team selection training camp,
he had a string break while I was playing him.
Sorry, this is the only racket I brought today, so the match is over.
Huh? Stick around. I'll lend you one of mine.
Nah, I'll pass.
Why? Don't be so stuck-up.
I can't play with someone else's racket.
It throws me off.
Huh? Aren't you too sensitive?
Maybe, but when I go back to my own racket,
it still feels weird for a while.
It's not as if rackets have nerves.
That makes it sound like it's his own hand.
Well, I guess it's something similar to that.
But I can sort of understand.
Watching Nabae-kun's fluid, delicate use of the racket,
regulating his rackets the same way he regulates his physical condition
doesn't seem unnatural.
Well...
Let's both kick some butt as fellow Kanagawa players tomorrow.
You're playing Okada-kun, right?
That's gonna be a pretty tough match too, you know.
I won't feel better until I take my revenge on Okada by force.
And I believe we'll have a repeat of the Kanagawa final after that.
Be ready.
Sure...
That's right. If I beat Nabae-kun, I'll be in the final—
Wh-What?
By the way, I happened to hear earlier...
Yeah?
Are you really going out with Takasaki Natsu?
What?! Even Araya-kun knows about that?!
Seriously?
Incredible.
Huh?
Planning your anti-Nabae strategy?
Yeah. But Nabae-kun can change his play style depending on his opponent.
Power, speed, technique...
He's a high-level player in all those.
When I played him in November,
he widened the point gap between us with a control-based play style.
Then at the end, he switched to a risky power-based style to finish me off.
Maruo Egawa Kanda Eiichiro Takuma Hisashi
Mental Fortitude Mental Decision Making Strategic Sense
Topspin Forehand Flat Ground Slice Strokes Topspin Backhand Flat Slice
Technique
You really put up a good fight, though.
Yeah, when I hit strong shots with good control,
I felt like I could win some points, but...
Oh, Takuma-san.
What brings you here?
They're having a mini-camp over here.
Takuma-san, I made it into the top four!
And you're playing Nabae tomorrow?
That'll be tough.
Yeah, you haven't been able to beat him these past few years, either.
I'm sorry!
Nabae-kun doesn't have any physical or psychological weaknesses.
I have no idea how to strategize.
When he was younger, he had a huge weakness.
What? Nabae-kun did?
Oh, yeah, I guess you don't know.
Nabae and I have been playing each other since we were kids.
He had serious psychological issues.
Psychological?
First I've heard of that.
He would lose his temper even more than Araya.
No way...
Well, I don't know how he got over it,
but his mental fortitude is pretty unshakable now.
Oh, Takuma, you're here.
I never thought I'd stay here again.
Now, don't say that.
The point is, even Nabae isn't perfect.
Do your best tomorrow.
Okay! Thank you!
Spin Forehand Side Flat Serves Slice Spin Backhand Side Flat Slice
Topspin Forehand Flat Ground Slice Strokes Topspin Backhand Flat Slice
Maruo Eiichiro
Is that data on Maruo?
He's changed a lot since I played him, so I'm revising it.
Looks that way.
He uses flat, spin, and slice strokes, with variations in speed.
At critical moments, he'll move up to the net,
and he'll serve and volley as well as use return dashes.
And he uses all that to change up the pace,
which throws our timing off.
What's important to watch for is
his precise control and strong mental fortitude when he does that.
Yeah, after all I did, it'd be normal to get pissed, but he didn't.
I guess it's his personality. I'm not sure if he's optimistic or dense.
But he comes by his mental strength naturally.
Unlike you.
Love-30.
Again?
There he goes again.
That habit of losing his temper when things don't go his way.
He normally has far more self-discipline than you'd expect of a ten-year-old,
but in matches...
Nabae Yu
Yu, let's go.
Listen, even adults can't keep their emotions under control all the time.
Not everything will always go the way you want.
But you have a stronger will than anyone else I know.
If you use that to your advantage, you'll be stronger than anyone.
You should be able to control a match, at least, with the strength of your will.
Even if you're in pain, angry, or exhausted,
be a player who can calmly come up with the best strategy in any situation.
I believe you can become a player with such an invincible will.
What's that?
A self-analysis.
Self-analysis?
I use it to evaluate my own play.
Evaluate, huh...
Game, set.
The fifth game... right here... I did this...
You can let it out all you want now.
You did a good job holding it in on the court.
Out.
Game: Egawa. 2-0.
Is it just natural?
Maruo-kun has a strong will.
He must've done everything possible since our match last year, without compromise.
I can really relate to him in that sense.
Your tennis and his are a lot alike, somehow.
He started tennis in high school.
I haven't seen anyone improve this quickly since Takuma-kun in middle school,
or Araya and Okada after they started high school.
Ide's been impressive lately too,
but none of them hold a candle to Maruo-kun right now.
And there's...
Oh, right.
Maruo-kun's the biggest shocker since Ike Soji.
When I think of it that way...
I don't want to lose.
Whoa, scary!
What?
It was like you flipped a switch just now.
Really?
I told you, it's true!
I'm in the top four now.
Now, wait a minute...
Isn't it incredible to be one of the top four players in Kanto?
Yeah. Even I never thought I'd come this far this fast.
You really have gotten stronger.
But still, the stronger you get, the more I worry.
Worry? Why?
I'm your mother. It's what I do.
B-But anyway, I'm facing the number one player in Japan tomorrow.
And if I win...
Number one in Japan?
But will this boy
be able to make a living for himself as a pro?
Yes, he will!
Almost everyone who made it that far as a junior is a pro now,
or if not, they're still thriving in some tennis-related job.
I see...
Then...
If you really do beat him,
maybe I'll believe that you really should continue to play tennis.
Really?!
And if you do, I'll come watch you play.
If the final is the day after tomorrow, I can make it.
Okay!
In Call Mom Cell
But is there really a chance you can beat him?
Uh...
Against Nabae-kun, I'll most likely need 1/100 control
at critical moments, even if it's risky.
Even when it's not critical, I'll have to set the pace with 1/64 control.
Interesting.
I learned last year that I'll lose if I don't do that much.
Oh... Coach Aoi.
How do you think I can beat Nabae-kun?
What's this about? You getting scared now?
No, but you know, Nabae-kun's pretty flawless.
He has no weaknesses.
So I think I'll have to take more risks than usual,
but I don't want to take too many and dig my own grave.
I'm not sure what situations would be best to make my move.
Like, in the first set of our match last year...
You really seem to be enjoying this.
Y-You think so?
I wonder why. Because I've made it into the All-Japan now, maybe?
I just feel really strongly that I want to play against Nabae-kun,
VS Nabae Yu
so I get really excited just thinking about tomorrow.
I'm taking this too easy! I need to shape up!
No, I think that's fine.
Huh?
Remember what you learned in your match?
It's best if your pressure level is neither too high nor too low.
That probably means you're already beyond pressure, in the "challenge" mental state.
You should remember how that feels.
Really?
While you're at it,
you might as well do something bold that you'd never do under pressure.
L-Like what?
Like aiming for the lines instead of dividing up the court into squares.
The lines? Wouldn't that be an unnecessary risk?
You can't know until you try!
And aim for aces on all your serves!
Are you serious?
Well, at this point, whether you win or not is all up to luck.
If you're going to say that...
If you're going to be bold, it means nothing if you're careless.
You've got to use your own experiences, and what makes you you.
Such as... you know.
Huh? That?!
What?!
Nabae Yu
Takagi Sakuya
Maruo Eiichiro
Number 30, Maruo Eiichiro.
It is 10:00.
The Kanto Junior Tennis Tournament semifinal round will now begin.
Players, please enter your designated court and begin warm-ups.
All right!
But is there really a chance you can beat him?
If I use everything I've done up to now,
there is a chance I can win!
Nat-chan?
Hey, when this tournament's over, let's go somewhere together!
Huh?!
We'll have a break before the All-Japan.
Let's go out then!
Huh?
On a date!
Matches are tough, so we need something to look forward to afterwards!
Where's this coming from?
But I want to have as much fun as we can,
so be sure to beat Nabae-kun!
I-I'm happy, but why now?
My combat mode is gonna turn into romance mode.
Actually, I guess not.
What is this? It's not so much romance mode as... happiness mode?
You already are like me.
Like Nat-chan was saying...
Is she really becoming my strength, too?
That'd be nice...
Huh? The court feels smaller, somehow.
The first time I played here, it felt huge.
Yeah. I'm calmer than I thought I'd be.
And my body feels lighter than I expected.
I feel driven, but not stressed.
Last year, I ended up losing by hitting out of bounds.
But that was the ref's mistake. It was actually in.
My mental state then was good enough that I thought I had a chance to win.
I need to bring that state back to reality through my notes,
so I can start the match with that same mentality.
The Kanto Junior Tennis Tournament semifinal round will now begin.
I'm the challenger, so I just have to hit him with everything I've learned!
Three-set match. Nabae to serve.
A wide slice!
His shots really are sharp!
There it is already!
But it's my return game.
1/81!
Love-15.
Yes!
Whoa, this is already amazing!
I got to the ball faster than I thought,
so all my weight was behind it!
I can hit like that when everything falls into place?
Wait... Could this be...
That wasn't like his usual shots.
Looks like Maruo-kun is in good shape today.
No, calm down.
Next point!
Love-30.
Nabae didn't even take a step? For real?
So it's true!
Since before we started... No, since yesterday, something's been different.
The court feeling small, getting weirdly excited...
My mind is calm, but my body is responding. This feeling...
I don't know why it's happening, but there's no doubt.
I'm getting close to the zone!
Next Time
I was right!
I'm focusing only on what's right in front of me,
and nothing else is going through my mind at all.
At a time like this, I should look only at his court,
and leave my shots up to my instincts and judgment!
He's close to the optimal condition he was in against Ide.
Maruo-kun is in his best possible condition.
It won't be easy to break.
Next time on Baby Steps,
Aggressive is Ideal
"Aggressive is Ideal."
End