After Teppei Kiyoshi received the ball, Shōei Middle School's offense remained steady rather than erratic. Centered around Kiyoshi, they methodically launched their attack from within the paint.
Though officially a point guard this year, Kiyoshi had frequently operated in the post, and many teams — including their current opponent, Senzan Middle — had suffered trying to contain this unconventional playstyle.
That massive hand of his looked poised to shoot, yet suddenly pulled back.
Most players, when pushed to the limit where the ball is nearly out of control, have no choice but to shoot. But Kiyoshi could, under the astonished gaze of his defenders, firmly palm the ball with one hand and patiently wait for an opportunity to pass.
This is what it means to have:
The Right to a Late Shot.
It might look like simple ball control, but in truth, it reflects the entirety of Kiyoshi Teppei's offensive philosophy.
Delaying the shot doesn't mean hesitation — it signals a deeper, more dangerous layer of offense.
It means greater ability to draw defenders.
It means more time to read the court.
He can watch the play develop, then decide whether to shoot...
...or pass.
For ordinary defenders, guarding Teppei is a nightmare. Whether he shoots or passes, it's impossible to predict.
Just when you brace yourself for a drive, the ball is gone. Next time, expecting a pass, he surges forward and finishes it himself.
Every possession is a mind game.
And nearly impossible to stop.
Right now, Shōei is in sync. The team moves seamlessly around Kiyoshi's aggressive advances at the edge of the paint. Everyone positions themselves with him at the center.
Suddenly
From the right side of the paint, Kiyoshi springs into motion. He leaps, ball in one hand, spins mid-air, and charges the basket.
"Damn it!"
"You're not getting through!"
In the paint, Senzan's center jumps in to help defend, his frame shifting into the gap between Kiyoshi and the rim.
He spreads his arms wide, covering a huge defensive area, blocking off both the layup from the right and any potential reverse finish.
Ordinarily
With help defense.
With bodies front and back.
The drive ends there.
But this is Teppei Kiyoshi.
In front of stunned spectators, he clutches the ball tightly in one hand. Then suddenly yanks it backward. Compared to holding the ball with two hands, this one-handed move gives him unrivaled flexibility in mid-air.
A quick flick
Behind-the-back pass!
The ball lands perfectly into the hands of Shōei's small forward, who had cut through the lane.
Meanwhile, Senzan's center, still mid-air from his help defense, couldn't react in time. The small forward easily scores.
That one play perfectly captured Kiyoshi Teppei's role as the offensive core of Shōei Middle.
Back on the other end
Senzan Middle begins their possession.
Reo Mibuchi cuts sharply, his teammates setting up screens for him.
But Kiyoshi bulldozes through the pick-and-roll with raw physical strength!
"Did he seriously power through the screen just like that?!"
"Feels like the entire game is just those two going back and forth."
"Right? Kiyoshi just assisted a great play, and now Mibuchi's clearly out for payback."
"Their energy is intense."
On the court
Mibuchi faces Kiyoshi with a smile… one that looks almost too delicate.
But his presence is undeniably fierce.
"How annoying, you actually managed to disrupt my shot earlier"
"But this time..."
"I'll blow you away!"
Kiyoshi meets his taunt with a calm smile that makes Mibuchi frown.
"If you can do it, go ahead and try."
To Kiyoshi, Mibuchi was still the same player he remembered from last year's Nationals. They had been temporary teammates then — along with Kotarō Hayama — going up against the formidable Teiko twins and Eikichi Nebuya. It wasn't a pleasant memory.
But Reo Mibuchi's beautiful three-pointers had left an impression — a talent so radiant, you knew it at first glance.
His shooting form flowed like water. And later, during Senzan's match against Teiko, Kiyoshi witnessed his true potential:
Heaven Shot.
That was Mibuchi.
Weird way of talking.
But undeniably talented.
Kiyoshi kept a cautious defensive distance.
This time, despite a failed screen setup, the pass still found Mibuchi. In a triple-threat stance, he seemed to come to a decision.
"Still rusty..."
"But Kiyoshi, you're stronger than I expected this year"
"No helping it..."
"I was saving this for Shigure, but you can have a taste first~"
Before Kiyoshi could even react, Mibuchi gathered the ball for a shot — without a single dribble! From beyond the arc.
Kiyoshi had already succeeded once in blocking Mibuchi's signature fadeaway, and he was ready again. But this time
Mibuchi's shot mechanics were completely different!
The timing was off, the rhythm was strange.
Kiyoshi jumped to block, aiming to disrupt both line and vision, but Mibuchi suddenly paused mid-form
Creating a split-second delay.
Then leapt.
Boom!
Kiyoshi, already airborne, collided with Mibuchi mid-shot!
Whistle!
Foul called!
But the ball
Mibuchi had already released it!
Swish!
He scored! Despite mid-air contact, despite distorted form
3-point play, plus a free throw!
Raising his hand, Mibuchi pointed his index finger at Kiyoshi.
"You're already"
"Not enough anymore"
In the stands
Watching Mibuchi's so-called Earth Shot, Akihito Shigure narrowed his eyes.
He quickly gave his verdict:
"Incomplete."
"From his form alone, the Earth Shot and Heaven Shot differ massively, even in their preparatory movements."
"Ideally, both would start the same to create greater deception. But the inconsistency here makes it much easier to defend."
"At 180cm, with a lean frame, he's clearly limited physically. In a regular shooting form, he can't maintain stability under hard contact."
"If it were me or Nijimura defending, this would only work as a gimmick. But Kiyoshi…"
"Even without our reaction speed, with his game sense, he could adapt in a few possessions. He'll start reading the shot timing and adjust defensively."
As Shigure finished speaking
He turned.
Next to him
Reiji Fukaya stared at him, eyes glowing from beneath his thick bangs.
And Shintarō Midorima mirrored the same intense gaze.
"...?"
"What?"
Midorima: "..."
They had only seen one shot.
Yet the gap...
Was already clear.
End of chapter...
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