"Honestly…"
"I have to admit, I'm impressed, Fukaya-kun~."
"Even as a shooter, you're far better than I imagined~."
Though Reo Mibuchi's tone carried its usual languid drawl, his eyes were sharp, fixed on Fukaya Reiji with a shadowy intensity.
In response, Fukaya hesitated only for a moment before the corners of his lips curved upward, for the first time.
"Teiko has more than one player stronger than me."
Reo Mibuchi: "!"
He understood the implication immediately. The reminder of his shot being blocked earlier burned in his mind, making his expression even darker.
"I'll crush you, you know~."
"That's exactly what I want."
…
Heaven Shot.
Earth Shot.
Void.
Although Reo's techniques were, in Shigure's eyes, still unfinished, Fukaya had to admit one thing,
Reo Mibuchi's shooting was truly extraordinary.
Undeniably…
The realm of a genius.
But…
There was only one flaw.
A little too effeminate.
Reo Mibuchi: "…!?"
He couldn't know what Fukaya was thinking, but the look in his opponent's eyes said enough. Reo could tell, Fukaya was thinking something insulting.
Meanwhile,
With no bangs covering his sight, Fukaya's gaze locked on Reo's knees.
As Reo darted around the court with lightning footwork, the rushing wind swelled Fukaya's jersey. He chased him relentlessly. Every step, every movement, every desperate effort, it all reminded Fukaya of the value of the endless pursuit he'd endured until now.
And suddenly, he felt it again,
That moment.
'Amazing…'
'You're incredible, Reiji.'
'This year…'
'Everyone will notice you.'
The words Shigure had once left him with returned unbidden, echoing through his heart and merging with his own fierce pride.
"…"
Heh.
Of course.
Without challenging yourself, a dream will always remain only a dream.
Unknowingly,
He had come this far.
Aside from Shigure and Nijimura, even he now believed it, "I won't lose to anyone."
Coach Takeuchi's words rang in his ears: If you assume from the start you have no talent, then this very moment will be your limit.
But now…
Had he finally glimpsed where his true limits lay?
He chuckled softly.
From that moment on, what he sought was already… limitless!
Swoosh!
Forced to a halt once again by Fukaya's sudden "burst," Reo finally pulled the trigger. At the same time, Fukaya made his move.
On the sidelines, the Teiko players noticed it too. Fukaya's bursts were coming faster, more frequent.
Shinji Kurokami: "…"
Reiji…
This guy,
He's gotten stronger.
And serious. Dead serious about taking down the Uncrowned Kings.
From his eyes, Shinji could see the difference. When facing Shigure, Fukaya had looked like a challenger. But now, against Reo Mibuchi, he radiated unprecedented confidence.
He wasn't here just to compete.
He was here to win!
In that instant, Shinji thought back to his own struggles against Nebuya's overwhelming strength. The gap between himself and Fukaya grew even clearer.
Teiko was never a place that waited for anyone.
And yet, under the crushing weight of Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo, though Fukaya had once wavered, he had thrown all hesitation into the fire. Even knowing his dream might never be fulfilled, he pressed forward, fighting every step.
And now,
He stood on the grandest stage, in perfect form.
Kozo Shirogane once said: Perhaps because of a center's role, you've never faced Shigure or Nijimura head-on. Riding on height and ability, you entered the starting lineup smoothly. That's why, among all second-years, your hunger is the weakest. Open your eyes and see the distance born from that. It matters.
And now, Shinji could see the gap crystal clear.
Fukaya, however, was climbing even higher.
"Reiji…!"
On court,
Reo Mibuchi used his more elaborate "Earth Shot" and "Void" feints to set up space for his signature move: the "Heaven Shot."
But,
The shift in his shooting balance was so subtle that even someone like Midorima, armed with prior knowledge, would struggle to judge correctly.
Yet…
Fukaya Reiji read him perfectly.
As Reo transitioned into his Heaven Shot, Fukaya exploded upward!
Body bursting with speed, he closed the gap in an instant.
Reo's quick fadeaway, when compared against Fukaya's accelerated timing, seemed to sink underwater, slowing before his eyes.
Pain stabbed from his right foot, nerves screaming, but Fukaya gritted his teeth and forced his body higher.
In that moment,
The roaring crowd fell silent.
The only sound in his ears was the faint snap of his hand brushing the ball.
Screech,
And then,
Louder than himself,
"Uwoooahhh!"
"Do it, Reiji!"
"Go, go, Reiji!"
Shinji's voice carried over the court.
Yes,
This block would not fail.
It would shatter the balance that had lasted until now. The rushing wind told him,
With his own body, he was crossing into the domain of genius.
Exhilarating.
Never had he felt freer than now.
Not a single, lucky basket against Shigure, but complete victory!
Damn it!
So this… is what victory feels like?!
Smack, !
A block!
"Uwahhh!"
"He blocked it?!"
"He even stopped that fadeaway Heaven Shot?!"
"The scales have tipped, toward Fukaya Reiji…!"
In the chorus of shock and cheers, the entire world seemed to celebrate his triumph.
Meeting Shinji's gaze, Fukaya's sweat-drenched face broke into a smile, the expression of someone who had staked everything, and won it all.
"I…"
"Won!"
The hair tie snapped behind his head, strands falling free, but nothing could obscure his vision anymore.
Head held high,
He looked toward the dazzling lights above!
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