In the stands, Takeuchi Genta—who had brought his elementary school basketball team to watch the game—stared wide-eyed at the court, at the sight of Fukasaya Reiji.
Even though he'd seen Reiji's name and photos countless times in magazines, seeing him in person—seeing how far that withdrawn, quiet boy had come—still felt unreal.
Just then, the little kids he'd brought along jumped out of their seats in excitement, surrounding the old man with a head full of white hair.
"Coach!"
"Coach!"
"Was that big brother really one of your players?"
"Ah…"
"Ah?"
"Y-yeah… I suppose he was…"
"Whoa, awesome! Even though number 6 still looks stronger, I guess we'll start by working to be like number 8 first!"
"Right?! He's amazing! He just tossed it up and it went in!"
"But…"
"Playing like that isn't right, is it…? Hmm… maybe not wrong, but when it comes to the basics, basketball's supposed to be played properly, step by step, right?"
"And to play like that, you'd need… a crazy amount of talent…"
"Huh?"
"What do you mean!"
"Didn't Coach always say that the moment talent blooms will surely come?"
"…"
Takeuchi Genta froze for a moment.
Talent?
What does talent really mean…
Skill. Body. Technique.
Only after you've done all you can—worked, trained, pushed to the limit—do you have the right to question whether you have talent, Reiji.
And as for when that moment of blooming arrives
Maybe today, maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after, maybe next year. But if you decide from the start that you don't have talent… then your story ends right there.
The words he once said to the sensitive, self-doubting boy echoed vividly in his mind. Without realizing it, Takeuchi stepped closer to the railing, pushing up his glasses as he tried to get a clearer view of his student.
Those eyes—sharp and steady—had long since grown accustomed to the spotlight.
Even among monsters, he stood out.
"You didn't stop at yesterday," he murmured softly. "Well done, Reiji."
Suddenly, the noise behind him pulled his attention back.
Turning around, he found the little kids holding up the Tōō Elementary Basketball Club banner, the team motto written boldly across it: Skill. Body. Technique.
Seeing it, Takeuchi couldn't help but smile.
Heh.
That's enough.
That's enough for me.
Seems this old man's retirement life still has meaning.
"Senpai!"
"Go, Senpai!"
"Senpai!"
"Go, Senpai!"
"Coach, come on! Maybe Senpai will see us if we cheer loud enough!"
"Eh?"
"I'm too old for that, my voice can't handle it~"
"Come on, Coach!"
"…Fine, fine."
"Reiji! Go!"
"Hahaha~ Coach, that was so quiet!"
On the court.
Rakuzan's offense unfolded. The Shadow Within the Unknown—Nanchiruyin—worked best under passive conditions, where its sensory link could fully shine.
So unlike Kaijō's Rainbow Connection, which emphasized offense, Okayama Miracle's style clearly leaned toward defense.
Rakuzan's attack revolved around this, using the synchronized perception from Nanchiruyin to sense their opponents' positions, building every play around Hagioka Kasayuki's lead.
On defense, they poured everything into stopping Kaijō's powerful offense—the Rainbow Connection that came without any defensive boosts.
Kaijō's turn.
Fukasaya Reiji sprinted into Rakuzan's half
Boom!
An explosive burst of speed!
His pace hit the limit of what the human body could sustain.
At the same time
Hino Shinya, shadowing him closely, saw that look in his eyes. No longer calm or cold—after that last unbelievable shot
He looked feral.
Like a beast baring its fangs.
So fast! Hino thought, clenching his jaw.
But with Nanchiruyin in play
He could switch with Kamimiya in that zone!
Thud!
A heavy collision!
Reiji's drive line didn't waver—he just shifted his shoulder slightly, forcing his body through the narrow gap of contact!
You won't stop me.
Get out of my way!
Meanwhile, at the top of the arc, Kaijō's captain Kasamatsu Yukio held the ball. His eyes reflected a mix of surprise, joy, and unease.
He wanted to trust in the connection—but also feared it.
For the first time, he was scared that after receiving a pass, he wouldn't have the ability to keep it alive. After all, he wasn't like Fukasaya Reiji.
Then
"Kasamatsu Yukio!"
"?!"
"Run! Get ready to catch!"
The shout came from Kurokami Shinji.
Whoosh!
At that exact moment, Shigure Akihito's pass—so fast it blurred into a streak—flashed through the air, deflecting off Nijimura Shuzo's hands, drawing a jagged arc of rainbow light before hurtling toward him!
In that instant
Something inside Kasamatsu stirred.
How do I play this?
Smack!
Before he could decide, the ball slammed into his hands—its force enormous, its spin unnatural—impossible for him to control normally.
But then
"Go with the flow!"
From across the court, Fukasaya Reiji shouted, already racing in the same rhythm, moving as if he shared Akihito and Nijimura's thoughts.
Kasamatsu's eyes sharpened.
Whoosh!
He guided the ball forward, channeling that wild spin toward Reiji!
It all happened in a blink.
Before he even realized it, the ball had left his hand, the trajectory shimmering with rainbow afterglow—proof that the connection, born from Akihito's emperor pass, hadn't broken at his stop.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh
Three dazzling, razor-sharp passes tore through the black mist that blanketed Rakuzan's half.
Smack!
If Kasamatsu's stop had been a deliberate anchor under Nijimura's control, then the next receiver—Fukasaya Reiji—had, in that instant, reached perfect synchronization with Nijimura himself!
With his own strength
He renewed the flow.
Smack!
The fourth rainbow light!
It blazed to life
Shining as brightly as the one Nijimura had sent to Kasamatsu moments earlier.
The target
Right beneath the rim
Number 7, Kurokami Shinji!
Bang!
Almost at the exact instant that final streak of light faded—Kurokami Shinji's figure was already hanging on the rim!
Clang!
He dropped to the floor, letting out a roar. "Ha! I knew it, Reiji—you'd send it here!!"
Smack!
He and Reiji exchanged a fierce high-five.
And in that brief meeting of palms, Reiji's eyes lifted toward the stands—where he saw the crowd applauding, and among them, the familiar banner of the Tōō Elementary Basketball Club.
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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