"Come on! Go, Oliver! Go, Hanamichi!!"
Mito, Haruko, and the others on the sidelines served as lively cheerleaders, their voices echoing throughout the gym. The energy was electric.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and halftime was looming.
Seniors vs. First-years
Score: 13–45
"Beep!"
The referee's whistle pierced the air, followed by the unmistakable elbow-strike gesture.
"Number 10 — foul! Possession is theirs!"
"Huh? Which eye saw me foul!?" Kawasaki Sakuragi erupted in anger, charging toward the referee to argue—but his teammates held him back.
"Cut it out, Hanamichi… Let's just reset and get the ball back."
Kaede Rukawa silently passed by with a cold glance.
"Idiot…" he muttered.
"Did you just call me an idiot? Say it again, Rukawa!"
Veins stood out on Sakuragi's forehead as he pushed through his teammates to face Rukawa.
"Listen," Rukawa spoke levelly. "You already have four fouls. One more, and you're out—five free throws, and we'll be short-handed. We'll lose."
"Dammit… I didn't foul him on purpose!" Sakuragi protested. "His hands kept flailing when I tried to steal!"
(How does he even dribble without moving his hands?) Rukawa fumed silently.
"One minute of peace…" a teammate said soothingly. "Count it as a lesson. We're down by so much that it won't decide the game."
"What? No way! The game isn't over! I'll bet everything and bring us back!!" Sakuragi raised his fist defiantly.
Rukawa's voice remained cold. "It's not over if you don't give up."
Another teammate stepped between them awkwardly. "Uh… Can we just move on?"
"Beep!"
The game resumed. Kogure tossed the inbound pass to Oliver, who sprinted into the interior once again.
"Swish!"
Rukawa's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he accelerated to match Oliver step for step.
*(Impossible…) Oliver thought. His system-enhanced Sonic Sprint was at max velocity and would expire soon. Yet Rukawa—unassisted—matched him stride for stride.
Oliver respected the speed, but knew he'd have to play smart. Facing Rukawa head-on would drain his energy.
"Akagi!!" Oliver shouted, passing the ball.
Akagi dodged Rukawa's attempt to intercept and launched toward the rim.
Seeing this, Oliver slowed down to conserve power, feeling the system's countdown in his chest.
(Remaining skills: Sonic Sprint ~30 sec, Accurate Shooter—two 3PT made, Bull Charge—1 sec left, Quick Recovery—unused.)
Akagi darted to the paint, poised to score.
But Rukawa, unruffled, blocked the pass.
He snatched the ball and bolted toward the opposite basket.
"Defense!" Akagi roared. Everyone raced back into position.
Rukawa's speed was terrifying, nearly matching Oliver's.
Akagi marveled from behind the play: That guy is unbelievable…
"Sonic Dash!"
Oliver activated his sprint once more, streaking after Rukawa.
They clashed mid-lane, speed versus skill.
Suddenly, Rukawa stopped on a dime, launching himself and the ball high.
(Not a fake!) Oliver's foot slammed into the floor—he rose to block.
"Bang!"
The ball passed overhead, brushing Oliver's fingertips.
Tsk.
Rukawa smirked in mid-air.
"Rebound!!"
Every player lunged under the hoop, scrambling for possession.
"Big gorilla!! Get away from me!!" shouted Sakuragi to Akagi.
"Step aside, rookie. You'll never beat me to a rebound!" Akagi retorted.
In a show of experience, he used his body to box Sakuragi out.
"Wuwuwu!! Dammit!!"
Sakuragi flailed as Akagi maintained his positioning.
"Bang!"
The ball bounced firmly off the backboard.
"A beginner like you'd never grab that!"
Akagi seized the ball and launched upward.
"Don't be so arrogant! There's always someone better than you. Stay grounded and train hard!"
Breathe…
Before Akagi's dunk attempt resolved, Sakuragi made his move. He crouched low, charged, and sprang upward like a missile, swooping under Akagi's arm.
"What!? Impossible!?"
Akagi stared incredulously as Sakuragi's momentum carried him to a higher reach.
"You fool!! I told you—I'm a basketball genius!!"
"Bang!"
In an astonishing feat, Sakuragi plucked the rebound from atop Akagi's head.
"Control the rebounds, control the game!!"
---
Aftermath & Reflections
A hush fell as Sakuragi landed and held the ball aloft. That rebound had shifted the tide—no longer a mere show of strength, but a moment of court-sense and determination.
Akagi stepped back, crestfallen but calculating.
Sakuragi's chest rose and fell rapidly; excitement glowed behind his wide eyes. He had earned a moment of glory—one he wouldn't forget.
On the sidelines, Haruko gasped, her heart racing.
*(That's… my Sakuragi-kun…) * she thought, tears welling.
Ayako smiled approvingly. "That… was a real breakthrough!"
Mito punched the air. "Yes, yes! Watch out seniors—Hanamichi is leveling up!"
Kogure patted Rukawa on the back. "We're seeing heart now, not just skill."
Rukawa, usual poker face intact, nodded subtly before turning back to the court.
---
Continuing the Match
The whistle blew again. Play resumed—and with it, renewed energy.
Oliver glided back into formation, Konstant on deck to assist Sakuragi.
Akagi faced forward, ready to duel in the paint once more. Everyone now sensed the shifting momentum.
The game would go on—drive, strategy, teamwork, heart.
And Sakuragi—once wild and undisciplined—had just proven himself beneath the rim.
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