"Thump! Thump! Thump!"
Heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway—fading, returning, fading again.
Kogure put on his glasses, glanced at the clock, and rubbed his forehead in helplessness.
"Akagi, you should sleep. We have a game tomorrow."
Mitsui, already hiding under his pillow, groaned loudly, "Seriously! What are you thinking so much about? Just close your eyes! You're keeping both of us awake!"
Akagi scratched his cheek awkwardly. "Hm… I know."
It wasn't that he didn't want to sleep. He simply couldn't.
Every time he closed his eyes, tomorrow's match forced its way into his mind.
And then—Morishige Hiroshi.
His throat would go dry, he'd get up to drink water, then head to the restroom.
Again and again and again.
Mitsui and Kogure, his unfortunate roommates, were dragged into his sleepless cycle.
After tossing around endlessly, Akagi finally drifted off—only to be tormented by nightmares, waking up minutes later.
At 8 AM, the entire Shohoku team quietly ate breakfast.
Among all of Shohoku's matches so far, today's schedule was the best:
10 AM – Shohoku vs. Meihou Industrial
2 PM – Sannoh Industrial vs. Hakata Shodai Affiliated
Plenty of rest time. Plenty of time to observe Sannoh.
Anzai set down his newspaper and sipped his tea, unbothered as always.
At the same table, Nango glanced at the sports headlines. They were still hyping up Meihou Industrial and Morishige Hiroshi, stirring up excitement for the imagined "Industrial War."
Nango scoffed inwardly.
Well then… I'd like to see what headline they use tomorrow.
Sakuragi also peeked at the paper, then angrily stuffed food into his mouth, muttering nonsense under his breath.
Rukawa Kaede, unusually quiet, sat at the edge of the table, staring absentmindedly at his food.
At the next table, Akagi and his two roommates ate while yawning. Their dead-tired expressions would worry any spectator.
Ayako approached with a cup of coffee, handing it to Mitsui. "Senpai, did you not sleep well?"
Mitsui didn't even accept the cup. He pushed it toward Kogure and pointed straight at Akagi.
"It's this guy! Too nervous to sleep, and he dragged us down with him!"
"Hmph!" Akagi crossed his arms. "I wasn't nervous. I just… couldn't sleep."
He pushed the coffee toward Kogure again. Feeling too embarrassed to refuse, Kogure reluctantly drank it.
Mitsui snorted but didn't argue.
Nakamura, terrified that someone would bump his precious camera, carefully followed behind Aida Yayoi like a penguin.
Seeing the crowd of Meihou and Morishige supporters, he muttered, "Morishige Hiroshi is insanely popular… He already feels like a celebrity."
"Of course he is," Yayoi replied, eyes sparkling. "He's the most anticipated newcomer this year. Many people expect him to overthrow Sannoh."
To her, today's matches promised real excitement. Shohoku and Meihou were the two biggest dark horses. Whoever won would challenge the king.
Compared to writing the same old praise for Sannoh every year, this was far more fun.
Speaking of the king—
Sannoh Industrial, led by Coach Domoto, arrived and took their seats.
The two teams playing today were unfamiliar to them, but as a dynasty, they understood:
Know yourself and know your enemy — that is how the strong stay strong.
And they had no intention of surrendering their crown.
Back in Shohoku's locker room, Mitsui made another nervous trip to the restroom.
Nango laughed, "Senpai, why are you nervous? Shouldn't it be Akagi-senpai?"
Mitsui snapped back, "I WASN'T nervous! But thanks to that gorilla, now I am!"
Sakuragi burst into laughter.
"Gorilla is nervous? Too funny! Hahahaha!"
Mitsui laughed too. None of them noticed the locker room door sliding open.
And Akagi stepping inside.
Whack!
Whack!
Whack!
Akagi smacked all three on the head.
Red-faced, he lifted his iron fist and barked, "Idiots! I'm NOT nervous! I just drank too much water this morning!"
Nango rubbed his head. "Captain, it's fine to be nervous. We're all here, right? No matter how strong Morishige Hiroshi is, he's still just one guy."
"I SAID I'M NOT NERVOUS!" Akagi yelled again, totally missing the point.
Nango opened his mouth to tease him further, but Anzai stood up.
"Everyone," he said calmly, "let's review today's strategy."
At once, all the players sat up straight like model students.
As the tournament progressed, Coach Anzai's tactical guidance had become increasingly frequent. That alone proved how strong today's opponent was—and how serious he was taking this match.
"In the early stages of the game, our primary attacking point will be Nango."
Anzai looked at Akagi, then at Nango.
Akagi blinked in mild surprise but didn't object.
Nango simply nodded.
This game was not going to be a back-and-forth fight—Coach Anzai wanted a quick, decisive victory.
End the game early.
Hide information from Sannoh.
Maximize rest time for tomorrow.
"Nango," Anzai continued, circling two spots on the board, "limit your activity to these two areas: the free-throw line area and under the basket."
"Understood."
It was clear—either lure Morishige out, or force him into foul trouble.
Then Anzai turned to Rukawa and Miyagi.
"For today's game, we are adjusting the starting lineup. Miyagi will replace Rukawa."
The room froze.
Even Sakuragi, who usually pounced on any chance to mock Rukawa, forgot to speak.
Was this a punishment for yesterday?
Miyagi glanced sideways at Rukawa. Seeing no reaction, he finally replied, "Yes, Coach."
Anzai continued as calmly as ever, "Miyagi, whenever Morishige Hiroshi receives the ball, immediately double-team him. Don't let him dribble comfortably."
With instructions given, Anzai paused. There were no more openings. Any additional adjustments would be made during the game.
Then—
"Coach," Nango said with a confident grin, "I have one request."
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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 🥳🎉