In the ensuing game, Reo Mibuchi tried to close the gap.
However, constant double-teams and a shaken mindset led to repeated misses.
Meanwhile, Shūtoku rode the momentum, knocking down three consecutive three-pointers.
The game had completely fallen into Shūtoku's rhythm.
Eiji Shirogane stood frozen in disbelief, his face filled with shock.
He turned to Masaaki Nakatani and muttered, almost self-mockingly:
"I see... I see... Nakatani, this game... you've won."
Then Eiji Shirogane slowly closed his eyes.
"But at the Winter Cup, you won't win again!"
...
"Beep! Game over! Both teams, take your positions!"
The referee's whistle signaled the end of the match.
The final score was set at 105 to 123.
Shutoku High School won and advanced to the finals!
With that, the morning matches came to an end, leaving only the afternoon games.
Tōō High School would face Kirisaki Daiichi.
News of Shūtoku's victory quickly reached Miyamoto.
When someone told him, Miyamoto was still waiting for food together with the entire Kirisaki Daiichi team.
After listening to Shuzo Nijimura's explanation, Shogo Haizaki had more or less understood what had happened.
Everyone sat quietly waiting for the food—except Atsushi Murasakibara.
He couldn't sit still.
...
Elsewhere.
Chihiro Mayuzumi found a quiet corner and made a call to Seijuro Akashi.
The call connected quickly, and Akashi's cold voice came through.
"Speak."
Chihiro Mayuzumi took a deep breath and said in a low voice:
"Akashi... we lost..."
There was a brief silence on the other end before Akashi replied calmly:
"Mm, I know."
Just as Seijuro Akashi was about to hang up, Chihiro Mayuzumi spoke again:
"Akashi... I have a question."
"Ask."
"The Shadow... what exactly is it...?"
There was a noticeable pause on the other end, as if he were recalling something.
More than ten seconds passed before he spoke again:
"The Shadow... is a shadow."
"Then what actually counts as a shadow?!"
Chihiro Mayuzumi burst out, his voice filled with frustration.
Akashi seemed slightly taken aback, then replied coldly:
"Soon."
Chihiro Mayuzumi frowned.
"Soon?"
Seijuro Akashi answered indifferently:
"Yes. Soon. It won't be long before you see the true shadow."
Chihiro Mayuzumi paused, then slowly closed his eyes, as if making a firm decision.
"Akashi..."
"I'm here."
"I don't want to lose anymore... I want to win... even if it means... becoming a shadow completely."
"Have you made your decision?"
"Yes."
"Alright. I understand."
Beep... beep... beep...
Chihiro Mayuzumi listened to the disconnected tone as his hand fell weakly to his side.
He looked up at the sky, tears slipping out of his eyes without him noticing.
"I really... don't want to lose anymore..."
...
Elsewhere.
Daiki Aomine was warming up alone on a nearby street court.
Ryo Sakurai approached, holding a bento box, and spoke timidly:
"Sorry, um... Aomine, you should eat something. After all... we're facing Kirisaki Daiichi this afternoon..."
Daiki Aomine sank a shot, then turned his head.
He walked over, took the bento from Ryo Sakurai, and said:
"Thanks, Sakurai."
Ryo Sakurai waved his hands quickly.
"No, no, no need to thank me."
Daiki Aomine waved it off, crouched down on the spot, and started eating.
Time passed quickly.
The match between Tōō High School and Kirisaki Daiichi was about to begin.
Crowds poured into the gym from all directions.
There were teams from Yosen High School, Shutoku High School, and many others.
Some had lost to Kirisaki Daiichi, others to Tōō High School.
And some simply came to watch a top-tier showdown.
In short, the venue was packed.
There were even more spectators than during the morning match between Shūtoku High School and Rakuzan High School.
Everyone found seats and prepared to watch.
After sitting down, Shintaro Midorima seemed to sense something and turned to his right.
Not too far away sat a man with crimson hair.
It was Seijuro Akashi.
Shintaro Midorima's brows furrowed.
He didn't even bother watching our game this morning, and now he's interested in this one.
Akashi... in your eyes, is Miyamoto the only one who can rival you?
Shintaro Midorima clenched his fist. A genius never admits defeat—especially not someone like him.
Soon, the Tōō High School players entered the court to warm up, and Kirisaki Daiichi did the same.
Discussions began in the stands.
"What do you think? Who's going to win?"
"Definitely Kirisaki Daiichi! Tōō got crushed last time!"
"I think so too. That's the [Magic Cube]! I can't even imagine [Magic Cube] losing."
...
On the court.
Daiki Aomine walked toward Kirisaki Daiichi—more precisely, toward Miyamoto.
Miyamoto noticed him, smiled, and extended his hand.
"Daiki, looks like we're playing again."
Daiki Aomine grinned and shook his hand.
"Yeah, we are."
Suddenly, Daiki Aomine's expression turned resolute.
"This game... I'm going all out!"
Miyamoto smiled casually.
"I'm looking forward to it."
With that, the two turned and headed back to their respective sides to continue warming up.
The warm-up ended quickly, and the match was about to begin.
Tōō High School's starting lineup remained the same: center Kosuke Wakamatsu, power forward Daiki Aomine, small forward Yoshinori Susa, shooting guard Ryo Sakurai, and point guard Shoichi Imayoshi.
Kirisaki Daiichi's lineup: center Atsushi Murasakibara, power forward Shuzo Nijimura, small forward Shogo Haizaki, shooting guard Dicky Anthony, and point guard Miyamoto.
First came the tip-off. For Tōō High School, it was once again Kosuke Wakamatsu.
As for Kirisaki Daiichi...
They were deciding the jumper with rock-paper-scissors!
In the end, Dicky Anthony won again with scissors, earning the jump.
Dicky Anthony proudly held up his scissors, while Atsushi Murasakibara lowered his head in disappointment, staring regretfully at his hand that had chosen paper.
"Ugh, lost again... how annoying."
......