Kaijō vs. Jinno.
The match ended with Shigure Akihito's display to his seniors—a transformation no different from a Super Saiyan.
It was just like the third-years' final game in middle school, when the Generation of Miracles—including Kuroko—gave their all in the championship, showcasing everything before those who came before them.
When the game was over, amidst Ōkura Masaaki and the others' half-laughing, half-scolding remarks, Shigure couldn't help but think about those "brats."
How were they doing now…?
Hmm… most likely crushing their opponents again.
The middle school pond, huh.
At last, it was time for it to end.
"Now!"
"The Finals!"
"Teiko Middle School vs. Meikō Middle School—the championship match begins!"
Kuroko, who had drifted off at some point, opened his eyes again. His first thought went to the finals.
"Momoi, the game… how's it going now?"
Momoi flailed her hands nervously. "Tetsuya, you can't move yet."
"The fourth quarter must be almost over by now. I only know the score on our side…"
"A huge lead, of course."
"I'll go check."
Unable to win against Kuroko's quiet insistence, Momoi sighed and relented. "Fine. I think the big display showing the live broadcast is nearby. Let's go watch there."
"No surprise from Teiko—an overwhelming gap! Four consecutive titles, in the bag!"
"But you know, in a way, Meikō did really well too. Few teams in the Nationals could hold out this long despite such a crushing disadvantage."
Momoi and Kuroko stood under the display. Momoi glanced at the score, then at Kuroko, quickly changing the subject. "We've secured our fourth straight crown, that much is certain…"
Kuroko's eyes lingered on the numbers:
201 : 7.
Yet he wasn't surprised.
Such a ridiculous scoreline wasn't unusual for this Teiko. And in the finals—the last game of middle school—of course everyone would go all out.
"So strong…"
"Not just the offense—even the defense doesn't leave a single gap. Sure, we managed to draw a few fouls and get some free throws…"
"But we still can't even crack double digits?"
"We still have time! Don't give up!!"
In those final moments, with the weight of despair heavy on them, Ogiwara still encouraged his teammates.
"Huh?"
"What are you even saying, the game's already…"
Ogiwara shook his head. "I know that much… but to just let it end like this, without doing anything? That pisses me off too much!"
"There are 15 seconds left. Let's at least get double digits!"
"We're going to lose anyway. So let's set one last goal for ourselves—lose with our heads held high!!"
His teammates looked at him, complicated emotions flickering in their eyes as Ogiwara smiled.
"Shigehiro…"
"…Yeah. You're right."
"Let's pay them back with one basket! Show them our pride!!"
"Yeah!!"
Backstage, Kuroko realized what might happen next. His face paled, then after a moment of hesitation, he stepped toward the court.
"...Tetsuya?" Momoi called after him, confused.
On the court, Meikō had 13 seconds left.
Ogiwara faced Haizaki.
Triple-threat stance. Test dribble. Launch!
He drove the ball forward.
Intercepted!
He crossed in front.
Intercepted again!
Behind-the-back!
3.5 seconds left!
Pull-up jumper!
Focused and cautious, Ogiwara pulled back the ball and rose for a jump shot. But sadly, at this final stage, the difference in athleticism was undeniable.
Smack!
Haizaki leapt effortlessly, swatting it aside.
Game over!
"Teiko are champions!!"
"And in unprecedented fashion—they've completed a four-peat at the Nationals!"
On the court, Ogiwara stared blankly at the score.
201 : 7.
As the adrenaline faded, his expression cracked for just a moment.
Then
"What's with you."
"It's just a miss, isn't it?"
"Why the long face? Not happy with only seven points?"
Haizaki brushed past him, tilting his head to meet his gaze.
"You did well."
"At least you lasted until I broke your last shot… Since you held on to the very end, now that it's over, just hold on a little longer."
He patted Ogiwara's shoulder. The uncharacteristically awkward gesture made Haizaki frown.
Ogiwara froze.
Hold on…
Hold on until the very last moment. I…
When his eyes fell on Kuroko standing at the sideline, he couldn't stop the tears from welling up.
Haizaki clicked his tongue. "Tch! I told you to hold it in a bit longer!"
But Ogiwara couldn't hear him anymore.
At the same moment, Kuroko realized something clearer than ever before.
What exactly is victory?
They had the championship. And yet his chest ached, his breath felt heavy.
Was this… really what winning meant?
The path ahead would be far more grueling.
Senpai…
This road…
It wasn't only talent that made it difficult.
Kuroko clenched his teeth, stepping onto the court.
"Ogiwara…"
"You didn't give up. You didn't surrender…"
"You've already done so well."
Ogiwara leaned against Kuroko's shoulder, finally releasing all his frustration.
What is victory?
That summer's Nationals saw the first-ever four-peat in history, Teiko shining with absolute glory. Yet, in the end, it was but a grain of sand in the sea of memory.
It brought honor to some, but for Kuroko Tetsuya and Ogiwara Shigehiro, it also carried the pain of growth.
When the celebrations ended, Kuroko sat on the bench in silence.
Kise, puzzled, asked around. Then his eyes widened. "Eh? The final's opponent had a friend of Kuroko's? Then you should've said so earlier…"
"Easing up a little wouldn't have been impossible, you know…"
At those words, not only the Generation of Miracles but even Kuroko himself raised his head, dead serious.
Kise instantly froze in embarrassment.
Then Akashi patted him on the back. "Whether it's respecting the opponent or respecting yourself so you can hold your head high afterward…"
"As long as the game isn't over, you give it everything you have."
"All these years…"
"Our seniors taught us that this is the most important thing."
Aomine nodded. "Exactly. Looking back, this final where I dropped 60 points will still matter. I don't want any games that make me look weaker."
"Otherwise, I'd just get mocked by Senpai Shigure."
Murasakibara bit into a snack. "Whatever, I'm never losing to normal people anyway~"
Midorima wrapped his bandages with care. "Do everything you can, and leave the rest to fate."
Haizaki said nothing, just sitting beside Kuroko, giving Kise a look to figure it out himself.
"…I get it," Kise muttered at last.
The gap was still there.
Not just in ability.
Damn it…
Why didn't I join the basketball club sooner…?
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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