The Inter-High stage.
Thanks to the Akashi family's sponsorship, the Teiko squad had all arrived in Hiroshima in first-class seats. From the very front row of the spectators' stands, they had secured a prime block of seats.
Kise glanced left and right.
No wonder…
Even calling it a "scramble" was an understatement, as Midorima had described.
It was overwhelming.
Even the staff catwalks at the very top of the arena were crammed with players from high school teams.
Meanwhile.
Inside Kaijō's backstage locker room.
Amid the hushed whispers of Kaijō's players—especially the veterans—everyone noticed something unusual.
Today, Shigure Akihito hadn't joined in their chatter.
After changing into his gear, he simply sat in silence, a towel draped over his head.
"Nijimura…"
Coach Takeuchi Genta leaned against the wall. He had intended to keep quiet, but at this point he couldn't hold it in.
"Shigure… he's not having any problems, right?"
Nijimura shook his head.
"No problem."
"He's just… too excited."
"His expression…"
"…he can't control it anymore."
Fwip
Nijimura yanked away the towel covering Shigure's head.
Sure enough—what was revealed was an expression none of them had ever seen before. Shigure's face was twisted with excitement, excitement so raw it bordered on something feral and frightening.
Everyone in Kaijō froze at the sight.
Shigure…
Could he really show an expression like this?
And this state of his…
Fukasaya Reiji and Tajika Makoto exchanged silent glances: "…"
It was just like back in junior high, before Shigure had become a full-fledged monster. That same manic, almost grotesque thrill he showed after crushing opponents, savoring their weakness—was surfacing again.
"Hurry up and start already…"
"I've waited for this day far, far too long!"
Shigure pulled the towel back over his head. His expression was hidden once more, but his aura had erupted to its peak. In that instant, it was as though waves of heat shimmered off him, hot and cold air clashing in visible ripples.
…
"Rakuzan High, Kaijō High—please begin warmups!"
With the announcer's voice booming, the passion of the crowd surged higher and higher.
"Whoa, they're coming out…!"
"They finally made it this far!"
"Kanagawa's elite of the Blue Generation—and… Teiko's Twin Stars!"
"Standing in the way of this first-time finalist is the emperor of the last two years, Rakuzan, and… the future giant, Hagioka Kasayuki!"
"But then again…"
"For Teiko's alumni over on Kaijō, the finals must feel almost routine by now."
"Especially since the Twin Stars once defeated Hagioka back in junior high."
As both teams jogged onto the court to warm up, Shigure suddenly heard a bright, familiar voice:
"Senpai! We're here to cheer for you!"
Nijimura Shuzo heard it too. He turned his head, blinking in surprise.
"Those brats…"
Kurokami Shinji and Fukasaya Reiji looked as well.
"Pfft"
"Ahaha!"
They burst out laughing when they saw Kise—and, beside him, Haizaki—stretching out a massive Teiko banner that proclaimed Invincible in a Hundred Battles.
Haizaki muttered through gritted teeth, "Kise… and Aomine… I'll kill you two someday…"
He hadn't even realized what was happening before Aomine shoved the other end of the banner into his hands. Now, standing in front of the whole arena holding it up, his face had gone pale green.
Of the Teiko alumni on the court, only Shigure and Kurokami waved back at them, which earned them an even wilder response from Kise—before Midorima immediately shut him down, equally mortified.
And then.
A ball rolled across from Rakuzan's half of the court. Without even turning his head, Nijimura's instincts caught it—his heel flicked, and he scooped it smoothly into his hands.
"Impressive…"
"The undefeated Teiko…"
Hearing that voice, Shigure turned.
Walking toward them was Hagioka Kasayuki.
In this world of basketball, since the very beginning, the only time Shigure had ever felt like he had truly lost… was against this man, back in junior high.
To face him again here, as rivals, in this setting…
It was exactly the kind of encounter that made his blood race.
Shigure: "…Yo."
Hagioka: "You've grown a lot taller."
Shigure: "Coming from a senpai over two meters tall, are you saying I'm still short?"
Hagioka: "You haven't been slacking off in that little paradise of junior high, have you?"
Shigure: "Of course not."
Shigure: "And you, senpai—two championships aren't enough already?"
Hagioka: "No matter how many, it's never enough."
Hagioka: "This time… I won't let you take it."
Shigure: "Too bad. My target's still a three-peat."
On the side, Kasamatsu Yukio paused mid-drill. The atmosphere radiating off the two of them was so overwhelming that he couldn't help stealing a glance at Hagioka.
So this is what it's like when monsters face each other…
And strangely, Shigure and Hagioka felt… similar.
Not to mention
They were both so tall!
Shigure, already a towering 196 cm, was versatile enough to play any position from center to point guard. That versatility only made his height more intimidating.
But Hagioka Kasayuki… he looked to be the tallest on the court.
202?
Maybe 203?
Practically eye-to-eye with Kurokami.
But
He was a shooting guard.
At that moment.
Hagioka's gaze swept over Shigure Akihito, then over to Nijimura Shuzo. Slowly, he closed his eyes. Memories of that final year in junior high, of every scene during and after that match, flashed before him.
At least, as a senpai, he had already won once.
Next time, he would surpass him.
Now it was high school—and it was time for him to become a true ace.
And when that day came, he would make Shigure understand that an even stronger rival was waiting for him.
Enjoy your moment of victory…
Hagioka opened his eyes again.
"Shigure…"
"I have already become a pure ace. My ideals, my conviction, my victories—nothing will stop me from claiming them."
And at the same time.
Shigure's eyes locked on Hagioka's. As if in perfect sync, both of them relived every clash of their middle school battle.
His heartbeat quickened, excitement boiling in his veins like fuel feeding a raging fire.
"This time—we'll settle it once and for all! A true, complete victory!"
Hagioka gave a calm nod, finishing the words he'd been about to say earlier.
"This time, the one who enjoys the moment of victory… will be me."
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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