The buzzer cut through the arena like a blade.
BEEEEEP.
End of the first quarter.
Finally scores Seiryō High - 5 Hakuro Academy -20
Players slowed, breaths heavy, shoes squeaking as bodies eased out of combat mode. The scoreboard glowed overhead, the gap real but no longer terrifying. Hakuro still led—but not by a margin that felt untouchable.
Yuuto wiped sweat from his brow as he jogged toward the bench. His chest rose and fell steadily now, not panicked. Not frozen.
Alive.
Marcus followed close behind, jaw tight, eyes sharp, already replaying possessions in his head. Shunjin rolled his shoulders once, cracking his neck as if shaking off lingering pressure. Daichi bent forward, hands on knees, gulping air.
They had survived.
Not cleanly.
Not comfortably.
But they were still standing.
Coach Takeda didn't raise his voice.
He never did.
