"Well, let's see what Toshigawa can do," Kogure said.
He winked before turning toward his team's bench. The fabric of his Yokonan jacket rustled with each step.
A girl tugged at her friend's sleeve.
"Look! It's him!"
"Kogure-senpai! Over here!"
Another girl waved both hands above her head.
"Kogure-senpai, I love you!"
A third girl screamed from behind them.
Kogure turned toward the stands and waved with a smile.
The girls shrieked.
"AHHH! HE WAVED AT US!"
"I guess Kogure and I have something in common," Noboru said with a smirk.
Nanaho stared at him without blinking.
"I don't know what it'll take to cure that delusional mind of yours."
Coach Arimoto approached the Toshigawa bench.
"Hey, you must be the new coach of Toshigawa Academy. Nice to meet you."
He extended his hand.
Takahiro blinked, his gaze shifting to the outstretched hand.
Noboru burst out laughing.
"Seriously? He actually thinks Takahiro is the coach!"
"Actually, I'm the coach," Nanaho said.
Her smile twitched as she gestured toward Takahiro.
"He's a player."
Coach Arimoto's eyes widened.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just... he looks way too old to be in high school. You might want to shave that beard."
Takahiro's shoulders slumped. His fingers brushed against his beard before dropping to his sides.
Even Coach Arimoto thinks I'm old...
His gaze shifted toward the coach's face.
And he looks pretty old himself.
Arimoto glanced at Yukio. Their eyes met briefly before he turned and headed back to the Yokonan bench.
He took a seat.
Nanaho stepped in front of the six players.
"Listen. I'm not that great at giving advice, but..."
She glanced to the side. A faint redness spread across her cheeks.
"I want you all to read the game carefully and avoid foul trouble. Just give it everything you've got."
Noboru leaned forward with a grin.
"No way... So you actually can be cute when you try."
Nanaho punched him in the shoulder.
"Ouch!"
"Can it and focus!"
Noboru rubbed his shoulder.
Yukio rose from the bench.
"I want every one of you to give this game everything you have. Follow Nanaho's strategy and trust your teammates."
His gaze moved across the six players.
"I know we're up against Yokonan High, a team with a long-standing reputation. But that doesn't mean we can't beat them."
"Yeah!"
The players shouted in unison.
Yukio raised his fist.
"Toshigawa!"
"FIGHT!"
The team shouted back. They tugged at their jerseys and adjusted their shorts before stepping forward.
Fukazawa didn't tell us who the starting five were...
Shino released a slow breath. His shoulders slumped.
I guess I'll just take a seat on the bench.
"Tetsuo, I want you to stay on the bench for now," Nanaho said.
Tetsuo blinked.
"Are you sure?"
"Don't worry. Trust me."
Tetsuo gave a small nod before sitting down on the bench.
Why'd she put Tetsuo on the bench? Shouldn't he be starting?
Haruko glanced toward the court, her eyes settling on Tetsuo.
And how come Toshigawa only has six players?
"Shino, you're starting. Go knock them dead."
Nanaho raised her thumb toward him. The corner of her mouth twitched.
"What?! You can't be serious!"
Shino's knees wobbled. His hands trembled at his sides.
"Me? I'm starting?!"
"Calm down."
Yukio placed a hand on Shino's shoulder.
"This is what you've been training for. I'm counting on you."
Shino's mouth opened slightly. He looked down at the floor before glancing at Yukio.
The captain's right.
I want to get better... and I want to help the team. If I don't step up now, when will I?
He lifted his head and met Nanaho's gaze.
"I'll do it."
"That's the spirit!"
Nanaho smiled.
I've never doubted Nanaho's judgment... but was starting him really the right call?
Yukio stepped onto the court.
Behind the bench, Nanaho paced back and forth. She pressed her thumbnail against her lower lip, her eyes following the players as they took their positions.
This might be a long shot... and it's risky.
Her fingers dropped to her side.
But I can't let Yokonan figure him out just yet.
"Let's get this game over with," Eiji said as he stepped onto the court, chewing his gum.
Ryuu clicked his tongue.
"Make sure you're recording, Yanagi."
"Yeah."
Yanagi raised his phone.
"We're live."
The bleachers shook as students and teachers erupted into cheers.
"Let's go! Let's go! Yokonan!"
"You can do it, Yokonan!"
"Let's go! Let's go! Yokonan!"
"You can do it, Yokonan!"
Haruko sat on the bench, her hands resting in her lap.
A Yokonan student stepped forward with a whistle around his neck and the basketball in his hands.
"Are you ready for the tip-off?"
"Yeah. I'll be taking the jump," Yukio said.
He raised his hand and stepped into the center circle. His sneakers squeaked against the polished floor.
Ryuu bent his knees and raised his hand. The corners of his mouth curled upward.
The whistle blew.
The ball shot upward.
Yukio and Ryuu jumped simultaneously. Yukio's knees extended as he reached for the ball, his fingertips stretching toward its surface.
Their bodies rose to nearly the same height.
Yukio's fingers made contact first.
Tap!
The ball sailed behind him.
"What?! No way!"
Ryuu landed hard on the court. His sneakers screeched against the polished floor.
The ball bounced once.
"Got it!"
Hayato caught the ball with both hands while moving forward. He pivoted sharply.
Eiji stepped forward, bending his knees.
"Noboru, catch!"
Hayato said.
Eiji's eyes widened. He thrust a hand upward, but the ball sailed over his fingertips.
"Got it!"
Noboru caught the ball.
Without slowing down, he took another step and sent it off the backboard.
Swish.
The crowd fell silent.
"No way..."
"Noboru, you idiot! Don't just run off without checking if we've got the ball! What were you thinking?!"
Nanaho shouted from the bench.
Noboru ran back to his half of the court and turned toward her.
"Relax! I know what I'm doing!"
That was quick... He passed the ball the moment he received it. Almost as if he'd already anticipated he would be at the basket.
Haruko's lips curved into a smile.
"Nice one."
Hayato slapped his palm against Noboru's.
"That's just the start," Noboru said.
"What the hell are they getting so excited about?" Ryuu said as he jogged down the court.
Eiji dribbled behind him.
Hayato stepped forward, bending his knees as he watched the ball.
Eiji raised two fingers with his left hand while shielding the ball with his body.
A Yokonan player darted into position. He planted his feet, and his shoulder struck Yukio's chest.
A screen under the basket...
Yukio staggered backward.
Eiji lobbed the ball over Hayato's outstretched fingers.
Ryuu caught it just below the free-throw line. He pivoted and flicked his wrist.
Swish.
"Seriously? If a little screen is all it takes to break your defense, then I guess you haven't changed at all, Hamaguchi."
Ryuu smirked before turning and jogging back down the court.
Noboru scooped the ball up from beneath the net.
"That punk... We'll show him, right, Cap?"
Yukio nodded.
"Yeah..."
Noboru inbounded the ball to Hayato.
"All right, let's put some points on the board," Hayato said.
He advanced down the court, the ball thudding against the hardwood with each dribble.
Takahiro cut in from the right wing and planted his feet firmly near the top of the key.
Hayato crossed to the left. Eiji shifted to follow him, but Hayato quickly brought the ball back through his legs.
Eiji tried to keep up, only to collide with Takahiro's screen.
"What the...?"
Hayato slipped past them and dribbled into the key.
Hayato leaped toward the basket.
Ryuu jumped alongside him, raising his arm.
As if I'd let you score that easily.
Hayato smirked.
While still airborne, he adjusted his position and flicked the ball toward Yukio. It spun through the air.
Yukio caught the pass on his first step.
He gathered the ball and leapt toward the basket, his knees bending before he rose.
Ryuu landed, spun around, and jumped again, thrusting his arm upward.
Yukio drew the ball back in his right hand and extended over Ryuu's outstretched arm.
THWACK!
The ball slammed through the rim.
Gasps erupted from the bleachers as Ryuu crashed onto the floor beneath him, landing flat on his back.
For a brief moment, the gym fell silent.
The scoreboard flickered.
The red numbers changed from 2–2 to 2–4.
"Did he just dunk on Ryuu?"
"Yeah... And I caught the whole thing on camera, just like he asked," Yanagi said, holding up his phone.
"For your own sake, you'd better delete that," Manabu said.
"There's more where that came from!" Noboru shouted.
He jogged backward into position on defense, keeping his eyes on the opposing team.
Haruko's fingers tightened around the hem of her skirt. The corners of her mouth lifted as her eyes sparkled.
That was so cool! So this is what high school basketball looks like!
PFFT!!
Kayano covered his mouth. His shoulders rose and fell.
"No way! Ryuu got dunked on!"
He slapped Kogure's shoulder.
"I like number ten. He's funny."
Kogure smiled.
Yukio's chest rose and fell. He turned toward the opposite side of the court and pointed at Kogure.
Kogure raised an eyebrow. The corner of his lips curled upward.
Not bad at all, Yukio. Keep it up... Maybe Coach will put me in this game.
Arimoto's jaw tightened. He pushed himself out of his chair.
"Call a timeout."
"Okay."
"Timeout, Yokonan!"
Nanaho turned toward Arimoto, her eyes narrowing.
What is he thinking?