Aida Riko watched the situation on the court and wanted to call another timeout to adjust, but remembering that this was a practice match meant primarily to help the team gel, she decided this was the moment to test them and gave up on the idea.
On the court, Hyuga Junpei also realized that Kagami Taiga alone couldn't contend with Shidou Ryusei. Looking at Kuroko, he knew they would ultimately have to rely on the coordination between Kuroko and Kagami.
"Damn it," Hyuga cursed under his breath, his gaze sweeping toward Kagami Taiga, who was being tightly marked by Shidou Ryusei, who had almost completely sealed off all of Kagami's receiving lanes.
He had no choice but to give up on passing directly and send the ball to Kuroko, then let Kuroko pass it to Kagami.
"Hyuga!" Izuki Shun called out, and only then did Hyuga realize he had already carried the ball past half-court. Moriyama Yoshitaka immediately stuck to him; after Takeuchi Genta's "special attention" during the timeout, his defense was exceptionally serious.
"Don't think you're getting a shot off easily!" Moriyama lowered his center of gravity and spread his arms wide like an airtight net.
Hyuga knew now was not the time for hesitation; as the captain, he had to step up.
"Don't think we're a team that can only score through Kagami!" Hyuga suddenly lowered his center of gravity and performed a quick between-the-legs dribble.
Moriyama reacted fast and followed his movement, but Hyuga changed direction again, pulled the ball back, and rose for a jumper from beyond the three-point line.
The basketball drew a beautiful arc. Hyuga held his shooting form until he heard a "Swish!"
"Beautiful!" Aida Riko jumped up excitedly on the sidelines.
Hyuga turned back to defend, and as he passed Kagami, he saw a flash of frustration in the eyes of the always energetic first-year.
He knew what Kagami was thinking—it must feel terrible to be completely shut down by Shidou.
"Don't let it get to you," Hyuga patted Kagami on the back.
Just as Hyuga's shot hit the net, a dangerous curve curled at the corner of Shidou Ryusei's mouth.
A glint flashed in those pink pupils. Kasamatsu Yukio quickly pushed the ball past half-court, and Shidou was already in position in the frontcourt. He raised his right hand and tapped his temple with his index finger, signaling Kasamatsu to pass.
Shidou received the pass, and facing Kagami's defense, his movements suddenly became identical to Hyuga's—lowering his center of gravity, a between-the-legs dribble, another change of direction, a pullback, and a pull-up jumper. Only the flick of his wrist at release was slightly different, but it was nearly indistinguishable.
"Hey… no way…" Hyuga muttered.
"Swish!"
The ball went clean through the net.
"Don't let it get to you," Shidou said, holding his shooting form as he turned to Kagami, his tone exactly like Hyuga's.
Kagami's eyes widened, and Hyuga felt a chill run down his spine. Shidou hadn't just copied his moves; he had repeated his words verbatim.
Hyuga swallowed. He had never realized so clearly what a terrifying existence this pink-haired boy was.
"Are you kidding me… I thought Kise Ryota was the one who could copy. How can Shidou Ryusei do it too?" Hyuga clenched his fists.
Aida Riko watched Shidou's movements and felt a slight sense of incongruity, but she couldn't pinpoint what was off.
Shidou turned to defend, and as he passed Hyuga, he whispered, "Your three-pointer is beautiful, but… now it's mine too."
Hyuga felt his heart race, sweat sliding down his cheek.
"Hyuga!" Aida Riko shouted. "Don't let him get to you—keep playing at our rhythm!"
Hyuga took a deep breath and received Izuki's pass. He could feel Shidou's gaze following him constantly; the feeling of being watched by a hunter made his skin crawl.
But he was Seirin's captain.
"Since you like watching me so much…" Hyuga suddenly pulled up a step behind the three-point line. Moriyama Yoshitaka didn't expect the shot and hesitated before lunging.
Too late.
Hyuga leapt high, Moriyama's hand almost reaching his face. At that moment, the corner of Hyuga's mouth twitched upward.
The basketball didn't fly toward the hoop but at a strange angle toward the left forty-five-degree mark.
Just when everyone thought it was a bad pass, the ball curved bizarrely.
"What?!" Moriyama's eyes widened.
As if pulled by a string, the ball flew into the hands of Kuroko Tetsuya, who had suddenly appeared there. Only then did Shidou realize his fatal mistake—he had focused too much on Hyuga and completely overlooked Kuroko.
"Oh no!" Shidou turned to recover, but it was too late.
The moment Kuroko caught the ball, Kagami Taiga had already cut into the paint like a bolt of red lightning. Kuroko's pass threaded between Kobori Kōji and Mito, landing perfectly in Kagami's hands.
"Hwah!"
Kagami jumped from just inside the free-throw line, his whole body like an eagle spreading its wings.
He dunked with both hands.
"Boom!"
The deafening sound echoed through the gym. The rim bent downward with an ear-piercing creak.
The backboard vibrated violently as if it might fall.
Kagami hung on the rim, veins bulging, venting all his frustration—Shidou's defense, his helplessness, everything.
"Aaaaaah!"
The referee was about to warn him, but Kagami let go at the last moment.
"Thud!"
He landed heavily, knees bending.
Kagami turned, eyes burning at Shidou.
Shidou smiled, full of fighting spirit.
On the sidelines, Aida Riko sighed in relief; she'd feared Kagami would rip the rim down. Seeing his spirit reignite, she smiled softly. "That's our ace."
The ball bounced again as play continued.
Everyone could feel the atmosphere had changed. Kagami's dunk had reignited Seirin's morale and challenged Shidou directly.
Hyuga ruffled Kuroko's hair. "Nice pass."
Kuroko nodded. "Captain Hyuga's pass was impressive too."
Kagami threw his arms around them. "Great job! Let's show them what Seirin is made of!"
Shidou watched from behind, his fighting spirit growing. He licked his lips. "Interesting. This is getting fun."
Kasamatsu patted his shoulder. "Don't let them get to you. We still have time."
Shidou looked surprised—why would he be affected?
There were 22 seconds left in the first quarter, enough for Kaijo's final possession.
Score: Kaijo 25 – Seirin 17.
They had to stop this play; if Kaijo entered the second quarter with a double-digit lead while Kuroko rested, the gap would widen.
Shidou dribbled slowly near half-court, savoring the calm. Kagami spread his arms, watching closely.
19… 18… 17…
Suddenly Shidou accelerated.
Kagami lowered his center, but Shidou's change of direction threw him off completely.
"Damn it!" Kagami chased, but Shidou had already cut into the paint.
16… 15… 14…
Hyuga helped on defense, arms spread, but Shidou spun past him like a dancer.
13… 12… 11…
He stepped into the paint and rose smoothly.
Mitobe and Izuki jumped to block.
10… 8…
A red figure burst in—Kagami caught up at the last second. Three arms sealed the lane.
Shidou's pupils shrank.
Three arms blocked him completely.
3 seconds.
Shidou twisted mid-air, core strength exploding, pulling the ball to his chest and spinning.
2 seconds.
Kagami's eyes widened.
1 second.
Shidou completed a 360-degree turn, shifting past Izuki's block.
"Impregnate!!!"
He roared and slammed the ball in.
"Boom!"
The buzzer sounded for the end of the quarter as the rim shook violently.
"Crack—"
A crack spread across the backboard, spider-webbing instantly.
"Bang!"
The backboard shattered, glass raining down.
Shidou closed his eyes as shards struck his face. He let go and stumbled, his jersey glittering with glass.
The gym fell silent.
Everyone stared. Even the referee froze. Kise's water bottle dropped with a thud.
Takeuchi Genta's mouth hung open.
Kagami stood stunned, seeing small cuts on Shidou's arm.
Izuki swallowed. "Is this guy… a monster?"
Shidou stood there, chest heaving, adrenaline surging. His right hand trembled from the force.
Silence—then deafening cheers.
"Incredible!"
"Is he even human?!"
"Shidou! Shidou! Shidou!"
The crowd chanted his name.
"Beep—"
The referee finally reacted. Staff rushed in to clear the glass, and the game was suspended.
Shidou walked to the bench. Kise handed him a towel, voice trembling. "Little Shidou… you okay?"
"Huh? Okay? I'm absolutely thrilled right now!" Shidou wiped his face and smiled, tired but satisfied.
The scoreboard still read 27–17, Kaijo leading. But everyone knew the score no longer mattered. Shidou's dunk had shattered not only the backboard but Seirin's morale.
Kagami looked at the glass on the floor and clenched his fists as the staff replaced the backboard and the game prepared to resume.