"Beeeeep—"
After the timeout.
Kise Ryota watched Seirin's momentum rise instead of fall. "Huh? They've got plenty of spirit! But spirit alone isn't enough to win a game!"
Kasamatsu Yukio punched him directly. "Get serious! Besides, a team like this deserves respect!"
Kise clutched his head. "I know!!!"
Izuki Shun took the ball and observed Kaijo's positioning. Kuroko suddenly vanished from Moriyama Yoshitaka's sight, and at the same moment, the basketball left Izuki's hands. The ball curved straight into Mitobe's hands, and Mitobe scored with a floater.
Kaijo's offense didn't falter either. Kise lowered his center of gravity, watching Kagami. He accelerated, and Kagami followed closely. The two pressed against each other, neither giving an inch.
Kise turned, took a step, and shot a floater.
Swish.
The ball dropped through the net.
Kise turned and headed back on defense, leaving a solemn Kagami behind.
"Kagami!"
Hyuga snapped Kagami out of it and organized the offense.
Hyuga faced Moriyama's defense, dribbling steadily, when Moriyama suddenly swiped the ball away.
"Not good!"
At that instant, Kise rushed in and grabbed the ball—but a blue figure silently appeared behind him and knocked it away again.
In just a few breaths, the ball passed through three players' hands.
Kagami grabbed it, stepped inside the free-throw line, and prepared to jump. But another surprise appeared—a flash of golden hair, ready to block his dunk.
"Hah!!!"
Kagami twisted mid-air and slammed in a one-handed behind-the-back dunk.
After landing, even Kise was shocked. He hadn't expected Kagami to evade his block and complete such a dunk.
Kagami landed steadily and met Kise's gaze.
"Whoa… What a scary look… Is Kagami-chi going to eat me?"
Kuroko nudged Kagami's leg. "Stop staring, Kagami-kun. We need to get back on defense."
Kagami turned and ran back with Kuroko.
That dunk reignited Seirin's confidence, though the score gap remained. Seirin relied on Kuroko's passing, while Kaijo relied on Kise and teamwork to keep scoring.
With 30 seconds left, everyone was on edge, sweat soaking their uniforms.
Scoreboard:
Kaijo 84 – Seirin 75.
Kaijo still led by 9.
Kise received the ball near center court. Kagami stepped forward to defend, eyes blazing.
Kise dribbled crisply. Suddenly he faked right, crossed over, then crossed back again. Kagami shifted with him, but Kise stopped abruptly, throwing Kagami off balance.
Kise exploded past like golden lightning. Hayakawa came to help, but Kise spun behind his back and shook him off.
Kobori boxed out Mitobe to stop help defense.
Kise entered the paint and jumped.
"Don't even think about it!" Kagami chased and leapt from behind.
Kise stayed calm, twisting mid-air and slamming the ball in.
Bang!
Kise hung on the rim with one hand.
Kagami landed and looked up in shock—the move was the exact same one he had used earlier.
Kise let go, golden hair shining under the lights.
Beeep!
Game over.
Final score: Kaijo 86 – Seirin 75.
"We won!!!" Kaijo's bench erupted.
Takeuchi Genta clapped, signaling good work.
Kaijo celebrated while Seirin looked dejected. Kagami stood silently, replaying Kise's dunk in his mind.
Kuroko was about to speak when Kagami suddenly burst out laughing.
"They're really strong! I can't believe players like this exist in Japan. I wonder if the other Generation of Miracles members are this strong too. I'm fired up!"
Kuroko smiled and helped pack up.
Just as Seirin was about to leave, Takeuchi Genta led Kaijo over.
"Huh? Winning isn't enough? Do they want to humiliate us too?" Hyuga muttered.
Aida Riko also felt uneasy.
Takeuchi stepped forward.
"Sumimasen!"
He bowed halfway.
"I'm very sorry. I judged you by appearances. I apologize for my rude behavior before the match."
"I take back what I said. You are a strong team and deserve respect. I hope we can have another practice match."
Aida Riko was stunned. "Ah… It's fine. We didn't take it to heart. And honestly, playing an unknown school like ours, anyone might feel that way. We should thank you for agreeing to the match."
She smiled shyly.
"Let's schedule another one sometime, Coach Aida," Takeuchi said, shaking her hand. "Today's match was wonderful. Seirin impressed me."
"Of course. Playing a strong team like Kaijo is a rare opportunity for us too."
"We should be going now. We won't disturb you any longer."
Takeuchi turned. "Alright. Kise, Shidou, see them out!"
No answer.
Kasamatsu scratched his head. "Um… Coach, Kise and Shidou left already. They said they went to see some former teammates."
Takeuchi nodded and asked Kasamatsu to see Seirin out.
Riko turned to her team. "Everyone worked hard today. But remember, this is just the beginning. Next, we prepare seriously for the IH."
"Understood!" Seirin answered together, their spirits high.