Miyagi picked up a towel to wipe his sweat. "That was exhausting! As expected from a regular at the national tournament, the pressure is no joke!"
"Damn it, Miyagi! If you'd passed the ball more to this genius, we definitely wouldn't be behind!"
Sakuragi gulped down some water while complaining.
"Coach, what should we do next? That guy, Kise Ryota, is impossible to contain!"
Seeing the team fall behind, Akagi Takenori looked anxiously at Coach Anzai.
Coach Anzai thought for a moment, then looked toward Kise on Kaijo's bench, his eyes full of admiration. "Ah… I don't have any good ideas to deal with that blond boy either…"
Mitsui Hisashi asked, "So what do we do now?"
"Why do you need to contain him? Our interior advantage is strong. Why try to break through their strongest point? Besides, we have Mitsui as a shooter. Don't focus on trying to contain him…"
This statement enlightened the entire Shohoku team.
Sakuragi said proudly, "The old man is right! The interior doesn't just have the Gorilla, it also has this genius. That's a solid advantage!"
Rukawa gave him no face. "Before saying that, you should practice your shooting more, idiot."
"Stinky Fox! You got dominated by Kise yourself, and you still dare to criticize me!"
They started arguing again.
…
On Kaijo's side, Takeuchi Genta summarized the first quarter.
"Excellent work! Everyone did well. Keep it up in the second!"
"Also, Kise, stop playing around! Get serious!"
Kise looked awkward. I acted so well—how did he notice?!
The whole team stared at him like he was an idiot. Kasamatsu and the others were sweating, while not even a strand of Kise's hair was wet.
Takeuchi sighed. "Have your fun, but know your limits. Don't overdo it."
Kise nodded obediently.
Aomine and Shidou Ryusei had already fallen asleep from boredom. Midorima had left after the first quarter.
Only Momoi and Chizuru were still watching.
Momoi noticed Chizuru frowning. "Chizuru-chan, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Chizuru shook her head. "There's something I don't understand."
Momoi blinked. "Huh?"
"Shohoku clearly has a height and strength advantage inside, but they aren't using it. Instead, they rely on drives, letting Kaijo's big men box out and giving Kaijo scoring chances…"
Momoi looked confused. Chizuru quickly waved her hands. "That's not what I meant! I'm just analyzing the game!"
Momoi nodded.
Then she looked at Chizuru carefully. "Chizuru-chan, have you noticed you have something special about you?"
"Huh? Can you repeat that?"
"I mean, you might have a basketball talent you haven't realized yet."
"Basketball talent? I've never even touched a ball!"
Momoi thought about how to explain.
But from Chizuru's perspective, Momoi's gaze looked… strange. She panicked. "No, no, that's not possible, Momoi! Even though you're pretty and have a good figure… I… I can't!"
Momoi was completely confused.
Their commotion woke Shidou. Seeing Chizuru's red face, he panicked. "Ch-Chizuru, are you okay?"
"I'm going to the restroom!" she ran off.
Momoi followed her.
Shidou poked Aomine. "The game's over. Let's go!"
Aomine mumbled sleepily—until the announcement came:
"Kaijo vs. Shohoku, second quarter begins!"
…
In the restroom, Momoi explained everything, and Chizuru realized her misunderstanding. Momoi suggested she could help the team with her sharp observation skills.
Chizuru, embarrassed but thoughtful, began considering it.
They returned to the stands. Seeing a bruise on Shidou's face, they asked about it. He lied that he bumped into something.
Second quarter, Kaijo's possession.
Kasamatsu faced Miyagi's defense, trying to drive, but Miyagi kept recovering with his speed.
"Kasamatsu-senpai!"
Kise called for the ball. Kasamatsu passed.
Dribble, dribble.
Kise looked at Rukawa. "Not bad—you're tough to shake off."
Rukawa didn't reply.
Kise faked a shot. Rukawa rose to block. Kise drove, spun, faked left, and accelerated right.
Sakuragi rushed in.
"Eat this genius block!"
Kise smiled wickedly.
"Idiot, don't!" Rukawa shouted—but too late.
Kise hesitated, baiting Sakuragi into contact, then shot.
Tweet—!!!
Foul on Shohoku No. 10!
And one!