A moment later, both teams returned to the court and exchanged respectful bows, bringing the game to a perfect close.
"So, did you gain anything?"
"Hah, yeah. Thanks."
"That's good. I'm looking forward to it."
"Hahaha, next time, I won't lose to you."
"I'll be waiting."
Haizaki Shogo extended his hand, clasping Aomine Daiki's dark, powerful grip. As they let go, Aomine added, almost awkwardly, "It's kinda hard to say, but congratulations. You're really strong, Shogo."
"Am I unbeatable now?"
"Unbeatable? Heh, what do you think?"
Haizaki simply shook his head, his expression unreadable, neither confirming nor denying. Am I really invincible? And just as he turned away, a phrase echoed inexplicably in his mind: "TRIPLE KILL!"
After the final whistle, passionate music filled the arena. Petals and colorful confetti rained down from above, turning the basketball court into something almost dreamlike. Haizaki Shogo stepped onto the podium as the representative of Fukuda Sogo Academy, raising the golden championship trophy high into the air. The crowd erupted, waves of applause and cheers crashing over the arena like a tide.
Joining him on stage were Imayoshi Shoichi, captain of Tōō Academy (runner-up), and Otsubo Taisuke, captain of Shutoku High (third place). Just moments ago, they had been spectators. Now, dressed in their uniforms, they stood together as the top three teams in the nation.
After the required speeches and formalities, Haizaki returned to the Fukuda bench area, where the entire team, players, coach, and manager, gathered for a commemorative photo. Haizaki stood at the center, holding the trophy. To his left was Coach Ichiro Kudo. To his right, team manager Shimizu Rena.
The scene turned slightly comical. Suzuran Karasu had been pinned to the ground on the left side, grinning foolishly as Okawa Sawano and Kimura Tosho held him down. Nearby, Harano Shinichi gave a shy smile. Fukuda Sasaki stood straight with hands behind his back, a faint grin tugging at his lips. Third-years Mochizuki Kazuhiro and Ishida Hideki stood shoulder-to-shoulder, facing the camera, capturing a moment that would belong to Fukuda Sogo forever.
=======
In the stands, many school teams hadn't left yet, watching the closing ceremony to the very end.
"Let's go, Kuroko."
"Okay, Kagami-kun."
Kagami Taiga stood up, his expression serious, calling out to his teammates as he led them out of the arena.
Aida Riko followed, raising her voice. "The Interhigh is over! Next is the Winter Cup, are you ready?!" That single question ignited something in everyone's hearts.
"Starting tomorrow, training doubles. Especially for the first-years!" Hyuga Junpei raised his hand, declaring the new regimen. No one objected. After witnessing these games, every single one of them had been fired up. Seirin High left the arena, filled with renewed determination.
======
On the other side, Kaijo High's captain Yukio Kasamatsu stood up as well, his voice heavy yet resolute. "Let's go. The Interhigh is over. What matters now is the Winter Cup."
"Yeah! We'll win it next time!"
"Idiot, keep slapping your face and you'll swell up like a pig."
Behind him, Mitsuhiro Hayakawa kept smacking his cheeks, while Moriyama Yoshitaka looked on with annoyance. Despite that, their expressions were serious, full of confidence.
Kise Ryouta was the last to stand. He adjusted his favorite light-gray suit and took one final look at the court. No words. But the glint in his eyes said everything. Kise Ryouta was never someone content to remain beneath others.
"Let's go, Atsushi."
"Mm."
"Want to grab snacks later?"
"Sure."
"Atsushi, you seem kinda low-energy."
"I'm fine."
"Then why do you look so limp?"
"Just don't feel like moving."
Murasakibara Atsushi shuffled lazily alongside his teammates. But just before stepping out of the arena, he paused, glancing back with half-lidded eyes at the court where Aomine and Haizaki stood. Almost instinctively, both Aomine and Haizaki turned toward that direction, but saw nothing but the darkened exit.
=======
The atmosphere among Rakuzan High was heavy. In the past, they were the ones standing on that podium. But this season, they didn't even make the top three. Without Akashi Seijuro, they had lost to Tōō Academy. Then, against Shutoku High led by Midorima Shintaro, they lost the chance for third place. At this moment, the Uncrowned Kings felt powerless.
"Reo-senpai, I feel useless."
"Useless? No, it's just that the Generation of Miracles is too strong."
Hayama Kotaro and Mibuchi Reo sank into quiet frustration. But then, "Why think about that now?" Nebuya Eikichi said boldly. "Focus on the Winter Cup. With Captain leading us, we'll take the championship back."
"Huh?"
"Seriously?"
They stared at him, surprised. At a moment like this, the big man still had such unshakable spirit. Mibuchi Reo straightened immediately, regaining composure. "Let's go." With renewed resolve, Rakuzan High left the arena.
"Champion. I'm jealous."
"Then stop being jealous and train harder. Win the Winter Cup instead."
"Let's go, Shin-chan. Practice."
"Mm."
Midorima Shintaro adjusted his glasses and followed Otsubo out, Takao Kazunari right beside him. Their backs were firm, unwavering.
========
The national tournament had come to an end. At the very back of Tōō Academy's group, Aomine Daiki walked slowly alongside Satsuki Momoi.
"We lost, huh. Aomine."
"Yeah. We lost."
"So, you'll work harder now, right?"
"Yeah. I will."
Simple words. But both understood everything behind them. The atmosphere between them was calm, harmonious. A feeling Momoi hadn't experienced in a long time.
As she looked at Aomine's back, warm, familiar, alive with passion once more, was it just her imagination?