"So now that we've established the teams for the half-hour scrimmage, how do we determine who will get the ball first? The standard way or through a coin flip?" asked Makoto as he pulled a coin from his pocket, its metallic surface catching the gym lights.
"Since it's four persons on each team, I think the coin flip would be the best option," said Yukio, adjusting his grip on his shoes as he stood near center court.
"Yes, I agree with that method—plain and simple," said Takahiro, arms crossed.
"Okay, heads or tails, Hayato?" asked Makoto, bouncing the coin lightly in his palm.
"I say tails," replied Hayato without hesitation.
"Okay, let's see," said Makoto, flipping the coin high into the air. The faint metallic ring echoed before it landed cleanly in his hand. He revealed it.
"Hayato's team gets the first ball," announced Makoto.
"Alright, now that this is out of the way, let's begin," said Nanaho, seated on the bench, arms resting on her knees as she leaned forward, eyes sharp.
Takahiro stepped out and inbounded the ball to Hayato, whose sneakers squeaked against the polished wood as he received it and began dribbling up the court. The sound of the ball hitting the floor echoed steadily, rhythmic and tight.
"We have fifteen minutes in the half, so we'll have to score as much as possible," he muttered, his brows slightly furrowed as he scanned the court.
Makoto stepped in to guard him, shoulders low, feet shifting quietly. But Hayato didn't hesitate—he fired a pass to Noboru on the right wing.
Noboru caught it cleanly, his eyes flicking to Shino who closed the gap fast. With a sharp jab step and quick ball fake, Noboru got Shino off balance and moved past him. His sneakers slid across the surface with a short burst of friction before he whipped a sharp bounce pass into the paint.
Liam received it with both hands and immediately dropped his hip, bracing himself. The thud of his body hitting Yukio's chest echoed in the gym, and Yukio staggered back under the pressure, his heels grazing the painted semicircle. Liam then rose up and placed the ball off the glass for an easy layup.
"Nice one, Liam! Now let's stop them on their possession," said Hayato, already retreating to set up on defense.
"He scored all thanks to me passing him the ball, so where the hell is my credit for that?" Noboru muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing.
"I see, you're finally getting the hang of it, Liam," said Yukio with a small grin as he jogged past him to inbound the ball.
On the next play, Yukio inbounded to Makoto, who took his time bringing the ball up the court. His dribble was smooth, low, barely making noise over the court's echo.
"It's been a while since we've played against each other. Show me what you've got, Makoto," Hayato said as he slid in front of him, keeping low, hands out.
Yukio sprinted forward, then angled his body and screened off Takahiro for a split second, enough time for Tetsuo to curl around the pick and find open space.
"Shino, get yourself free," Makoto said, voice steady but quiet.
Yukio, having already screened Takahiro, darted back across the court and cut down the lane with purpose.
Takahiro panicked, glancing between Yukio and Tetsuo. Liam, who had been watching Tetsuo closely, also stepped over to help. The moment both defenders committed to the perimeter, Makoto snapped a pass inside. The ball thudded into Yukio's hands.
Feet firmly planted, Yukio rose for a point-blank layup. The ball brushed softly off the backboard and dropped through the net.
"If it takes something as simple as that to break down your defensive formation, then you guys have a lot of work to do," said Makoto, backing up calmly, breathing steady.
"Makoto really is a great point guard. In a single play, he proved that point—and without breaking a sweat," said Nanaho, eyes fixed on him as she crossed one leg over the other.
Hayato received the ball again and pushed the tempo this time. The sound of hurried footsteps followed him. He passed quickly to Takahiro on the left side and ran over to set a screen.
Takahiro used it, curling around toward the basket. Yukio stepped up, timing his jump perfectly to meet Takahiro in midair—but Takahiro twisted mid-leap and passed under Yukio's arms to Liam.
With no hesitation, Liam grabbed the ball mid-motion and slammed it through the hoop. The rim rattled as his hands briefly held on.
"That's what I'm talking about! Nice dunk, big guy," said Noboru, pumping his fist as he backpedaled.
Makoto wasted no time. He clapped for the inbound, then called out, "Double screen!"
Tetsuo and Shino moved simultaneously, creating a wall as Makoto sliced through. Takahiro anticipated and switched off his man to cut off Makoto's drive, while Liam shifted over to help.
Makoto's eyes flicked down as he dribbled through a tight seam, and without breaking stride, he delivered a no-look pass through Takahiro's legs—clean and fast.
Tetsuo caught it just outside the arc. His shooting form was instant—feet set, shoulders squared. The shot was high and clean, and the sound of the swish echoed clearly.
The moment the ball dropped through, Noboru was already sprinting. Hayato launched a full-court pass that landed directly in his hands. Noboru finished the break with a clean layup off the glass.
The players barely had time to reset as Makoto took possession again. Hayato stepped up aggressively this time, crowding him, hands tight to his sides.
"Let's see what you've got, Makoto," he said, voice sharp.
Makoto didn't speak. He dribbled once with his right, then cut left. Yukio bolted from the left corner and cut across the lane. Makoto glanced at him once—then snapped a behind-the-back pass, quick and sudden.
The ball zipped between two defenders and hit Yukio right in the chest. He didn't flinch—just gathered it and rose for the layup before Liam could close in. The ball slipped in smoothly off the glass.
"How the hell did that pass get through? And it was so precise. He passed through the small gaps in our defense. This kid is really amazing," Hayato thought, jaw clenching slightly.
"Now I see why, in junior high, they called him the Phantom Point Guard. His passes are so lethal and quick. He even added a spin to it. It's almost like a missile that has locked onto its target. The ball will always find you, no matter what," said Yukio as he jogged back with a grin.
"Looks like Makoto is still living up to his junior high reputation. Our team couldn't get any better. Inter-High, here we come," thought Nanaho excitedly.
Hayato received the next inbound and passed to Takahiro, who took a controlled step to the left, squared up, and launched a mid-range shot. The ball rotated cleanly and dropped through without grazing the rim.
Makoto brought the ball down again, passing to Shino. Shino caught it and immediately dropped into a triple-threat stance. His breathing steadied as Noboru approached.
"What are you going to do? There's nothing you can do because you'll never get past me, amateur," said Noboru, standing tall.
"He's right. I can't beat him… No, I'm wrong. If I can't get past him, I'll never get better," thought Shino, jaw set.
He faked a shot. Noboru jumped, and Shino took advantage, driving hard to the right. The air shifted as Liam rotated toward him, eyes on the ball.
Shino pulled up and dished to Yukio under the basket. Without adjusting, Yukio jumped and dunked it one-handed.
"Nice work, Shino. Keep it up," said Yukio, tapping him on the shoulder as they transitioned back.
"I did it. I somehow managed to get past him," Shino thought, a bit breathless.
"That bastard! How dare he humiliate me like that," Noboru thought, jaw clenched.
"Hayato, pass the ball," barked Noboru. Hayato didn't hesitate.
Noboru caught it and squared up with Shino. "We'll see about that. I'll bring you back down to earth."
He pushed forward, dribbling hard and crossing over. Shino moved with him, step for step. Noboru spun, but Shino mirrored him again.
"Wow, he can't shake him," said Takahiro from the sideline.
"Shit! When did he get so good at defense?" Noboru thought as his rhythm broke.
Suddenly, Makoto slid in, and with a quick jab and hand swipe, took the ball cleanly.
"Shit! I didn't see him—that sneaky bastard!"
Makoto sprinted the full length of the court and laid the ball up with no contest.
"I hate to admit it, but the four players they have are a better combination than ours. My only option is to use Liam to gain some form of advantage," Hayato thought, his lips pressed tight.
Next play, Hayato slowed things down and motioned for Liam to post up. The court felt tense, air humid from the nonstop action.
Liam received it on the low block. Yukio braced, knees bent, arms wide.
Liam turned, used his frame, and bumped hard into Yukio. The sound of bodies clashing was loud and direct. Yukio stumbled backward, and Liam exploded upward, both hands on the ball. The dunk was powerful, the rim vibrating as he landed.
"This game is really getting exciting. I wonder who will win," thought Nanaho, leaning forward again, locked in.