"Huh? Never thought the next time I'd face Kuroko up close would be like this, huh."
Kise held the ball at the top of the key, staring down Kuroko, who had lowered his stance with an unusually serious face.
"I don't know what kind of sneaky plan you guys are cooking up, but Kurokocchi, come on—there's no way you can stop me."
"Bring it on" Kuroko replied, his voice calm and cool.
Kise frowned slightly. "Why does this feel so off...? "
"Alright then, don't mind if I do."
As soon as he finished speaking, Kise made his move. Unsurprisingly, Kuroko was unable to keep up with Kise's explosive first step and was left behind, barely managing to turn around.
"So as I was saying, Kurokocchi, you're just—huh?"
Before Kise could finish gloating, a shadow appeared in front of him—Kagami.
With a wide grin, Kagami said, "I wanted you to get past him. It was a trap—now it's time for the steal!"
Kise blinked, confused—and realized the ball was gone.
Kuroko, using Kagami's delayed defense as a distraction, had spun back using his low presence and swiped the ball clean.
Kagami immediately dove for the loose ball and fired a fast pass to Hyuga, who had been waiting near the three-point line.
Mid-range jumper—swish. Seirin scores two.
Kise clenched his fist. "Damn it... next time, I'll make sure—"
His eyes locked onto Kagami with laser focus.
"I'm going to beat him myself. I'll prove to Kuroko he made the wrong choice."
"Pass it to me!" As Kasamatsu crossed half-court, he saw Kise signaling hard for the ball and passed without hesitation.
Kise looked at Kuroko and smirked, "You guys are clever, I'll give you that. But hey—no one ever said I can't shoot threes."
After a quick triple-threat fake, Kise rose for a jumper. Kuroko, lacking the physical tools to challenge him in the air, could only watch.
"You've underestimated me for too lo—"
WHAM!
Still Kagami! Anticipating the shot, Kagami had been standing just behind Kuroko. He jumped sky-high and used Kuroko's head for elevation—and blocked the shot at a ridiculous height.
"Crap!" Kise watched the ball sail toward his own half and immediately sprinted back.
SMACK!
Out of nowhere, something collided with Kise. He turned in shock—he hadn't noticed Kuroko was that close.
Kuroko fell to the ground, holding his face in pain.
"Kuroko!"
Kagami, who had just rushed ahead for a dunk, heard the impact, dropped the ball, and ran back to check on him.
The Seirin team crowded around Kuroko, while Kise stood stunned nearby. Hyuga glanced back and said,
"Let's pause the game."
It was clear Kise hadn't meant to hurt him.
Kasamatsu walked over and gave Kise a light chop to the back of the head.
Snapping out of it, Kise looked at him. Kasamatsu wiped the sweat from his face with his jersey and shrugged.
"Well, it's done. I didn't want it this way, but now that the Invisible Boy's out, the point gap's only going to grow."
Kise didn't respond. His eyes were locked onto Kagami.
"He blocked me... again."
On the bench, Kota leaned back, arms behind his head, watching Kise with amusement.
"Man, Kise's head is gone. That's dangerous, especially for a so-called ace."
The coach glanced at Kota but said nothing.
...
"Sorry, everyone. I know it was a crucial moment…"
Before Kuroko could finish, Riko cut him off.
"What are you talking about? No one could've seen that coming. And you're seriously underestimating your senpai."
"They're reliable too, y'know. Now rest. Your upperclassmen aren't just here to look pretty."
On court, Kagami muttered,
"This is bad. Without Kuroko…"
"What did you just say, rookie? You think Seirin's doomed without him? Geez. You first-years these days are all freaks. Show some respect, punk."
Hyuga grumbled as he walked past Kagami, adjusting his glasses.
Kagami stood there, stunned.
"Did I say something wrong...?"
Izuki came over, patted his shoulder, and smiled.
"Don't worry. That's just how he is. But trust me, when he gets serious, his shots are scary accurate."
"Relax. Us senpai aren't just benchwarmers."
Kagami nodded, taking in Izuki's calm confidence.
Seirin made substitutions. The game resumed.
"Let's show these kids we're not washed up yet!"
Hyuga shouted, catching a hand-off from Izuki and nailing a contested three off a screen.
Kasamatsu had assumed the game would swing their way— but was shocked to see Seirin still keeping pace, even without Kuroko. Hyuga's leadership held the offense steady.
Meanwhile, Kise was locked in his own battle with Kagami. Obsessed with proving himself, he stopped passing and went full isolation mode. Though Kise still had the upper hand, Kagami wasn't just getting pushed around either. The first half ended with the score close:
First Half — Kaijo leads 55–48.
Kasamatsu sipped his water, eyeing the scoreboard.
"It's not how I imagined it, but we're holding the lead against a strong opponent. I'm doing alright, I think."
He glanced up at the coach—who was silently scribbling on the strategy board.
Then he looked over to see Kota warming up. Kota noticed his gaze and smirked.
"Time for me to shine, captain."
Kasamatsu clenched his fist as Kota's back turned. The coach, arms folded, silently shook his head.
As Kota walked to the inbound line, he recalled the coach's earlier words:
"Kota, can you help Kise?"
"Huh? Coach, you mean—"
"He's still immature. Can you support him?"
"…I think I get it. Don't worry, Coach—I'll whip him into shape."
Back on court.
Kota slowly dribbled up, setting a relaxed pace. Somehow, the whole court seemed to ease up, as if his rhythm affected everyone.
Kise, fired up, called for the ball—but Kota ignored him, motioning to the others to move.
Kise clapped loudly, demanding the pass.
"This one's mine!"
Kota gave him a glance, sighed, and thought,
"Don't blame me for this, Kise. Coach gave the order, and honestly… I'm doing this for you."
Then he tossed him the ball.
Kise grinned, slashing into the paint. Over the next few possessions, Kota kept giving Kise the ball immediately after crossing half court. Kise found it weird, but he was too caught up in his personal duel with Kagami to care.
Soon, even Seirin and Kasamatsu on the bench noticed. Every possession went to Kise, and although Kise had the edge over Kagami, it wasn't dominant. Seirin's team-focused offense was more efficient and less tiring.
Kagami stayed energized, while Kise began to slow.
"Why… is every possession going to him?"
Kasamatsu muttered, baffled.
"Is he trying to wear Kise out?"
Kasamatsu was confused—but also secretly pleased. "I don't know what's gotten into Kota, but a point guard playing like this... this match goes to me."
Kise was panting heavily now, but still glaring at Kagami, thinking:
"I've got the upper hand… Kuroko, are you watching? You picked the wrong guy."
Kota glanced at the scoreboard, then dribbled by himself for about ten seconds before tossing a lazy pass to Kise.
"Wait—why'd he wait that long?!"
Kise caught the ball, confused—but the shot clock was almost gone. He had no time to think and threw up a rushed shot over Kagami's defense.
Kagami, still with energy, jumped easily and swatted the shot.
Kise bent over, catching his breath, then glared at Kota.
"What the hell, man?! You gave it to me way too late!"
Kota jogged back on defense, glanced over with a smirk, and replied,
"Are you done being dramatic, Mr. Genius?"