Another inbound to Yuto.
Dirga's eyes narrowed.
He remembered the strategy meeting clearly:
"First pass usually goes to Masaki. They're tight. Trust that connection."
"They'll try to bait us with the screen. Be ready."
And they were.
Dirga and Taiga locked in on that option like trained hunters.
Sure enough—Masaki moved up.
Yuto brought the ball forward slowly, calculating. Then he motioned—
Masaki stepped up for the screen.
But this wasn't just about spacing.
It was a handoff.
Yuto passed the ball mid-screen.
Masaki caught it fluidly in motion.
Taiga switched on instinct. Shadowing tight.
Masaki didn't flinch.
His eyes scanned, and his mind clicked into rhythm.
"They're reading me well," Masaki whispered to himself.
"But I expected that. I'll believe in myself—and finish it."
This was the difference.
Where Heian Gakuen underestimated him…
Horizon didn't.
They were guarding heavy, showing full respect to Toyonaka's ace.
But Masaki wasn't looking for respect.
