The final two minutes of the third quarter.
Score: 102–77.
The gap widened again.
At its core, Rakuzan's five-man offensive formation—anchored by Shigure Akihito and Hagioka Kasayuki—was brilliant. Their rotations and precision passes worked seamlessly once Akihito and Hagioka re-entered the game. But on defense…
Hayama Kotarō simply couldn't keep up with Nijimura Shuzo.
It was a simple comparison
30 to 0.
That was the current quarter's score in the duel between them, and for all of Hayama's effort to wear down Nijimura's stamina, the result spoke for itself.
And in terms of stamina, Nijimura hadn't even burned much in the first half, while Hayama only entered midway through the third quarter.
Now
Hayama Kotarō's breath came in ragged bursts, every exhale scraping his throat.
His opponent…
That monster still had flickers of lightning arcing faintly in his eyes.
Hayama thought silently,
(…Even after all this, his Zone hasn't faded completely?)
He had gone all out—his Raimei Dribble consumed stamina faster than any technique, far faster than the Zone itself.
But that was the nature of the ability
Pure power traded for explosive speed.
If it lasted a full quarter, that was already his limit.
Huff…
His stamina was bleeding away,
like a floodgate thrown open.
Two minutes left.
He wasn't even sure if he could last that long.
But
Fine. Then I'll drain it all.
Half a minute remained.
Hayama's thighs—noticeably thicker than his calves—were taut and trembling. He pushed himself harder, faster.
The cutting wind stung his face, but it also kept him awake.
Nijimura…
You really are strong.
Not just "strong" in the usual sense.
Since his third year of middle school, Hayama had trained his legs relentlessly—
He'd sacrificed his shooting, his finishing, everything—
just to perfect his thunderous speed.
And even then…
This was all he could reach.
His energy
was almost gone.
But even so,
I want to stay in this feeling… just a little longer.
His trembling legs barely held him upright. But in that unstable stance burned a conviction that only grew stronger
to squeeze out the very last drop of strength.
Hayama Kotarō, forgetting all tactics and assignments, suddenly
Turned.
Raimei Dribble!
Hagioka Kasayuki read his movement instantly with his Yin Flow Reading, adjusted position, and gave a quick pick-and-roll assist
BOOM!
A perfect setup
Hayama took flight!
SLAM!
The ball crashed through the hoop, but he failed to grab the rim, tumbling backward and hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
"Scored!"
"The gap's down to twenty-three!"
"Twenty-two seconds left in the quarter!"
"Can Rakuzan hold it?!"
Hayama's hands trembled. His grip strength was gone—he couldn't even hold the rim. Sitting on the court, gasping for air, he barely heard the commentators' voices blur into the crowd's roar.
Rakuzan's players quickly gathered around him. After confirming he wasn't seriously hurt, they helped him up.
"You alright, Kotarō?"
Slap!
Hayama gripped Reo Mibuchi's hand, nodded slightly, and turned to Hagioka Kasayuki—
"Good screen, senpai."
Thwack! Thwack!
Nebuya Eikichi clapped his thigh with his trademark grin. "Damn strong! See? Muscles never betray us!"
Reo sighed, brushing Nebuya's hand away.
No, really… you two aren't even the same species.
But Hayama didn't joke back this time. He didn't even respond. His eyes were distant, locked somewhere far beyond the court.
There's still time. It's not over yet.
Just follow your instincts. Keep running forward.
Nijimura received Shigure Akihito's pass and barreled through Rakuzan's half—past the three-point line. Hayama's defense couldn't even slow him.
Pull-up jumper—swish!
Five seconds off the clock.
The lead—back to twenty-five.
Rakuzan's offense had become predictable, their pattern worn thin after an entire quarter. Breaking through now was visibly harder.
And then
Hayama moved again.
Crackle!
With a surge of electricity, his body tensed, his breathing rough and desperate. A sharp yellow spark flashed from his eyes.
Crack—crackle—crack!
The lightning's glow steadied, brighter, steadier
And then, incredibly
Even with his stamina at the limit, even as his body screamed for rest, his speed rose again.
A streak of yellow light cut through the court
the faint shimmer of a cheetah's pelt rippling behind him.
From the stands
Akashi Seijūrō's eyes widened.
"Another one…"
Another player—besides the two seniors and Hagioka Kasayuki
had stepped into the Zone.
On the court
Hagioka evaded Shigure's pressure with a sharp crossover,
one-handed the ball,
and fired a behind-the-back pass.
Swift as the Wind!
Target
Hayama Kotarō, blazing yellow.
His speed was astounding, but Nijimura was faster. With a single spin, he shifted from defense to pursuit, nearly catching the ball midair
Hayama dove forward, stretching to the limit—
his fingers brushed the ball, pulled it in.
A bead of cold sweat slid down his temple.
What the hell…?
That explosive speed
how did it spike so suddenly?!
Nijimura's eyes narrowed as he spoke calmly,
"I knew it from the start…"
"You…"
"Had that look of someone who'd reach it too."
Whish!
He lunged—lightning-fast. Hayama's pupils contracted.
Boom!
Raimei Dribble!
But
"Zone—Rainbow Flow!"
Smack!
Nijimura's hand cut in sharply
Even with his Zone's light dimmer than before, his speed had evolved, sharper, heavier
even faster than when he'd first entered it.
In that single motion
He snatched Hayama Kotarō's desperate, thunderous dribble from his hands
Clean steal.
And thus
Hayama's final, all-out burst
his Zone-born Thunder Dribble
was forcibly taken
by the Rainbow Flow.
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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