The Rainbow Flow.
Without question
it was identical in essence to Aida Kagetora's Stellar Flow.
When the buzzer marked the end of the third quarter, Hayama Kotarō drew in a deep breath, letting out a long exhale that barely steadied the storm inside him.
And yet
His expression mirrored the same strain as his trembling knees: both were enduring past their limits.
At that moment
Nijimura Shuzo stepped forward and extended his hand.
"...You did great."
"Although, timing-wise…"
He gave a faint, regretful smile. "It's a shame."
Hayama froze for a heartbeat, his gaze still locked on the rainbow-like glow of Nijimura's Rainbow Flow beneath his feet. After a pause, he finally spoke softly
"Thanks. But it's not a shame, really."
"It's just… the difference in strength. That's all. Next time… I'll be ready again. I'll—keep challenging you."
Nijimura noticed the glimmer of moisture in Hayama's eyes, and smiled gently.
"Yeah," he said.
"It doesn't really matter to me."
"Because…"
"The next time, I'll still win."
Hayama's expression froze for a second.
Those words
they struck something deep within him.
He suddenly remembered that moment back in middle school
the first time he saw the tallest mountain, the longest river. The awe that stole his words.
The regret of not having answered back.
"Damn it…"
"Nijimura Shuzo…"
"You bastard!"
He stumbled forward on legs that had lost all strength, forcing out two shaky steps.
"Next time! Next time, I swear I'll beat you! I—"
But Nijimura had already turned away toward the Rakuzan bench.
He waved a hand backward with an easy grin.
"Challenge accepted."
"If you can really do it, I'll be waiting."
"But next time, I'll be even stronger—so you'd better prepare yourself to lose again…"
"Hayama Kotarō."
The distance between them was real, just like that gap in strength.
Hayama stood there, frozen and unwilling to accept it, when Tondo Kaoru, one of Rakuzan's seniors, approached.
He placed a firm hand on Hayama's head.
"First-year," he said quietly. "You're just getting started. Keep working hard. Next time—beat him."
"Here."
"I—I don't need—"
Kaoru shook his head and draped a towel over Hayama's head.
Though he said he didn't need it, Hayama didn't move to take it off. He simply lowered his head, walking back toward the bench under the complicated gazes of Reo Mibuchi and Nebuya Eikichi.
But everyone saw it
Plip…
Plip…
Tears, mixed with sweat, slipped down from his chin, dripping onto the floor.
The towel on his head couldn't hide them.
Nebuya opened his mouth, about to tease that tears didn't fit his "muscle style," but
Smack!
Reo's hand came down instantly on the back of his head.
"???"
"What was that for?"
"Just shut up," Reo replied.
"…Right."
Fourth Quarter
Rakuzan vs. Kaijō. The Final Showdown.
For everyone watching—players, coaches, even the "Generation of Miracles" in the stands
what unfolded at the start of this quarter looked like a scene straight from hell.
Rakuzan:
Hagioka Kasayuki
Second-Phase Zone, Yin Flow Unknowable,
full-team synergy of Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain, Thunder.
Kaijō:
Shigure Akihito
Zone—Eye for an Eye.
Perfect mimicry of Yin Flow Unknowable,
Kaijō's entire squad burning with the Flame of Manhood.
The arena packed to capacity.
Inter-High Finals.
A perfect stage.
The stands were filled with every kind of spectator imaginable
the Generation of Miracles, U20 coaches, former national players, high school stars
everyone except for one lost Kagami Taiga, who had yet to find his way here.
"Twenty-five points~"
"Senpai~"
"Can you still see a chance to win~?"
"Until the very last moment…"
"Even I don't know yet, Shigure."
Though Hagioka's tone was relaxed, his gaze had never been more serious as he lowered his stance.
At the same time
Amid the blazing aura of Kaijō's Flame Men,
one presence stood out—solemn, radiant
Nijimura Shuzo.
He inhaled deeply
so deep his chest expanded like it might burst—then exhaled, his entire body shimmering not only with Zone energy, but also with faint rainbow light.
"That one…"
"Yeah," Shigure muttered with a grin. "He stole it."
"It's called Rainbow Breath. You don't know it yet, senpai—so I'll explain it to you."
"It's… really strong~"
Hagioka chuckled. "You're way too nice. Just remember to call me senpai properly next time."
BOOM!
BOOM!
The pressure radiating from Hagioka's body surged upward—his aura condensing, expanding—
The evolved Yin Flow Unknowable now burned in shades of inky black, as fierce and consuming as the Black Flames that cloaked Shigure Akihito.
Wave after wave
their powers clashed head-on!
In the stands:
The Generation of Miracles
Akashi.
Aomine.
Haizaki.
All of them unconsciously swallowed hard, eyes wide as the intensity from every player on court battered the arena from all angles.
And then
With Hagioka's sudden motion, the showdown truly began
SLAP!
A crossover between the legs
The inky aura rippled outward like waves, his motion so fluid that even Shigure Akihito felt something shift for a moment.
SLAP!
SLAP!
Focus
Prediction
Then
Bamboo shadows.
Lightning arcs.
Mountain ridges.
Ink ripples.
Two rapid, large crossovers in succession
Each aided by Hagioka's abilities
a super-predictive state of Yin Flow Unknowable that tore through Shigure's defensive rhythm, forcing his body to stiffen for an instant!
"...Anklebreak?"
Shigure muttered, incredulous.
To use Yin Flow Unknowable purely as a predictive tool
to reproduce the Emperor Eye effect through sheer sensory instinct
That was absurd.
But
Reaching this far was enough.
Fujima Kenji — Green Light!
The rest—he'd cover with speed.
At this stage, conserving stamina was meaningless.
All that mattered was pushing everything to the edge!
Because victory wasn't just about tactics
it was also about willpower.
In that instant
Hagioka frowned slightly. His drive slowed…
No
It wasn't that he slowed,
it was that Shigure Akihito's full-power burst had accelerated beyond all reason.
The final quarter
he, too, was betting it all.
Everyone was.
"Come on."
The two tore through the court, weaving into the paint at blinding speed
Shigure's shadow loomed large, devouring the light above the arena, chasing Hagioka like a beast ready to swallow him whole
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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