The buzzer for the third quarter rang out sharp and unforgiving.
Hakuro Academy walked back onto the court first.
Their posture had changed.
The loose shoulders were gone. The casual chatter had vanished. Even the crowd felt it—something invisible pressing down on the arena like a storm front rolling in.
Ryu stepped onto the hardwood and cracked his neck once.
No grin.
No lazy dribble.
Just eyes forward.
Focused.
Across from him, Seiryō gathered near the sideline as Coach Takeda finished his last words.
"Remember," he said, voice low but firm, "we don't run from pressure. We force mistakes. Play your game."
Yuuto nodded, but his chest felt tight.
Because something was wrong.
Not with them.
With Hakuro.
They weren't playing anymore.
---
Scoreboard:
Hakuro Academy — 40
Seiryō High — 20
Five points.
Close enough to hope.
Close enough to hurt.
---
The ball went up.
Hakuro won the tip.
Ryu caught the inbound and didn't slow down.
